This page covers 3 recalls, 42 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado.
16–20 mpg combined
11.8–14.7 L/100km
Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
Electrical system complaints lead the field for the 2011 Colorado, with owners frequently reporting that the truck fails to recognize the ignition key, leaving the vehicle unable to start, often intermittently and without warning. A faulty sensor in the ignition lock housing comes up repeatedly as the suspected hardware involved. Airbag warning lights are the second most common complaint, with multiple owners describing the driver-side airbag indicator illuminating to signal the system is inactive; several trace the issue back to broken wires in the door or seat belt wiring harness, with the problem recurring even after repairs. Frame corrosion also draws consistent attention, with owners describing rust eating through the frame rails to the point where the truck bed shifts toward the cab. A separate pattern involves brake lights failing to illuminate, tied to a brake light switch that owners say requires dealer replacement.
42
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 Chevrolet Colorado has 3 recalls, the most serious being a transmission gear position defect that can prevent the engine from restarting and allow the vehicle to roll away when parked, potentially striking people nearby.
On certain automatics, the gear indicator can misread the shift position, leaving the vehicle able to move even when the driver believes it is parked. There is also a hood latch concern: some vehicles were built without the secondary hood latch, meaning if the primary latch fails to engage, the hood can fly open while driving and block the driver's view. On the visibility side, the windshield wiper motor crank arm nut may not be tightened properly, which can cause the wipers to stop working and leave the driver without clear sightlines in rain or snow.
At a glance
What can fail
The hood may be missing its secondary latch, which could allow the hood to open unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the secondary hood latch and replace the hood if the latch is missing, at no cost.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission shift cable may not stay properly positioned due to a faulty adjustment clip. This causes the gear shift lever to show the wrong gear position, so the transmission might not actually be in Park even when the shifter indicates it is.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new transmission adjustment clip at no cost to ensure the shift cable stays in the correct position.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper motor crank arm nut may not be properly tightened. When wipers operate with snow, ice, or on a dry windshield, the nut can loosen and cause the wipers to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will tighten and secure the wiper motor crank arm nut to proper specification at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
