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 involving a missing secondary hood latch that can allow the hood to fly open while driving and block the driver's view, and a transmission gear indication fault that can allow the vehicle to roll away after the driver exits.
The rollaway risk affects vehicles equipped with a 2.9 or 3.7 liter engine with an automatic transmission, where the gear position may not be accurately displayed, leaving the vehicle in a drive gear when the driver believes it is in park. A person exiting the vehicle or standing nearby could be struck. On the visibility side, certain vehicles built during a narrow production window have a wiper motor crank arm nut that was not tightened to specification, which can cause the wipers to lose their sweep or stop moving entirely during rain or snow, leaving the windshield uncleared.
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.
