The Lemon Index2008 Chevrolet Colorado.
The 2008 Chevrolet Colorado is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 24 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 42, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 15 to 20 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Colorado year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 81 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Colorado year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 25K to 101K miles on the car (71 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 36K–103K miles
Recalls 2
- child seat 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2011, CHEVROLET COLORADO, GMC CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006, ISUZU I-280/I-350, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008, I-290/I-370, REGULAR CAB VEHICLES AND EXTENDED CAB VEHICLES WITHOUT A REAR SEAT …
- lights 2009
GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED I…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 952 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Leak from transmission oil cooler line fitting on vehicles built in april or may, 2008
- Buick/saab/chevrolet/hummer/gmc: some vehicles are experiencing, at a cold start for engines,…
- This informational bulletin provides information internal engine noise or damage after oil…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl.
In owners' words
Vibration at highway speeds. Dealer cannot find or fix problem. Very unsafe to drive. Replaced hubs, tires pads rotors and drums still have same problem.
2008 Chevrolet Colorado owner · NHTSA complaint 10369153
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 42; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Colorado year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Colorado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (29%), engine (21%) and electrical (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado have?
2 safety recalls (latest: child seat). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado get?
15 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Colorado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,200 and 101,000 miles. The middle report was at 53,000 miles, from 71 complaints.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado have?
2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl.
What Chevrolet Colorado year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2020 and 2022.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works