The Lemon Index2011 Chevrolet Colorado.
The 2011 Chevrolet Colorado is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 13 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 36, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 16 to 21 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Colorado year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 42 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Colorado year. 2011 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 40K to 85K miles on the car (35 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 5
- latches/locks/linkages 2012
113, "Hood Latch System." The hood may be missing the secondary hood latch.
- transmission & drivetrain 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.9 OR 3.7 LITER ENGINE AND A FOUR-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUI…
- visibility 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 5, 2010.
Show all 5 recalls
- suspension 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VE…
- 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 …
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 1259 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Due to the parasitic drain/discharge on 2011 vehicles and trucks, a no crank/no start
- On some trucks and passenger vehicles, accessory power outlets (apo) and trailer lighting are
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Colorado PU/RC AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Colorado PU/RC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Failure of brake light switch. This is the second failure. This switch was replaced on 05/02/2013. These failures could cause a rear end crash due to no brake lights.
2011 Chevrolet Colorado owner · NHTSA complaint 10625938
More owner reports
I started the truck and the air bag light came on and it's been on ever since. No prior issue with it.
NHTSA complaint 10573085
The truck struck another larger truck in the driver side door, head on, and the air bag did not deploy causing additional injury to myself.
NHTSA complaint 10652402
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.8× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 36; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Colorado year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Colorado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (31%), electrical (23%) and lights (23%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado have?
5 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado get?
16 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Colorado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,100 and 85,000 miles. The middle report was at 54,000 miles, from 35 complaints.
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado have?
2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Colorado year is better than the 2011?
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