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All cars · Chevrolet Colorado · 2012

2012 Chevrolet Colorado. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index38100 = average car
Complaints17NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold40,252U.S. model year
Per 100K sold42complaints
Year rank#5 of 16#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 8

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.9L 4-cylAuto 4-spdRWD18 / 24 / 21Regular$2,950
2.9L 4-cylManual 5-spdRWD18 / 25 / 21Regular$2,950
2.9L 4-cylAuto 4-spd4WD17 / 23 / 20Regular$3,100
2.9L 4-cylManual 5-spd4WD18 / 24 / 20Regular$3,100
3.7L 5-cylAuto 4-spdRWD17 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300
3.7L 5-cylAuto 4-spd4WD17 / 22 / 19Regular$3,300
5.3L 8-cylAuto 4-spdRWD15 / 20 / 16Regular$3,900
5.3L 8-cylAuto 4-spd4WD14 / 19 / 16Regular$3,900

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 13,400 and 85,400 miles. Median 43,000, from 31 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Airbags59,60033,500–102,5006
Engine47,0002,500–106,0007
Electrical47,00024,000–71,7005
Brakes31,20011,200–77,6006
Stability control36,500600–38,6005

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Stability control24%
Brakes24%
Engine18%
Steering18%
Electrical18%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
4232102

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 2

  • 12V594000 Dec 2012 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Hood / Latch

    Defect. General Motors is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured from November 9, 2009, through August 28, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 113, "Hood Latch System." The hood may be missing the secondary hood latch.

    Risk. If the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. General Motors will notify owners and instruct them to inspect their vehicle for the presence of a secondary hood latch. Dealers will replace the hood on any affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.

  • 11V552000 Nov 2011 Seat Belts / Front

    Defect. GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 19, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS THAT DO NOT FIT SNUGLY WITH THE CONNECTOR PINS, CAUSING THE CONNECTION TO BE INTERMITTENT.

    Risk. THE LOOSE CONNECTIONS MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO NOT RECEIVE A VISUAL OR AUDIBLE WARNING THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

    Remedy. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Manufacturer communications 1317

Chevy filed 1317 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Low engine oil pressure, no oil pressure, and/or engine noise
  • 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…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Chevrolet Colorado PU/RC AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Chevrolet Colorado PU/RC RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2009–532,413Transmission & drivetrain
201019624,642Engine
2011361331,026Airbags
2012381740,252Stability control
201514813592,433Steering

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data