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2011 Chevrolet Colorado Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado, most often about the electrical (33% of complaints, typically around 58,000 miles). It is 17th of 23 Colorado model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2011 Chevrolet Colorado problems
Electrical
14 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles.
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.
There are times when the truck will not start. It is generally when you have driven a short distance or made several stops. When cold the engine will fire right up. After a couple short trips, when you attempt to start the vehicle upon turning the key the dash will go dead. The engine will not turn over. Wait about…
Air bags
10 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: srs malfunction warning lamp/light.
No previous issues with the airbag but after an oil change it has come on and will have to replace wiring. Unsafe and will be a costly fix for something that should not have occurred due to usage of the rear door. It is an extended cab for a reason! Brakes on drivers side grab in the front. It seems to grab and slide…
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Colorado. While driving, the air bag indicator remained illuminated. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the driver side rear door wiring harness was repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time and the wiring harness was replaced…
Engine
4 complaints · 10%The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Colorado. While the vehicle was parked, it failed to start. The vehicle was towed to northstar Chevrolet (400 center road, clifton park, ny 12065, ([phone]) where it was diagnosed that the timing belt stretched and caused the vehicle not to start. A new starter was installed. The…
My vehicle and many others as well suffer from a intermittent problem of the pass lock security safety feature. There are times when inserting the key in the ignition the vehicle would not start because the pass lock fails to recognize the key. When this happens a security lock indicator on the dash flashes. To…
Lights
4 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: brake lights.
The stop lights work intermitinly due to a faulty switch. Gm has tsb's on models up to 2009 for this issue. Without opperatable brake lights a rearend crash is likley. This 2011 vehicle is not the first with this issue.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Colorado. When the contact depressed the brake pedal, the brake lights failed to illuminate. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 27,000.
Other or unspecified
4 complaints · 10%They need be investigation on 2011 Chevrolet Colorado for ignition switch and also on 2006 hummer h3. Both vehicle won't start then 20 min later it will start. Had battery and alternator checked out and nothing else is showing up.
One day my vehicle started getting a little shake. So I pulled in to an old welding shop I used to work at. I asked my old boss if he would get in the truck, to do a little diagnostic check. Basically guess what could be wrong. He said something wasn't right, and told me to jack up the back of the truck. Before I even…
Brakes
3 complaints · 7%No previous issues with the airbag but after an oil change it has come on and will have to replace wiring. Unsafe and will be a costly fix for something that should not have occurred due to usage of the rear door. It is an extended cab for a reason! Brakes on drivers side grab in the front. It seems to grab and slide…
Vehicle has been through 4 brake control modules, three of were burnt out by the dealer installing the software. My case is not isolated as many many chevy owners are experiencing the same issue. The lack of ABS and traction control is a recipe for a serious accident due to a lack of control and braking ability. I…
Seat belts
3 complaints · 7%My vehicle's electronic safety system began to report that the driver's side seatbelt was not latched, even though it was. I took it in for diagnosis & repair at my local gm dealer (bob hook Chevrolet, 4144 bardstown rd., louisville ky 40218). However, the first replacement part (driver's side seatbelt, with latch &…
When I started my truck the red air bag warning light was on steady. I went to find out why the air bag light was on it was for the seat belt pre-tensioner. It was in a fault situation. It was giving 2 codes for this but was not told what they were. Upon closer examination it had 2 broken wires inside a rubber boot…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Chevrolet Colorado recalls
Doors and locks: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
Risk: The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle could roll away as the driver or other occupants exit the vehicle or have exited, resulting in the possibility of the vehicle striking them or someone around the vehicle, or could result in a crash without prior warning.
Fix: Gm dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 19, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
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 requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect," and federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles may have been built with an automatic transmission adjustment clip that may not retain the shift cable in the correct position. If the shift cable is not in the correct position, the prndl shift lever may not accurately reflect the position of the transmission gear. The driver could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park."
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: Driver visibility could be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will secure the wiper motor crank arm nut free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before may 11, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 or www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon vehicles manufactured from september 22, 2010, through november 5, 2010. Some of these vehicles have the condition in which the windshield wiper motor crank arm nut may not be tightened to specification. When the wipers are operated with a build-up of snow or ice, or if the wipers are operated on a dry windshield, the nut could loosen. If there is sufficient loosening of the nut, the wipers could become inoperative.
Suspension: spindle
Risk: The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
Fix: Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
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 vehicles. The rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle. Should the pin shift out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock.
Child Seat
Risk: Both NHTSA and gm discourage placement of a child in a front seat. Nevertheless, there are individual circumstances that may require placement of a child in a restraint in the front center seating position of this vehicle that does not offer a rear seat. Lack of access to the top tether anchor and a lack of instructions as to how to use it, may result in improper installation of a child restraint. Improper installation of a child restraint can result in a reduction in the restraint's performance in the event of a crash and an increased risk of injury or death to the child seated in the restrai
Fix: Dealers will cut a hole into the back panel trim cover to allow access to the top tether anchor for the front center seat position and will provide supplemental information as to use in the owner's manual. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727 or visit gm's website at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
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 and equipped with a front 60/40 split bench seat. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the top tether anchor for the front center seat is not accessible and the owner manual does not include instructions regarding how to use the top tether.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (14 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); air bags (10 complaints, typically around 51,000 miles); engine (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 19, 2012 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Chevrolet Colorado?
- It is 17th of 23 Colorado model years by number of complaints, with 42 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.