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2012 Chevrolet Colorado Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado, most often about the engine (24% of complaints, typically around 66,000 miles). It is 18th of 23 Colorado model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2012 Chevrolet Colorado problems
Engine
10 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. While driving 60 MPH, the contact noticed that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the battery warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the highway and opened the hood to find that the idler pulley bracket had…
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. When the vehicle was started, an unknown warning indicator flashed. The contact had to remove the battery cable, wait a few minutes, reinstall the battery cable, wait an additional few minutes, and then start the vehicle for it to resume normal operation. The contact had not…
Air bags
9 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles.
I noticed the airbag warning light on one morning in late october. As I was going out of town, I could not deal with it until I got back, last week. When I took it to the dealer, on saturday, they read the error codes from the airbag module, but could not interpret them, as the specialist was not on duty. I returned…
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The dealer was unable to reset the air bag warning light. Approximately one week later, the vehicle was parked and a loud pop sound was heard from the vehicle as well as the odor of gun powder. The…
Electrical
8 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. When the vehicle was started, an unknown warning indicator flashed. The contact had to remove the battery cable, wait a few minutes, reinstall the battery cable, wait an additional few minutes, and then start the vehicle for it to resume normal operation. The contact had not…
At first, truck showed tps alarm ,then stability alarm ,next it had the headlights cut out on the highway at night @ 70 MPH for 15-30 seconds. It has shown these problems separately and simultaneously at different times. Finally it manifested a new symptom I would intermittently not crank the engine over even though…
Brakes
7 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles.
Abs brakes and stabilitrac lights on dash upon starting, taken to dealer on 11/27/2014, miles 39138, failed again 12/19/2014, miles 39780, and 12/31/2014 for same problem. Truck is still at dealer as of 01/16/2015. After first failure braking was not right, and the truck needs a part that can not seem to be found to…
The parking brake cable running from the foot pedal to the middle of the truck is attached to the frame in such a way that it wore a hole though the rubber casing. This caused the interior metal cable to rust. The interior metal then would not move freely through the rubber casing. While driving the because of bumpy…
Stability control
5 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles.
At first, truck showed tps alarm ,then stability alarm ,next it had the headlights cut out on the highway at night @ 70 MPH for 15-30 seconds. It has shown these problems separately and simultaneously at different times. Finally it manifested a new symptom I would intermittently not crank the engine over even though…
Abs brakes and stabilitrac lights on dash upon starting, taken to dealer on 11/27/2014, miles 39138, failed again 12/19/2014, miles 39780, and 12/31/2014 for same problem. Truck is still at dealer as of 01/16/2015. After first failure braking was not right, and the truck needs a part that can not seem to be found to…
Steering
5 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: rack and pinion.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated the steering wheel was extremely difficult to maneuver. The steering wheel would not return to the center after completing a turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the rack and pinion shaft twice and the power steering pump once. The…
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. While driving 60 MPH, the contact noticed that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the battery warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the highway and opened the hood to find that the idler pulley bracket had…
Body and structure
3 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I was on the freeway going to work at 5:00 am with almost no traffic. A pickup truck in the next lane left of me had a piece of plywood ejected from the bed and was flying through the air towards the front of my pickup. I saw it coming at me and I depressed the brake pedal once but my truck did not slow to avoid it…
Was traveling south going through an intersection on a green traffic light when another vehicle traveling north in a left turn yield on green, when the designated green arrow is not illuminated, turned in front of me and we collided. The air bags did not deploy on either side. Driver and front passenger in vehicle…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 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.
Seat belts: front
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 2012 Chevrolet Colorado
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (10 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); air bags (9 complaints, typically around 59,500 miles); electrical (8 complaints, typically around 47,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado have?
- 2 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 2012 a bad year for the Chevrolet Colorado?
- It is 18th 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.