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2012 Chevrolet Colorado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado are lower than the model-year median of 84.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

31 reports with mileage · 11 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

42 reports
106,000 miles · Jul 28, 2026
Engine

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. While the contact’s husband was driving into the driveway at the residence, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was parked, and the hood was opened to determine the cause of the failure. The contact’s husband discovered that the serpentine belt had slippe…

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The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. While the contact’s husband was driving into the driveway at the residence, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was parked, and the hood was opened to determine the cause of the failure. The contact’s husband discovered that the serpentine belt had slipped off the pulley because the pulley was fractured. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #11753224

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2025
Fuel/propulsion System

Regarding a fuel leak on my 2012 Chevrolet Colorado WT, caused by severe corrosion of the in-tank fuel pump module. This issue is of great concern, as it poses a potential fire hazard due to fuel spray near the exhaust system. Upon reviewing official documentation, I found that Recall 17V-243 appears to address a similar defect …

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Regarding a fuel leak on my 2012 Chevrolet Colorado WT, caused by severe corrosion of the in-tank fuel pump module. This issue is of great concern, as it poses a potential fire hazard due to fuel spray near the exhaust system. Upon reviewing official documentation, I found that Recall 17V-243 appears to address a similar defect affecting 2004–2012 Colorado and Canyon models with corrosion-prone fuel tank assemblies and retaining rings. However, my VIN does not currently show as part of that recall on NHTSA.gov. The only warning sign of a problem per GM protocol is detecting the odor of gasoline around the vehicle. The truck has not been inspected by GM, police, insurance, or anyone except myself. I have attached a video showing the leak.

NHTSA ODI #11669344

157,000 miles · Dec 9, 2022
Structure

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the driver’s side subframe had fractured due to rust and corrosion. The contact indicated that the fracture was located by the bed of the truck and the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a weld…

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The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the driver’s side subframe had fractured due to rust and corrosion. The contact indicated that the fracture was located by the bed of the truck and the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a welder who advised that the damaged was too severe to repair and that the subframe needed to be replaced. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 157,000.

NHTSA ODI #11496703

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2022
SteeringSuspensionCrash

The hub assembly came apart while driving which disabled the steering of the vehicle. We have replaced the hub assemblies 5 times in the last year, due to faulty design of the parts, and were well aware there could be an issue because the first time it happened it didnt lock up completely while driving and would start making a …

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The hub assembly came apart while driving which disabled the steering of the vehicle. We have replaced the hub assemblies 5 times in the last year, due to faulty design of the parts, and were well aware there could be an issue because the first time it happened it didnt lock up completely while driving and would start making a squealing noise. We bought this truck in 2018 with 49000 miles on it and have put 45000 mile on the truck in the last 4 years. That's not excessive and to have to replace an assembly that is supposed to last the lifetime of your vehicle 5 times in a year and a half is ridiculous.

NHTSA ODI #11451449

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2022
Electrical SystemFire

That truck started on fire. Burnt up. Total . It started on the front passenger side near the motor where the ground plug is located. It had drizzled that day and the ground plug is not water proof. Burnt down a huge 120 long barn with other farm equipment inside. About $250,000 in losses.

NHTSA ODI #11448074

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2021
Air Bags

The wiring for the airbags runs through a hinge in the extended cab doors. I don’t use my rear doors much, but I would say that I use them a normal amount. Regular opening and closing of the door will cause the wires to break, thus making the airbags inoperable. Normal use of doors should not cause your airbags to not work.

NHTSA ODI #11430237

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2021
Service Brakes

Traction control dash light is illuminated and display states "Traction Fault Service Stab Sys". Dealer stated there were no codes present and they did not know the cause. Fault occurs before engine crank and is intermittent, happening 8-9 times out of 10.

NHTSA ODI #11425894

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2021
Electrical System

VEHICLE RANDOMLY DOES NOT START AND HAVE TO SIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTS UP AGAIN. IS CONSIDERED A NON RUNNING VEHICLE!

NHTSA ODI #11395914

130,000 miles · Dec 9, 2020
SteeringSuspension

POPPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AND APPLYING BRAKES.COME TO FIND OUT THE FRAME IS CRACKED ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRAME RAILS AT THE FACTORY WELDS. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CHEVY DEALER CONDEMNED THE TRUCK FOR SAFETY REASONS AND SAID THE ONLY REPAIR IS TO…

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POPPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AND APPLYING BRAKES.COME TO FIND OUT THE FRAME IS CRACKED ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRAME RAILS AT THE FACTORY WELDS. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CHEVY DEALER CONDEMNED THE TRUCK FOR SAFETY REASONS AND SAID THE ONLY REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRAME.

NHTSA ODI #11382757

140,000 miles · Nov 3, 2020
Air Bags

ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON, I'VE CHECKED THE CODES IT GIVES ME AND IT B0065, B0066, I'VE CHECKED ALL THE WIRES AND THEY ARE IN PERFECT CONDITION, DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW

NHTSA ODI #11372893

Official recalls

2

12V594000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Dec 19, 2012

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 · Seat Belts:front

Nov 17, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.