Photo: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2011 Chevrolet Colorado: common problems and reliability
· 1st generationOne of the better Colorado years.
42 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2011 Colorado?The 2011 Chevrolet Colorado has 42 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and air bags. Owners most often flag early 3.5l engine problems, described as having "a ton of issues" and being inferior to the 3.7l.
Safety record for the 2011 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2011 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Colorado years only. How we score it
Is 2011 a good year for the Colorado?
Across the 21 Colorado model years we track, complaint volume runs from 42 (2012) to 707 (2016). With 42 complaints, the 2011 Colorado sits below the model's median of 130.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2011 Colorado
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Campaign 11V276000GENERAL 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.
latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Campaign 12V594000General 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.
power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Campaign 11V337000GENERAL 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."
child seat
Campaign 10V575000GM 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.
Show 1 more recall
suspension:rear:axle:spindle
Campaign 11V007000GENERAL 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.
What owners report on the 1st generation Colorado
Owners of the 2003-2012 Colorado generally regard it as a solid, reliable little truck, with many describing long ownership experiences that were trouble-free.
- RecurrentEarly 3.5L engine problems, described as having "a ton of issues" and being inferior to the 3.7L
- IsolatedHead gasket issues on 2005-2006 five-cylinder engines
- IsolatedDoor lock computer chip failure (reported twice on one 2007)
- IsolatedAlignment going out easily from potholes
- IsolatedHeater fan speed selector burning out
Owner insights for the 1st generation Colorado. Read the full 1st generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Colorado listings typically run $17,900–$28,090.
Other Colorado model years
Compare every Colorado year side by side to see how 2011 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Colorado against its rivals
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