Photo: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2012 Chevrolet Colorado: common problems and reliability
· 1st generationOne of the better Colorado years.
The best Chevrolet Colorado year. All Colorado years
42 owner complaints, most about air bags. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Colorado?The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado has 42 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and engine. 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 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Colorado years only. How we score it
Is 2012 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 2012 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 2012 Colorado
seat belts:front
Campaign 11V552000GENERAL 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.
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.
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 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Colorado against its rivals
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