2008 Chevrolet Colorado Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
35/100
#14 most-complained of 21 Colorado years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Chevrolet Colorado has 81 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 35 out of 100 — #14 highest of 21 Colorado model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is electrical system (36 complaints, 44% of the total). Complaints report 6 crashes, 7 fires, 4 injuries, and 2 deaths.
- Complaints
- 81
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 7
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 2
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 22 hwy
Top 2008 Chevy Colorado problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System36 (44%)
- Engine18 (22%)
- Brakes16 (20%)
- Airbags14 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (9%)
- Seat Belts6 (7%)
- Fuel System5 (6%)
- Other5 (6%)
- Structure & Body4 (5%)
2008 Chevrolet Colorado recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V575000Nov 18, 2010Other192,676 vehicles
Child seat
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.
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 restraint.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 09V310000Jul 29, 2009Electrical System185,903 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Gm is recalling 185,903 model year 2004-2009 colorado, gmc model year 2009-2004 canyon, model year 2006 i-280, i-350, model year 2007-2008 i-290, and i-370, passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alabama, arizona, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, nevada, new mexico, puerto rico, south carolina, texas, u.s. Virgin islands and utah. Some of these vehicles have a brake lamp switch that may not work as designed due to contamination in the switch.
Risk: This condition could cause the simultaneous loss of all brake lamps or cause all of the brake lamps to stay on continuously. Both of these conditions could fail to warn others of the driver's intentions and could lead to a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the necessary components as specified in the recall bulletin free of charge. Gm anticipates that parts will be available by june 2010. A special coverage for vehicles registered in all other states will be implemented in the same time frame. In the interim, owners who experience the failure can obtain a free repair, however they will be required to return when the new design part becomes available. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727 or at www.gmownercenter.com.
2008 Chevrolet Colorado fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Colorado years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado ranks #14 of 21 among Colorado model years (Complaint Index 35/100, verdict: Good). It has 81 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (36 complaints), engine (18 complaints), and brakes (16 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 53,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado, most recently reported 2010, covering other and electrical system.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado?
- EPA rates the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,600. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.