2008 Chevrolet Colorado Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2008 Chevrolet Colorado ranks 14th out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 35 and a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 81 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with Electrical System issues making up 44% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 Colorado years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 81
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 2
Top 2008 Chevy Colorado problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the steering suddenly pulling hard to one side at very low mileage, causing loss of control.
- Some describe the blower motor wire harness or heater fan relay smoking or catching fire under the dashboard.
- Several report airbags failing to deploy in a crash despite the impact.
- Owners describe unintended acceleration when shifting into drive from a stop, leading to a collision.
- One owner reported repeated rough idle and check-engine lights traced to faulty ignition coils replaced multiple times under warranty.
- Front brake pads were reported shedding fibrous material that entered the cabin through the ventilation system.
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 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Colorado has a complaint index of 35, the 14th-lowest among 21 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Colorado years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado?
- Electrical System issues account for 44% of complaints, followed by Engine at 22% and Brakes at 20%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2008 Colorado, one covering electrical system components on 185,903 vehicles and one addressing rear seat tether anchors, neither marked do-not-drive.
- What year Chevrolet Colorado should I avoid?
- Among the years listed, 2005, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2023, and 2024 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 80, 95, 100, 75, 85, and 90 respectively, all worse than the 2008 model's index of 35.
- At what mileage do 2008 Colorado electrical problems typically appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 81,650 miles for electrical system complaints on the 2008 Colorado.