2011 Chevrolet Colorado Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2011 Chevrolet Colorado ranks 17th out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 20, earning a Best verdict relative to other Colorado years. It has 42 complaints, 5 recalls, and a median failure mileage of 54,000 miles, with Electrical System issues topping the list at 40% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 Colorado years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 42
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2011 Chevy Colorado problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System17 (40%)
- Airbags10 (24%)
- Brakes5 (12%)
- Engine4 (10%)
- Other4 (10%)
- Seat Belts3 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (7%)
- Fuel System2 (5%)
- Structure & Body2 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front passenger airbags sometimes fail to deploy during crashes, including at highway speed.
- Brake lights and stop switches intermittently fail to illuminate, raising rear-end collision risk.
- Multiple owners report tire and sidewall blowouts on rear and front tires at highway speeds.
- Front tires can rub the fender wells and sway bar, especially when the truck is loaded, and dealers reportedly told owners nothing more could be done.
- One owner reported four brake control module replacements tied to ABS and traction control problems.
2011 Chevrolet Colorado recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 12V594000Dec 19, 2012Structure & Body118,800 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 11V337000Jun 28, 2011Transmission & Powertrain6,768 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
General 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."
Risk: The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle could roll away as the driver or other occupants exit the vehicle or have exited, resulting in the possibility of the vehicle striking them or someone around the vehicle, or could result in a crash without prior warning.
Remedy: Gm dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 19, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
- NHTSA 11V276000May 6, 2011Visibility & Wipers4,674 vehicles
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
General 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.
Risk: Driver visibility could be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the wiper motor crank arm nut free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before may 11, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 or www.gmownercenter.com.
2011 Chevrolet Colorado fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 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.
2011 compared with other Colorado years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
- Compared to other Colorado model years, the 2011 ranks well. It has a complaint index of 20 and ranks 17th worst out of 21 years, earning a Best verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado?
- NHTSA complaints show Electrical System issues make up 40% of complaints, followed by Airbags at 24% and Brakes at 12%. The median mileage at failure for electrical complaints is 47,270 miles.
- Does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2011 Colorado, covering a hood latch issue, an automatic transmission adjustment clip, a windshield wiper motor crank arm nut, a rear axle cross pin, and a seat tether anchor access issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2011 Colorado compare to the 2010 and 2012 model years?
- The 2010 Colorado has a lower complaint index of 10 and the 2012 has an index of 15, both also rated Best, while the 2011 sits slightly higher at 20 but still earns a Best verdict among the 21 model years tracked.
- Did the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado have airbag deployment failures?
- Yes. NHTSA complaints describe front passenger airbags that did not deploy in crashes, including one case involving injuries. Airbags account for 24% of complaints for this year with a median failure mileage of 51,226.