2012 Chevrolet Colorado Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado has 42 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 15, earning a Best verdict among 21 model years. Brakes and engine issues each make up 26% of complaints, and NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 15/100
- #18 of 21 Colorado years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 42
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2012 Chevy Colorado problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes11 (26%)
- Engine11 (26%)
- Airbags9 (21%)
- Electrical System9 (21%)
- Steering5 (12%)
- Structure & Body3 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (5%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
- Other1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report the engine stalling at low speed and needing to restart, sometimes with an unknown sensor cited by dealers.
- Owners describe the vehicle continuing to accelerate briefly even after the foot was removed from the pedal at highway speed.
- Several complaints describe the steering wheel becoming hard to turn and not returning to center after a turn, with dealers replacing the rack and pinion shaft and power steering pump.
- Owners report a popping noise from the exhaust that persisted even after the muffler was replaced.
- Some owners report the battery dying repeatedly within months of purchase despite regular driving, with the battery replaced more than once.
2012 Chevrolet Colorado recalls
2 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 11V552000Nov 17, 2011Seat Belts5,593 vehicles
Seat belts:front
General 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.
Risk: The loose connections may cause the driver to not receive a visual or audible warning that the driver seat belt is not fastened, thereby increasing the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Gm will notify owners and dealers will replace the seat belt buckle electrical connector terminals free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before december 7, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
2012 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.
2012 compared with other Colorado years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Colorado has a complaint index of 15 and earns a Best verdict, ranking 18th worst out of 21 model years with data.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
- Brakes and engine issues each account for 26% of complaints, followed by airbags and electrical system issues at 21% each, and steering at 12%.
- Does the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Colorado, one for a secondary hood latch issue and one for a seat belt buckle electrical connector problem. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2012 Colorado compare to other model years?
- The 2012 model's complaint index of 15 is much lower than the 2016 model's index of 100 or the 2015 model's index of 95, both rated Avoid. It's close to the 2011 and 2010 model years, which also earned Best verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
- The 2012 Colorado gets 19 mpg combined (17 city / 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400 according to EPA data.