2012 Chevrolet Colorado: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado: 2 recalls, 42 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #11V552000 · 2011 · 5,593 vehicles
What's wrong: " 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #12V594000 · 2012 · 118,800 vehicles
What's wrong: 113, "hood latch system." the hood May be missing the secondary hood latch.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (9): the most common themes are warning light on (5).
- Engine (8): the most common themes are electrical failure (3), fire / smoke (2), stalls / loses power (2).
- Electrical (8): the most common themes are electrical failure (5), won't start (3).
- Brakes (7): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado has 42 owner complaints, ranking #18 of 23 Colorado model years for complaints (well below the 158 average). Complaints peaked in 2012 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 43,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (42 complaints, 5 recalls), 2013 (1 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.9 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.9 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.9 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.7 L 5-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.7 L 5-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Colorado problems?
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (9), engine (8), electrical (8).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.9 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 8 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.