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2012 Chevrolet Colorado problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 2safety recalls
- 42owner complaints
- 3crash reports
- 2fire reports
- 2injuries reported
42 complaints, against an average of 190 for the other 12 Chevrolet Colorado model years.
Every Chevrolet Colorado model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
The components named most often in the 42 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Chevrolet Colorado owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 42 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why is the airbag light on in my 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?6 owners · 14.3%
- Why won't my 2012 Chevrolet Colorado start?4 owners · 9.5%
- Why are the ABS and stability control lights on in my 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?3 owners · 7.1%
- Does the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado have rust or paint problems?3 owners · 7.1%
Has the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado been recalled?
2 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
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.
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. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
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.
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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
What do 2012 Chevrolet Colorado owners report?
12 of the 42 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. While the contact’s husband was driving into the driveway at the residence, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was parked, and the hood was opened to determine the cause of the failure. The contact’s husband discovered that the serpentine belt had slipped off the pulley because the pulley was fractured. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the driver’s side subframe had fractured due to rust and corrosion. The contact indicated that the fracture was located by the bed of the truck and the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a welder who advised that the damaged was too severe to repair and that the subframe needed to be replaced. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 157,000.
The hub assembly came apart while driving which disabled the steering of the vehicle. We have replaced the hub assemblies 5 times in the last year, due to faulty design of the parts, and were well aware there could be an issue because the first time it happened it didnt lock up completely while driving and would start making a squealing noise. We bought this truck in 2018 with 49000 miles on it and have put 45000 mile on the truck in the last 4 years. That's not excessive and to have to replace an assembly that is supposed to last the lifetime of your vehicle 5 times in a year and a half is…
That truck started on fire. Burnt up. Total . It started on the front passenger side near the motor where the ground plug is located. It had drizzled that day and the ground plug is not water proof. Burnt down a huge 120 long barn with other farm equipment inside. About $250,000 in losses.
The wiring for the airbags runs through a hinge in the extended cab doors. I don’t use my rear doors much, but I would say that I use them a normal amount. Regular opening and closing of the door will cause the wires to break, thus making the airbags inoperable. Normal use of doors should not cause your airbags to not work.
Traction control dash light is illuminated and display states "Traction Fault Service Stab Sys". Dealer stated there were no codes present and they did not know the cause. Fault occurs before engine crank and is intermittent, happening 8-9 times out of 10.
VEHICLE RANDOMLY DOES NOT START AND HAVE TO SIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTS UP AGAIN. IS CONSIDERED A NON RUNNING VEHICLE!
ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON, I'VE CHECKED THE CODES IT GIVES ME AND IT B0065, B0066, I'VE CHECKED ALL THE WIRES AND THEY ARE IN PERFECT CONDITION, DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLE, WAIT A FEW MINUTES, REINSTALL THE BATTERY CABLE, WAIT AN ADDITIONAL FEW MINUTES, AND THEN START THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEEDS A PAPER COPY OF EVOQ. *TR
ABS MODULE LIGHT GM ISN'T MAKING THE MODULE TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND HAS NO PLANS TO MAKE MORE. THIS MEANS THIS ISSUE CANNOT BE FIXED.
I KEEP GETTING WARNING. SERVICE STAB SYSTEM. WHAT I HAVE READ ON LINE IS THAT THIS IS A GM COMPUTER PROBLEM THAT GM DOESN'T WANT TO FIX
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE IDLER PULLEY BRACKET HAD FRACTURED, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE BELT TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DICK SHIRLEY CHEVROLET, 2616 ALAMANCE RD, BURLINGTON, NC 27215) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE IDLER PULLEY BRACKET FRACTURED AND THE BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND…
2012 Chevrolet Colorado: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado; the most common categories were air bags (9, 21.4%), electrical system (8, 19%), engine (8, 19%). There are 2 safety recalls. 3 complaints mention a crash, 2 mention a fire, 2 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
Across 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are air bags (21.4% of complaints), electrical system (19% of complaints), engine (19% of complaints), service brakes (16.7% of complaints), electronic stability control (esc) (11.9% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado; the most recent (campaign 12V594000, 2012-12-19) concerns Latches/Locks/Linkages: Hood: Latch. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the airbag light on in my 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
6 of the 42 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado (14.3%) describe airbag warning lights or airbag faults. One owner wrote: "About 3 months ago, the airbag light come on, i've checked the codes it gives me and it b0065, b0066, i've checked all the wires and they are in perfect condition, don't know what to do now" (NHTSA complaint 11372893, November 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why won't my 2012 Chevrolet Colorado start?
4 of the 42 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado (9.5%) describe the car failing to start. One owner wrote: "Vehicle randomly does not start and have to sit 10 minutes before it starts up again. is considered a non running vehicle!" (NHTSA complaint 11395914, February 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why are the ABS and stability control lights on in my 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
3 of the 42 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado (7.1%) describe ABS, traction or stability control warnings or faults. One owner wrote: "Traction control dash light is illuminated and display states "Traction Fault Service Stab Sys". Dealer stated there were no codes present and they did not know the cause. Fault occurs before engine crank and is intermittent, happening 8-9 times out of 10." (NHTSA complaint 11425894, July 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado have rust or paint problems?
3 of the 42 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado (7.1%) describe rust, corrosion or peeling paint. One owner wrote: "Regarding a fuel leak on my 2012 Chevrolet Colorado WT, caused by severe corrosion of the in-tank fuel pump module. This issue is of great concern, as it poses a potential fire hazard due to fuel spray near the exhaust system." (NHTSA complaint 11669344, June 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Colorado
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only.