2012 Chevrolet Colorado
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 11 of 42 complaints (26%) mention it.
Complaints filed held steady at 42 in both 2011 and 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | vs. 2012 Small Pickup Trucks 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,900 | 2,950–3,900 | 2,950–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–21 | 16–21 | 16–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–18 / 19–25 | 14–18 / 19–25 | 14–18 / 19–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–555 | 423–555 | 423–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 28 | 42 | 42 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 5 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 4 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 4 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
Brakes: 11 of 42 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado get?
EPA rates it 16–21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (16)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 18 mpg (high) | 24 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 18 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 15 mpg | 20 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 18 mpg (high) | 24 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 18 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 15 mpg | 20 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.9L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.9L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 18 mpg (high) | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.3L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.3L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
Show 6 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 11 | Automatic 4-spd | 5 | 3.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 12 | Automatic 4-spd | 5 | 3.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 13 | Automatic 4-spd | 5 | 3.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 15 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 14 | Automatic 4-spd | 5 | 3.7L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 17 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 15 | Automatic 4-spd | 5 | 3.7L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 16 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 16 | Automatic 4-spd | 5 | 3.7L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 16 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · Campaign 12V594000 · Dec 19, 2012
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT · Campaign 11V552000 · Nov 18, 2011
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.