Verdict
2012 Chevrolet Colorado: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Fewer reported complaints than most truck.
Owners filed 41 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 67% of 2012 trucks. Air Bags leads the reports (22%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2012 trucks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
41
Reports to NHTSA, 2012
Safety recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
19
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 67% of 2012 trucks
The bar is this car's percentile among 2012 trucks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (22% of 41 reports), followed by electrical system (17%).
+ 5 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 41 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11430237, ODI 11372893, ODI 11197345, ODI 11005503, ODI 10875475.
Recalls(2)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Seat Belts · 11V552000Details +Close −
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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages · 12V594000Details +Close −
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2012 Chevrolet Colorado PU/RC RWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
2012 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC RWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
2012 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC RWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
2012 Chevrolet Colorado PU/RC AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
2012 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
2012 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Crew Cab 2WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 18 | 25 | 21 |
| Colorado Crew Cab 2WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 18 | 24 | 21 |
| Colorado 2WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 18 | 25 | 21 |
| Colorado 2WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 18 | 24 | 21 |
| Colorado 4WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 18 | 24 | 20 |
| Colorado 4WD | 2.9L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 23 | 20 |
| Colorado Crew Cab 2WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 23 | 19 |
| Colorado 4WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 22 | 19 |
| Colorado 2WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 23 | 19 |
| Colorado Crew Cab 4WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 16 | 21 | 18 |
| Colorado Cab Chassis inc 4WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 16 | 21 | 18 |
| Colorado Cab Chassis inc 2WD | 3.7L 5-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 15 | 20 | 17 |
| Colorado Crew Cab 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 14 | 19 | 16 |
| Colorado Crew Cab 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 15 | 20 | 16 |
| Colorado 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 14 | 19 | 16 |
| Colorado 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 15 | 20 | 16 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2012 Chevrolet Colorado: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
Owners filed 41 NHTSA complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado — fewer complaints than 67% of comparable 2012 trucks, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (22% of complaints) and electrical system (17%).
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado have?
2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado, covering components such as seat belts. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado between 16 and 21 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.