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2011 Chevrolet Colorado problems

The most common problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado is electrical system, typically around 62,201 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Colorado model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
82/100
Owner complaints
42
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
1,259
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
16-21mpg

The worst 2011 Chevrolet Colorado problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    14
  • Airbags
    10
  • Engine
    4
  • Lights
    4
  • Brakes
    3
  • Seat belts
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado

Won't start 6Airbag light 5

Recalls 5

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latchReported December 19, 2012 · 118,800 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 12V594000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported June 28, 2011 · 6,768 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.9 or 3.7 liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect," and federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles may have been built with an automatic transmission adjustment clip that may not retain the shift cable in the correct position. If the shift cable is not in the correct position, the prndl shift lever may not accurately reflect the position of the transmission gear. The driver could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park."
Risk
The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle could roll away as the driver or other occupants exit the vehicle or have exited, resulting in the possibility of the vehicle striking them or someone around the vehicle, or could result in a crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Gm dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 19, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.

Recall number 11V337000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorReported May 6, 2011 · 4,674 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon vehicles manufactured from september 22, 2010, through november 5, 2010. Some of these vehicles have the condition in which the windshield wiper motor crank arm nut may not be tightened to specification. When the wipers are operated with a build-up of snow or ice, or if the wipers are operated on a dry windshield, the nut could loosen. If there is sufficient loosening of the nut, the wipers could become inoperative.
Risk
Driver visibility could be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will secure the wiper motor crank arm nut free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before may 11, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463 or www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall number 11V276000 · Recall details

Suspension: rear: axle: spindleReported January 6, 2011 · 30,566 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, colorado, express, silverado, suburban, tahoe; and gmc canyon, sierra, savana, yukon and yukon xl vehicles. The rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle. Should the pin shift out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock.
Risk
The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall number 11V007000 · Recall details

Child seatReported November 18, 2010 · 192,676 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Gm is recalling certain model year 2004-2011, chevrolet colorado, gmc canyon, model year 2006, isuzu I-280/I-350, and model year 2007-2008, I-290/I-370, regular cab vehicles and extended cab vehicles without a rear seat and equipped with a front 60/40 split bench seat. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the top tether anchor for the front center seat is not accessible and the owner manual does not include instructions regarding how to use the top tether.
Risk
Both the federal safety agency and gm discourage placement of a child in a front seat. Nevertheless, there are individual circumstances that may require placement of a child in a restraint in the front center seating position of this vehicle that does not offer a rear seat. Lack of access to the top tether anchor and a lack of instructions as to how to use it, may result in improper installation of a child restraint. Improper installation of a child restraint can result in a reduction in the restraint's performance in the event of a crash and an increased risk of injury or death to the child seated in the restraint.
Remedy
Dealers will cut a hole into the back panel trim cover to allow access to the top tether anchor for the front center seat position and will provide supplemental information as to use in the owner's manual. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727 or visit gm's website at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall number 10V575000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado

Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado 1,259

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 1,259 bulletins for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado

2011 Chevrolet Colorado fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.9L 4‑cylRWD1824-2521
2.9L 4‑cyl4WD17-1823-2420
3.7L 5‑cylRWD15-1720-2317-19
3.7L 5‑cyl4WD16-1721-2218-19
5.3L 8‑cylRWD152016
5.3L 8‑cyl4WD141916

What 2011 Chevrolet Colorado owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 10, 2025 · Suspension · FL

Excessive frame corrosion that has caused the bed of the truck to touch the cab which has made me apprehensive to drive it. The truck has ROT holes on the bottom sections of the frame where water collects. The truck is available for inspection upon request at any time. The problem has not been inspected by a dealer, independent service center, vehicle manufacturer, police or insurance representative. However, I have 40 years experience of being an automobile technician and am qualified to make the above claims. Thank you for your assistance.

Filed Apr 18, 2023 · Electrical · NY

The vehicle has an electronic issue where it does not recognize the original key to the car. It does not let you start the vehicle. There is a bad sensor in the ignition lock housing unit located where the key is inserted into the vehicle. This issue will nit let the driver start the car and the problem happens at random. For me it is 1 out of 20 times i try to start my vehicle it does not start due to this issue. This is a dangerous situation for me, as I live in a cold weather state in the US. I have been left stranded dozens of times because the car doesn’t recognize the key. If you search “chevy colorado passlock” hundreds of videos will come up, each video with thousands of views (from users like myself). GM charges hundreds to fix the issue. It is a well known issue with this vehicle. I fixed the issue myself. I replaced the faulty sensor and the issue is gone.

Filed Mar 3, 2022 · Airbags · MD

The drivers-side airbag indicator light remains on. The light warns that the airbag is not working. This is the third time it has happened, first at 89,000 miles, then at 111,000 miles, and now at 133,000 miles. Previous repairs were for broken wires in the wire harness to the extended cab rear door. Wiring in the harness for the airbag is related to the seat belt tensioner. This is a defect that was reported to the federal safety agency by several others, some of whom were injured in accidents. The repair is costly; the dealer charged around $400.

Filed Jul 10, 2021 · OH

Frame is rusted through/broken in same spot on both sides. Bed of truck is flipping up and there is no gap left between the bed of the truck and the cab at the top but there is 1.5 inch gap at bottom of bed/cab. The truck only has 56,000 miles and I have only put 26,000 miles on it since I bought it in 2017.

Filed Jul 7, 2021 · Brakes · MS

Brake lights will not come on. There is no fuse and lights are new. Many people have reported this as a problem. Has something to do with some switch that the dealer must replace. I have driver nearly 2000 miles this month without any idea the brake lights were not working until I could not get the cruise control to work. After some research it was discovered the cruise control is associated with the switch

Filed Mar 8, 2021 · Seat belts · 96,150 miles · AK

Vehicle was parked, driver had just sat down and closed the door. A loud bang was heard from the driver's side and the smell of gunpowder filled the cab. Driver stepped out and opened the rear door which holds the seat belt assembly. The seatbelt was found to be the source of the smell and the belt was locked up tight and could not be pulled out. A new belt assembly was ordered through local dealership at a price of $261.35.

Filed Sep 1, 2020 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · NJ

The vehicle will intermittently not start. Sometimes there's power but won't crank. Sometimes there is no power to the vehicle at all. It has been to numerous mechanics, including the dealer, and no problems can be found. The vehicle is utterly unreliable.

Filed Aug 19, 2020 · Airbags · TX · crash · 2 injuries

2011 chevy colorado. Consumer states that airbags did not deploy during automobile accident. *ld

Filed May 17, 2020 · Transmission · 144,000 miles · KS

One day my vehicle started getting a little shake. So I pulled in to an old welding shop I used to work at. I asked my old boss if he would get in the truck, to do a little diagnostic check. Basically guess what could be wrong. He said something wasn't right, and told me to jack up the back of the truck. Before I even did, I noticed oil all over the spare tire. I then look to the axle house group, and it was broke in half. He has been working as a mechanic for 30 plus years. He said, 'that is the first time I have ever seen anyone break there house group. My truck also has a recall for the rear axle.

Filed Feb 12, 2020 · Brakes · 96,000 miles · MA · crash

Vehicle has been through 4 brake control modules, three of were burnt out by the dealer installing the software. My case is not isolated as many many chevy owners are experiencing the same issue. The lack of ABS and traction control is a recipe for a serious accident due to a lack of control and braking ability. I have received nothing but denials of wrong doing or general incompetence from gm. I have a friend experiencing this same problem on a 2020 chevy silverado. Why do we have to wait for someone to become serious maimed or worse case lose their life for gm to do the right thing?

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2011 Chevrolet Colorado before you buy

Compare the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado

Colorado vs Toyota TacomaColorado vs Ford RangerColorado vs Nissan FrontierColorado vs Honda RidgelineColorado vs GMC CanyonColorado vs Jeep Gladiator

Other model years

20042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?

Owners have filed 42 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado, fewer than a typical Colorado model year.

What is the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado year score?

The 2011 Chevrolet Colorado scores 82 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Colorado: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado?

Electrical system, with 14 complaints, typically around 62,201 miles. Next is airbags (10).

How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado have?

5 recalls, covering latches/locks/linkages, power train and visibility.

What year does the Chevrolet Colorado have the most electrical problems?

The Chevrolet Colorado model years with the most electrical complaints are 2016 (120 complaints), 2004 (88 complaints) and 2005 (69 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado get?

Official estimates for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado range from 16 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.9L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 24-25 highway.

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