NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado.
Recalled components: latches, locks and linkages, powertrain, visibility, suspension, and 1 more. Most-described problem: the engine not starting (7 complaints, 17%). Most-reported area: electrical system (14 complaints, 33%).
Fewer complaints than a typical Colorado year
The 2011 drew 5 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 66 for a typical Colorado year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.
No Colorado year stands out enough to avoid; best years: 2021 and 2022. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
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.
The fix and full notice
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.
GM's number for this campaign is 12319.
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."
NHTSA listing: COLORADO. Chevrolet campaign 12319.
Powertrain
Jun 28, 2011
automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Gm's safety recall no. 11181. or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
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."
NHTSA listing: COLORADO. Chevrolet campaign 11181.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Gm's safety recall no. 11095. or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon vehicles manufactured from september 22, 2010, through november 5, 2010.
NHTSA listing: COLORADO. Chevrolet campaign 11095.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
This recall campaign is an expansion to 10v-643.gm's safety recall no. 10426a. or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
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.
NHTSA listing: COLORADO. Chevrolet campaign 10426A.
Child seats
Nov 18, 2010
Fails federal standard 225 (child seat anchorages)
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 nhtsa 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Gm safety recall no. 10367 and/or 10407. or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
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.
NHTSA listing: COLORADO. Chevrolet campaign 10367.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado.
What owners report
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Colorado. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Chevrolet Colorado recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2011 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2023 Colorado drew the most (105) and the 2011 drew 5.
Owner complaints
2011: 42 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Chevrolet Colorado
Model year
Complaints
2010
29
2011
42
2012
42
2015
491
2016
708
2017
216
2018
183
2019
150
2020
84
2021
75
2022
56
2023
135
2024
123
2025
27
2026
14
Safety recalls
2011: 5 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Chevrolet Colorado
Model year
Recalls
2010
2
2011
5
2012
2
2015
7
2016
4
2017
1
2018
1
2019
0
2020
0
2021
1
2022
1
2023
3
2024
3
2025
1
2026
1
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado, the problems described most are the engine not starting (7) and the airbag warning light or an airbag fault (5). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado.
How do I check if my Colorado has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Chevrolet dealers for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: COLORADO.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.