Is the 2012 Chevrolet COLORADO reliable?

The 2012 Chevrolet COLORADO has 59 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet COLORADO?

Top problems: ENGINE (11 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (9 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (8 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Chevrolet COLORADO?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): SEAT BELTS:FRONT, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Chevrolet COLORADO?

The 2012 Chevrolet COLORADO gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Chevrolet COLORADO?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Chevrolet COLORADO is approximately $1,571/year (truck-small class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Chevrolet COLORADO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Chevrolet COLORADO has 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 181. The most common issue is engine problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet colorado. while driving approximately 5 mph the contact heard a popping sound coming from the exhaust system. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics. the technician advised that the muffler would have to be replaced. the muffler was replaced but the. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 6 crash reports 6 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

11 complaints

19%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE MUFFLER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED BUT THE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE MUFFLER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED BUT THE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED BUT THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE MUFFLER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED BUT THE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Chevrolet COLORADO

Based on 44 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 43K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 47K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Reported earliermedian 31K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In line with typicalmedian 36K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

SEAT BELTS:FRONT17/11/2011

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Chevrolet COLORADO

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,201/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Chevrolet COLORADO

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,571

Full coverage / month

$131

Liability only / year

$629

vs US avg

-6%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (truck-small)1.02x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1571

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet COLORADO Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2012 COLORADO, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 59 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE MUFFLER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED BUT THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: I NOTICED THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON ONE MORNING IN LATE OCTOBER. AS I WAS GOING OUT OF TOWN, I COULD NOT DEAL WITH IT UNTIL I GOT BACK, LAST WEEK. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, ON SATURDAY, THEY READ THE ERROR CODES FROM THE AIRBAG MODULE, BUT COULD NOT INTERPRET THEM, AS THE SPECIALIST WAS NOT ON
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, HE WAS INFORMED THE ISSUE WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT WEEK, THE CON
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING TO WORK AT 5:00 AM WITH ALMOST NO TRAFFIC. A PICKUP TRUCK IN THE NEXT LANE LEFT OF ME HAD A PIECE OF PLYWOOD EJECTED FROM THE BED AND WAS FLYING THROUGH THE AIR TOWARDS THE FRONT OF MY PICKUP. I SAW IT COMING AT ME AND I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ONCE BUT MY TRUCK DID NO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)