Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 9 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 7% |
| Structure | 3 | 4% |
| Suspension | 3 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 4% |
| Air bags | 3 | 4% |
| Air bags | 3 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for a service appointment, the contact was informed that the sub frame underneath the vehicle was paper
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado. Upon inspection of his vehicle, the contact discovered a hole in his vehicle's subframe. The contact then had an independent mechanic perform a further inspection of the vehicl
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that her son informed her that the frame was corroded. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that she needed to pay out-of-pocket
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE ELECTRIC INGNITION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING ON THIS AND A MILLION TRUCKS IN THE COUNTRY PLEASE FIX THIS 10 MINUTE WAITING TIME TO START
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE OF TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR. THE SEAL AROUND WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING CAUSING WATER TO PILE UP IN DRIVER SIDE FLOOR. TALKED TO SOMEONE ELSE THAT HAS SAME YEAR MODEL TRUCK THEY HAVE EXACT SAME PRO
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
FRAME IS RUSTING HAVE HOLES IN FRAME LEFT HAND SIDE BEHIND FRONT WHEEL CAN SEE ALL THE WAY THRU FRAME SUPPORT THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU ALSO IF THIS FRAME BRAKES AT THE POINT BEHIND LEFT FRONT WHEEL
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WILL NOT LET THE TRUCK START HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MANY TIMES. HEATER BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING ON 1, 2, & 3 SETTINGS. BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND PLUG WERE BURNT, STARTED A MINOR FIRE COULD HAVE BE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WILL NOT LET THE TRUCK START, I HAVE HAD THIS SAME COMPLAINT/PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS, HAVE HAD IN MANY SHOPS FOR SAME ISSUE, YES EACH ONE REPLACED SOMETHING/FIXED IT FOR A SUM OF MONEY. IT HAPPENED AG
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
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 P
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 M
GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIP
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIO
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 73 | good |
| Performance | 64 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 9 of them (11%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.