Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet Colorado, and it carries 3 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 | 24 | 36% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 9% |
| Air bags | 5 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 6% |
| Engine | 3 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 4% |
| Structure | 2 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while the vehicle was being serviced, the mechanic became aware that the entire subframe was extremely rusted and notified the contact. Additionally, the lea
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Frame has rusted to the point it is dangerous to drive looking at available date this is a problem on most model Colorado and canyon mine is so bad I will not drive it and it looks like most of them are the same. I do
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnose
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the sun visor fell down obstructing the driver’s view. Additionally, the contact stated that the frame was not properly alig
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact had taken his vehicle for state inspection and was informed by an inspector that there was significant corrosion on the main undercarriage suspension. The contact w
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE DECELERATED AND LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
HAS SOME KIND OF SECURTY MALFUNCTION THAT WONT LET ME START TRUCK FO 9 MINUTES
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TRUCK INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER WHEN PRESSING GAS PEDDLE CAUSING BUCKING, STALLING THEN WILL SUDDENLY RUNS FINE AGAIN CAUSING RAPID ACCELERATION CREATING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS DRIVING. APPEARS TO BE THE FUEL
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2009 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 27,188 MY 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE HYBRID, ESCALADE ESV, AND ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SUBURBAN, TAHOE, TAHOE HYBRID, AND COLORADO; AND GMC YUKON, YUKON HYBRID, YUKON XL, AND CANYON VEHICLES. THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH AN ADHESIVE
Risk: WATER IN THE MODULE COULD CAUSE A SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT, ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP, SETTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES OR THE ENGINE MAY BE HARD TO START, MAY NOT START OR MAY STAL
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996
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 | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 73 | good |
| Performance | 64 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 24 of them (36%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. 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.