2008 Chevrolet Colorado: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 81 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (27% of complaints); the 2010 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 thin due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the independent mechanic had four similar vehicles in the yard with the same failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently purchased. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2025
“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 vehicle and two additional holes were discovered in the vehicle's subframe. The contact called the dealer who sold him the vehicle and was informed that the vehicle was sold as is. The contact was also given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2022
“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 for the diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and transferred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was 109,221.”Owner report · Structure · May 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2020
“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 problems as mine.”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2020
“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 will cause a complete loss of steering emergency brake bracket also mounts here it no longer works this vehicle is only 12 years old”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2020
“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 been worse. When I turn the vehicle to the right makes a large vibration and the vehicle shuts down can't get it to turn back on.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2019
“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 again yesterday leaving me stranded once again. If I can get it running it appears my only fix is to sell/trade it and pass this very problematic truck on to other.any help would be greatly appreciated.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2019
“The vehicle will go from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive without any warning. This has happened 4 different times. I stop and push the button to return to 2 wheel drive and it goes back to 2 wheel. I did not do any input when it changes to 4 wheel spontaneously while moving at 20 to 30 mph and then turning a corner, the wheel stutters, I look at the dash and it's in 4 wheel drive.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2019
“Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. All brake lights stopped working; no longer illuminate when brake pedal is pressed. This includes the top lamp, above the back window. There is a recall number 09v310000 that describes this situation, but only good for certain states. In process of bringing to certified chevy dealer for formal diagnosis. Requesting consideration on expanding the current recall to include nj, where my truck is registered. Critical safety hazard, as can potentially cause an accident.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, PUERTO RICO, SOUTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND UTAH. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH THAT MAY NOT WORK AS DESIGNED DUE TO CONTAMINATION IN THE SWITCH.
Remedy: 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 REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. IN THE INTERIM, OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE CAN OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR, HOWEVER THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN WHEN THE NEW DESIGN PART BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
How other years compare
Check your exact Colorado by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
NHTSA has 81 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado. The most complained-about area is electrical system (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Colorado problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 56,300 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning child seat. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.