Model year guide

2012 Chevrolet Colorado

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 119 on record.

2012 Chevrolet Colorado — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Chevrolet Colorado at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints41
Combined19 mpg
Typical price$14,526

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Chevrolet Colorado recalls 2

Seat Belts:front NHTSA Campaign #11V552000 · 17/11/2011

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 …

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.

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch NHTSA Campaign #12V594000 · 19/12/2012

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." The hood may be missing the secondary hood latch.

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 G…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Chevrolet Colorado common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2012 Chevrolet Colorado MPG & running costs

Combined19 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,347

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado worth?

Low
$6,995
Typical price
$14,526
High
$20,800

From 118 comparable 2012 Chevrolet Colorado listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,735
Depreciation (5 yrs)$7,100
Total$23,835
Per mile$0.32

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($14,526) with the same model 5 model-years older ($7,448), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Chevrolet Colorado trims & engines on record

Trims
1LT · Work Truck · 2LT
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl · 2.9L 4-cyl · 5.3L 8-cyl

2012 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles on record

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Other Chevrolet Colorado model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

2012 Chevrolet Colorado — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?

Based on 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, air bags, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado at about 19 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway).

How much is a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado worth?

Comparable 2012 Chevrolet Colorado listings run roughly $6,995–$20,800, typically around $14,526 (from 118 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.