Most common 2008 Chevrolet Colorado problems
Share of the 81 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Colorado complaints by model year
Best Colorado years: 2011, 2012, 2020. Years to avoid: 2016, 2015, 2024, 2023, 2017. Compare all years →
2008 Chevrolet Colorado recalls (2)
Child seat
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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,…
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.
What 2008 Chevrolet Colorado owners say
Electrical system all 32 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado. While driving 65 MPH, the contact smelled a burning odor. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed smoke appearing under the passenger side dashboard. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the heater fan relay was burning and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000.
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.
Brakes
A few years ago, noticed my cruise control wasn't working. I took it to a certified repair shop and found out the part was under recall, and that my brake lights weren't working either. The problem was fixed, until this week. I noticed today that while driving, the cruise isn't working. When I parked my truck, I tested my back brakes in a reflection- not working either! Again! Is this part under recall still?
Brake lights on my 2008 Chevy Colorado are not working ,a few years ago I had the same problem and took it to the dealer for repairs , the problem came up again but this time I see there is a recall for vehicles like mine , except it looks like the repairs are not covered by the manufacturer because the vehicle was sold in california. Recall#09V310000
Air bags
My son was driving my pickup on a two lane county road in the evening, after dark, the truck crossed the center line and went off the roadway on a gentle curve in the roadway. The truck struck the end of a guardrail, went down an embankment and struck a large tree. There was no debris or skid marks on the pavement. The accident was sighted the following day by a passerby. The driver and only occupant, my son, was deceased inside of the truck. He died of blunt force trauma to the head.the air bags did not employ and the on-star communication system did not make an emergency call. The keys were in the ignition. I asked the state patrol right away about the airbags not employing, it was shrugged off, saying well sometimes they don't. …
The pick up, traveling in on a two lane road went off the roadway on gentle curve in the road, struck the end of a guardrail went down an embankment and struck a large tree, there was no debris or skid marks on the pavement, it was discovered the following day by a passer by. The driver, my son 33, was deceased. He died of head trauma. The air bags did not deploy and the on-star system did not call, the keys were in the ignition. My son was in my pick up, I asked the state patrol about the airbags not employing, it was shrugged off, saying well sometimes they don't. I asked the insurance company to look into it and had them hold the vehicle for several months, to no avail, I called Chevrolet and was told it wasn't on a recall list and they couldn't take a report. I called an attorney and the bar association and was told since he was not married there was no sense looking into it. …
2008 Chevrolet Colorado engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 3.7L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 3.7L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado a good car?
Based on 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Colorado rates better than average: 69% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Colorado at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado?
The electrical system — 32 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the brakes (16) and air bags (14).
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado, the most recent from November 18, 2010 (child seat). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Colorado?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2012 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016, 2015, 2024, 2023 and 2017. See the full Chevrolet Colorado years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Colorado problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 53,000 miles; 49% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.