Most common 2009 Chevrolet Colorado problems
Share of the 67 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 →
2009 Chevrolet Colorado recalls (3)
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.
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Remedy: 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 1-866-996-9463 or at…
What 2009 Chevrolet Colorado owners say
Electrical system all 36 →
On Friday morning at 8:10 am I was driving on my way to work down auburn way when my Chevrolet Colorado began to smell like something electrical was burning seconds later I noticed smoked coming from under my glove box on the passenger side. A few second s later I saw flames dripping down to my floor board. It all happened very quickly and soon as I pulled into a side road I tried to look around to see where the fire was coming from and I even attempted to put out the fire started on my floor mat but in second the truck caught fire and I was only able to get a handful of my papers and my sons car toy before the flames really took hold. I called 9-11 and they responded rarely quickly considering the station is about a mile away. But by the time they arrive the truck was fully engaged in flames. …
My truck will not start sometimes. This happens randomly. It might start fine for several months, then it will not start every other day or week for several weeks. I have found through trial and error and internet research, that it will eventually start after waiting either 10, 20 or 30 minutes. I never know which one. This not starting has, so far, only been a nuisance because I am retired and I have been able to use our other car if it is here. I have been late to some appointments and stranded for some time in parking lots. I am concerned that there might come a time when I need the truck for some emergency or to leave an area right away. I had taken the truck to the dealer twice several years back on related ignition issues when the truck was still under warranty, and the dealer was very good at correcting those issues. …
Fuel & propulsion system
I went to pull my truck out of the garage and it would not start. A mechanic came to my house to look at it and stated that it is not getting fuel. Upon digging into the repairs the fuel module had water in it. The mechanic went to o'reillys for the part and was advised of a recall # 08411. I reported my problems to jim butler cheverolet and sepaugh both whom refused to acknowledge this recall. I also called GM about this recall and got no where. I was not able to get to work for 1 day and then rides for the rest of the week to work. This is causing an inconveince to me and my coworkers, as well as put of pockets cost for this repair.
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 system control module because it occurs in damp, rain weather. According to the dealer the fuel system control module was replaced as per recall before purchase. In addition, the throttle body was also replaced as part of another recall for the same problem. The same intermittent problem still exist but GM is unable to repair this vehicle after numerous complaints and multiple attempts.
Engine & cooling
Rubber hood weather strip at rear of hood closure area detached, dropped down from insufficient retention clip design, atop of driver side exhaust manifold catalyst, and caught fire. Fire grew quickly and traveled up vertical laying weather strip, melted through plastic pcv hoses and convolute over pressurized fuel line soft flex hose portion. Was able to smell burning, see smoke, open hood, and extinguish fire with portable extinguisher before fire penetrated pressurized fuel flex hose area. All of this happened after pulling up to my workplace. This is a stock vehicle kept in excellent maintenance with no modifications. I kept the weather strip and retention clips as proof.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that the vehicle did not start after turning the key in the ignition. The contact stated that the vehicle must remain parked for ten minutes in order to become operable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact initially believed the failure was due to a dead battery. The contact replaced the battery, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
2009 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 / 23 / 20 |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 23 / 20 |
| 3.7L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.7L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 19 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Colorado a good car?
Based on 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Colorado rates better than average: 72% 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 2009 Chevrolet Colorado?
The electrical system — 36 complaints, 54% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (12) and engine & cooling (10).
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Colorado have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2009 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 2009 Chevrolet Colorado problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 54,000 miles; 40% 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.