With only 62 consumer complaints registered with the NHTSA, the 2009 Chevy Colorado fared better than most other model years of its first generation. But issues over a defective anti-theft system that may cause the vehicle to randomly decelerate and lose engine power have frustrated owners.
Key Points
- The 2009 Chevrolet Colorado was recalled three times and has 62 registered complaints reported to the NHTSA.
- The most critical recall concerns water seeping into the fuel system control module, causing rough starts and engine stalls.
- Almost 200,000 2004-2009 Colorados were recalled over faulty brake lamp switches that caused the brake lights to malfunction.
- The most widespread problem reported by owners is about the truck’s anti-theft security system, which has the potential to engage without purpose.
- Overall dependable, the 2009 Colorado is an affordable midsize pickup with solid owner reviews.
2009 Chevrolet Colorado’s First Recall Covers Faulty Fuel System Control Module
The Chevy Colorado made its debut in 2004, and by 2009, the midsize pickup proved to be a dependable truck, with only 62 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and three recalls.
The 2009 Colorado’s first recall pertains to water seeping into the fuel system control module.
General Motors acknowledged the issue in a technical service bulletin, saying it could lead to rough starts and engine stalls.
Dealers installed a new fuel system control module on recalled models.
2009 Colorado’s Two Other Recalls Aim to Fix Malfunctioning Brake Lights and Hard-to-reach Rear Seat Tether
GM recalled almost 200,000 Colorados from 2004 to 2009 over glitchy brake light switches that may cause the lights to turn on and off at random.
Another recall was issued over a rear seat tether that’s difficult to reach, making it unusable for some.
This recall only affects regular and extended cab models with 60/40 split-bench front seats and no rear seats.
Dealers remedied the issue by cutting a hole into the back panel trim so owners can access the top tether anchor for the front seat position.
2009 Colorado’s Faulty Anti-theft Security System Doesn’t Allow Starting the Engine and Occasionally Leads to Stalls
The most frequent problem reported by 2009 Chevy Colorado owners concerns the pass-lock anti-theft module.
Half of the NHTSA owner complaints describe the anti-theft system activating while trying to start the engine, leaving them stranded for 10 to 20 minutes before it deactivates.
Other drivers report the anti-theft light illuminated and the truck suddenly lost all power. According to reports, the problem surfaced at mileages as low as 34,000.
Car Complaints echos the anti-theft system issue. And in a thread on the Chevy Colorado forum 355 Nation, owners report having fixed the issue by rebuilding the ignition switch and the lock cylinder on the door.
According to other reports on Fixya, additional causes could be flawed ground wiring or broken wiring insulation.
Chevy’s 2009 Colorado is a Most Dependable Midsize Truck With a Few Serious Problems
Fortunately, none of the 2009 Chevy Colorado’s common problems are detrimental to its expected lifespan of 250,000 to 300,000 miles.
Owners mostly commend the 2009 Colorado on popular forums for being a reliable, hassle-free truck. The midsize pickup gets a rating of 4.3 (out of five) from real owners on Vehicle History and scores 78 out of 100 on J.D. Power.
If you’re in the market for an affordable pickup truck, a used 2009 Chevy Colorado is an excellent option with a price range of $9,498 to $15,617, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Photos: Chevrolet
