2009 Chevrolet Colorado Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe intermittent no-crank/no-start episodes tied to the Passlock anti-theft system, where the vehicle starts only after a ten-minute wait, plus fuel pump control module faults that leave the truck stalling or unable to start. The rest of the sample centers on rusted frame and suspension components, air bag warning lights from a door-harness wiring problem, and a strong tailgate, used-truck-friendly mix of miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Intermittent no-start with security/padlock light (Passlock)

   Mentioned in 26 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe turning the key and getting nothing, or a crank that never catches, while a padlock or security indicator flashes on the dash. Waiting roughly ten minutes, sometimes longer, lets the light go solid and the truck starts; the problem returns randomly, sometimes weekly, sometimes months apart. Several owners say the dealer could not duplicate the fault, and some had the ignition switch or Passlock sensor replaced with the problem coming back. Complaints also mention the engine stalling and then restarting after the same wait. Reported from as low as about 20,000 miles up through 90,000 miles and beyond, with no clear pattern of weather or use.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the truck several times during a test drive, including after shutting it off warm, and watch the dash for a flashing padlock indicator. Ask whether the ignition switch, housing, or Passlock sensor has been replaced and whether the wait-to-start behavior still occurs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Truck starts fine except about every month on average I will go to start truck and nothing happens. At first I thought I had a dead battery. After the third time this happened I googled the problem and found out it was the passlock system. If I wait ten minutes truck starts. This first started to happen around two years ago.”

   NHTSA complaint #10967821, filed 2017-03, 48,000 miles

   “Security passcode issue 2009 chevy Colorado. At times it will not start and then it will take 10 minutes for it to come back on. All the lights work in the car and lock symbol flashes. The battery is not dead and I can't do anything to restart it besides wait the ten minutes for it to reset. Not only for myself but for my children this is not safe. I should be able to rely on my vehicle to start every time I turn the key. Not sure if its passlock system or ignition.”

   NHTSA complaint #11155172, filed 2018-11, 90,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump control module failure, no-start or stalling

   Mentioned in 10 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the engine dying while driving or refusing to start, with a check engine light and a diagnostic code pointing to the fuel pump control module, sometimes traced to water inside the module. Owners report paying for the module replacement themselves and being told their vehicle was not covered by the fuel system recall. A related complaint describes the module being replaced per recall before purchase but a similar intermittent loss of power and bucking continuing afterward. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 80,000 miles, with some as low as about 29,000 miles.

   Recall 09V154000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel system control module recall work was performed and keep records of any module replacement; have a shop scan for stored fuel system codes and look for corrosion or moisture at the module.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had my fuel system control module replaced on my 2009 Chevrolet Colorado on 04/17/2017. For some reason my vehicle isn't covered in the recall even though there was water in the module which caused my engine light to come on and my vehicle not to start, which is the exact consequence described in the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11066662, filed 2018-02, 78,384 miles

   “The truck is still experiencing no-starts . I have been in correspondence with GM to try to resolve the issue for quite some time, now. I purchased my truck from van Chevrolet in carrollton, texas on july 27, 2009. I was not aware of a recall on the fuel system control module( recall #08411 beginning may 18, 2009), nor was I informed of it by the dealership. Smart Chevrolet of white hall (formerly of pine bluff) claimed to have repaired it in 2011, however I have had even more issues since then. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10780941, filed 2015-10, 83,499 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical shutdowns, burning smell, and blower resistor

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • median 77,500 mi at 7.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2018

   Owners describe sudden total electrical loss while driving, headlights and instrument lighting going dark, and a clicking noise behind the dash. Two complaints describe smoke and flames from the passenger-side area under the glove box, one identified as the blower motor resistor, with the owner told the repair was not covered after warranty. Others describe a blown ignition fuse leaving the truck dead on the road. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 58,000 to 240,000 miles, both while moving and while parked.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that the blower works on every fan speed and sniff for any burning electrical smell with the fan on high. Ask about previous fuse, ignition switch, or blower resistor replacements, and test all lighting and door locks during the drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On friday morning at 8:10am 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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10786600, filed 2015-10, 75,000 miles

   “Driving straight at 55 MPH on indiana highway 3 with cruise on engine died and would turn over but not start.coasted off onto a country road,had the Colorado towed to a auto repair shop.repair shop found a blown 20 amp ignition fuse, replaced fuse and engine started up ran fine.repair shop could not get the fuse to blow again.on other internet sites people have had the same problems,but no GM service bulletins or recalls.the truck has about 80,000 miles on it.I'm concerned I may have a wreck or get killed if this happens again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10812031, filed 2015-12, 80,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light from door wiring harness

   • 5 complaints (7%)
   • median 54,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2023

   Complaints describe the air bag warning light staying on, often traced to the wiring harness that runs through the rear door hinge area; repeated door use flexes the wires until they break. Owners report the light returning after repair, sometimes more than once. Other complaints simply note the light illuminating with no diagnosis yet. Reported from around 45,000 to 50,000 miles in the lower-mileage cases, and again near 114,000 miles.

   What to check: With the key on, confirm the air bag light comes on and then goes out; if it stays lit, ask whether the rear door wiring harness has been inspected or replaced. Open and close the rear doors and see whether the light flickers.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11526829, filed 2023-06, 114,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The contact mentioned that the air bag wire harness traveled through the rear passenger door hinge and, with excessive usage of the door, the wires fractured and caused the air bag indicator to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10790313, filed 2015-11, 50,000 miles

Buying note. A 2009 Colorado can be a serviceable used truck, but budget for two checks before buying: a lift inspection of the frame and suspension for rust, and a scan plus a few warm restarts to catch Passlock no-start behavior and fuel module codes. Records of recall and module work, plus evidence of underbody care, tell you a lot about how the truck was kept.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.