Sell your 2012 Chevrolet Colorado for cash

The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado is a pickup truck that came with a choice of 2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl and 5.3L 8-cyl engines. At 14 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2012 Chevrolet Colorado at a glance

Body styleSmall Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd
DriveRear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy14–18 city / 19–25 highway / 16–21 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,200–$4,200 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂423–555 grams per mile
Gross vehicle weight rating4,850–5,500 lb
Versions tested by EPA16 configurations: Colorado 2WD, Colorado Crew Cab 2WD, Colorado 4WD, Colorado Crew Cab 4WD, Colorado Cab Chassis inc 2WD, Colorado Cab Chassis inc 4WD
Age14 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 14 years old, most of a 2012 Colorado's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a pickup truck, it's heavier than a typical car, and scrap weight is a big part of any junk offer. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Colorado. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the air bags, typically around 76,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2012 Chevrolet Colorado recalls

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Latches/Locks/LinkagesDec 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V594000

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.

Risk: If the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver and increase the risk of a crash.

Seat BeltsNov 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V552000

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…

Risk: The loose connections may cause the driver to not receive a visual or audible warning that the driver seat belt is not fastened, thereby increasing the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.

Common 2012 Colorado problems

Owners have filed 42 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado with NHTSA. 3 reports involved a crash and 2 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 2 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Air Bags9
  • Engine8
  • Electrical System7
  • Service Brakes7
  • Electronic Stability Control (Esc)5
  • Steering5

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Air Bags76,000 mi
  • Engine47,000 mi
  • Electrical System47,000 mi
  • Service Brakes39,000 mi
  • Electronic Stability Control (Esc)36,000 mi
  • Steering85,000 mi

2012 Chevrolet Colorado crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado, by version tested.

VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRolloverRollover risk
Pu/Rc, AWDNot rated——★★★★☆17.9%
Pu/Cc, AWDNot rated——★★★★☆17.9%
Pu/Ec, AWDNot rated——★★★★☆17.9%
Pu/Ec, RWDNot rated——★★★★☆18.5%
Pu/Rc, RWDNot rated——★★★★☆18.5%
Pu/Cc, RWDNot rated——★★★★☆18.5%

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.

2012 Chevrolet Colorado service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 1,316 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Equipment207
  • Equipment170
  • Electrical System98
  • Engine and Engine Cooling87
  • Engine73
  • Equipment Adaptive/Mobility52

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2026 · PIP4902W

    This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2026 · PIT3271Q

    This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 2026 · PIP4902V

    This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 2026 · PIP6104

    This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Other Chevrolet Colorado years

‹ Sell a 2011 Colorado · Sell a 2015 Colorado › · All Chevrolet Colorado years

Other 2012 Chevrolet models

Selling a 2012 Colorado: questions

How much is a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2012 Colorado that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2012 Colorados that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2012 Colorado with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2012 Colorado?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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