Common problems

Chevrolet Colorado Common Problems

We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 9 Chevrolet Colorado model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.

Data updated April 2026

Owner complaints
695

9 model years

Top recurring issue
Power Train

8 affected years

Crash reports
24

Owner-reported severity signal

Fire reports
14

33 injuries · 3 deaths

Pattern overview

Most reported Chevrolet Colorado problem categories

#1

Power Train

185complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2018.

#2

Electrical System

115complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2023.

#3

Unknown Or Other

73complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 7 model years; highest in 2018.

#4

Service Brakes

48complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 6 model years; highest in 2023.

#5

Engine

35complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 6 model years; highest in 2019.

#6

Steering

66complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2019.

#7

Forward Collision Avoidance

25complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2023.

#8

Fuel Propulsion System

10complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2018.

#9

Structure

3complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2022.

#10

Exterior Lighting

6complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2024.

What owners reported

Issue summaries by Chevrolet Colorado model year

POWER TRAIN

Owners report frequent issues with the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado's power train, particularly involving transmission shudders and vibrations during acceleration, often between 20 to 60 mph. Complaints commonly describe hard shifting, slipping between gears, and a persistent shudder even after transmission fluid changes. These issues typically arise around 20,000 to 60,000 miles, with some owners experiencing problems as early as 22,000 miles. There are safety implications noted, including one crash and two injuries, with reports of sudden power loss and engine shutdowns at highway speeds. Used car buyers should be aware that resolving these issues can be costly, with some owners mentioning repair quotes up to $13,000.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado frequently report issues with the vehicle's transmission, particularly shuddering, hesitation, and hard shifting between gears. Symptoms commonly described include vibration during acceleration, slamming into gear, and slipping or delays when shifting, often occurring between the first and second gears. These issues are reported at various mileage points, with some complaints arising as early as 5,100 miles and others around 100,000 miles. Safety concerns are evident, with one complaint involving a crash and multiple injuries reported, highlighting potential risks related to sudden vehicle behavior. Buyers should be aware of these recurring transmission problems, which may require significant repairs or replacements.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 7 injury reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners report frequent issues with the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado's power train, particularly involving transmission shuddering and torque converter problems. Symptoms commonly described include the vehicle vibrating or shaking, especially at speeds between 30-60 MPH, and harsh or delayed shifting. These issues often appear around 40,000 to 80,000 miles, with some reports of recurrence even after attempted repairs like transmission fluid flushes. Safety implications noted by owners include unexpected loss of acceleration and unpredictable drivetrain behavior, which could pose risks in traffic. Buyers considering a used model should be aware of these recurring issues and the potential for costly repairs, especially once the vehicle is out of warranty.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report several recurring issues with the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado's electrical system. Complaints frequently mention unintended activation of the Forward Collision Avoidance system, causing the vehicle to brake abruptly, sometimes resulting in injuries and one crash. Additionally, multiple owners describe problems with the digital instrument panel and infotainment systems shutting down while driving, leading to a lack of visibility of critical information such as speed. These issues are often reported at mileage as low as 2,800 to 15,000 miles. The safety implications include unexpected braking and loss of control, which are significant for potential buyers to consider.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report several recurring electrical system issues with the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado. Instrument cluster failures are frequently mentioned, with screens going dark and leaving drivers without access to speedometer, fuel gauge, and other critical information, sometimes for extended periods. Many complaints also describe the right turn signal automatically activating the left turn signal upon cancelation, causing driver confusion and, in one case, contributing to a crash. Additionally, some owners experience unintended activation of the automatic emergency braking system, occasionally leading to near-accidents. These issues are reported at various mileages, with some occurring shortly after purchase, indicating potential early-life reliability concerns. Safety implications include loss of vehicle control and visibility, as well as one reported fire incident resulting in injury.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report several electrical system issues with the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado, with common complaints involving ignition problems, erratic touchscreen behavior, and wiring chafing. Many describe difficulty removing the ignition key, often requiring multiple attempts or tricks to release it, which can lead to drained batteries. Touchscreen malfunctions are also frequently noted, with symptoms such as unresponsive displays, random app activations, and backup cameras activating at highway speeds. Wiring issues, including harness chafing that can cause alarms and potential fire hazards, are mentioned, with one report of a fire originating from the rear seat area. These issues appear across various mileages and can affect vehicle safety, particularly when systems shut down unexpectedly or when wiring faults pose fire risks.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado frequently report issues related to the ignition system, with several complaints describing difficulty removing the key from the ignition, which can result in a dead battery or risk of theft. Another common problem involves the vehicle's infotainment system, which malfunctions and impacts the ability to monitor speed and use navigation. Complaints also highlight problems with the vehicle's heating system, including thermostat failures and heater core issues, leading to inadequate cabin heating and defrosting, especially in colder climates. Safety concerns are raised by two reports of fires starting in the engine compartment shortly after parking, and one incident involving coolant leakage that impaired visibility and resulted in an injury. These issues appear across various mileages and persist over extended periods, indicating potential long-term reliability concerns.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 2 fire, 1 injury reports

STEERING

Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado frequently report issues with the power steering system, with many describing sudden loss of power steering assist while driving. Common symptoms include the steering wheel becoming difficult to turn or locking up entirely, often without warning lights or error messages. These issues are reported across a wide range of mileages, from as low as 8,000 miles to over 55,000 miles. Some owners note water penetration and corrosion as possible causes, while others mention repeated failures even after repairs. Safety implications are significant, as several reports describe near-miss accidents and difficulty controlling the vehicle, particularly at higher speeds or in heavy traffic. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring steering issues when considering a used 2019 Chevrolet Colorado.

Pre-purchase inspection

What to check on a used Chevrolet Colorado

When problems are reported to begin

  • Service brake failures200–2,600 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures78–2,300 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Transmission failures400–500 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Engine coolant leaks20,000–28,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Transmission shudder3,000–4,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Brake system failures200–17,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Forward collision avoidance issues0–15,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Brake system failures17,000–27,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record

Buyer red flags

  • Inspect brake system for warning lights and pedal response
  • Test headlights for pulsating when heated seats are on
  • Check infotainment system for blank screens or error messages
  • Verify transmission operation for smooth acceleration
  • Ensure instrument cluster displays correctly on startup
  • Listen for unusual sounds from the powertrain during a test drive
  • Inspect upper radiator hose for leaks
  • Test brakes for pedal sinking or uneven wear

How to interpret the counts

Complaint totals are not failure rates

A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.

Source trail

Where this Chevrolet Colorado data comes from

VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Chevrolet Colorado research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.

Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.

Buyer questions

Chevrolet Colorado research FAQ

What is the most common Chevrolet Colorado problem?

Power Train is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 8 years with 185 complaints represented.

Which Chevrolet Colorado year has the most reported problems?

The 2018 has the largest power train count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.

Do NHTSA complaints prove a Chevrolet Colorado has a defect?

No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.

Check the actual car

Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.

Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Chevrolet Colorado you are considering.