Chevrolet Colorado problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 9 model years (2018–2026), NHTSA has logged 857 owner complaints and 9 safety recalls for the Chevrolet Colorado. That averages 21.2 complaints per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (index 0.53 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Midsize pickups segment it ranks #3 of 5 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest); the segment average is 20.0.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 59% above the 2018 and 2019 models (71 early complaints per model year versus 49).
The 2024 model year has the highest rate (44.1 complaints per year) and the 2022 model year the lowest (11.7). Model years 2023 and 2024 run at least 50% above this model's average of 21.2 complaints per year on the road across its tracked model years. Model years 2020 and 2022 run at least 40% below this model's average of 21.2 complaints per year on the road.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain (22.4% of complaints), followed by Electrical (18.3%) and Engine (16.3%). Transmission / powertrain complaints are 1.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 40 complaints (4.7%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 37 injuries and 3 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 233 complaints versus 179 in the previous 12 months — up 30%. The 2024 model year generated the most recent reports (61). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 28 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 9 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2024 (5). 1 NHTSA investigation has covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Electronic Brake Module Component Failure” (engineering analysis, opened 2026-08-21, still open).
Within its segment it has more complaints per year than Nissan Frontier and Ford Ranger, but fewer than Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tacoma.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 183 | 20.8 | 0.52 | 15 | 1 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2019 | 150 | 19.3 | 0.48 | 15 | 0 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2020 | 85 | 12.5 | 0.31 | 20 | 0 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2021 | 78 | 13.5 | 0.33 | 29 | 1 | Engine | View › |
| 2022 Fewest complaints | 56 | 11.7 | 0.29 | 22 | 1 | Electrical | View › |
| 2023 ▲50%+ | 137 | 36.2 | 0.9 | 38 | 3 | Electrical | View › |
| 2024 ▲50%+ | 123 | 44.1 | 1.09 | 61 | 3 | Electrical | View › |
| 2025 Too new to rank | 27 | 15.1 | 0.37 | 15 | 1 | Brakes | View › |
| 2026 Too new to rank | 18 | 18.0 | 0.45 | 18 | 1 | Steering | View › |
▲50%+ = 50%+ above this model's average yearly rate. “Too new to rank”: under two years on the road, so the model year cannot be named the one with the fewest complaints yet. 1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 233 · Previous 12 months: 179 Rising
Problem areas
Transmission / powertrain ›
192 · 22.4% · 1.92 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Electrical ›
157 · 18.3% · 1.16 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Engine ›
140 · 16.3% · 0.73 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Brakes ›
82 · 9.6% · 1.59 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Unspecified or other ›
74 · 8.6% · 0.96 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Steering ›
60 · 7.0% · 1.09 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Driver-assist systems ›
48 · 5.6% · 0.98 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Body & structure
29 · 3.4% · 0.37 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Airbags & seat belts
22 · 2.6% · 0.68 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Fuel system
21 · 2.5% · 0.57 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Lighting
21 · 2.5% · 1.58 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Wheels, tires & suspension
7 · 0.8% · 0.33 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Other
4 · 0.5% · 0.25 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 28 months
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a crash after the contact fell asleep while driving 15 MPH. The vehicle came to a complete stop after crashing into a tree. The front of the vehicle was damaged.
The contact's husband owns a 2025 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that after exiting a car wash tunnel and parking the vehicle on the side of the car wash building, the vehicle continued to roll forward at a high speed without warning.
While driving, the vehicles internal computer system seized, completely shutting down and restarting itself over the course of 30 seconds. During and after this event, the brakes, power steering, and restraint system all became inoperable.
Vehicle: 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss, 4WD Crew Cab. Delivered new 3/29/26. Beginning in May 2026, the vehicle developed a steering column defect: play in the steering wheel, a catch or jerking sensation while driving and turning (particularly at low…
Coupling on vacuum pump broke off while in motion. Pieces fell near engine. Camshaft, vacuum pump and brake booster will need to be replace. Vehicle mileage is at 65124 miles. No reason to have such a failure so early
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Midsize pickups
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissan Frontier | 316 | 8.7 | 0.21 | Worsening | Within ±30% year on year | 15 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 2 | Ford Ranger | 713 | 18.8 | 0.47 | Improving | Rising | 41 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 3 | Chevrolet Colorado | 857 | 21.2 | 0.53 | Worsening | Rising | 9 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 4 | Jeep Gladiator | 994 | 25.9 | 0.64 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 18 | Steering |
| 5 | Toyota Tacoma | 965 | 27.2 | 0.67 | Stable | Rising | 15 | Transmission / powertrain |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 9
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (1) · 2019 (0) · 2020 (0) · 2021 (1) · 2022 (1) · 2023 (3) · 2024 (3) · 2025 (1) · 2026 (1)
Investigations
- Electronic Brake Module Component Failure Open
On April 11, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24011 after receiving complaints concerning a loss of brake assist in 2023 MY Cadillac Lyriq vehicles. These complaints allege a hard brake pedal, followed by a “Brake System Failure” message at start up or while driving. GM shared records regarding several internal investigations for loss of brake assist …