Chevrolet Colorado problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 817 owner complaints and 9 safety recalls for the Chevrolet Colorado. That averages 21.7 complaints per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (index 0.52 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Midsize pickups segment it ranks #3 of 5 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 20.7.
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
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, the Chevrolet Colorado has received 817 owner complaints and 9 safety recalls, averaging 21.7 complaints per year which is fewer than typical at an index of 0.52. While the 2020 through 2022 model years sit well below the average with the 2022 year having the lowest rate of 10.9, the trend is worsening as 2023 and 2024 models run at least 50% above the model's own average, with 2024 reaching a high rate of 45.2 complaints per year. The most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain accounting for 23.3% of complaints where issues are 2.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles, followed by Electrical at 18.2% and Engine at 16.3%. Owners report recurring terms such as "key", "transmission", "ignition", "upper radiator" and "radiator hose", while 39 complaints describe a crash or fire resulting in 36 injuries and 3 deaths, with the latest open investigation covering an Electronic Brake Module Component Failure opened on 2026-08-21.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.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 63% above the 2018 and 2019 models (71 early complaints per model year versus 49).
The 2024 model year has the highest rate (45.2 complaints per year) and the 2022 model year the lowest (10.9). Model years 2023 and 2024 run at least 50% above the model's own average — the ones to research most carefully. Model years 2020, 2021 and 2022 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain (23.3% of complaints), followed by Electrical (18.2%) and Engine (16.3%). Transmission / powertrain complaints are 2.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “key”, “transmission”, “ignition”, “upper radiator” and “radiator hose”. 39 complaints (4.8%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 36 injuries and 3 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 215 complaints versus 177 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2024 model year generated the most recent reports (62). 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 defect investigation has covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Electronic Brake Module Component Failure” (opened 2026-08-21, still open).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Nissan Frontier and Ford Ranger; Toyota Tacoma and Jeep Gladiator have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 182 | 21.0 | 0.5 | 54 | 0.61 | 14 | 1 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2019 | 149 | 19.4 | 0.46 | 44 | 0.55 | 19 | 0 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2020 | 82 | 12.3 | 0.29 | 18 | 0.32 | 19 | 0 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2021 | 74 | 13.0 | 0.31 | 13 | 0.21 | 27 | 1 | Engine | View › |
| 2022 Fewest complaints | 51 | 10.9 | 0.26 | 13 | 0.18 | 22 | 1 | Electrical | View › |
| 2023 Years to research carefully | 131 | 35.7 | 0.85 | 68 | 0.82 | 34 | 3 | Electrical | View › |
| 2024 Years to research carefully | 121 | 45.2 | 1.07 | 75 | 1.07 | 62 | 3 | Electrical | View › |
| 2025 | 27 | 16.1 | 0.38 | — | — | 18 | 1 | Brakes | View › |
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: 215 · Previous 12 months: 177 Steady
Problem areas
Transmission / powertrain ›
190 · 23.3% · 2.0 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- transmission118
- shudder27
- rumble14
- shutters13
Engine ›
133 · 16.3% · 0.73 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- upper radiator18
- radiator hose16
- engine80
- camshaft16
Steering ›
55 · 6.7% · 1.04 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- steering48
- wheel29
- turn23
- power25
Driver-assist systems ›
46 · 5.6% · 0.98 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- collision16
- emergency12
- blind spot7
- braking13
Body & structure
26 · 3.2% · 0.35 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- roof7
- wash4
- structural3
- glass5
Airbags & seat belts
20 · 2.4% · 0.64 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- airbags8
- deploy8
- seat belt7
- totaled3
Fuel system
20 · 2.4% · 0.57 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- fuel18
- pump9
- mounting flange3
- tank7
Lighting
19 · 2.3% · 1.49 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- turn signal10
- left turn9
- right turn8
- completing right3
Wheels, tires & suspension
7 · 0.9% · 0.34 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Other
3 · 0.4% · 0.2 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- key74
- transmission153
- ignition61
- upper radiator24
- radiator hose23
- shudder32
- turn signal31
- right turn27
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 28 months
What owners report
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.
My truck has used automatic emergency braking multiple times while driving at variable speeds with no obstacles or vehicles in front of me causing whiplash and further damage to my neck that has 5 budging discs.
Brake boost vacuum pump failure. While approaching a traffic light that was red, I applied the brakes. The pedal was very hard to press and required me using both feet to bring the vehicle to a stop. Stopping distance was much longer than normal.
There are these "New" headlights that are LED and White and they are far to bright for oncoming traffic to the point that I see black spots that block the view of the road. To be clear they are not on my vehicle specifically, but a ton of the newer vehicles.
While driving my 2020 Chevrolet Colorado through [XXX], the truck began having difficulty accelerating. As I exited the highway and turned into a gas station, the truck suddenly lost power.
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 | 293 | 8.1 | 0.19 | Worsening | Steady | 15 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 2 | Ford Ranger | 668 | 19.3 | 0.46 | Improving | Rising | 38 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 3 | Chevrolet Colorado | 817 | 21.7 | 0.52 | Worsening | Steady | 9 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 4 | Toyota Tacoma | 929 | 26.6 | 0.63 | Stable | Rising | 15 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 5 | Jeep Gladiator | 978 | 30.0 | 0.71 | Improving | Steady | 16 | Steering |
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)
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 âBrake System Failureâ message at start up or while driving. GM shared records regarding several internal investigations for loss of brake ass…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Colorado model year has the most complaints?
The 2024 model year has the highest rate (45.2 complaints per year) and the 2022 model year the lowest (10.9).
Is the Chevrolet Colorado getting better or worse?
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 63% above the 2018 and 2019 models (71 early complaints per model year versus 49). In the last 12 months owners filed 215 complaints versus 177 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Chevrolet Colorado problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain (23.3% of complaints), followed by Electrical (18.2%) and Engine (16.3%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “key”, “transmission”, “ignition”, “upper radiator” and “radiator hose”.
How does the Chevrolet Colorado compare with other Midsize pickups?
Within the Midsize pickups segment it ranks #3 of 5 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 20.7. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Nissan Frontier and Ford Ranger; Toyota Tacoma and Jeep Gladiator have more.
Does the Chevrolet Colorado have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 9 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2024 (5). 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Electronic Brake Module Component Failure” (opened 2026-08-21, still open).