2018 Chevrolet Colorado problems, complaints & recalls
FewerFalling
NHTSA has received 182 owner complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado, or 21.0 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.50, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #32 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Chevrolet models its rate is 54% lower; against other Midsize pickups it is about the same.
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
Complaints filed between 2017-10-23 and 2026-09-01. Median delay from incident to filing: 11 days.
182Complaints
21.0Complaints per year on the road
0.5Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls
4.4%Share involving a crash or fire
14Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 19.4 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 54 complaints, 39% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain (38.5% of complaints), followed by Electrical (14.3%) and Engine (12.6%). Transmission / powertrain complaints are 3.3 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Transmission / powertrain reports, owners most often mention “transmission”, “shudder”, “fluid”, “rumble” and “strips”. 8 reports (4.4%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 3 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 43 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (39% of incidents). In the last 12 months 14 new complaints were filed, versus 24 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year. 4% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.5
vs. other Chevrolet models0.46
vs. other 2018 models0.43
vs. other Midsize pickups1.01
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (54)0.61
Fuel system leak and yes, it is available for inspection. My safety was at risk while I was driving the truck and smelled a very strong odor of gasoline enter the cab of the truck while I was driving with the windows rolled up.
Fuel system · 2025-02-03 · ODI 11640337 · Fire
I was ran off the road and hit a tree line in which a downed tree went through my windshield. The airbags failed to deploy. If I had not been wearing my seatbelt, I could've been decapitated
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.
Lighting · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761266
When shifted into drive, transmission hesitates to accelerate. Not all the time, some of the time.
Interior & equipment · 2026-08-17 · ODI 11757566
While driving at normal and safe highway speeds, without warning (no audible or visual warning from the vehicle information display) my vehicle experienced engine lockout, loss of all non-electric power, and no control over vehicle speed.
Engine · 2026-08-02 · ODI 11754282
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
182 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado, or about 21.0 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
The most common category is Transmission / powertrain, accounting for 38.5% of complaints.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 14 new complaints were filed, versus 24 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
How does the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 182 owner complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado, or 21.0 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.50, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #32 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Chevrolet models its rate is 54% lower; against other Midsize pickups it is about the same.