2021 Chevrolet Colorado problems, complaints & recalls
Far fewerRising
NHTSA has received 78 owner complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, or 13.5 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.33, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #28 of 85 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Chevrolet models its rate is 71% lower; against other Midsize pickups it is 32% lower.
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 2020-10-20 and 2026-10-09. Median delay from incident to filing: 16 days.
78Complaints
13.5Complaints per year on the road
0.33Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls
9.0%Share involving a crash or fire
29Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 12.5 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 11.7 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 13 complaints, 79% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (25.6% of complaints), followed by Brakes (12.8%) and Unspecified or other (12.8%). 7 reports (9.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 5 injuries and 2 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 46 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (41% of incidents). In the last 12 months 29 new complaints were filed, versus 12 in the 12 months before — up 142%.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.33
vs. other Chevrolet models0.29
vs. other 2021 models0.35
vs. other Midsize pickups0.68
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (13)0.21
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.
Backup camera has failed at 38,000 miles. Backed into a tree damaging the rear bumper.
Unspecified or other · 2025-06-27 · ODI 11669679 · Crash
In May 2025, I took my truck to the dealership due to a severe whining noise from the rear. They said the rear differential had failed and needed a full replacement, costing me $1,800 since the warranty didn’t cover the entire amount.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-04 · ODI 11768860
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended.
Engine · 2026-09-30 · ODI 11768140
Both rear calipers have become frozen or stuck, causing the brakes to seize and not work correctly. This happened around 53,000 miles. There was a burning rubber smell as well as the tire/brake temp was 5 times the normal. This created a severe driving hazard.
Brakes · 2026-09-12 · ODI 11763826
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 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
