Chevrolet Colorado owners filed 2,241 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado drew the most complaints (707); across all years, owners complain most about steering (41% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2016, with 707 complaints, led by steering (457) and 4 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Steering drew 918 complaints but 2 recalls, so for most of these owners the repair falls to warranty or their own pocket, not a free recall fix.
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2015 (3.7 times as many complaints), 2016 (5.3 times as many complaints), 2017 (1.6 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: automatic emergency braking / collision warning complaints came at a median 6k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 19 complaints mention a fire and 62 a crash, with 57 injuries and 3 deaths reported.
Chevrolet Colorado complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 7 recalls | 490 | Steering (358), Electronic Stability Control (esc) (56), Electrical system (53) median 52k mi · 17 crashes · 4 fires |
| 2016 4 recalls | 707 | Steering (457), Electrical system (117), Transmission / powertrain (97) median 43k mi · 14 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2017 1 recall | 216 | Transmission / powertrain (107), Electrical system (41), Engine (26) median 26k mi · 5 crashes |
| 2018 1 recall | 183 | Transmission / powertrain (78), Electrical system (34), Engine (24) median 14k mi · 3 crashes · 5 fires |
| 2019 no recall | 150 | Transmission / powertrain (65), Electrical system (24), Steering (22) median 8k mi · 6 crashes · 4 fires |
| 2020 no recall | 84 | Transmission / powertrain (33), Engine (17), Steering (10) median 24k mi · 1 crash · 3 fires |
| 2021 1 recall | 75 | Engine (18), Brakes (17), Transmission / powertrain (11) median 44k mi · 6 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2022 1 recall | 54 | Electrical system (20), Steering (12), Brakes (8) median 21k mi · 1 crash |
| 2023 3 recalls | 134 | Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (45), Electrical system (41), Brakes (23) median 8k mi · 2 crashes |
| 2024 3 recalls | 121 | Electrical system (35), Brakes (27), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (22) median 5k mi · 6 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2025 1 recall | 27 | Brakes (9), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (8), Electrical system (7) median 112k mi · 1 crash |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 22, more than the 18 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Chevrolet Colorado problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 918 | 41% | 2 | 60k mi | Power steering repair cost |
| Transmission / powertrain | 464 | 21% | 0 | 12k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Electrical system | 389 | 17% | 1 | 35k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Engine | 238 | 11% | 0 | 30k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Brakes | 168 | 8% | 1 | 25k mi | Brake repair cost |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 98 | 4% | 0 | 54k mi | — |
| Automatic emergency braking / collision warning | 88 | 4% | 0 | 6k mi | — |
| Fuel system | 70 | 3% | 2 | 24k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Chevrolet Colorado owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Steering
Power steering completely failed on 6/28/2024. Truck was purchased new in march 2021, and has less than 36,000 miles. Local chevy dealer said entire power steering assist assembly must be replaced at $2,000+ but the wire harness is on backorder. Recall #21V213000 was for similar problem in 2015 models but the problem still persists, at least through june 2021.
2021 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11600408
While driving I received a service power steering message followed immediately by a service stabilitrak message and lost the ability to steer the vehicle. This hapenned 4 times at varying speeds, including while entering the highway and at low speeds driving down the road at APPROXIMATELY25 mph. After shutting off and restarting the vehicle, the problem clears and the power steering functions.
2015 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11161233
Related recalls: 21V213000 (2015): A loss of power steering, particularly at lower speeds increases the risk of a crash. 16V054000 (2015): A loss or reduction in power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash.
918 owners reported steering problems; the power steering repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Transmission / powertrain
Purchased vehicle new in 2017 with 14 miles. In june 2018 at 17,500 miles vehicle developed a sever transmission shudder. Took the vehicle to the Chevrolet dealership where purchased. They replaced the transmission fluid and torque converter. Now, in july 2023 at 79,000 the transmission shudder has returned.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11531844
Complaint # 11630574 transmission shudder, took to dealership on 09/28/2023 had transmission flushed and changed fluid to new style transmission fluid, per gm under warranty. I was told that if it needed done again that I would have to pay to have it done and would cost approximately $400- $500. On 12/13/2024 the truck is shuddering again at 48,700 miles.
2020 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11630601
None of these 464 transmission / powertrain complaints is matched by a recall on these model years, so a repair is covered only by warranty or paid by the owner.
464 owners reported transmission / powertrain problems; the transmission repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Electrical system
Twice in shop for faulty modules. Transmission/torque convertor issues created jerking/shudder while driving on highway at speeds of 40 to 70 mph. Was in shop for over 15 days total and repair was ineffective 3 times with acknowledging issues and twice where a diagnostic was ran and was told nothing was wrong. Dealerships in the beginning years ago replaced the torque convertor with a price of $2000K.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11327509
Common problem reported by many consumers, infotainment system changes stations, randomly shuts down, fast forwards songs on media, touchscreen non-responsive. Had mine replaced to the tune of $800+ and the same thing is happening to the new unit. Only this time, I get the entire system cutting out and then only the front tweeters coming back on after a minute.
2016 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11463247
Related recalls: 24V133000 (2023): Unexpected automatic emergency braking can cause the vehicle to abruptly stop or slow down, increasing the risk of a crash.
389 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Chevrolet Colorado recalls
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V114000 | 2026-02-26 | 2025 | Equipment / accessories | Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 24V703000 | 2024-09-19 | 2023–2024 | Seat belts | A loose seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 24V491000 | 2024-06-28 | 2024 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. |
| 24V366000 | 2024-05-23 | 2024 | Tires | A tire label that does not accurately reflect the installed tires may result in the installation of incorrectly sized tires. In addition, the TPMS may not warn the driver of a drop in tire pressure. Both of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 24V237000 | 2024-03-28 | 2023 | Wheels | Damaged bolts may loosen or break, which can result in a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 24V133000 | 2024-02-22 | 2023 | Electrical system | Unexpected automatic emergency braking can cause the vehicle to abruptly stop or slow down, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V375000 | 2022-05-26 | 2022 | Seats | An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 21V213000 | 2021-03-25 | 2015 | Steering | A loss of power steering, particularly at lower speeds increases the risk of a crash. |
| 20V811000 | 2020-12-23 | 2021 | Seat belts | 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. |
| 18V358000 | 2018-05-31 | 2016–2018 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 17V621000 | 2017-10-05 | 2015–2016 | Air bags | An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 16V125000 | 2016-03-02 | 2016 | Air bags | An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury. |
| 16V054000 | 2016-02-01 | 2015 | Steering | A loss or reduction in power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash. |
| 15V807000 | 2015-12-01 | 2016 | Latches and locks | If the console compartment door does not remain closed in a crash, the contents stored in the console may strike the vehicle occupants, increasing their risk of injury. |
| 15V278000 | 2015-05-12 | 2015 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | If the vehicle experiences a brake fluid leak it can increase the stopping distance, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. |
| 15V267000 | 2015-05-08 | 2015 | Seats | If the seat-frame attachment hooks are not secured properly, the seat may not be adequately anchored to the vehicle, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of an injury. |
| 15V157000 | 2015-03-18 | 2015 | Air bags | If the inflator separates from the back plate in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, this may cause the air bag or steering wheel components to separate and be propelled into the interior compartment, potentially seriously injuring the driver or other occupants. Additionally, the air bag may fail to properly inflate, increasing the risk of injury to the driver. |
| 14V645000 | 2014-10-09 | 2015 | Air bags | If the driver air bag does not deploy as designed, there is an increased risk of driver injury in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment. |
What this data can and can't tell you
2,241 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Chevrolet models in the index
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (7,160)
- Chevrolet Malibu (3,192)
- Chevrolet Equinox (3,023)
- Chevrolet Traverse (2,644)
- Chevrolet Tahoe (2,306)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.