Chevrolet Colorado Problems by Year
NHTSA has 3,633 owner complaints and 29 safety recalls on file for the Chevrolet Colorado, across 23 model years (2004–2026). The 2016 model year has the most complaints (712). The most reported problem area overall is steering.
Chevrolet Colorado years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Colorado year: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2016 Colorado: 712 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2015 Colorado: 492 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2004 Colorado: 361 complaints, 3 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2013 Colorado: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2014 Colorado: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2026 Colorado: 18 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Chevrolet Colorado problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 962 | 19 | 16 |
| Electrical System problems | 773 | 21 | 10 |
| Power Train problems | 561 | 22 | 13 |
| Engine problems | 326 | 21 | 2 |
| Service Brakes problems | 251 | 22 | 16 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 203 | 21 | 2 |
| Air Bags problems | 185 | 19 | 55 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 159 | 16 | 10 |
| Structure problems | 157 | 20 | 8 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems | 117 | 14 | 3 |
| Suspension problems | 111 | 19 | 8 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 110 | 14 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 107 | 20 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 107 | 18 | 5 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 91 | 11 | 5 |
| Visibility | 59 | 11 | 0 |
| Tires | 55 | 11 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 54 | 15 | 11 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 46 | 12 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 36 | 11 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 28 | 6 | 1 |
| Wheels | 23 | 9 | 2 |
| Visibility/wiper | 22 | 11 | 0 |
| Equipment | 21 | 8 | 0 |
| Seats | 17 | 10 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 17 | 4 | 3 |
| Back Over Prevention | 14 | 7 | 1 |
| Parking Brake | 13 | 4 | 3 |
| Traction Control System | 10 | 6 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Child Seat | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Chevrolet Colorado problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2019: power train (65)
- 2018: power train (78)
- 2017: power train (107)
- 2016: steering (462) · electrical system (119) · power train (97)
- 2015: steering (359) · electronic stability control (esc) (56) · electrical system (53)
- 2006: electrical system (69)
- 2005: electrical system (69) · service brakes, hydraulic (61)
- 2004: electrical system (88) · structure (61)
All Chevrolet Colorado model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Colorado | 18 | 1 | 4★ | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2025 Colorado | 27 | 1 | 4★ | Service Brakes | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 Colorado | 123 | 3 | 4★ | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2023 Colorado | 137 | 3 | 4★ | Forward Collision Avoidance | More complaints than other years |
| 2022 Colorado | 56 | 1 | 4★ | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2021 Colorado | 78 | 1 | 4★ | Engine | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2020 Colorado | 85 | 0 | 4★ | Power Train | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2019 Colorado | 150 | 0 | 4★ | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
| 2018 Colorado | 183 | 1 | 4★ | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2017 Colorado | 216 | 1 | 4★ | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2016 Colorado | 712 | 4 | 4★ | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 Colorado | 492 | 7 | 4★ | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2014 Colorado | 1 | 0 | — | Steering | |
| 2013 Colorado | 1 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 2012 Colorado | 42 | 2 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2011 Colorado | 42 | 5 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2010 Colorado | 29 | 2 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2009 Colorado | 67 | 3 | — | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2008 Colorado | 81 | 2 | — | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2007 Colorado | 140 | 3 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2006 Colorado | 236 | 4 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2005 Colorado | 356 | 3 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2004 Colorado | 361 | 3 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Chevrolet: all Chevrolet models · Chevrolet VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Colorado years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2004 (361), 2005 (356), 2006 (236), 2015 (492), 2016 (712), 2017 (216), 2018 (183) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Colorado year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Chevrolet Colorado?
Steering, with 962 complaints across 19 model years.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Colorado have?
29 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.