The best Colorado years to buy are 2019 and 2022. Avoid the 2015 and 2016: power steering failures make up most of their complaints.
Best years: 20192022 Years to avoid: 20152016
Every Colorado year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known Colorado problems
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 126 | - | 3 | Electrical | Too new to judge |
| 2023 | 139 | - | 3 | Collision avoidance | Too new to judge |
| 2022 | 57 | 64 | 1 | Electrical | Good buy |
| 2021 | 80 | 110 | 1 | Brakes | Good year |
| 2020 | 88 | 91 | 0 | Transmission and drivetrain | Good year |
| 2019 | 151 | 124 | 0 | Transmission and drivetrain | Good buy |
| 2018 | 183 | 136 | 1 | Transmission and drivetrain | Good year |
| 2017 | 216 | 191 | 1 | Transmission and drivetrain | Average |
| 2016 | 716 | 659 | 4 | Steering | Skip this year |
| 2015 | 498 | 590 | 7 | Steering | Skip this year |
| 2012 | 42 | 114 | 2 | Air bags | Good year |
About the Colorado
The Colorado is Chevrolet's midsize pickup, relaunched in 2015. The first two years of the new truck drew a large number of 'Service power steering' complaints, where steering assist cuts out. From 2017 complaints drop to below average, with some torque converter shudder on the eight-speed automatic.
- 2015-2022: Second generation. Power steering failures on 2015-2016; torque converter shudder later.
- 2023 on: Third generation, too new to judge fully.
Colorado warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Chevrolet files with NHTSA. 3,441 Colorado bulletins are on file in total.
Customer Satisfaction Program - certain vehicles may require software updates that improve the customer experience and optimize future over-the-air updates.
Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where coolant leaks from the radiator hose quick connect at the radiator inlet.
Customer Satisfaction Program.
Customer Satisfaction Program - Certain vehicles were delivered to customers without the accessory package.
Customer Satisfaction Program - Due to the industry-wide semiconductor shortage, the park assist feature is not functional on certain vehicles listed, built beginning December 2, 2021.
Special Coverage.
Customer Satisfaction Program - Certain vehicles, equipped with the 6-speed automatic transmission, may have a condition in which there is a slight deformation in the stator shaft.
17275 - Customer Satisfaction Program.
18368 - Customer Satisfaction Program.
N192218430 - Customer Satisfaction Program.
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the Colorado
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Engineering analysis EA26006 · 2023, 2024 · opened Aug 2026
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.
Recall query RQ19001 · 2015 · opened May 2019, closed May 2021 · led to recall 21V213000
In May 2019 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ19-001) to assess the scope of General Motors (GM) recall 16V-054.
Colorado vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Chevrolet Colorado?
2019 and 2022. The best Colorado years to buy are 2019 and 2022. Avoid the 2015 and 2016: power steering failures make up most of their complaints.
Which Chevrolet Colorado years should I avoid?
2015, 2016. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Chevrolet Colorado average.
Why does my Chevy Colorado say 'Service power steering'?
On many 2015-2016 Colorados the electric power steering loses assist, making the wheel very heavy. GM issued software updates and replaced steering gears. A new steering gear costs about $1,500 to $2,500.
Based on 2,296 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.