Chevrolet Colorado 2015–2022
2nd generation · GMT 31XX
NHTSA data through 12 August 20262,574 complaints, 1,293 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 10,200 and 68,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 4 complaints (0.3%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,400
- 25%
- 10,200
- Median
- 38,000
- 75%
- 68,000
- 90%
- 106,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 201 | 15.5% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 103 | 8.0% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 73 | 5.6% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 54 | 4.2% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 51 | 3.9% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 56 | 4.3% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 56 | 4.3% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 76 | 5.9% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 82 | 6.3% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 56 | 4.3% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 54 | 4.2% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 41 | 3.2% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 40 | 3.1% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 41 | 3.2% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 21 | 1.6% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 21 | 1.6% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 39 | 3.0% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 21 | 1.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 18 | 1.4% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 28 | 2.2% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 31 | 2.4% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 7 | 0.5% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 22 | 1.7% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 15 | 1.2% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 6 | 0.5% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 11 | 0.9% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 9 | 0.7% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 8 | 0.6% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 8 | 0.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 6 | 0.5% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 9 | 0.7% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 7 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 4 | 0.3% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 2,574 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015–2022 Chevrolet Colorado, and 1,293 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 10,200 and 68,000 miles. The median is 38,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the steering (34.5% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (16.8% of complaints, typically around 12,000 miles), the electrical system (11.8% of complaints, typically around 37,000 miles).
12 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Steering60,000median 60,000 miles, middle half 39,000 to 90,000
- Transmission and driveline12,000median 12,400 miles, middle half 3,000 to 34,000
- Electrical system37,000median 37,000 miles, middle half 17,000 to 58,000
- Problems owners could not categorise17,000median 17,000 miles, middle half 3,000 to 38,000
- Engine30,000median 30,000 miles, middle half 6,500 to 50,000
- Brakes28,000median 27,500 miles, middle half 8,000 to 51,000
- Electronic stability control (esc)54,000median 53,500 miles, middle half 35,000 to 86,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 888 | 34.5% | 60,000 | 39,000–90,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 432 | 16.8% | 12,000 | 3,000–34,000 |
| Electrical system | 303 | 11.8% | 37,000 | 17,000–58,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 188 | 7.3% | 17,000 | 3,000–38,000 |
| Engine | 187 | 7.3% | 30,000 | 6,500–50,000 |
| Brakes | 99 | 3.8% | 28,000 | 8,000–51,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 97 | 3.8% | 54,000 | 35,000–86,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 62 | 2.4% | 24,000 | 5,000–43,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 48 | 1.9% | 20,000 | 4,500–41,000 |
| Airbag system | 48 | 1.9% | 29,000 | 4,000–100,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 38,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The steering accounts for 34.5% of complaints (888 reports, 422 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 60,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,000 and 90,000 miles.
A single system taking 34.5% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 16.8% of complaints (432 reports, 251 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 12,400 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,750 and 34,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 11.8% of complaints (303 reports, 117 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 37,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 17,000 and 58,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.3% of complaints (188 reports, 67 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 17,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,800 and 37,545 miles.
The engine accounts for 7.3% of complaints (187 reports, 103 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 30,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 6,300 and 50,000 miles.
The brakes account for 3.8% of complaints (99 reports, 34 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 27,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 8,000 and 51,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2016 model year drew the most — 938 complaints — while 2022 drew the fewest at 66. The median year sits at 220.
That makes 2016 an outlier: roughly 4.3 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 12 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (4), seats (2), the steering (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 2,574 complaints filed against this generation, 82 reported a crash; 27 reported a fire; 75 reported an injury; 3 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 3.2% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 10,200 and 68,000 miles, with a median of 38,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the steering and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 12,400, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Transmission 2017–2019 primarily
8L45/8L90 8-speed torque converter shudder and harsh 2-3 / 3-4 shifts. Mechanism: the original Dexron-HP fluid degrades and the torque converter clutch chatters at light throttle around 25-50 mph. GM's remedy was a fluid flush to the revised Mobil 1 Dexron-HP specification plus control module reprogramming, and the issue is the subject of consumer litigation across GM's 8-speed applications.
Engine - Diesel Emissions 2016–2022 (diesel)
2.8L LWN Duramax NOx sensor, EGR and DEF-system faults triggering limp mode and reduced-power warnings.
Engine - V6 2015–2022 (V6)
3.6L LFX/LGZ timing chain and VVT-related codes at higher mileage, materially less frequent than on the earlier LY7/LLT versions of the 3.6L.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 640 | 461 |
| 2016 | 938 | 413 |
| 2017 | 285 | 164 |
| 2018 | 246 | 112 |
| 2019 | 194 | 77 |
| 2020 | 100 | 30 |
| 2021 | 105 | 22 |
| 2022 | 66 | 14 |
Recalls (12)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 22V375000 | 2022-07-06 | Seats:critical Fasteners |
| 21V213000 | 2021-08-06 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
| 20V811000 | 2021-01-29 | Seat Belts:critical Fasteners |
| 18V358000 | 2018-07-02 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump |
| 17V621000 | 2017-11-08 | Air Bags:frontal |
| 16V125000 | 2016-04-14 | Air Bags:frontal |
| 16V054000 | 2016-03-01 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
| 15V807000 | 2016-01-05 | Latches/Locks/Linkages |
| 15V278000 | 2015-06-09 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper |
| 15V267000 | 2015-06-02 | Seats |
| 15V157000 | 2015-03-19 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module |
| 14V645000 | 2014-10-03 | Air Bags |
What owners reported
Purchased 2015 Colorado july 2015.We had it in for oil changes & a few times regarding hesitation of acceleration. Service techs did not type complaint when in for oil change only when brought in specifically for acceleration issue. They stated it was our fault we did not read the work order.It is not my job to read a…
2015 · 10 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission would intermittently hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that there were no defects with the vehicle…
2015 · 15 miles · Transmission and driveline
While driving on the interstate at 75 MPH the stability control/traction control and power steering went out on my truck. This has also happened when starting vehicle. Dealer ship stated all recalls have been completed but having same issues everyone else, so vehicle was not fixed correctly. This is very unsafe and…
2015 · 50 miles · Electronic stability control (esc)
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado. While driving 20 MPH and downshifting in manual mode, the vehicle lunged forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle was functioning as designed. The contact also stated that the access door sensors failed. The…
2015 · 90 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 1,293 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page