The Chevrolet Colorado was first released in 2003, with the first generation running until 2012 before being replaced by its updated second generation. If you're looking for a robust and capable truck to undertake your daily projects without moving up to a full-size model, the Chevy Colorado might be a favorable option.

Before shopping around for a new pickup or investing in repairs for an older one, consider the Chevy Colorado's reliability record and some of the common problems known to occur with this release.

Is the Chevrolet Colorado Reliable?

The Chevy Colorado is a competitively priced midsize truck ready to help you traverse rugged roads and harsh environments. It has a class-leading tow rating, many beneficial safety features, and options for powerful V6 and diesel engines.

However, the reliability of the Chevy Colorado comes with a few question marks. J.D. Power ranks the later years, specifically 2017 to 2021, as an above-average vehicle you can trust. RepairPal gives them a reliability ranking of 4.0 out of 5.0 based on costs, frequency and severity of repairs. Meanwhile, other authorities like Consumer Reports consistently rank the Chevy Colorado as a fairly subpar vehicle.

6 Chevy Colorado Issues

The Chevy Colorado is known for its efficiency and off-roading capabilities. However, its reliability comes into question based on the release year, and it has the potential to suffer setbacks that could leave you sitting on the side of the road. The following are some of the most common problems Chevy Colorados experience.

A/C Blower

One of the most common issues with the Chevy Colorado is an underperforming A/C blower unit. This issue is prevalent in 2004 to 2010 and 2012 models that have reached nearly 90,000 miles and suffered from a faulty motor resistor block. With a failed resistor block, the vehicle's blower will only function at certain speeds, if at all, often leaving drivers without cool air or heat. Some individuals have reported the blower only works on the fourth blower setting.

Fortunately, repairs for this problem are possible, with estimated costs falling anywhere from $15 to $100.

Engine

Engine misfires are regular annoyances for some Chevy Colorado owners. Whether idling or cruising down the road, these engines have been known to stall intermittently, often because of worn-out valve seals. However, misfires can also occur because of damaged or worn-out spark plugs, faulty ignition coils and vacuum leaks. While failures appear out of the blue for some drivers, many experience a check engine light beforehand.

In 2015, General Motors issued a service bulletin for many of their vehicles, including the Chevy Colorado models released from 2006 to 2012. In this bulletin, the company outlines why its 2.8L, 2.9L, 3.5L, 3.7L and 4.2L inline truck engines experience misfiring while idling, noting that these misfires could be a result of damaged valves, valve seals or piston rings.

Many drivers indicate there's a trend of this occurring as the truck ages, typically around 60,000 to 100,000 miles. You can often resolve the issue with fairly simple repairs, although you may need to replace the cylinder head in some cases.

Power Steering

When driving, you rely on power steering to reduce the effort needed to turn and provide you with an effortless ride. However, power steering isn't always guaranteed for select Chevy Colorado variants, specifically the 2015 models.

These releases are known for having power steering failures preceded by illuminated service power steering and StabiliTrak indicator lights. Because this failure often occurs upon startup or while driving and has the potential to pose some danger, General Motors issued a recall for over 60,000 2015 Chevrolet Colorado models and their cousin truck, the 2015 GMC Canyon. They reported this problem was due to a poor electrical connection, which you can solve by installing a new torque sensor cover.

Other possible causes for power steering failure include:

If you're having trouble with your power steering, it's often best to confirm the issue with your local mechanic.

Transmission

The transmission on the Chevy Colorado is known as a common source of problems that impact performance and lead to premature failure. Countless Colorado owners have revealed that their transmissions have trouble getting into gear, often taking close to three seconds to do so. This sluggish operation is usually connected to a defective torque converter and low or contaminated transmission fluid.

They've also reported difficulty staying in the right gear, with many instances of slipping. This slipping can wear down internal components, like clutch packs, and result in metal shavings contaminating transmission fluid. It's often caused by fluid leaks or lack of communication with the transmission control module. While this has been seen throughout Chevy Colorado models manufactured from 2015-2022, it is especially prevalent in the 2019 release.

Other problems with the transmission include excessive vibrating, jerking and shuddering at certain speeds, which typically begin around 25 mph and extend to 80 mph. These uncomfortable motions are highly noticeable when downshifting and accelerating. Removing and replacing the transmission fluid can potentially solve this issue, although not always. You can also attempt to install a new torque converter.

Because of these known transmission issues with the Chevy Colorado, it's wise to service it every 30,000 miles to ensure you're keeping it in the best possible condition.

Fuel Gauge

Colorado trucks may suffer from inconsistent fuel gauges, leading vehicles to run out of gas rapidly and preventing drivers from knowing how much fuel they have. When this happens, it's usually because the fuel tank's level sensor is malfunctioning. This problem has become extremely common within 2004 to 2012 Colorado models that have over 150,000 miles. To fix it, you can replace individual components on or completely swap out your fuel pump assembly.

Brakes

Colorado models have long had issues with their brakes, dating back to some of the earliest releases in the line. One of the first problems these braking systems encountered involved the brake lights failing to light up or turn off. These problems resulted in numerous accidents and two recalls in 2006 and 2009 for trucks manufactured between 2004 and 2009.

General Motors later issued more recalls for 2015 Colorados experiencing faulty brakes. This failure was pointed toward brake fluid leaking in the front brake calipers due to imperfections in the metal caliper body. These leaks increased the likelihood of crashes, as the lower fluid levels made the truck take longer to stop.

Over the years, Colorado owners have continued to experience brake problems. Loud squealing, grinding, ABS malfunctions and unresponsive brakes have been at the forefront of headaches affecting these vehicles. Spongy and soft brakes are common across numerous Colorado releases, requiring drivers to use repetitive pumping to stop and drastically increasing stopping distance. Some of the most popular causes of this braking failure include:

  • Damage or air in brake lines
  • Brake caliper leaks
  • Master cylinder or brake shoe deterioration
  • ABS hydraulic assembly malfunction

Shop for Chevy Colorado Truck Parts at StockWise Auto

If you're tackling a repair for one of the Chevy Colorado problems discussed above, you can trust in StockWise Auto to help you find the needed parts. For years, we have maintained one of the largest inventories of Chevy parts, often stocking hard-to-find or rare components you can't get in local auto shops. Plus, with our real-time pricing and intuitive stock information, you'll always know what's available at some of the most affordable prices.

Finding the parts you need is easier than ever with the help of StockWise Auto. Explore our catalog and purchase your Chevy Colorado parts today! You can contact a team member online if you have any questions or concerns.