2021 Chevrolet Colorado Reliability Report

Dash, radio, and navigation screens go blank or stop responding while driving. In some trucks the radio volume jumps to maximum without input. One truck lost power at 45 MPH, and repeated dealer repairs did not cure it. The stuck-key problem shows up here too and gets more frequent with mileage. A thermostat stuck open keeps the temperature gauge low and the fans running at full speed. Some owners pay about $1,200 because their VIN falls outside a special coverage bulletin.

At highway speed the transmission can suddenly act as if it is in neutral. The engine revs but the truck will not accelerate, which leaves the driver exposed to traffic behind. Other trucks clunk when shifted into reverse, even after a software update, and dealers sometimes cannot reproduce the noise. Rear differential failure at higher mileage brings whining, grinding, and vibration. Other reports include a crankshaft failure that stranded a truck on the highway, the stuck-key fault, and odd shifting.

The 3.6L V6 can quit without warning and stall in traffic. In one such failure, dealers found piston-to-valve contact and metal debris, and GM replaced the engine. Other trucks shake with warning lights on and need a new engine, with quotes up to $10k. Cam actuator trouble triggers a check engine light, rough idle, and lost power, and the problem can return within 12 months while parts are backordered. Owners also report coolant leaking from the thermostat housing hoses, and one more stuck-key shifter case.

Every complaint in this category describes air bags that did not deploy, or may not have, in a serious crash. The crashes include a high-speed frontal collision that caused spine, head, and leg injuries, a tree impact followed by fire, a slide into a ditch in heavy rain, and a fall from a cliff at 950 miles that killed the driver. One owner adds that the SOS system failed after impact. All four filings involve crashes, and three people were injured.

Vibration at highway speed and while slowing down shows up early, along with squeaks from the suspension. One report puts it at 4642 miles. Other trucks pull left because of play in the left upper ball joint and control arm, and those parts were replaced under factory warranty. One truck sits almost 1 inch higher on the passenger side. These reports describe noise and wear rather than crashes or loss of control.

The infotainment screen and dash electronics shut off while driving and take a few minutes to reboot. The engine keeps running throughout. The volume can also rise to high levels without driver input. Dealers say they cannot replicate the fault, and the manufacturer refers owners back to the dealer. One filing pairs the reboots with a check engine light, rough idle, and an exhaust camshaft fault that returned after repair. Neither complaint involves a crash.

The windshield wipers can stop working at highway speed in heavy rain, and this nearly caused a crash. The other complaint describes a windshield that cracked badly from a single stone strike within a month of purchase. With only two filings there is no clear pattern yet. Still, losing the wipers in a downpour is a direct visibility risk.