Chevrolet Colorado Reliability Problems

Colorado owners have made 681 complaints over 18 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 22nd in overall reliability out of 40 Chevrolet models, with some transmission and engine concerns.

3 Common Chevrolet Colorado Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Colorado owners have to deal with.

  1. 5.3L Vortec 5300 Engine Oil Consumption

    From 2010-2014 GM's Vortec 5300 engine had multiple design flaws that led to an excessive oil consumption responsible for soiled spark plugs, bent pushrods, and timing chain wear to name a few. The problem was compounded by an inadequate oi…

    Continue reading article "5.3L Vortec 5300 Engine Oil Consumption" Oil being poured into an engine

  2. 2015 Colorado Power Steering Loss

    Poor electrical connections inside the steering gear assemblies of the 2015 Chevy Colorado can cause the truck to lose its power steering. While the connection can drop out while driving, most owners report seeing a 'service power steering,…

    Continue reading article "2015 Colorado Power Steering Loss" The driver info screen displaying a warning about servicing power steering

What Colorado Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Colorado Generations

The Colorado has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 2nd generation (2013–2021).

Colorado Key Numbers

  1. 681 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 2,188 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 20 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Colorado Class-Action Lawsuits

The Colorado has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Dismissed

    Szep, et al., v. General Motors LLC.

    1. Dismissed

      The judge ruled the plaintiff lacks standing to maintain nationwide class claims because “named plaintiffs lack standing to assert claims under the laws of the states in which they do not reside or in which they suffered no injury.”

    2. Case Filed

      The alleged oil consumption causes low oil levels, insufficient lubricity and engine damage due to piston rings which don't maintain enough tension to keep oil in the crankcase. In addition, the plaintiff alleges the oil life monitoring systems make the problem worse.

    Problem
    5.3L Vortec 5300 Engine Oil Consumption
    Class Vehicles
    • 2010-2014 Avalanche
    • 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado
    • 2010-2013 Chevrolet Express
    • 2010-2013 Silverado
    • 2010-2014 Suburban
    • 2010-2014 Tahoe
    Location
    Ohio

  • Monteville Sloan Jr,, et al., v. General Motors LLC.

    1. Case Filed

      The alleged oil consumption causes low oil levels, insufficient lubricity and engine damage due to piston rings which don't maintain enough tension to keep oil in the crankcase. In addition, the plaintiff alleges the oil life monitoring systems make the problem worse.

Recent Colorado News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  3. GM is recalling 850 vehicles with improperly welded fuel pumps.

    The automaker says the joint that connects the fuel pump’s outer housing to the pump’s flange may not have been properly welded by the supplier. Over time, the weld could crack and cause a separation of the high-pressure fuel pump from the flange, allowing the pump to oscillate inside the engine compartment.

    The oscillating pump can bump into a nearby fuel line and calamity ensues.

    The recalled vehicles include the 2018 Chevy Colorado, Equinox, and Malibu, as well as the Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, and GMC Acadia, Canyon, and Terrain.

    keep reading article "Oscillating Fuel Pumps Creating Fuel Leaks in 2018 GM Vehicles"

  5. The Bosch fuel pump that Chevrolet used in a small number of 2018 models is moving and creating a potential fuel-leak nightmare.

    GM says the joint that connects the fuel pump’s outer housing to the pump’s flange may not have been properly welded by the supplier.

    That weld could crack and cause a separation of the high-pressure fuel pump from the flange, allowing the pump to oscillate inside the engine compartment.

    The moving pumps can damage a high-pressure fuel line which is going to create an even higher-pressure situation when you start spraying flammable gas onto hot car parts.

    keep reading article "Leaking Bosch Fuel Pumps Recalled in 2018 Models"

  6. GM owners are still trying to convince a judge that Vortec 5300 engines have oil consumption problems and don’t give owners adequate warnings when oil levels are dangerously low.

    According to the lawsuit, the Vortec 5300 engines in the vehicles consume extreme levels of oil because of defects in the oil rings that allow oil to invade the combustion chambers … The plaintiffs claim the oil pressure warnings can fail to activate in time to prevent engine damage, something GM has allegedly known is a problem with the Vortec engines.

    The judge had previously dismissed the lawsuit and doesn't seem too interested in complaints about fires, oil rings, or inadequate warnings.

    The plaintiffs have a small, uphill chance if they can amend their complaints.

    keep reading article "GM Owners Still Trying to Convince Judge of Vortec Oil Problems"

  8. There's something funky going on inside GM's 5.3L Vortec 5300 engine causing it to use a higher-than-normal amount of oil.

    Some might even say it's excessive. A lawsuit filed in Minnesota says the problem is multi-faceted.

    1. GM used low-tension piston rings that allow oil to leak out of the crankcase and into the combustion chamber.
    2. The rings, which are already leaking, are then overloaded by a spray of pressurized oil from the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system.
    3. Even more oil is being burned off after being sucked into the intake by the engine's positive crankcase ventilation (PCV).

    That's a recipe for disaster, but the cherry on top is the somewhat useless oil monitoring system. Instead of measuring the volume of oil left in the crankcase, the system measures environmetal variables to determine the quality of the oil.

    Sure, there's only a pint of oil left in the engine but don't worry ... the oil quality is great.

    The lawsuit mentions GM has tried to improve the situation by updating the vehicle's crankcase ventilation and active fuel management system, but it never really helped. Eventually GM just updated the Generation IV Vortec 5300 engine and replaced it with a redesigned Generation V Vortec 5300 that stopped using low-tension oil rings and reintriduced an oil level sensor.

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Claims There Are Multiple Reasons for Excessive Oil Consumption Problems in GM's V8 Vortec 5300 Engine"

What Owners Say About Their Colorado

Why You Might Suddenly Lose Power Steering in a 2015 Chevy Colorado

Started my 2015 Colorado last night Jan 21, 2019 and the dash showed power steering loss. Could not use my truck, steering did not work. Next morning everything was ok. There should be something we could do about this. My vin is not on the recall list and I only have 26,000 miles on my truck. General Motors should be taking care of this problem.

2015 Chevy Colorado Owner

Why You Might Suddenly Lose Power Steering in a 2015 Chevy Colorado

Loss of Power Steering is NO JOKE! Lost power steering (plus ABS, Stablitrak) traveling down the highway. I thought I'd crash when I realized it didn't steer like my old '69 with manual steering. If I didn't have the arm strength to limp to where I was going, I would have been calling for roadside assistance. I can't imagine what might have happened if the failure occurred while I was in a turn.

2015 Chevy Colorado Owner

Why You Might Suddenly Lose Power Steering in a 2015 Chevy Colorado

Lost power steering and was 68 miles from home. Drove home and had to fight the steering all the way. Took truck into dealers today and they checked it out and said that my electric power steering units was out and I'm now stuck with a total bill of $1920.00.

2015 Chevy Colorado Owner in MS

Other Chevrolet Models