AI Damage2018 Chevrolet Colorado: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado filed 183 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 815 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 183
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 815
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 43% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 4% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 3% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 78 complaints (43% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 108.
- Electrical system: 34 complaints (19% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 146.
- Engine: 24 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 77.
- Steering: 18 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 11 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- 2.8 L · diesel · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 4 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- automatic, 8-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 183 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 78 | 1 | 108 |
| Electrical system | 34 | 0 | 146 |
| Engine | 24 | 0 | 77 |
| Steering | 18 | 0 | 13 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 11 | 0 | 6 |
| Air bags | 7 | 1 | 9 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 40 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 30 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 1 | 26 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 17 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 60 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 16 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The airbags failed to deploy. If I had not been wearing my seatbelt, I could've been decapitated
The braking system did not engaged as expected when suddenly braking in freeway commute. This resulted in a vehicle collision. I believe this issue put myself and others in danger. There were no warning lamps.
Stalled vehicle on uphill passing lane during rush hour traffic, cars where inches from me as they passed at 65-70 mph, I called 911 and had a state trooper come and direct traffic. Joe's Garage inspected my vehicle and did the repair. It was not inspected by anyone besides Joe's Garage to my knowledge.
There are these "New" headlights that are LED and White and they are far to bright for oncoming traffic to the point that I see black spots that block the view of the road. To be clear they are not on my vehicle specifically, but a ton of the newer vehicles.
A few seconds after loss, the information display did show a "check engine light" and that the engine was in "lockout." We (my spouse, young child, and self) were surrounded by multiple commercial semi-trucks and passenger vehicles and had to weave and serve to avoid collisions at highway speeds and get to the…
It would occasionally shudder, have jerky or long shifts, would jump gears and lose power. The shudder was random but mostly on the highway, the jerky or long shifts would mostly occur when the egjne was cold and more often in cold weather.
My 2018 Chevrolet Colorado diesel has had repeated diesel emissions/DPF-related failures that cause the vehicle to enter reduced-power or limp mode. This is a safety issue because the truck suddenly loses power and cannot accelerate normally.
Power steering failure, without incident. It started one morning, after turning off truck the previous day. Warning lights displayed as soon as truck was started. Very difficult to turn steering wheel. Too dangerous to drive. Dealer indicated the steering rack should be replaced.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 361 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Colorado has 161 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 183, about average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent…
This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- This PI Addresses a possible solenoid wiring fault and how to inspect the build date to identify
NHTSA lists 815 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 183. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (18%), jerking, harsh shifts (17%), warning lights, check engine (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA lists 815 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Chevrolet Colorado from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.