AI Damage2020 Chevrolet Colorado: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado filed 86 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 818 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 86
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 818
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 38% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 21% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 12% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 3% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 3% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 2% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 33 complaints (38% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 104.
- Engine: 18 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 70.
- Service brakes: 11 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 25.
- Steering: 10 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 164.
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 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 2.8 L · diesel · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 86 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 | 33 | 0 | 104 |
| Engine | 18 | 0 | 70 |
| Service brakes | 11 | 0 | 25 |
| Steering | 10 | 0 | 14 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 164 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 151 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 28 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 15 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The check engine light came on, likely indicating the car was unsafe to drive. GM issued GM Special Coverage N232430470 covering 2020 Colorado's with a 3.6L V6 engine for the Bank 2 exhaust camshaft actuator solenoid up to 15 years/150,000 miles. This was confirmed by a Chevy dealership.
To my knowledge there has been no update to the slipping clutch in GM's torque convertor. If I were to replace the convertor with another one just like it I could have the same problem. My Dealer ([XXX])says my lifetime warranty (that I got with my new Colorado) doesn't cover the transmission?
Realizing that the normal brakes were not stopping the truck, I engaged the emergency/parking brake. The emergency brake slowed the vehicle somewhat, but even then the vehicle did not come to a complete stop. I ultimately had to place the vehicle in PARK to get it stopped.
As I exited the highway and turned into a gas station, the truck suddenly lost power. The steering became extremely difficult, and I lost normal brake assist. The brake pedal became extremely hard, and I had to apply extreme force to stop the truck and avoid crashing into a wall at the gas station.
a/c control knocks out tempter senor and gauge goes to zero and check engine light comes on, gas mileage goings to hell, turn off engine clutch fan runs for several minutes, can still touch water hoses by hand and not even hot. This is a big safety problem because I'm looking at the gauge and now causing more smog!
Vacuum pump seized, causing loss of power assist on brakes. This happened as I was approaching an intersection to make a right-hand turn. When I press down on the brake pedal it felt hard, like it was locked up.
While driving at any speed when steering wheel is at the 1 to 2 o' clock position on a right turn, steering wheel wobbles and regardless of road condition. Stabitrack warning light comes on occasionally.
Safety risk is substantial gas leak without any warning while driving or in a garage potential fire or explosion. Dealer service confirmed and replaced the hose. I reported to Chevrolet by phone on (4/30/2026).I was told report started & put in system. No warning light or alarm occured.
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 631 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Colorado has 161 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 86, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- 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 Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic module with no DTC'ss
- This PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered…
This PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered vehicles and advises of warranty direction.
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
- 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.
NHTSA lists 818 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 2020 Chevrolet Colorado?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, service brakes. Total complaints: 86. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (31%), jerking, harsh shifts (21%), vibration (15%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA lists 818 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 2020 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 2020 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.