Chevrolet Colorado Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Avoid the 2005, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2023, and 2024 Chevrolet Colorado years, which carry the highest complaint indexes (up to 100) and cluster around steering and electrical problems. The 2010-2012 models are the Best years, with complaint indexes of 10-20 and few recalls.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Avoid 2019Avoid 2023Avoid 2024Best 2010Best 2011Best 2012
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,239
- Recall campaigns
- 29
- Crashes reported
- 119
- Fires reported
- 51
- Top problem area
- Steering
Colorado Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chevrolet Colorado problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 80 | 356 | 27 | 11 | 3 | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 50 | 236 | 6 | 2 | 4 | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 45 | 140 | 10 | 5 | 3 | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 35 | 81 | 6 | 7 | 2 | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 25 | 67 | 1 | 4 | 3 | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2010 | Best | 10 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 20 | 42 | 4 | 0 | 5 | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2012 | Best | 15 | 42 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Brakes | 19 | — |
| 2013 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2014 | No verdict | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Steering | — | — |
| 2015 | Avoid | 95 | 491 | 17 | 4 | 7 | Steering | 21 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 100 | 707 | 14 | 1 | 4 | Steering | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 70 | 216 | 5 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 20.5 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 60 | 183 | 3 | 5 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 20.5 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 75 | 150 | 6 | 4 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 20.5 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 55 | 84 | 1 | 3 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 20.5 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 65 | 75 | 6 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 21 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Good | 30 | 55 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 21 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 85 | 135 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 19.5 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Avoid | 90 | 122 | 6 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 20 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Good | 40 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 18 | 4★ |
Colorado years to avoid: what went wrong
2016 Chevrolet Colorado Index 100 · 707 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2016 Colorado has the worst complaint index of any year, 100, with steering problems making up 65% of complaints at a median 68,000 miles. Owners reported sudden loss of steering assist and brake pedals going to the floor with no stopping power. Transmission and powertrain complaints, 14% of the total, described unexpected surging or lurching forward at a median 10,000 miles. NHTSA lists recalls for airbags, fuel pumps, and steering, four in total.
2016 steering problems →2016 electrical system problems →2016 transmission & powertrain problems →
2015 Chevrolet Colorado Index 95 · 491 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2015 Colorado has a complaint index of 95, driven mostly by steering, which accounts for 73% of complaints at a median 60,000 miles. Owners described loss of power steering assist tied to a steering gear torque sensor issue, addressed in two separate steering recalls. Brakes made up 15% of complaints, with reports of brake pedals sinking to the floor. NHTSA also lists an airbag recall for improper second-stage inflation. Seven total recall campaigns apply to this year.
2015 steering problems →2015 brakes problems →2015 electrical system problems →
2024 Chevrolet Colorado Index 90 · 122 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2024 Colorado has a complaint index of 90, the third-highest of any year. Electrical system complaints lead at 36% with a median of only 3,750 miles, and brakes follow at 24% with a median of 4,700 miles. Owners described automatic emergency braking failing to engage or activating unexpectedly, along with electrical glitches affecting turn signals and warning lights at very low mileage. Three recalls cover seat belts, a fuel pump lock ring, and mismatched tires.
2024 electrical system problems →2024 brakes problems →2024 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
2023 Chevrolet Colorado Index 85 · 135 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2023 Colorado has a complaint index of 85. Electrical system complaints lead at 36% with a median 15,000 miles, and collision avoidance and camera complaints follow at 35% with a median of only 6,750 miles, including reports of phantom braking events at highway and city speeds. Three recalls apply, covering seat belts, wheel hub bolts, and a front camera module software fix for false obstacle detection that triggered automatic braking.
2023 electrical system problems →2023 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2023 brakes problems →
2005 Chevrolet Colorado Index 80 · 356 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2005 Colorado has a complaint index of 80 and 356 complaints, with electrical system issues making up 31% of them at a median 60,000 miles. Brakes were also a major concern, 27% of complaints, with owners describing brake pedals that failed or went to the floor at low speeds, including a median failure mileage of 52,115 miles. NHTSA lists three recalls covering electrical wiring and a rear-seat tether issue. Airbag complaints, 9% of the total, described airbags failing to deploy in crashes.
2005 electrical system problems →2005 brakes problems →2005 engine problems →
2019 Chevrolet Colorado Index 75 · 150 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2019 Colorado has a complaint index of 75, led by transmission and powertrain issues at 43% of complaints and a low median failure mileage of 5,400 miles. Owners described unexpected vehicle movement, including rollaway incidents while parked or backing up. Steering complaints, 15% of the total, included reports of suspension control arms breaking at very low mileage. No recall campaigns are listed for this model year despite the elevated complaint volume.
2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →
Most common Chevy Colorado problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Steering945 (29%)
- Electrical System797 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain531 (16%)
- Brakes495 (15%)
- Engine469 (14%)
- Other282 (9%)
- Airbags154 (5%)
- Fuel System146 (5%)
- Structure & Body120 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires119 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Chevrolet Colorado should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2005, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2023, and 2024 model years. These have the highest complaint indexes, ranging from 75 to 100, with steering, electrical, and transmission problems reported most often.
- What are the best Chevrolet Colorado model years?
- The 2010, 2011, and 2012 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 10, 20, and 15 respectively, the lowest of any Colorado model year.
- What is the most common problem area for the Chevrolet Colorado overall?
- Across all 21 model years with data, steering accounts for 29% of the 3,239 total complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 25% and transmission/powertrain issues at 16%.
- Does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have a steering recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists a 2016 recall covering a driver's frontal air bag issue and separate steering-related recalls affecting the 2015-2016 Colorado for loss of power steering assist.
- Is the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
- The 2019 Colorado is rated Avoid, with a complaint index of 75 and transmission/powertrain issues making up 43% of complaints, some reported at a median of only 5,400 miles, though no recall campaigns are listed for that year.