YearToAvoid

2017 Chevrolet Colorado Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado has 216 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst of 21 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up half of all complaints, with one recall covering the fuel pump.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
70/100
#7 of 21 Colorado years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
216
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
6
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
2012
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20.5
19 city / 24.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Top 2017 Chevy Colorado problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain107 (50%)
  2. Electrical System43 (20%)
  3. Engine31 (14%)
  4. Other24 (11%)
  5. Steering19 (9%)
  6. Fuel System16 (7%)
  7. Brakes15 (7%)
  8. Airbags9 (4%)
  9. Seat Belts7 (3%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report the 8-speed transmission slipping suddenly while turning or cornering, sometimes followed by uncontrolled engine revving.
  • Some describe aggressive shaking at highway speeds along with acceleration problems that shops could not diagnose.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a crash despite multiple serious injuries, or triggered false warning lights with the seat belt indicator while driving at low speed.
  • Electronic module scans reportedly returned dozens of fault codes across many control modules.
  • A dashboard-mounted computer module was reported to have fallen loose onto the accelerator pedal area, blocking pedal access.
  • Owners also reported oil leaking from the front right axle area after the vehicle sat parked overnight.
2017 Chevrolet Colorado complaints: complaints filed per quarter142017 Q32018 Q42020 Q12021 Q22022 Q32023 Q42025 Q22026 Q3
216 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q3 (14).

2017 Chevrolet Colorado recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V358000May 31, 2018Fuel System895 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

    Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

2017 Chevrolet Colorado fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
24.5 MPG
Combined
20.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,575
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other Colorado years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Avoid95491721
2016Avoid100707421.5
2017Caution70216120.5
2018Caution60183120.5
2019Avoid75150020.5

All Chevrolet Colorado years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2017 Colorado a complaint index of 70 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among the 21 model years with data. Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for half of all reports.
What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado?
Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, with 107 complaints (50% share) and a median mileage at failure of 19,175 miles.
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 18V358000) covers the fuel system; GM is replacing the high pressure fuel pump and fuel pipe free of charge. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2017 Colorado compare to other model years?
The 2017 model's complaint index of 70 is better than 2015, 2016, 2019, 2023, and 2024, which all carry Avoid verdicts, but worse than years like 2010-2012 and 2022, which rate Good or Best.
Were there any airbag issues reported in the 2017 Colorado?
Yes, owners reported airbags failing to deploy during crashes and false warning lights for airbags and seat belts; airbags account for 9 complaints and 3 crashes in the data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.