YearToAvoid

2018 Chevrolet Colorado Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#7 most-complained of 16 Colorado years

The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado has 183 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 60, earning a "Caution" rating, ranked 7th worst of 16 model years. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 43% of complaints, with median failure mileage around 18,000 miles.

Complaints
183
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
3 / 5
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20.5
19 city / 24.5 hwy

Top 2018 Chevrolet Colorado problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain78 (43%)
  2. Electrical System36 (20%)
  3. Other36 (20%)
  4. Engine27 (15%)
  5. Steering18 (10%)
  6. Fuel System14 (8%)
  7. Airbags7 (4%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)
  9. Brakes5 (3%)
  10. Seat Belts5 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners describe a loud bang and locked-up tires during deceleration around 20 mph, later diagnosed by dealers as a faulty transfer case.
  • A faulty engine block heater reportedly caused an engine compartment fire while the truck was parked and plugged in.
  • Owners report an electrical fire starting behind the rear seat, producing smoke and flames while driving.
  • Some owners describe brakes failing to engage during sudden freeway braking, leading to a collision with no warning lights present.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a crash involving a downed tree through the windshield.
  • Backup camera displays are described as too bright at night, making the passenger mirror unusable and reducing visibility while reversing.
2018 Chevrolet Colorado complaints: complaints filed per quarter162017 Q42019 Q12020 Q22021 Q32022 Q42024 Q12025 Q22026 Q3
244 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (16).

2018 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.

2018 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.

2018 compared with other Colorado years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Avoid100707421.5
2017Caution67216120.5
2018Caution60183120.5
2019Caution73150020.5
2020Good4084020.5

All Chevrolet Colorado years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
NHTSA lists 183 complaints for the 2018 Colorado with a complaint index of 60, giving it a "Caution" verdict relative to other Colorado years. It ranks 7th worst out of 16 model years tracked.
What is the biggest problem with the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
Transmission and powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 43% of complaints (78 of 183), with a median failure mileage of 18,000 miles.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 18V358000) covering the fuel system; GM replaced the high pressure fuel pump and fuel pipe free of charge. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2018 Colorado compare to other model years?
The 2018 model's complaint index of 60 is lower than the 2015 and 2016 "Avoid" years, which scored 93 and 100, but higher than "Best" years like 2010 and 2012, which scored 13 and 20.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
EPA rates the 2018 Colorado at 20.5 mpg combined (19 city / 24.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,575.

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.