YearToAvoid

2019 Chevrolet Colorado Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

73/100

#5 most-complained of 16 Colorado years

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA logs 150 complaints, with Transmission & Powertrain issues accounting for 43% of them at a median mileage of 5,400.

Complaints
150
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
6 / 4
Injuries / deaths
12 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20.5
18.5 city / 24.5 hwy

Top 2019 Chevrolet Colorado problems

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

  1. Transmission & Powertrain65 (43%)
  2. Electrical System26 (17%)
  3. Engine24 (16%)
  4. Steering22 (15%)
  5. Other20 (13%)
  6. Fuel System11 (7%)
  7. Brakes9 (6%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (3%)
  10. Airbags3 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report a truck rolling or moving unexpectedly while shifted, in one case with the vehicle rolling backward with no one in the driver's seat.
  • Drivers describe a bad vibration at various speeds affecting the whole vehicle, with dealers reportedly telling owners to wait for a recall instead of repairing it.
  • Some owners say the front passenger control arm broke at low speed, causing the wheel to fold under the vehicle and a loss of steering.
  • Multiple owners report smoke appearing near the engine, heater core area, or gear shift, sometimes followed by a sudden loss of power while driving.
  • Several owners state airbags failed to deploy during moderate-speed frontal or rear-end collisions.
  • Owners describe a rearview camera that displays for only a few seconds before shutting off, reducing visibility while reversing.
2019 Chevrolet Colorado complaints: complaints filed per quarter122019 Q12020 Q12021 Q12022 Q12023 Q12024 Q12025 Q12026 Q1
196 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (12).

2019 Chevrolet Colorado recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2019 Chevrolet Colorado fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
24.5 MPG
Combined
20.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,600
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.

2019 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
2017Caution67216120.5
2018Caution60183120.5
2019Caution73150020.5
2020Good4084020.5
2021Caution5375121

All Chevrolet Colorado years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
Compared with other Colorado model years, 2019 carries a Caution verdict, with a Complaint Index of 73 and 150 NHTSA complaints, ranking 5th worst of 16 years covered.
What is the biggest problem with the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado?
Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top concern, making up 43% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 5,400 miles.
Does the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2019 Colorado, including 0 do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2019 Colorado compare to other years?
2019 is less problematic than 2015 and 2016, which carry an Avoid verdict with Complaint Indexes of 93 and 100, but worse than years like 2020 (index 40, Good) and 2012 (index 20, Best).
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado?
The 2019 Colorado gets an EPA-rated 20.5 mpg combined (18.5 city / 24.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,600.

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.