YearToAvoid

2021 Chevrolet Colorado Engine Problems

The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado shows 20 engine-related complaints to NHTSA, 27% of its 75 total complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure is 46,000. No related recalls are listed for this issue.

Engine complaints
20
27% of 75
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
46,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the check engine light coming on along with rough idle and lack of power, later traced to a failed cam solenoid actuator (cam actuator) that some had replaced more than once.
  • Some describe complete engine failure at highway speed, in one case attributed to a defective crankshaft, leaving the vehicle stranded.
  • Owners report the engine shaking or shutting down along with warning lights for the engine, electric control system, and stability system appearing together.
  • One owner reports the check engine light illuminating along with a faulty camshaft exhaust component that needed valve and bank replacement work at 46,000 miles.
  • Owners describe vacuum pump failure tied to the 2.5L engine that also affected brake function, causing loss of braking assistance without warning.

When 2021 Chevrolet Colorado engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 30, 2021, latest Aug 5, 2026.

2021 Chevrolet Colorado engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Jun 2021Apr 2023Oct 2023Mar 2024Jun 2025Nov 2025Feb 2026Jul 2026
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2021 to Aug 2026; peak Mar 2024 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Colorado model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201010 (36%)
  2. 20114 (10%)
  3. 201211 (26%)
  4. 20130 (0%)
  5. 20140 (0%)
  6. 201543 (9%)
  7. 201665 (9%)
  8. 201731 (14%)
  9. 201827 (15%)
  10. 201924 (16%)
  11. 202019 (23%)
  12. 202120 (27%)
  13. 20227 (13%)
  14. 202323 (17%)
  15. 202423 (19%)
  16. 20254 (15%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA lists 20 engine-related complaints for the 2021 Colorado, which is 27% of all 75 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine issue.
At what mileage do engine problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure among reported cases is 46,000 miles.
What engine failures are owners reporting?
Owners report cam actuator failures, complete engine failure including a crankshaft issue, engine shaking with warning lights, and vacuum pump failures that also affected braking.
Did the 2021 Colorado's engine complaints cause any crashes?
NHTSA data lists 1 crash and 0 fires or injuries tied to this complaint area for the 2021 Colorado.

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.