Chevrolet Colorado 2nd generation (2015–2022)
Generation-specific owner insights from 192+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?
1,961
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2015–2022
15
recall campaigns
steering
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the 2015-2022 Colorado are broadly positive, praising its car-like ride, easy maneuverability and parking, strong V6 power, quiet cabin, and comfortable interior relative to its size.
12 problems reported (1 very frequent, 2 recurrent, 9 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentTorque converter shudder or shake felt like driving over rumble strips, often uphill
- RecurrentTransmission fluid flush or torque converter replacement needed to address the shudder
- RecurrentMyLink infotainment system described as clunky, dated, and with iffy iPhone integration
+ 9 more issuesShow fewer
- IsolatedDealerships dismissing the shudder as too slight to cover under warranty
- IsolatedBluetooth connectivity problems requiring a system reset
- IsolatedMissing heated mirrors on a Z71
- IsolatedNo CD player on a 2016 model
- IsolatedFront air dam difficult to remove or breaking around its clips
- IsolatedA/C condensate drip mistaken for a leak
- IsolatedDelay in acceleration when already at speed
- IsolatedTransmission downshifting to 2nd on long downhill stretches when 3rd would be more appropriate
- IsolatedCarbon buildup on intake valves of direct injection engines requiring fuel induction service
The version owners recommend
Owners repeatedly point to the V6 as the engine to get, with the Z71 described as the best value for those who want capability without the ZR2 price premium. The ZR2 and ZR2 Bison are praised as the top off-road variants, and the diesel is recognized for its torque and fuel economy but criticized for its extra cost, emissions complexity, and expensive fuel.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Toyota Tacoma, GMC Canyon, Ford F-150, Nissan Frontier and Honda Ridgeline.
Is a 2015–2022 Colorado right for you?
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Overall sentiment
Owners of the 2015-2022 Colorado are broadly positive, praising its car-like ride, easy maneuverability and parking, strong V6 power, quiet cabin, and comfortable interior relative to its size. The most common criticism is the 8-speed transmission shudder tied to the torque converter, which several owners describe as feeling like driving over rumble strips and which some report was resolved only after a fluid flush or torque converter replacement. Early buyers (2015-2016) frequently mention the MyLink infotainment system as clunky and dated, while later buyers (2020-2022) more often focus on reliability and satisfaction after leaving other brands. A smaller set of owners complain about missing features such as heated mirrors and CD players, and about the front air dam.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position the Colorado as more powerful, more comfortable, and better finished than the Tacoma, with one owner noting that reviewers felt it was higher quality than the Tacoma. Against the Silverado and other full-size trucks, owners see the Colorado as easier to park and maneuver in the city while still capable of towing and hauling for weekend use, though some acknowledge a full-size truck offers more capability for the money. The Canyon is treated as a near-identical sibling, and the Frontier, Ridgeline, and Ranger are mentioned as alternatives worth comparing in the midsize segment.
Recommended configurations
Owners recommend the V6 over the four-cylinder and diesel for those who want power, with the Z71 V6 described as the best bang for the buck. For off-road use, owners suggest either the ZR2 or a Z71 with an aftermarket lift kit as a cheaper path to similar capability. Owners also advise getting the extended bed for functionality and note that a crew cab long bed V6 4x4 WT can be had for around 30K. The air dam is commonly removed for looks and clearance, with owners reporting no meaningful fuel economy penalty.
General recommendations
This generation suits buyers who want a midsize truck that drives like a car, parks easily in the city, and can still handle weekend towing and off-road use. Owners suggest looking at 2015-2016 models with awareness of the MyLink interface complaints, and paying close attention to transmission behavior on any 8-speed truck. When inspecting a used example, owners advise test driving specifically for shudder or shake between roughly 60 and 110 km/h, especially uphill, and confirming whether the torque converter or transmission fluid service has been performed. Buyers who want the latest features and fewer early-production quirks may prefer later model years.
Remarks
Owners frequently discuss removing the front air dam for appearance and ground clearance, with most reporting no fuel economy change and no warranty consequences. The small slot on the dash of 2019 models generated a large volume of humorous speculation, with the most agreed-upon answer being a card holder for fleet or toll cards. Several owners cross-shopped full-size trucks and chose the Colorado specifically for its turning radius and ease of parking. Analysis based on approximately 192 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 55 | 1 | electrical system |
| 2021 | 75 | 1 | service brakes |
| 2020 | 84 | 0 | power train |
| 2019 | 150 | 0 | power train |
| 2018 | 183 | 1 | power train |
| 2017 | 216 | 1 | power train |
| 2016 | 707 | 4 | steering |
| 2015 | 491 | 7 | steering |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2022 · seats:critical fastenerscampaign 22V375000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado vehicles equipped with a manual passenger seat. The front passenger seat may have a hook attachment that was not properly welded, allowing it to separate from the inboard track of the seat frame.
2021 · seat beltscampaign 20V811000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
2018 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 18V358000
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.
2017 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 18V358000
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.
2016 · air bags:frontalcampaign 17V621000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
2016 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 18V358000
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.
2016 · latches/locks/linkagescampaign 15V807000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado trucks manufactured August 25, 2015 to September 24, 2015, and GMC Canyon trucks manufactured August 28, 2015 to September 24, 2015. The affected vehicles have a console compartment lid latch assembly that may fail to keep the compartment door closed in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
2016 · air bags:frontalcampaign 16V125000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
2015 · air bags:frontalcampaign 17V621000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
2015 · air bagscampaign 14V645000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 6, 2014, to October 1, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the driver air bag connections may have been wired incorrectly. This could reverse the deployment sequence and disrupt the deployment timing of the driver air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
2015 · seatscampaign 15V267000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks manufactured January 6, 2014, to April 1, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the hooks that secure the driver's and/or front passenger's seat frame may not have been properly attached to the vehicle body during assembly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
2015 · steering:electric power assist systemcampaign 16V054000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 6, 2015, to March 17, 2015, and 2015 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 6, 2015, to March 19, 2015. A poor electrical connection within the steering gear connector may cause a loss of power steering assist.
3 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.