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When Allaire deCoudres purchased his 2016 Colorado Crew Cab LT with the 2.8L diesel engine, he likely envisioned years of dependable performance. However, by 20,000 miles, transmission slipping and hard shifting forced multiple trips to the dealer. Despite attempts at reprogramming and even a torque converter replacement, the real culprit - seven instances of wire chafing in the harness - wasn’t uncovered until much later.
Interestingly, newer models of the Chevrolet Colorado have gained a reputation for exceptional performance, particularly in challenging terrain. The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado’s latest award proves its reliability and capabilities for mountain driving, an area where midsize trucks like the Colorado shine. Could these newer models finally overcome the transmission issues of their predecessors?
Transmission Troubles That Almost Led to a Trade-In
By 2018, Allaire was nearly done with the Colorado. The constant breakdowns made it feel like an unreliable choice, and he considered trading it in for something else. Fortunately, after fixing the wiring issues, the truck remained trouble-free, until 2025 and 95,000 miles.
He commented his story under our previous articled title: "My 2019 Chevy Colorado With Only 55K Miles, Always Serviced at the Dealer, Needs Nearly $4,000 in Repairs, I Traded That Thing In and Just Took the Loss."
Purchased a 2016 Colorado Crew Cab LT with the 2.8L diesel as a 16k mile certified vehicle from a GMC dealer in 2017. Loved the truck until 2018 with about 20k miles the trans started slipping and hard shifting. Took it back to dealer and they reprogrammed it. The problem continued, I took it back a few more times, they replaced the torque converter, a month later the truck was stuck in 3rd or 4th gear. Took it back again. This time the mechanic found wire chafing on the wire harness, not one. Not 2, but 7 of them. Repaired them and all my problems went away until 2025 and 95k miles, when towing a 7k trailer it started shifting into 3rd hard. I took it to the Chevy dealer and had the trans flushed. Have towed a 7k trailer over 4k now with no problems since the flush.
I was about ready to trade my Colorado in 2018 when it was just totally unreliable, I'm glad now that I did not, only other issue I've had is a phantom voltage draw on the battery I've not found yet but I put a remote battery disconect on it that cuts the battery off at under 11.5v if the truck is not running and zi just push a keyfob button hanging from my rear view mirror and pwr is restored. Not a fix but it works. This Midsize with the 2.8L diesel pulls a 7k enclosed 8.5ft wide tall trailer 70 mph down the highway pretty darn well occasionally, for regular daily towing of a load that size. I'd upgrade to a full sized 150 or 250 but for occasional such towing it dose the job well at about 12.5 mpg, 25 to 32 mpg when not towing.
As you can see from his comment, it wasn’t until towing a 7,000-pound enclosed trailer at highway speeds that shifting problems returned. A hard shift into third gear while hauling raised red flags again. However, instead of another mechanical failure, a simple transmission flush restored performance, keeping Allaire on the road.
Given his experiences, it’s worth asking: Is the Chevy Colorado the best midsize truck for serious off-roading and towing? Some argue that the 2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison is in a league of its own, with owners praising its capability in surprising ways. If you’re considering a midsize truck for adventure and heavy-duty use, check out what makes the ZR2 Bison stand out.
The Bigger Picture: Transmission Issues in the Chevy Colorado
Allaire's comment draws attention to a pattern of transmission issues, particularly in the 2.8L diesel versions of the Chevy Colorado. According to comments under Torque News articles, multiple owners have experienced transmission problems ranging from slipping to hard shifting. These issues often appear relatively early in the truck's lifespan, but like Allaire, many owners have been able to continue driving with proper maintenance, including transmission fluid flushes and wire harness repairs.
However, what does this say about the long-term reliability of the Colorado, particularly its transmission system? Are these isolated incidents, or do they indicate a broader design or manufacturing flaw that should be addressed? If you’re in the market for a used Colorado, these questions might be worth considering.
The Importance of Preventive Maintenance
Allaire’s story also underscores the importance of regular, preventative maintenance. His decision to have a transmission flush - despite the truck being several years old and with high mileage - was a critical turning point. It saved him from potentially trading in his truck for something else and allowed him to continue using it for heavy towing, which it was designed for.
It's a reminder that maintenance isn’t just about fixing what’s broken, but about preserving the vehicle’s longevity before things get worse.
Phantom Battery Draw: A Quirky Problem, A Clever Solution
Beyond transmission issues, Allaire faced another unexpected challenge: a mysterious battery drain. Even when the truck was off, something was pulling power, leaving him with a dead battery at inconvenient times.
Rather than replacing multiple components in search of the cause, he opted for a remote battery disconnect switch. If the voltage dropped below 11.5V, the system would cut off power, preventing a total drain. A simple push of a key fob would restore the charge—not a fix, but a clever workaround.
Battery issues aside, the Chevy Colorado has been racking up awards, showing that it remains one of the toughest competitors in the midsize truck segment. Could the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado be the most unbeatable model yet?
The Bigger Picture: Chevy Colorado vs. The Competition
Allaire’s experience brings up an important question: Is the Chevy Colorado the best midsize truck, or would a competitor like the Ford Ranger be a smarter choice? Many potential buyers find themselves debating between these two options, especially in terms of performance and reliability.
A head-to-head comparison of the 2019 Ford Ranger vs. Chevy Colorado shows how the two trucks stack up in real-world conditions. If you're in the market for a midsize truck, this battle might help make your decision easier.
The Takeaway: Would You Keep a Truck After Major Issues?
Allaire’s story shows that some problems can be fixed with the right maintenance, and keeping a vehicle long-term can sometimes be more rewarding than trading it in at the first sign of trouble.
His story actually leaves us with a key question: are you willing to stick with a vehicle that has ongoing issues if you see potential for recovery through maintenance? What are your thoughts on doing DIY repairs, like Allaire’s battery disconnect, to keep a vehicle running smoothly?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this. If you’ve had similar experiences with your Chevy Colorado - or any other vehicle - how did you manage the repairs and what did you learn along the way? Share your story in the comments below.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.
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