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Does the Chevrolet Colorado have transmission issues? 

Steve, a valued reader of my Chevrolet reports, shared his experience with his 2019 Chevrolet Colorado. His story echoes the experiences of many Chevy owners facing similar reliability issues.

Steve says, 

"I have a Chevy Colorado Z71 (2019), which I bought new with a couple thousand miles on it. I always serviced this truck at the dealer. I have done all maintenance, including oil changes, ahead of recommendations. So you know, I also changed the transmission fluid at about 49,000 miles." 

"Then, at 55,422 miles, the transmission control mod code came on 75 days out of warranty by time, not miles. The dealer replaced the valve body in the transmission. It was supposed to be a one-day job, but it took nearly 3 weeks and more than $2500." 

"On the way home from picking it up, the truck gets a check engine light (code for coolant temperature sensor). Now, the dealer wants to replace it for another $1300. Long story short, I traded that thing in for a different vehicle and just took the loss."

Does the Chevrolet Colorado have transmission reliability issues?

Some Chevrolet Colorado owners have reported transmission issues, including rough shifting, shuddering, and slipping, particularly in the 2018 and 2021 model years. 

A Reddit user, InflictPain, says,

"I have a 2020 Colorado WT. I bought it with 27000 miles, and it currently has about 33000 miles. I had to take it in, and they are replacing the transmission. My issues were rough shifting, and the reverse wouldn't engage without giving it a little bit of gas. They also told me transmissions were on back order."

timesnack says, "I just had an issue with my 2020 GMC Canyon w/2.8 (built July 2019) at 38k. I noticed a shudder and took it in. The dealership replaced the torque converter but did not flush trans fluid; it only topped it off…. I still had issues with rough shifts. I thought it might be the transmission relearning, but after a week, I thought it checked the level. The level was OK, but the fluid was burnt! 1. I was surprised that fluid flush wasn't part of the TC swap. 2. I was surprised to see it burnt. Only pull boat/trailer ~3k lbs a few times a year. I was disappointed the dealerships didn't recommend or even try to "upsell" me a trans flush. They mentioned they were really busy."

The Lemon Law Experts say,

"The 2021 Chevy Colorado owners have reported various transmission problems, including rough shifting, shuddering, shaking, slipping, leaks, fluid contamination, and more."

"Consumers also note issues when attempting to shift the vehicle into park, leaving them unable to shut off their vehicles."

Here's a more detailed look at the issues:

• Common Complaints: Owners have reported various transmission problems, including rough shifting, shuddering, shaking, slipping, leaks, and fluid contamination. 
• Specific Model Years: Some complaints are more prevalent in particular model years, such as the 2018 and 2021 Colorado. 
• Transmission Shudder: A common issue owners report is a transmission shudder, which can occur while driving. 
• 2018 Colorado: Consumers mention the transmission suddenly losing power, shifting hard, slipping between gears, causing shuddering while driving, and surging forward while accelerating. 
• 2021 Colorado: Owners have reported various transmission problems, including rough shifting, shuddering, shaking, slipping, leaks, fluid contamination, and more. 

What Should Chevrolet Colorado Owners Do Now?

If you experience any of these issues, having your vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible is recommended. 

What Does Chevrolet Say?

Burlington Chevrolet has been refreshingly transparent about the known issues with the Chevy Colorado. Their openness provides owners with the information they need to make informed decisions. 

They say, "The Chevy Colorado transmission has some problems, and while it's not as bad as an outright failure, this will cause your vehicle to shake. This problem can be annoying, but it's better to try to resolve it as soon as possible. The engine has a few problems, ranging from leaking oil to complete failures."

 Wait There's More

The Chevrolet Dealer says, "The engine had reported to have problems starting or dying by itself."

"The drivetrain shares the same issues as the transmission, but that's as it's tied to the transmission. Some other issues for Colorado's drivetrain are chattering and thumping as the truck starts up."

The A/C Also Has Reliability Issues

"The AC also sees some problems. While not as dangerous as some of the other problems, this one could make it unbearable to be in your truck. This problem causes your AC to blow either only hot or cold air. While blowing only hot air in the winter here in New Jersey doesn't sound too bad, when those temperatures start to rise, that becomes a problem."

Conclusion:

Steve was fed up with his Chevy Colorado issues and traded the pickup for a new vehicle. He was willing to take a loss on the truck. 

How About You?

Do you own a Chevy Colorado? Your experiences matter. Share your reliability issues with us by clicking the red Add New Comment link below. Your voice is important and can help inform others in the Chevy Colorado community. 

Check out my Chevrolet Silverado story: I Bought a New Chevy Silverado, 4 Months In, the Bank Wants $35K From Me On My Old Truck, the GMC Dealer Never Paid It Off

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl