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Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2021 Chevrolet ColoradoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 80 owner complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. Most complaints involve engine (19) and service brakes (18). The EPA rates it 17–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–23mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Dec 2020
Owner complaints
80
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Dec 23, 2020NHTSA 20V811000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

80 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine19
  2. Service brakes18
  3. Power train13
  4. Electrical system11
  5. Steering10
  6. Air bags6
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  8. Seat belts3
  9. Suspension3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Colorado model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004361
2005356
2006236
2007140
200881
200967
201029
201142
201242
2015498
2016716
2017216
2018183
2019150
202088
202180
202256
2023138
2024126
202528
202620
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

19 reports
“The brake booster vacuum pump broke and caused my brakes to stop working properly while driving on the highway. There were zero warnings from the vehicle I went to press on my brake and it was stuck i luckily was able to push it down enough to safely stop”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2026Service brakes, EngineODI 11773376

Service brakes

18 reports
“Both rear calipers have become frozen or stuck, causing the brakes to seize and not work correctly. This happened around 53,000 miles. There was a burning rubber smell as well as the tire/brake temp was 5 times the normal. This created a severe driving hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2026Service brakesODI 11763826

Power train

13 reports
“The rear differential is sounding very loud, like grinding roaring sound @ 72,000. This truck doesn't pull any loads or anything heavy.all service are on time. How can this young milage truck major part go bad just so. It's dangerous driving on the street. It can cause death if it blows up or freeze. GM has a global service about their miss labeled rear differential. They now acting like they now hearing about this when many people is complaining about this faulted differential.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11771338
All 2021 Colorado problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.8L 4-cyl turbo diesel · 2.5L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd · Automatic 8-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel · Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Colorado 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L, Diesel, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
203023$4,100435
Colorado 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192522$2,900413
Colorado 4WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L, Diesel, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
192822$4,300455
Colorado 2WD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050424
Colorado 4WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050431
Colorado 4WD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
172419$3,400465
Colorado ZR2 4WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L, Diesel, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
182219$4,950525
Colorado ZR2 4WD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
161817$3,800510
  • Colorado 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L, Diesel, Turbo
    20 city · 30 hwy · $4,100/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 4WD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L, Diesel, Turbo
    19 city · 28 hwy · $4,300/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 2WD
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 4WD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 4WD
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado ZR2 4WD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L, Diesel, Turbo
    18 city · 22 hwy · $4,950/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado ZR2 4WD
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 18 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC 2WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC 2WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
22.0%
Overall
4 / 5
Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Overall
4 / 5
Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 15156Vehicle 15154Vehicle 15150
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 Colorado questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Chevrolet Colorado problems?

Owners filed 80 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (19), service brakes (18), power train (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado at 17–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026