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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2026 Chevrolet ColoradoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 20 owner complaints for the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado. Most complaints involve electrical system (5) and steering (4). The EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–21mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2026
Owner complaints
20
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Equipment: owners

Free remedy

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”

EquipmentReported Feb 26, 2026NHTSA 26V114000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

20 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2025 – Nov 2026
  1. Electrical system5
  2. Steering4
  3. Service brakes3
  4. Engine3
  5. Power train2
  6. Forward collision avoidance2
  7. Lane departure1
  8. Visibility1
  9. Structure1

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
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

Electrical system

5 reports
“On October 29, about one week after I took delivery of my new 2026 Chevrolet Colorado, the entire instrument panel failed while I was parking. The gauge cluster, infotainment/stereo display, LoJack system, and airbag system all shut off, and the airbag warning indicated the system was inactive. The failure lasted two days with no gauges and no working airbags, and nothing came back on after restarting the vehicle. I took the truck to the dealer (Bomnin Chevrolet) on October 30. The service department confirmed there is a problem but could not give an estimate for a repair. Mileage at the time of failure was approximately 200miles. Because the vehicle may be operating without functional airbags or instrument readings, I consider it unsafe to drive.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2026Electrical system, Lane departureODI 11774989

Steering

4 reports
“Vehicle: 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss, 4WD Crew Cab. Delivered new 3/29/26. Beginning in May 2026, the vehicle developed a steering column defect: play in the steering wheel, a catch or jerking sensation while driving and turning (particularly at low speeds and on rougher residential/city roads), a structural popping noise, and an accompanying dashboard rattle. Dealership staff advised the vehicle was safe to drive despite the confirmed defect, and I continued operating the vehicle with my family for approximately two months while a replacement part was on backorder. The vehicle has been repaired three times for this identical defect: - 5/5/26–7/3/26: intermediate steering shaft replaced; defect returned - 8/17/26: upper and lower intermediate steering shaft joints replaced; defect returned - 9/7/26–10/7/26: intermediate steering shaft replaced again. Dealership staff told me directly this repair was untested and that I would be the first to determine whether it holds up long term. The repair order's own mileage log shows only 18 total miles driven for the entire 30-day visit, including the post-repair verification test drive. No independent manufacturer…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026SteeringODI 11770263

Service brakes

3 reports
“At just over 700 miles on this vehicle, I was sitting in a parking lot and started the vehicle. Suddenly the brake pedal dropped, a Service ESC warning came up on the dash, and the engine light came on. In the Chevrolet app, it has a vehicle status warning "Antilock braking system". Thankfully I was sitting in a parking lot, or it could have been MUCH worse, for me. The vehicle is at the dealer for repairs, but their diagnostic revealed that the brake master cylinder failed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2026Service brakesODI 11774917
All 2026 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

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.7L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 8-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
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 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050420
Colorado 4WD
Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400462
Colorado Mud Terrain Tires 4WD
Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
172018$3,550494
Colorado ZR2 4WD
Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
171717$3,800527
  • Colorado 2WD
    Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 4WD
    Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado Mud Terrain Tires 4WD
    Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    17 city · 20 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado ZR2 4WD
    Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    17 city · 17 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

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
CHEVROLET COLORADO PU/CC N/A 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
0.0%
Overall
4 / 5
CHEVROLET COLORADO PU/CC N/A RWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
0.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 21800Vehicle 21799
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

2026 Colorado questions

How many recalls does the 2026 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 2026 Chevrolet Colorado problems?

Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (5), steering (4), service brakes (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado at 17–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026