2017 Chevrolet Colorado Engine Problems

Thermostat is having problems. Fan runs over use and Thermostat will not open

NHTSA ID

11728434

Incident

Mar 31, 2026

On or about 02/09/2026, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic failure directly related to a known defect identified in Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-066. The engine "sucked" in the oil filter due to a poor design on GM's part. The stand pipe was not present apparently, and must have broken off at some point. This bulletin acknowledges an issue affecting this vehicle platform. This should have been recalled to address this engineering flaw that GM acknowledged in their TSB. Despite multiple attempts and ongoing communication with authorized representatives to have the vehicles engine replaced under an extended warranty, the vehicle was inoperable and unusable, causing significant financial hardship. I owned the vehicle for approximately 5 months and had the vehicle in the shop multiple times for other repair issues that were known per forums from other owners of this model/year of vehicle. I have exhausted all reasonable efforts to resolve this matter through dealership, GM customer service channels, and GM's executive team without satisfactory resolution. As a direct result of this defect and resulting failure, I have incurred the following damages: Loss of use of the vehicle ($24,578 purchase price on 09/20/2025) Rental and alternative transportation expenses ($90.58 rental vehicle from 02/12/2026 - 02/14/2026) Diminished vehicle value ($24,578 - $12,000 (Selling Price) = $12,578) Out-of-pocket diagnostic and related expenses ($2,036.50) Total loss and seeking reimbursement: $14,705.08

NHTSA ID

11728202

Incident

Feb 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the A/C unit stopped working, with the check engine warning light illuminated. On several occasions, while the vehicle was turned off, the cooling fan ran for approximately 2-3 minutes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and determined that the engine coolant thermostat had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11714196

Incident

Jan 14, 2025

2017 Chevrolet Colorado pickup with 58,000 miles. Check engine light came on. Scanner reading by a repair shop indicated a EVAP issue. I declined the $1200 repair estimate. I paid for diagnosis of problem $200. I repaired the system by "cleaning 2 filters at the beginning of the fuel tank ventilation system. The "primary filter and hose are located in a especially dusty area on the pickup truck and is prong to plugging if regularly driven on rural gravel roads. Nothing in the owner's manual indicates the service is required of this filter. FILTER SHOULD BE RELOCATED TO ENGINE BAY. Check engine light was reset and has not come back on. NOTE: This is part of the pollution equipment that stopped working properly before 10yr. or 100,00 miles.

NHTSA ID

11701728

Incident

Nov 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at 60-65 MPH in the mountains and towing a travel trailer, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the brake haul mode turned off. The engine warning light had illuminated over thirty times without towing a trailer. The contact stated that when the engine light was illuminated, the tow-haul feature would shut off. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11675114

Incident

Jul 21, 2025

Mileage

90,000 mi

The vehicle shakes aggressively when you speed up. We took it in and it’s a transmission issue. There have been thousands of similar complaints from other owners but Chevy refuses to acknowledge it and issue a recall.

NHTSA ID

11665156

Incident

Jun 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light illuminated while the seat was not occupied. While driving at various speeds, the engine overheated. The coolant reservoir was empty, but there was no indication of a leak. The fan was operational, but the vehicle continued to overheat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact about the operation of the fan. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11597884

Incident

Jun 1, 2024

Mileage

110,000 mi

Exhaust leaks but it doesn’t do it all the time

NHTSA ID

11538831

Incident

Aug 15, 2023

From a stop, accelerating has occasionally caused transmission to shudder, limiting power and ability to follow traffic until transmission reengages and power is restored. This creates an unnatural traffic pattern and puts myself at risk. After much research it appears the problem is with the transmission and torque converter. The engine may produce more torque than the transmission can handle. Problem started out infrequently, but has increased in frequency over time. Please reference report #11449007

NHTSA ID

11531491

Incident

Jul 2, 2023

My vehicle shutters on highway. I was told by a few Chevy representatives that they would help fix it even though it’s out of warranty. This is a known problem across the USA and they should fix it at no charge to customer.

NHTSA ID

11510012

Incident

Mar 3, 2023

The oil coolant line has just failed for a second time in two years on our 2017 Chevy Colorado that only has 50,000 on it. In both cases I was driving down the road and the line ruptured and alarms started going off to shut the engine off. This is very dangerous to have to immediately stop in the middle of the road and then left stranded (especially in the middle of a cold MN winter). The first time this happened the vehicle was under warranty and our dealer towed and fixed the vehicle. The second time, it is just 8 months past the warranty time (still under the warranty mileage limit). This is now a $1200 repair for something that should not be happening any way. This is a known, common issue with GM and they are doing nothing to solve this problem - or even warn their customers of this safety issue. Two catastrophic failures of an essential drive train component in a vehicle with 50,000 miles? Also in both cases there was no warning of any kind before it happened. No warning lights or symptoms. It just all of a sudden blew both times and left me stranded on the road.

NHTSA ID

11507608

Incident

Feb 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while the vehicle parked, the air condition was activated and there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was notified of a failure in cylinder #6. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and agreed to cover 50% of the repair. The failure mileage was 28,208.

NHTSA ID

11476328

Incident

Jul 20, 2022

Mileage

28,208 mi

2017 Colorado All of a sudden I was just driving down the road going 55mph, and my truck shut off. No warning light just died completely. I almost got rear-ended by the car behind me. I could not start the truck back up at all. If I had been in construction zone someone could have seriously got injured or killed, Huge safety issue. I had the truck towed to the chevy dealer, it took the sever days to find out the issue. The wiring harness behind the motor, was rubbing on the fire wall, causing several wires to become exposed and short out. Dealer even if they put a new wiring harness back in it would have the same problem, based off where it is located. I trying to make sure no one gets killed and recall issued. I contacted chevy customer support they didn't seam interested is fixing a safety issue, no there problem after warranty are over.

NHTSA ID

11437676

Incident

Sep 7, 2021

While traveling down the highway at 70-75 MPH a wrist pin failure occurred. This lead to a rod punching a hole in the bottom part of the engine, obviously I lost all engine power and had to coast to the side of the road in traffic. Looking online there are wrist pin studies conducted by Geen diesel engineering company that shows obvious manufacturing defect in gm wrist pins. Upon further research I have found that this is a common failure with the 2.8 liter diesels. I contacted gm they informed me that this is not a documented problem which has set me back about $14,000. I found out that I’m not alone from what I have found it seems to affect 2016-2017 models. I’ve seen failures occurring within 7000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11432292

Incident

Jul 15, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH OCCASIONALLY. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH MANIPULATING THE GEAR SHIFTER, THE STEERING WHEEL, AND MANUALLY TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER, THE KEY WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KEN WARE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC (1595 NEWMARK ST, NORTH BEND, OR 97459, (541) 982-2574) TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11408444

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AND THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND SLOWLY DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LARIA CHEVROLET - BUICK INC. (112 E OHIO AVE, RITTMAN, OH 44270) TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, A CAUSE WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ID

11399988

Incident

Mar 5, 2021

Mileage

29,000 mi

I HAVE A 2017 CHEVY COLORADO DIESEL WITH APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES WHERE THE DIESEL PARTICULATE SENSOR CONSTANTLY FAILS. I HAD IT REPLACED FOR THE 4TH TIME THE LAST WEEK IN JANUARY AND NOW ITS FAILED AGAIN. THE CODE RECEIVED IS A P1476. I WILL HAVE IT REPLACED FOR THE 5TH TIME NEXT WEEK BUT ACCORDING TO ONLINE COLORADO DIESEL FORUMS THIS IS AN ENDLESSLY FAILING PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. AS A CONSEQUENCE MANY OWNERS ARE WORKING WITH AFTER-MARKET TUNERS TO REMOVE THIS EMISSIONS CONTROL. THE MESSAGING I SEE ONLINE IS THAT THIS WILL BE AN ENDLESS EXPENSE IF I KEEP MY TRUCK BEYOND THE LIMITED EMISSIONS WARRANTY. TO-DATE THE WARRANTY HAS COVERED THE REPAIRS(~ $500 EACH) BUT THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY WILL BE EXPIRING SOON. I THINK THE NHTSA AND EPA SHOULD FORCE CHEVROLET/GM TO PROVIDE AN UNLIMITED EMISSIONS WARRANTY. SAVE THAT, GM WILL IGNORE THE PROBLEM AND MANY THOUSAND OF DIESEL TRUCKS WILL HAVE THEIR EMISSIONS CONTROLS REMOVED.

NHTSA ID

11399346

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

51,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS, SUDDENLY CHANGING GEARS. JUST A FEW, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER ON 1/14/2021, FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE DEALER CHECKS THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM OK AND EVERYTHING ELSE, I BEEN TAKING THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER FOR MANY YEARS FOR SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME NO RECALLS, DAYS AGO DRIVING HOME ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE GETTING HOME THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WHEN TOO COOL AND THE RADIATOR FANS WERE IN HIGH SPINNING WHEN GOT HOME SHUT IT OFF, BUT THE FAN WAS STILL GOING ON, I WILL CALL THE DEALER ON MONDAY 01.25.2021 FOR SERVICE AND TOWING THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER TO FIX IT. HOW MUCH IS GOING TO COST ME NO IDEA, IN THE MEANTIME I WILL RENT A CAR WHILE FIXING THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ID

11389711

Incident

Jan 23, 2021

Mileage

5 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25-50 MPH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOORS UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY, AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATED BETWEEN HIGH AND NORMAL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PETE MOORE CHEVROLET INC. (103 N NEW WARRINGTON RD, PENSACOLA, FL 32506, (850) 462-8494) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT BATTERY VOLTAGE WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

NHTSA ID

11322984

Incident

Jun 30, 2019

Mileage

31,000 mi

THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY VEHICLE SUCCESSFULLY HAD GM BUY BACK THIS TRUCK. THE NOX SENSORS AND WIRING HARNESS HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WHICH CLEARED THE CODES AND ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO APPEAR TO BE IN PROPER WORKING CONDITION. WHEN GM BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, GM WENT THROUGH AND SUPPOSEDLY "FIXED THE ISSUE" AND BRANDED THE TITLE AS A MANUFACTURER BUYBACK AND PUT THE VEHICLE BACK ON THE MARKET TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE KNOWING ALL OF THIS AND TRUSTING THAT IF GM SAID THEY FIXED THE ISSUE, THEY HAD REALLY FIXED IT. NOW I AM A YEAR INTO OWNERSHIP AND THIS VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS SAME EXACT THING THAT THE ORIGINAL OWNER HAD AN ISSUE WITH HAS SURFACED. THE VEHICLE SPEED IS LIMITED WHEN THIS OCCURS MAKING THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE ROADS. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS IN MOTION WHEN WHEN THIS OCCURS AND USUALLY ON AN INTERSTATE FAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID

11317002

Incident

Feb 28, 2020

Mileage

59,000 mi

MY CAR STALLS AND TURNS OFF, WHILE DRIVING, IT HAPPENED TWICE IN 2017 AND FOUR TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 2 WEEKS, I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 2 TIMES ALREADY AND THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, IT HAS TURNED OFF ON ME ON THE FREEWAY AND I GET SCARED BECAUSE MY CHILD SITS IN THE BACK. THE DEALER CAN NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO, I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE. I DO HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND NOTHING CAN BE FOUND.

NHTSA ID

11316775

Incident

Mar 3, 2020

THE TRUCK SHUDDERS WHILE ACCELERATING

NHTSA ID

11291448

Incident

Dec 26, 2019

Mileage

35,870 mi

TWICE NOW MY 2017 W/~41000 MILES HAS GONE INTO INSTANT, NO WARNING OR GRACE PERIOD, BUT AN INSTANT DROP TO A FORCED 10 MPH IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, THIS LAST TIME ON A HIGHWAY WITH NO SHOULDERS DURING RUSH HOUR. THE THREE CODES THROWN THE FIRST TIME (I DON'T HAVE THE CODES FROM THE SECOND TIME BUT THE DEALER IS ORDERING A NEW ECM BASED ON THE U0401 CODE): RC (RADIO CONTROLS): B1325 - CONTROL MODULE POWER CIRCUIT - LOW VOLTAGE EBCM (ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE): U0401 - INVALID DATA RECEIVED FROM ENGINE CONTROL MODULE - INVALID DATA ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE) P200C DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) HIGH TEMPERATURE ALONG WITH THE CODES THE CHECK ENGINE, STABLITRAK, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON - HOWEVER BRAKING WAS NOT AFFECTED! REGARDLESS, THIS PROGRAMMED 'LIMP' MODE IS INSANELY RECKLESS WITH TOTAL DISREGARD FOR THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO SAFE PLACE OR REASON TO DELIBERATELY CRIPPLE A VEHICLE WHILE IN TRAFFIC! SOME EUROPEAN MANUFACTURES AT LEAST GIVE YOU A WARNING WITH SEVERAL ENGINE RESTARTS TO LET YOU DRIVE NORMALLY TO SAFETY AND THEN A DEALER FOR SERVICE ' BUT APPARENTLY EMISSIONS LAWS IN THE US TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER HUMAN LIFE. LIMP MODE CAN BE DISABLED FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES BUT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS ILLEGAL FOR THEM TO DO IT FOR ME. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN GREAT BUT LIMITED TO WHAT THEY CAN DO BECAUSE OF GM REQUIREMENTS. THEY ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM AND HAS ORDERED A NEW ECM AS A SECOND PHASE IN TROUBLESHOOTING THE ISSUE (FIRST WAS REPROGRAMMING THE ECM) HOWEVER THERE IS STILL NO EXCUSE FOR FORCING A VEHICLE INTO LIMP-MODE WHILE IN USE - I HAVE LOST ALL FAITH IN THIS VEHICLE AND GM AND CANNOT TRUST IT FOR MY OWN YET FAMILIES SAFE USE.

NHTSA ID

11291150

Incident

Dec 17, 2019

Mileage

40,950 mi

I GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHILE AND ENGINE GOES INTO REDUCED POWER MODE. YOU CAN'T DRIVE IN REDUCED POWER MODE! I HAVE TO CLEAR IT TO MOVE THE TRUCK. I DID A SCAN WHICH SHOWED A P2138 CODE. BUT ITS JUST IN MEMORY AND THE DEALER WONT FIX IT UNLESS ITS AN ACTIVE CODE BUT CAN'T DRIVE TO THE DEALER IN REDUCED POWER MODE. ITS A CATCH 22

NHTSA ID

11258572

Incident

Sep 10, 2019

Mileage

29,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE STAR CHEVROLET DEALER (724-790-2046, LOCATED AT 5200 US-30 C, GREENSBURG, PA 15601) WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE SAME TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TORT CONVERTER. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE ISSUE WOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *JB

NHTSA ID

11207262

Incident

Dec 11, 2018

Mileage

1,800 mi