2020 Chevrolet Colorado Brakes Problems

On September 4, 2026, I experienced an extremely serious and frightening braking failure while driving my 2020 Chevrolet Colorado 2.5L. I was driving my granddaughter to school and was pulling into the school's carpool/drop-off area at approximately 20 mph. This was an especially dangerous location because children, parents, vehicles, and school personnel were in the immediate area. As I attempted to slow and stop the vehicle, the brake pedal suddenly became extremely hard and the vehicle would not stop normally. The dashboard displayed “Service Brake Assist,” and the check-engine light illuminated. I pressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle continued moving. Realizing that the normal brakes were not stopping the truck, I engaged the emergency/parking brake. The emergency brake slowed the vehicle somewhat, but even then the vehicle did not come to a complete stop. I ultimately had to place the vehicle in PARK to get it stopped. Fortunately, I was traveling at a low speed and was able to prevent the vehicle from striking a child, pedestrian, another vehicle, or other property. My granddaughter was also inside the vehicle at the time. This was an extremely frightening situation that could very easily have resulted in catastrophic injuries or death. The fact that this occurred in a school carpool/drop-off area surrounded by children makes the seriousness of this failure especially concerning. There was no reasonable warning that I was about to lose normal braking assistance. I am reporting this incident because I believe this vehicle may have experienced a serious safety-related defect involving the braking/brake-assist system. I am requesting that this incident be documented and that NHTSA investigate whether other owners of 2020 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles, particularly those equipped with the 2.5L four-cylinder engine, have experienced similar sudden losses of brake assist or braking ability.

NHTSA ID

11762094

Incident

Sep 4, 2026

While driving my 2020 Chevrolet Colorado through [XXX], the truck began having difficulty accelerating. As I exited the highway and turned into a gas station, the truck suddenly lost power. The steering became extremely difficult, and I lost normal brake assist. The brake pedal became extremely hard, and I had to apply extreme force to stop the truck and avoid crashing into a wall at the gas station. Fortunately, no collision occurred. The truck was towed to Ed Corley Ford in [XXX] because I was stranded in a remote area with very limited options. They diagnosed a failed/broken vacuum pump and told me replacing it should make the truck operable so I could drive it home to [XXX]. I authorized the repair. After replacing the vacuum pump, they told me they started the truck and heard an abnormal sound. They shut it off, and when they tried to restart it, the truck would not start. They wanted to perform additional diagnosis, but I declined and had the truck transported back to [XXX] for evaluation by a Chevrolet dealership. Huffines Chevrolet Lewisville inspected the truck. Their technician removed the camshaft position sensor and used a borescope to inspect the camshaft. They documented that the camshaft is damaged at the end where it connects to the vacuum pump and stated the actuator pin was most likely bent due to the vacuum-pump failure, damaging the camshaft and causing it to be slightly out of time. I have also been informed of engine damage. The truck remains inoperable and is currently available for inspection. I am concerned this is a safety defect because the vacuum-pump failure resulted in a sudden loss of normal brake assist while I was driving and was followed by camshaft/engine damage. I am asking NHTSA to investigate this failure and similar Chevrolet Colorado complaints. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11761467

Incident

Jul 15, 2026

Vacuum pump seized, causing loss of power assist on brakes. This happened as I was approaching an intersection to make a right-hand turn. When I press down on the brake pedal it felt hard, like it was locked up. After pressing down on it with both feet, I was able to slow the vehicle down enough to turn out of the intersection. If this event happened when there was another vehicle in the intersection or approaching the intersection on the side street that I was turning onto, it would have led to a collision. Not being able to slow down adequately, I had to swing wide in the turn. This incident happened at a relatively slow speed. If it had happened at highway speeds it could have been catastrophic. There was no warning light prior to the incident the check engine light did not come on until after the incident. The Pump seizure caused the connecting coupling between the exhaust cam and pump to shatter. The damage was extended to the exhaust cam and valve cover and leaving metal fragments in the engine. The local Chevrolet dealer has given me an estimate for the repair of over $2400

NHTSA ID

11741310

Incident

May 31, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact switched to manual driving mode and downshifted the transmission. The vehicle came to a stop after driving over a dirt pile. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to drive to the residence. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the hydraulic line was rubbing against the parking brake cable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,400.

NHTSA ID

11730773

Incident

Apr 11, 2026

Mileage

102,400 mi

the power brake booster was found broken on 1/29/2026. Through repairs, i've found vacuum pump race being completely damaged and exhaust camshaft end that linked with vacuum pump is also damaged.

NHTSA ID

11730626

Incident

Jan 29, 2026

While driving in grocery store parking lot. The brake booster completely failed with no notice almost causing me to hit someone. I had to throw the truck in park while moving to avoid hitting pedestrians. The brake pedal is completely compressed to the floor as I was stomping the brakes in an attempt to stop. Had I not thought quick enough I would of hit at least 2 people.

NHTSA ID

11722150

Incident

Mar 4, 2026

Driving on the highway speed limit 65-70 my truck started decelerating and breaks got hard and could not use break. Had to get home using emergency petal break and drive. My truck is only 2020 model for this type of problem. Want to see if I can get this fixed with the manufacture defect warranty. Took my truck to a Chevy dealer and they are saying it can be a faulty vacuum pump.

NHTSA ID

11649928

Incident

Mar 21, 2025

The contact owned a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the contact's wife advised the contact to pull the vehicle over because black smoke was exiting the rear vents. Simultaneously, the contact noticed white smoke exiting the front vents. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle did not stop as intended. The contact had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed that the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact's wife and [XXX] granddaughter were seated in the rear passenger seats. The contact's wife and granddaughter exited the vehicle first. The contact stated that just as the front driver's side door was opened for the contact to exit the vehicle, a big ball of fire entered the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that after exiting the vehicle, the vehicle burst into flames. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The Police department arrived on the scene. However, there was not a Police report or fire report filed. The contact sustained a burn to his left eyebrow area and the left arm. Medical attention was provided to the contact. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was a total lost due to the fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11590982

Incident

May 25, 2024

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2020 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE WARNING "FAILED SEAT BELT" SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND SMOKE WAS PRESENT IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP THE OCCUPANTS EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT COMING FROM THE UNDER THE VEHICLE. A BYSTANDER EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS CAME TO THE SCENE AND FILED REPORTS. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED AWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BUT NO INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. *BF*JB

NHTSA ID

11378647

Incident

Sep 3, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

GUSHING SOUND OF LIQUID WHEN START. RATTLING WHEN ACCELERATING NOISY SUSPENSION SCREEN TURNED BLACK ONCE OR TWICE CLUNKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING NOISE IN BRAKES

NHTSA ID

11378048

Incident

Aug 15, 2020

Mileage

8,000 mi