2020 Chevrolet Colorado Powertrain (other) Problems

My truck has been shuddering and when put into gear it sounds like the bottom is falling out of it. Now when I am driving my truck is shuddering very hard and skipping gears. I have been having this issue since I bought the truck with only 47k miles and I have only put 40k miles on this truck in the past 3 years that I have owned it. I keep the maintenance up on my truck and have since I’ve owned it and I have already put a complaint into GM, when I bought the truck it has had electrical issues and the dealership is not helping. My warranty is out on this truck and GM said there is nothing they can do to help with my transmission or electrical problems. This truck has not even hit 100k and I’m so upset that I am having these many problems and no one is wanting to help, they just want my money. I can’t afford an attorney or I would sue this dealership for selling me a Lemon and for GM knowing about there faulty transmission in my year truck and not standing behind it!

NHTSA ID

11713350

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

Had transmission serviced, was told the transmission was no good and about to fail Quoted $8000.00 dollars to repair

NHTSA ID

11711885

Incident

Jan 13, 2026

Vehicle has 54,250 miles. Vehicle has a rear differential bearing going out by hearing and feeling the grinding at all speeds and the transmission jerks shafting gears. Both could cause an accident if totally fail. Chevrolet has a service bulletin out from what my local garage says. Mechanic also says Chevrolet will not warranty the product. Vehicle is now being looked at by a Chevrolet dealer. The vehicle is OUT OF WARRANTY. My son, who is [XXX] and not familiar with vehicles thought it was the tires causing the whining and vibration. Took the vehicle in several times to Chevy and they ignored the issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11709610

Incident

Dec 23, 2025

The vehicle experienced a sudden and progressive transmission failure during normal driving conditions. Symptoms included harsh shifting, delayed engagement, loss of power transfer, and eventual inability to reliably propel the vehicle. The failure created a safety risk due to unexpected loss of acceleration and unpredictable drivetrain behavior while in traffic. The transmission issue was not the result of improper maintenance. The vehicle was maintained according to manufacturer recommendations. The condition worsened over time and ultimately required dealer inspection. A dealership inspected the vehicle and attributed the failure to a transmission defect, characterizing it as a maintenance issue despite no evidence of neglect. The transmission and related components remain available for inspection upon request. No warning lights provided adequate advance notice prior to the functional failure. The issue occurred without driver misuse and under ordinary driving conditions.

NHTSA ID

11708513

Incident

Aug 31, 2025

Torque converter shudder. Had dealer do the recommended flush which cost $800 and still has same issue.

NHTSA ID

11703534

Incident

Aug 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle vibrated and shook abnormally, as if driven over ripples on the roadway. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the tires were balanced. The contact picked up the vehicle and stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission oil failed to heat up as intended, and condensation had built up in the transmission. The dealer added Mobil 1 transmission oil to heat up the oil and remove the condensation. The contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle needed to be driven between 200 and 400 miles to remove the condensation. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a claim and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11698954

Incident

Sep 12, 2025

Mileage

80,000 mi

Defective Torque Converter at estimated 92k miles even after following all preventive maintenance schedule.

NHTSA ID

11688248

Incident

Aug 4, 2025

Transmission shuttering mostly at interstate speeds but as slow as 35 mph. Under light to medium light pedal acceleration. Truck feels as if it's going over Road ripples. I'm disappointed to find out this is a common problem with Chevy 8-speed Transmissions. It happens every time I drive it. From time to time it'll shake the truck a little violently

NHTSA ID

11686682

Incident

Sep 5, 2025

This vehicle suffers from a torque converter/transmission shudder after the transfer mission fluid heats up. My initial complaint to the selling dealer and they did not follow the GM posted procedure and initially charged me for the service. I’ve changed dealerships and I’ve been told it the temporary fix is to do a flush and there is no permanent fix by GM. I have had situations where and unexperienced driver would have definitely got into a car accident and I don’t let anybody drive my car because I believe it is unsafe. So far the dealer has been accommodating while under warranty but advised I reach out to GM who then advised to review my documents I file an NHTSA complaint. What occurs when the vehicle is not in warranty and the vehicle continues to shudder. I have included the service bulletin and repair invoices.

NHTSA ID

11662842

Incident

Jan 19, 2023

Vehicle began exhibiting an intermittent shake between 45-60 MPH which felt like driving on a wash board road. In addition it would shift hard/bog down between 1st and 2nd gear. Took to a dealer for service and was told a TSB had been issued to flush the transmission, this was performed. Condition returned within months and after multiple additional visits where the dealer claimed they couldn't replicate the issue they finally determined the torque converter needed to be replaced at approximately 70,874 miles. By this time the warranty had expired (60,000 mile warranty) and I was told I would have to pay for it.

NHTSA ID

11654822

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

Transmission shuddering shaking almost stopping with 60,292 miles used

NHTSA ID

11647648

Incident

Feb 15, 2025

This has been an ongoing issue. Truck currently has 45,000 miles on it. When driving on the interstate for 30 minutes, transmission flutters causing the cab to shake. It feels like running over rumble strips. Flutter lasts for several seconds and gets worse (longer duration, harder flutter) as time goes on. Dealer won't diagnose it because no codes are recorded. No dash lights light. The only indication is the flutter itself. Chevrolet cust support says their hands are tied - it is the dealers responsibility. The dealer will not devote personnel for 30 minutes to replicate the issue. Issue comes out of no where startling the driver - not safe. Your first reaction is either to brake or gas to stop the flutter/shake. Flutter is stronger as time goes by. This issue has been identified for other years of the same vehicle, and several GM vehicles. It is still an issue in 2020, but not recognized by GM. Multiple complaints are on the internet for this issue by other 2020 Colorado owners.

NHTSA ID

11645026

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

Drive ability issues, feels like going over cattle guard,shudders when accelerating around 40-60 mph. the vehicle shudder's abnormally. there are no warning lights illuminated. Took to local Chevrolet dealership where a service bulletin, TSB: 21-NA-047 was discovered to address the issue. The dealer recommended a transmission fluid flush. Mileage on this vehicle was 67,631.

NHTSA ID

11639688

Incident

Jan 9, 2025

No warning lights are illuminated but have this consistent violent Engine rattle/shuddering that is getting worse and worse. Also when looking under the hood the Crank pulley wobbles/rattles when truck is idle. Was told it could be the harmonic balancer going out due to there being a gap between that and the Crank. The truck only has 100,000 miles on it. I got it used at 88,000 miles and have barely had the truck for a year now, the steering wheel was intermittently difficult to maneuver and no warning lights illuminate, the truck shifts hard from 1st to second gear now and seriously hesitates to accelerate. This is extremely concerning and apparently an ongoing complaint for this vehicle and something should be done about it. Not only does it cause financial destress on the owners of the vehicles but also a safety hazard to the driver

NHTSA ID

11639145

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

COMPLAINT # 11630574 Transmission Shudder, took to dealership on 09/28/2023 had transmission flushed and changed fluid to new style transmission fluid, per GM under warranty. I was told that if it needed done again that i would have to pay to have it done and would cost approximately $400- $500. On 12/13/2024 the truck is shuddering again at 48,700 miles.

NHTSA ID

11630601

Incident

Dec 13, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 30-50 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed and the dealer became aware that the vehicle was shuddering at 35 MPH. The dealer recommended a transmission fluid flush and refill. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact was also made aware of TSB: 21-NA-047. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.

NHTSA ID

11622912

Incident

Oct 17, 2024

Mileage

56,000 mi

The Automatic 8-Speed Transmission completely deteriorated after 4 years/64,000 miles exactly after the Power Train Warranty. No warning lights or signals identified me of the problem, only a noticeable shuddering when driving at highway speeds. This vehicle is currently at the dealership where they have confirmed I will need a new transmission to replace the faulty original manufacturer's transmission. My safety and others' safety is/was affected by a faulty piece of equipment that was destroyed with regular use. This could potentially lead to my vehicle being unable to shift up/down during traffic leading to an injury or worse.

NHTSA ID

11616783

Incident

Sep 24, 2024

At about 58000 miles my vehicle began to shake violently as I drove it. I initially thought the wheels were out of balance or I had a leaf spring issue. Had both issues looked at and that was not it. Took it to a Chevy dealer who wanted 200 dollars just to look at it. By this time I was just over 60k miles. Did a lot of research online and found that if you had the transmission flushed that would resolve the issue. Had they done and problem solved. Now at 80k miles and it's doing it again. Called Chevrolet dealership who told me it would be 5 weeks, $500 and I should probably call another dealer to see if I could get it in and that is for them to just flush it again. Chevrolet has a well known issue with these transmissions and are not offering any assistance but to try and get you past the 60k mileage where they say not their problem.

NHTSA ID

11613469

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

The rear differential suddenly broke down on my way to take the freeway,making a very clicking loud noise of the rear wheel and Colorado was responding to the transmission do to a differential failure.and I noticed that oil was all over the road

NHTSA ID

11602044

Incident

Jun 29, 2024

A transmission shudder has developed. It seems to be a known issue that Chevrolet has tried to resolve, but it is present in my vehicle. It started to develop around 60,000 miles ago and has progressively gotten worse.

NHTSA ID

11582911

Incident

May 1, 2023

Transmission shudder unless I put vehicle in tow haul. Shudders at a out 35 40 miles per hour. Seems to be a recurring problem from 2018 forward. This vehicle has only about 25 000 miles on it. I researched and also spike to a transmission person and they think it may be a computer issue. Supposedly they replace transmission fluid if that doesn't fix they replace took convertor. The problem I have is this is a long time recurring problem that should be identified and fixed by General Motors. A vehicle with such low miles built 2 years after they are aware these transmissions have the what's called dreaded shudder shouldn't still be happening.

NHTSA ID

11570223

Incident

Sep 22, 2023

The vehcile shifts hard from 1st to 2nd gear when it is newly started (regardless of the outside tempature).

NHTSA ID

11563074

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

There is a known issue with my truck, where the Transmission will all of a sudden lock up and then it shutters. The truck shakes violently and happens randomly. There is no rhyme or reason why this happens. Of course I'm barely over my warranty and Chevy in Austin states that it will be 3-5 days before they can review my truck. They won't provide a rental car or any help with a rental, so I'm expected to not have a car or figure out something myself to even have my truck looked at. My friend has GMC Canyon (same transmission) and had to have a level two mechanic replace his fluids. There are no warning lights or anything, this is a constant thing that is getting worse. There is a lawsuit in Canada for this issue that Chevy has known about and they haven't done anything about it.

NHTSA ID

11559937

Incident

Dec 5, 2023

The rear end ring & Pinion bearings are effected. The rear end seems to be defective a high pitch noise is heard this started two weeks after purchase. It’s been repaired twice and it is going back for a third time on 7-17-23 and it barely has 67,000 on it. The contact stated metal shavings were found in the LSD fluid in the rear end.

NHTSA ID

11532343

Incident

Aug 21, 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was experiencing a loss of power steering. The contact stated that the vehicle also lost motive power with unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition switch, and after several attempts, the contact was able to turn off and restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on several occasions however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking and lost motive power. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted, and the check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine control module (ECM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.

NHTSA ID

11512181

Incident

Jan 16, 2021

Mileage

11,000 mi