SEAT BELTS; SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
2021 Chevrolet Colorado
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 75 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 744 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| Dec 2020 | 2 | 3 |
| Apr 2021 | 2 | 5 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 6 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 7 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 8 |
| Nov 2021 | 1 | 9 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 10 |
| Aug 2022 | 1 | 11 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 12 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 13 |
| Jan 2023 | 3 | 16 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 17 |
| Apr 2023 | 2 | 19 |
| Jul 2023 | 2 | 21 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 | 22 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 23 |
| Nov 2023 | 2 | 25 |
| Feb 2024 | 2 | 27 |
| Mar 2024 | 3 | 30 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 31 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 32 |
| Jul 2024 | 3 | 35 |
| Sep 2024 | 2 | 37 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 38 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 39 |
| Mar 2025 | 2 | 41 |
| Apr 2025 | 1 | 42 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 43 |
| Jun 2025 | 3 | 46 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 47 |
| Sep 2025 | 2 | 49 |
| Oct 2025 | 2 | 51 |
| Nov 2025 | 3 | 54 |
| Dec 2025 | 2 | 56 |
| Jan 2026 | 2 | 58 |
| Feb 2026 | 2 | 60 |
| Mar 2026 | 1 | 61 |
| Apr 2026 | 2 | 63 |
| May 2026 | 2 | 65 |
| Jun 2026 | 1 | 66 |
| Jul 2026 | 3 | 69 |
| Aug 2026 | 4 | 73 |
| Sep 2026 | 2 | 75 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes1920.4%
- Engine1920.4%
- Electrical1314.0%
- Powertrain (other)1111.8%
- Steering1010.8%
- Airbags55.4%
- Visibility33.2%
- Fuel system33.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govRecent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11763826
- Incident
- Sep 12, 2026
Brake boost vacuum pump failure. While approaching a traffic light that was red, I applied the brakes. The pedal was very hard to press and required me using both feet to bring the vehicle to a stop. Stopping distance was much longer than normal. I removed the vacuum pump and found it had seized and broke apart.
- NHTSA ID
- 11761541
- Incident
- Aug 24, 2026
My 2021 Chevy Colorado experienced a distinct bucking and shuddering sensation under slow acceleration at lower RPMs, specifically when shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear. There were no dashboard warning lights or malfunction codes prior to the issue. The defect was officially reproduced, inspected, and confirmed by a GM technician at a certified Chevrolet dealership on October 28, 2025, at 46,437 miles. Diagnostic scanning using GM’s GDS software explicitly confirmed that the Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) slip speed was exceeding 100 RPM when the low-speed shudder occurred. The dealership determined the component was failing and replaced the entire torque converter assembly under warranty. This documentation is submitted to prove that the TCC defect remains uncorrected in post-2019 vehicles. My sister’s identical 2021 Colorado is now experiencing the same defect at 59,000 miles, but her symptoms have progressed significantly worse to include a severe high-speed drivetrain shudder alongside the low-speed acceleration bucking.
- NHTSA ID
- 11759346
- Incident
- Oct 28, 2025
Iba sobre el freeway a 60 millas y de la nada el freno se puso duro no respondían me pasé a los carril de la orilla y fui metiendo freno de mano poco a poco bendito Dios me puse a salvo! La agencia me dijo que fue el booster ahora tienen que verificar que no halla fragmentos de metal en el motor!
- NHTSA ID
- 11758604
- Incident
- Aug 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the engine revved without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The contact stated that while turning onto an exit ramp, the brake pedal was depressed to slow the vehicle; however, there was resistance to the brake pedal, and an excessive amount of pressure was needed to depress brake pedal to stop the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was informed of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that failure might cause the complete engine failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11754991
- Incident
- Aug 5, 2026
- Mileage
- 106,000 mi
We bought this truck from a dealer (used) and before delivery the driver seat belt recall was repaired as it was still open. Now, months later, the airbag light is on with a warning and it appears that the airbags are disabled. This started as an intermittent issue and now remains constant. Not only does the warning chime when the truck is started, it will chime at random while driving which is a distraction and a significant safety concern for our young adult driver. Our local Chevy dealer will not assess the issue for less than $300. Our mechanic told us that replacing the airbag is a minimum of $800 depending on the extent of the work. Given the prior airbag recalls impacting Chevy/GMC, I thought this is important to report in case others are seeing airbag warning issues in a more widespread issue. As airbags are such a large part of automotive safety these days, I truly believe that these issues should be checked out at no cost to the consumer. Airbags should not be something that breaks down with normal wear and tear and should be a longstanding safety feature of the vehicle. Malfunction is likely a defect, not a result of normal use.
- NHTSA ID
- 11754933
- Incident
- May 15, 2026
Brake vacum pump experienced a catastrophic failure. I was unable to step on the break because the break pedal was hard. I ran thru a red light. I was told the brake vacume pump shattered & pieces of metal went into my engine
- NHTSA ID
- 11753572
- Incident
- Jul 13, 2026
While driving downhill nearing a stop sign my wife went to apply the brakes to stop and all she had was an extremely hard brake pedal. She panicked that she “no brakes.” She was only going about 20 MPH, and was able to stop the vehicle but it took an extraordinary amount of effort to do so. Had she had to make a sudden stop for a child, another person, or something else, she would not have been able to stop without negative consequences including possible death. There were no warning signs, vehicle pulled out of driveway and brakes were normal. Less than 10 seconds later no more power brakes. The vehicle had the vacuum pump seize which eliminated the power boost and the pump is operated by the exhaust camshaft which also got damaged and needs replaced. Chevy dealership estimated the repair at $2,600. Upon researching the vacuum pump, this is a common failure on multiple GM vehicles resulting in sudden brake loss. The vacuum pump should have been designed with a shear pin, so that if it fails the camshaft does not get damaged. Had the vacuum pump been properly designed and it was the only failing part, the repair cost would be $500 versus $2,600. Also, there should have been a temporary backup system so you would not lose power boost.
- NHTSA ID
- 11749435
- Incident
- Jun 29, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an OTA event and how to reset/clear the message.
This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 47.5 |
| 2025 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 52.4 |
| 2024 | 122 | 3 | 1 | 61.9 |
| 2023 | 135 | 3 | 1 | 58.7 |
| 2022 | 55 | 1 | 0 | 47.0 |
| 2021Viewing | 75 | 1 | 0 | 52.8 |
| 2020 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 44.8 |
| 2019 | 150 | 0 | 0 | 44.1 |
| 2018 | 183 | 1 | 0 | 44.2 |
| 2017 | 216 | 1 | 0 | 45.2 |
| 2016 | 707 | 4 | 0 | 54.3 |
| 2015 | 491 | 7 | 1 | 60.9 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 51.1 |
| 2011 | 42 | 5 | 0 | 50.4 |
| 2010 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 41.4 |
| 2009 | 67 | 3 | 0 | 48.6 |
| 2008 | 81 | 2 | 0 | 51.7 |
| 2007 | 140 | 3 | 0 | 50.1 |
| 2006 | 236 | 4 | 1 | 49.9 |
| 2005 | 356 | 3 | 2 | 57.9 |
| 2004 | 361 | 3 | 2 | 55.9 |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.