2021 Chevrolet Colorado Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes2121.0%
- Engine2121.0%
- Powertrain (other)1313.0%
- Electrical1313.0%
- Steering1010.0%
- Airbags66.0%
- Visibility33.0%
- Fuel system33.0%
- Seat belts33.0%
- Suspension33.0%
- Driver assistance22.0%
- Exterior lighting11.0%
- Body & structure11.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The brake booster vacuum pump broke and caused my brakes to stop working properly while driving on the highway. There were zero warnings from the vehicle I went to press on my brake and it was stuck i luckily was able to push it down enough to safely stop
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard and the engine seized. The contact stood on the brake pedal. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a fractured camshaft. The contact was informed that the brake vacuum pump fractured the camshaft, and the camshaft was fractured in half. The contact was informed that the camshaft needed to be replaced. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,500.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The brake booster vacuum pump broke and caused my brakes to stop working properly while driving on the highway. There were zero warnings from the vehicle I went to press on my brake and it was stuck i luckily was able to push it down enough to safely stop
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard and the engine seized. The contact stood on the brake pedal. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a fractured camshaft. The contact was informed that the brake vacuum pump fractured the camshaft, and the camshaft was fractured in half. The contact was informed that the camshaft needed to be replaced. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,500.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The rear differential is sounding very loud, like grinding roaring sound @ 72,000. This truck doesn't pull any loads or anything heavy.all service are on time. How can this young milage truck major part go bad just so. It's dangerous driving on the street. It can cause death if it blows up or freeze. GM has a global service about their miss labeled rear differential. They now acting like they now hearing about this when many people is complaining about this faulted differential.
In May 2025, I took my truck to the dealership due to a severe whining noise from the rear. They said the rear differential had failed and needed a full replacement, costing me $1,800 since the warranty didn’t cover the entire amount. By late September 2026, while driving on the highway, the whining returned—this time with vibrations under my feet whenever I accelerated. Back at the dealership, I was told the rear differential had failed again. From July 2025 to July 2026, my truck was equipped with a Snapshot device from my insurance, both before and after the first repair, so I can’t understand why the differential failed twice in just a year and a half. The dealership mentioned that many owners of the same vehicle, and others with the same differential, are experiencing the exact same issue. I believe this is a serious safety concern, as repeated failures could lead to a dangerous acc
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
I am reporting a serious safety defect involving my 2021 Chevrolet vehicle. While driving, multiple warnings appeared including “Service Power Steering,” “Steering Assist is Reduced,” “Service ESC,” and “Service Battery Charging System.” The vehicle then lost steering assist, braking performance became unreliable, and it created a serious risk of crash. The vehicle later shut down completely and has remained inoperable. The failure appears electrical and affected multiple critical systems at once, suggesting a cascading system malfunction. Since the incident, the vehicle has not restarted or operated normally. I have replaced the battery, alternator, starter, ignition switch, brake vacuum pump, ECM, spark plugs, fuses, and relays, but the issue persists. The vehicle still shows charging system faults and severe battery drain, indicating an unresolved underlying electrical defect. I have found numerous reports from other 2021 Chevrolet owners describing nearly identical failures, including sudden loss of power steering assist, ESC warnings, charging system failures, battery drain, and complete vehicle shutdowns. This suggests a possible widespread defect affecting this model year. Given the loss of steering assist, braking irregularities, and full vehicle shutdown while driving, I request NHTSA investigate this issue for a potential safety-related defect and determine whether a recall or manufacturer action is necessary.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am reporting a serious safety defect involving my 2021 Chevrolet vehicle. While driving, multiple warnings appeared including “Service Power Steering,” “Steering Assist is Reduced,” “Service ESC,” and “Service Battery Charging System.” The vehicle then lost steering assist, braking performance became unreliable, and it created a serious risk of crash. The vehicle later shut down completely and has remained inoperable. The failure appears electrical and affected multiple critical systems at once, suggesting a cascading system malfunction. Since the incident, the vehicle has not restarted or operated normally. I have replaced the battery, alternator, starter, ignition switch, brake vacuum pump, ECM, spark plugs, fuses, and relays, but the issue persists. The vehicle still shows charging system faults and severe battery drain, indicating an unresolved underlying electrical defect. I have found numerous reports from other 2021 Chevrolet owners describing nearly identical failures, including sudden loss of power steering assist, ESC warnings, charging system failures, battery drain, and complete vehicle shutdowns. This suggests a possible widespread defect affecting this model year. Given the loss of steering assist, braking irregularities, and full vehicle shutdown while driving, I request NHTSA investigate this issue for a potential safety-related defect and determine whether a recall or manufacturer action is necessary.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while attempting to make a right turn from a traffic light, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact depressed the brake pedal the vehicle started operating as intended. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure had occurred twice. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a crash after the contact fell asleep while driving 15 MPH. The vehicle came to a complete stop after crashing into a tree. The front of the vehicle was damaged. The contact stated that the air bags had not deployed. The contact sustained a fractured wrist and hand, burns to the neck from the seat belt and burns to the elbow from impact with the steering wheel. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Windshield Wipers In-Op. Driving In Heavy Traffic At Highway Speed. Down Poor Started And Windshield Wipers Failed To Operate Nearly Causing Accident.
THE WINDSHIELD IS DEFECTIVE - WITHIN A MONTH OF OWNING THIS NEW TRUCK ONE STRIKE AGAINST IT (WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY) (OUR FIRST WINDSHIELD STRIKE) BROKE IT VERY SIGNIFICANTLY - CRACKED THROUGHOUT. I AM ABOUT 60 YEARS OLD AND HAVE OWNED MANY, MANY VEHICLES - WE HAVE NEVER SEEN A WINDSHIELD BREAK SO FAST AND SO SEVERELY. WE DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER CHEVY COLORADO OWNERS THAT HAVE MADE THE SAME OBSERVATION - MANY ARE SAYING IT IS CHEAP, UNUSUALLY THIN GLASS FOR FUEL ECONOMY OR FOR LESS EXPENSE, OTHERS SAY CHEVY HAS NOT INSTALLED THEIR WINDSHIELDS WITH THE PROPER AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE BEHIND IT. OWNERS SAY THE AFTER MARKET REPLACEMENT DOESN'T EASILY BREAK ON IMPACT LIKE THIS FACTORY ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD DOES. I AM NOT A SCIENTIST - ALL OUR FAMILY KNOWS IS THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO HAVE THIS FACTORY WINDSHIELD ON THIS NEW TRUCK AND WE DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH A WINDSHIELD THAT DOESN'T PROTECT US PROPERLY WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS ONLY ONE IMPACT ON THE GLASS AND THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD IS DAMAGED SIGNIFICANTLY TO WHERE YOU CAN FEEL THE SHARP EDGE WITH YOUR FINGER FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS 2 MONTH OLD TRUCK BUT THIS WINDSHIELD IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ALL CONCERNED AND THESE TRUCKS NEED A TSB OR RECALL FOR OWNERS THAT HAVE THIS DEFECTIVE, FLIMSY WINDSHIELD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started hesitating, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle immediately started to decelerate and failed to exceed 25 MPH. The contact moved over to the right lane and continued to drive until arriving at an independent mechanic shop. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump was detaching due to a fractured bolt connecting to the mounting flange. The mechanic informed the contact of an undisclosed recall with a similar failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was confirmed from the diagnostic result; however, it was also confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The dealer replaced the fuel pump and the fractured bolt. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall and did not provide a reimbursement for the repair. The manufacturer opened a case for the issue. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Transmission hesitates and/ or slams into gear.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver’s side seat belt buckle failed to remain latched securely and independently unlatched. The “SRS” warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that on occasion, the driver’s side seat belt buckle failed to unlatch, and excessive force was needed to depress the unlatch button on the seat belt assembly. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. Upon further investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign: 20V811000 (Seat Belts); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Brakes make an intermittent grinding sound when cold but make no abnormal sounds when it is warm out. As far as the suspension goes..... The truck sits higher on the passenger side than the driver side by almost 1 inch.
Vehicle pulls to the left and noise in front end. Excessive play in left upper ball joint and control arm. Reported to Chevrolet dealership, parts replaced under factory warranty Told dealership I was going to report to NHSTA Do not know what became of the parts
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was sitting at a traffic light stopped when all of a sudden the truck tried to accelerate, I stood on the brakes to get it to stop then all of a sudden it was like i was giving it gas again and I hit the car in front of me again but harder the second time.
2021 colorado has a low to almost non existent turn signal chime and lane departure chime even with the radio off or very low. There's no way to adjust the vehicles audio chimes. 2021 colorodo with approximately 11k miles on it.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'm reporting a safety issue with the head lights on this vehicle, 2021 Chevrolet Colorado LT. The low beam head lights are woefully insufficient for night driving. The light emitted is non-existent with any light from oncoming vehicles. This is well known buy other owners of this model truck, and immediately noticeable to anyone who has driven my own vehicle. I have tried 2 different types of bulbs to improve the situation with no improvement. There are upgraded lights available as an option if you order the vehicle that way, but most models on the lot do not have this option. The cost to have the vehicle retro-fitted with the optional headlights is well over $1000. in parts and labor. I have owned older vehicle with the same style /strength blubs with no issue, but this vehicle is dangerous to drive at night with the standard headlights, especially in inclement weather.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE PURCHASED A NEW TRUCK AND WERE SHOCKED TO SEE THE LACK OF BASIC SAFETY FEATURES. WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING IN IT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF STEP BAR AND GRAB HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL IS IN THE WRONG SPOT AND TRIPS US. THE CRUISE LIGHT CANNOT BE SEEN WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A LACK OF SHIELDING IN THE WHEEL WELLS EXPOSING THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST. IT IS FULLY EXPOSED ALL ALONG THE BOTTOM (NO SHIELDS AS NORMAL). THE FUEL SYSTEM DOESN'T LOCK AND IS VULNERABLE TO TAMPERING. THE INTERIOR MATERIALS ARE ALL EXTREMELY CHEAP AND THE A/C IS VERY WEAK. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WEIRDLY AT TIMES WHICH IS SCARY. YOU CANNOT ADJUST THE MIRRORS BECAUSE THEY ARE MANUAL AND UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING. WE ARE SHOCKED AT 26K GETS US A NEW VEHICLE THAT HAS SO MANY OMISSIONS ON IT - IT SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED WHEN SO MANY STANDARD SAFETY EXPECTATIONS ARE UNMET.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .