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KLUNK
KLUNK

2018 Chevrolet Colorado

The Verdict

59 Proceed with Caution

The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado has 175 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are transmission (67 complaints) and body (45 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 59/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Colorado, consider the 2025 model year which has 85% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 85% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Chevrolet Colorado dashboard →

59

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2004126501214023
200576941214025
20064240806311
2007212158355
2008181429164
200910233192
2011832362
201210714100
201533913573835
201642523966376
20173210364095
2018452283367
2019335192958
202020771728
202122912197
20222331453
2023432037237
20242324342211
202589531

By Category

Transmission
67
Body
45
Engine
33
Electrical
28
Brakes
2

By Severity

1
87
2
78
3
2
4
8

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Engine 1

My 2018 Chevrolet Colorado diesel has had repeated diesel emissions/DPF-related failures that cause the vehicle to enter reduced-power or limp mode. This is a safety issue because the truck suddenly loses power and cannot accelerate normally. The most serious incident occurred while driving over Santiam Pass in Oregon. The vehicle went into reduced-power/limp mode on a mountain highway, leaving me unable to maintain normal speed or accelerate safely. I lost power needed to pass traffic and had limited ability to respond to road conditions. The problem has happened several times. It has also occurred while I was towing my boat, which left me unable to continue the trip safely and created a hazardous situation because the truck could not maintain normal towing power. The issue appears related to the diesel particulate filter/emissions system and repeated DPF/regen or exhaust aftertreatment problems. I am concerned that a design, calibration, or emissions-system defect is causing sudden power reduction during normal driving and towing. This creates an unreasonable safety risk, especially on mountain passes, two-lane highways, and while towing. I am requesting that NHTSA review this as a potential safety defect involving the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado diesel DPF/emissions system and reduced-engine-power strategy. I am also requesting that this complaint be considered with any similar complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, or emissions campaigns related to DPF regeneration, particulate matter sensor diagnostics, reduced engine power, or limp mode on the 2.8L Duramax Chevrolet Colorado.

12d ago
Body 1

Power steering failure, without incident. It started one morning, after turning off truck the previous day. Warning lights displayed as soon as truck was started. Very difficult to turn steering wheel. Too dangerous to drive. Dealer indicated the steering rack should be replaced.

1mo ago
Engine 2

Engine fails it violenty thumps and studders and drops from highway speed with no warning. This is a mfg. defect and also an EXTREME SAFETY CONCERN. The engine studders and thumps and we were almost rear ended by a truck when our truck could not go into gear properly. It is very scary! Dealership confirmed that they have many vehicles with same issue and recommended a Super Flush of transmission but not sure this will correct problem or cause more problems. There is no warning when these incidents occur and the driver has no control to avoid it. It is commonly referred to as the Chevy thump and studder and a known mfg defect in which GM refuses to pay for repairs causing consumers an extreme hardship! This is an ongoing issue affecting thousands of vehicles and someone is going to die! There is no negligence of operator of vehicle, it is a manufacturing defect that affects thousands of GM vehicles and they are doing NOTHING about it except expecting customers to keep incurring cost to try to remedy a repair at our own expense which is unfair! The government needs to force a recall at GM's expense!

1mo ago
Transmission 1

Luggage and shudders at cruise speed, seems like auto transmission is coming apart. Paid $500 for the trans flush the service bulletin suggests but didn’t help, shop quoted a $8000 replacement on a vehicle with 60k miles. This should be a recall

5mo ago
Engine 2

7.5 amp to fuel injectors has blown 2 times unknow reason causing loss of power 1st time on country road then 2nd time on a highway it's a common problem from the Chevy Colorado forums regarding the 2.8l lwn engine

6mo ago
Transmission 2

Highlighting a materials defect with the rear crankshaft reluctor ring on the 2.8 LWN Duramax, installed in the Army Infantry Squad Vehicle and the 2015-2023 Chevrolet Colorado, from which it is based. When the ring delaminates, due to age, the vehicle engine shuts off and no start, rendered dead lined, as the ECU can no longer "see" the crank position. Requiring the transmission to be removed to rectify the issue.  I was pulling a trailer up a hill on the freeway when my truck down shifted, in an effort to slow down for a bus that was merging unexpectedly and the truck died at speed. The increase in RPM initiated an unplanned, instant disassembly of the ring due to cracking on the material and increased centrifugal force, shutting off the engine without warning, at speed. Again, just dead stick to the shoulder, towing a trailer, on the freeway. That could have been bad... Had truck towed to GM dealer, for a month-long repair.

8mo ago
Transmission 2

transmission is not shfting properly.Truck losses speed and shutters when trying to accelerate.Difficulty climbing hills.Especially dangerous when merging with traffic.Only 33,000 miles on my truck.GM should recall to address this much complained about issue.

8mo ago
Engine 2

All the sensors seem to not be functioning correctly. Doesn't tell me the right measurements for the wheels, gas, over heating. Right front passenger door locks/unlocks when it wants. It chokes up when trying to accelerate. Theres a rattling noise that comes from under the car. First time I took it to the dealership, they stated it was a bolt that had come loose on the exhaust pipe. They placed a new one which lasted a year and a half and now its back to making the noise. I took it again to the dealership, this time they claimed they couldn't find anything. My airbag sensor keeps coming on constantly. My fuel sensor claims 116 miles one moments and 5 or 6 minutes later, it says I have 50 miles. My car was over heating and low on Anti-freeze, the car never notified it was over heating.

9mo ago
Transmission 2

Transmission oil leak with only 60,000 miles just bought from a dealership as is 3 days ago and was not informed of the issue

11mo ago
Body 1

Saturday July 12, 2025: My truck got an ACTION Required notice: "Exhaust fluid Quality Poor See Owners Manual NOW 100 miles until 65MPH Max speed" I turned around and returned home to get a different vehicle to do what i needed to do. Monday, July 14 My mechanic hooked it up to the vehicle scanner and got the code information: "P11D5: NOx Sensor 2 Exceeded Minimum Learning limit (Symptom 00) - Current DTC, Test failed since DTC Clear, History DTC, Test not passed since power up, warning indicator requested" So we ordered and replaced the Sensor, still the action required message remains... I am now down to "64 miles to 55mph Max Speed" and my dealership is telling me there is nothing more that can be done, unless i want to pay up to 5k for additional repairs that in their experience may NOT fix the issue?? I've googled the issue and MANY MANY people complain of this issue and there appears to be no actual fix for it.... GM tells me that im out of luck and they have no information regarding a fix or remedy for the situation!

12mo ago
Engine 2

The problem started two months ago, with a loss of engine power and a stability track warning on the dashboard. This happened occasionally while driving, often going away on its own by turning off the vehicle. Two weeks ago, I took it to Chevrolet for an inspection. They did a general inspection and said it was a factory defect. Now, the vehicle has the problem constantly, and there are times when it's undriveable. That's a risk for me.

12mo ago
Transmission 2

Clunking sound coming from rear end upon normal acceleration. When I take my foot off of the brake pedal, and depress the gas pedal, A loud clunk appears to come from the differential. If I coast first and then depress the gas pedal, it is not as pronounced. When you slow down to make a corner, and resume speed exiting the corner it is also pronounced. It should be noted that I am a safe adult driver (safe driver module installed in truck) and have 35,800 miles. My truck has always been serviced by my Chevrolet dealership; I am an older gentlemen and never drive recklessly. I'd like to think the rear differential should not be making a clunking sound at this point in its history

12mo ago
Engine 1

The issue is with the transmission not shifting as should. The issue is called Shuddering and seems to be a know isuue. If you google search issues with 2018 Chevy Colorado this is the first issue that comes up. This could cause an accident. If gears aren’t shifting properly and I cannot excel as needed I could be rear ended or cause me not to be able merge into traffic if once accelerating it shudders and causes my speed to slow. I think there should be a recall for this issue.

12mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that upon arriving to his destination, he observed gasoline leaking underneath the vehicle near the fuel filler neck. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump seal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.

13mo ago
Electrical 1

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while attempting to service the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 47,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 162,000.

13mo ago
Electrical 2

Touch screen not responsive, apple carplay unavailable can’t connect phone, will randomly tap apps and puts calls on hold. Will flip pages on its own and even turn the back up camera on when driving down the road

13mo ago
Engine 1

P2738 Pressure Control Solenoid Valve 6 Control Circuit Low Voltage. Whenever you drive, the transmission will go into limp mode every now and then. It will say low oil pressure and throw another code of P0700 MIL Request From TCM. This is a common issue that I have researched and would like to know a way forward. I've only had the vehicle for 6 months. Within city limits as long as you don't push the accelerator too much (50mph within 2 minutes) it runs ok until the vehicle comes to a stop. Also, when you get on and off of the freeway, same issues make it go into limp mode in which you will have to shut the truck off and start up after a few minutes to reset.

14mo ago
Electrical 1

The ignition switch will frequently lock when turning off and not allow the electrical system to fully turn off and prevent you from removing the key. It happens randomly but has been increasing in frequency.

15mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power and the driver observed a high pitch sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had fractured and there was a fractured bolt inside the cylinder head that needed to be replaced. Additionally, diagnostic trouble codes: P0089, P228C, and P2c1F were retrieved using a DTC machine. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,369.

15mo ago
Engine 4

Fuel system leak and yes, it is available for inspection. My safety was at risk while I was driving the truck and smelled a very strong odor of gasoline enter the cab of the truck while I was driving with the windows rolled up. I immediately stopped the truck and got out and noticed flames coming out from underneath the bed in front of the left rear wheel, then the gas tank ignited shooting flames out like a flame thrower. The Fire Dept and the insurance company inspected it, and it was deemed a total loss. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of a problem prior to the fire. Here is what I found on the internet about this truck on the internet. The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado had one recall for a high-pressure fuel pump that could detach from its mounting flange. The recall began on July 2, 2018. What was the recall for? •The high-pressure fuel pump could detach from its mounting flange •The pump could damage the high-pressure fuel line What was the recall number? •The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) number for the recall was 18V-358 What did GM do to fix the issue? •GM notified owners and dealers replaced the high-pressure fuel pump and high-pressure fuel pipe for free How can you check if your vehicle is affected? •You can check your vehicle for open recalls by: oInputting your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at asburyauto.com oInputting your VIN at my.gm.com/recalls •2018 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab Recalls & Safety Notices Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, Malibu and Colorado an... Kelley Blue Book •2018 Chevy Colorado Problems & Complaints One recall has been issued for the 2018 Chevy Colorado and involves the poor attachment of the high-pressure fuel pump to the fuel...

17mo ago

175 total

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