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2026 Chevrolet Colorado: problems, recalls and fuel economy

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on NHTSA and EPA records. Published by Humblebee.

NHTSA lists 18 owner complaints for the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado, the fewest of any Colorado model year on file, and none mention a crash, fire or injury[1][2]. Its one recall is for an electronic owner's manual that may not download, and dealers fix it for free[3].

18owner complaints[1]
1recalls[2]
16–21MPG combined (EPA)[4]
4★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Reported problems

NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Colorado, and none of them mention a crash, a fire, an injury or a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The complaints are spread across several groups, and none is large:

Here is what owners describe in a sample of complaints we read.

Sudden loss of power. In the engine complaints we read, owners describe the truck losing power or slowing down abruptly while driving, in traffic or at highway speed[8]. Two of them say several warning messages lit up at the same time, such as check engine and traction control alerts. Two of the electrical system complaints tell a similar story[6].

Other electrical glitches. One owner describes the instrument cluster going dark for a few seconds while driving. Another describes a truck that would not start, then drained its battery, and the doors would not unlatch afterward[6].

Steering column noise and play. Owners describe rattles or popping sounds near the steering column, vibration in the wheel on rough roads, and play in the wheel[7]. Two owners say the steering shaft was faulty and needed replacing. One says the part was on backorder and the same repair was done more than once[7].

Adaptive cruise control. Both forward collision avoidance complaints involve adaptive cruise control at highway speed[9]. In one, the truck did not slow for a car ahead. In the other, it braked on its own. In both cases the owner says the truck was not repaired.

Recalls

There is one recall on file for the 2026 Colorado[3].

Fuel economy

Every EPA-rated 2026 Colorado uses a 2.7L 4-cylinder turbo with an 8-speed automatic and runs on regular fuel[4][14][15][16][17]. Mileage depends a lot on the version.

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Est. annual fuel cost
Colorado 2WD[4] 19 / 24 / 21 $3,200
Colorado 4WD[17] 17 / 22 / 19 $3,550
Colorado Mud Terrain Tires 4WD[16] 17 / 20 / 18 $3,700
Colorado ZR2 4WD[15] 17 / 17 / 17 $3,950
Colorado ZR2 Bison 4WD[14] 16 / 16 / 16 $4,200

The 2WD truck is the most efficient at 21 MPG combined, and the ZR2 Bison 4WD is the thirstiest at 16 MPG combined[4][14]. EPA's yearly cost estimates use its current fuel price assumptions, so your real cost will depend on local prices and how you drive.

Safety ratings

NHTSA has crash-tested the crew cab in both 4WD and rear-wheel drive form, and the two get the same scores[5][18].

Test Stars
Overall[5] 4
Frontal crash[5] 4
Side crash[5] 5
Rollover[5] 3

The 3-star rollover score is the weakest result[5].

Engine and size

The 2026 Colorado in our data has one engine, a 2.7L 4-cylinder rated at 310 hp[19].

The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications, converted from metric, and US trucks can differ slightly[20].

Crew cab version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
2WD[20] 213 in 75 in 71 in 131 in 4,716 lb
4WD[21] 213 in 75 in 71 in 131 in 4,971 lb
4WD Trail Boss[22] 213 in 76 in 72 in 131 in 4,971 lb
4WD ZR2[23] 213 in 76 in 74 in 131 in 5,298 lb

All four share the same length and wheelbase[20][21][22][23]. The ZR2 is the tallest and heaviest of the group[23].

How 2026 compares with other years

2004: 361 complaints, 3 recalls20042005: 356 complaints, 3 recalls2006: 236 complaints, 4 recalls20062007: 140 complaints, 3 recalls2008: 81 complaints, 2 recalls20082009: 67 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 29 complaints, 2 recalls20102011: 42 complaints, 5 recalls2012: 42 complaints, 2 recalls20122015: 493 complaints, 7 recalls2016: 712 complaints, 4 recalls20162017: 216 complaints, 1 recalls2018: 183 complaints, 1 recalls20182019: 150 complaints, 0 recalls2020: 85 complaints, 0 recalls20202021: 79 complaints, 1 recalls2022: 56 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 137 complaints, 3 recalls2024: 123 complaints, 3 recalls20242025: 27 complaints, 1 recalls2026: 18 complaints, 1 recalls182026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Colorado model year. The 2026 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20043613
20053563
20062364
20071403
2008812
2009673
2010292
2011425
2012422
20154937
20167124
20172161
20181831
20191500
2020850
2021791
2022561
20231373
20241233
2025271
2026181

With 18 complaints, 2026 has the fewest NHTSA complaints of any Colorado model year on file[2]. The next lowest are 2025 with 27 and 2010 with 29[2]. The worst years by far are 2016 with 712 complaints and 2015 with 493[2].

Model year Complaints Recalls
2022[2] 56 1
2023[2] 137 3
2024[2] 123 3
2025[2] 27 1
2026[2] 18 1

On recalls, 2026 has 1, which is low but not the lowest. The 2019 and 2020 trucks have 0[2].

Keep in mind that 2026 is the newest year, so its trucks have had the least time on the road to collect complaints. These counts are also not adjusted for how many trucks were sold[2].

Should you buy a 2026 Colorado?

The 2026 Colorado starts with a clean-looking record: 18 complaints, no reported crashes or injuries, and the lowest complaint count of any Colorado year on file[1][2]. Its one recall has a free fix at the dealer[3]. The complaint sample does point to a few things to check, including sudden power loss, steering column noise or play, and adaptive cruise control behavior[7][8][9]. Because this is a new truck with little time on the road, the record could change, so run the VIN for open recalls and test-drive on a rough road before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado?
No single problem stands out yet. NHTSA has 18 complaints, led by the electrical system and steering with 4 each[1][6][7]. In the complaints we read, owners describe sudden power loss and steering column noise or play[7][8].
Does the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?
Yes, one. Recall 26V114 covers trucks whose radio may not download the electronic owner's manual. A dealer resets the radio for free[3].
What gas mileage does the 2026 Colorado get?
EPA ratings run from 21 MPG combined for the 2WD truck down to 16 MPG combined for the ZR2 Bison 4WD[4][14]. The regular 4WD truck gets 19 MPG combined[17].
How safe is the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA gives the crew cab 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 3 stars rollover, for both 4WD and rear-wheel drive[5][18].
Is the 2026 Colorado a good year?
It has the fewest NHTSA complaints of any Colorado model year on file, with 18[2]. It is also the newest year, so it has had the least time to collect complaints.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Colorado model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 26V114, filed February 26, 2026: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Colorado 2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/CC 4WD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 4 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 3 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 2 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 2 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 2 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 1 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 1 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Colorado ZR2 Bison 4WD, 2.7L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 16 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Colorado ZR2 4WD, 2.7L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 17 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Colorado Mud Terrain Tires 4WD, 2.7L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 20 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Colorado 4WD, 2.7L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/CC RWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2026 Chevrolet Colorado with 2.7L 4-cylinder: rated 310 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COLORADO CREWCAB 2WD: length 213 in, width 75 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 4,716 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COLORADO CREWCAB 4WD: length 213 in, width 75 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 4,971 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COLORADO CREWCAB 4WD TRAIL BOSS: length 213 in, width 76 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 4,971 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COLORADO CREWCAB 4WD ZR2: length 213 in, width 76 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 5,298 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.