It’s time to put on our detective hats and take a closer look at the Chevrolet Colorado. Ads about the Chevy Colorado being a lemon are becoming increasingly popular, but is the truck really that bad? 

Is the Chevy Colorado a lemon? 

Maybe, the Chevy Colorado has its fair share of problems, but other drivers have been more than satisfied with its performance. However, law groups, like SLA, offer to help owners if their Colorado is experiencing problems. 

But what does it mean if your truck is a lemon? The Lemon Law refers to a vehicle that has been repaired for the same issue four or more times or has been out of service for a cumulative total of 20 or more business days during a 12-month warranty period. 

When manufacturer efforts to correct a problem fail, you might have a lemon. The vehicle could have multiple defects that impact its safety, value, and utility. It may have severe issues that prevent it from serving its purpose. 

What are common Colorado problems? 

According to SLA, the 2016 – 2022 Chevy Colorado has been plagued by engine, transmission, and other problems that impact its performance and lead to wear and premature failure. 

For example, the transmission is sluggish, and the truck has a delay upon accelerating. This could be related to a defective torque converter, low transmission fluid, an internal transmission system failure, or contaminated transmission fluid from internal wear. 

Some owners experience difficulty when selecting or staying in gear. This could be related to a transmission fluid leak or a loss of communication with the transmission control module or computer. 

The Colorado is also prone to intense shuddering and engine vibrations at moderate speeds. Flushing the transmission fluid could correct this issue, but the truck may also need transmission repairs or a replacement. 

The Colorado had a recall because the fuel pump could leak and increase the fire risk. But this issue should have been handled at no cost to owners. 

Also, some drivers experienced a check engine light and a reduced power warning while towing loads uphill. 

It seems like the transmission problems are the biggest concerns on this list of potential issues. According to CarComplaints, the 2018 Chevy Colorado has the most reports of transmission issues. 

How reliable is the Colorado? 

According to Consumer Reports, the Chevy Colorado has a below-average reliability ranking. This score is based on issues reported by drivers for previous model years. It looks like the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021 models racked up tons of reported transmission issues. 

The Colorado is expected to make it to 200,000 miles, but some drivers have reached over 300,000 miles. Proper care and maintenance come into play when prolonging the life of your truck. 

There are tons of technician service bulletins for replacing the transmission assembly, correcting harsh shifts, flushing the oil cooler, preventing shuddering, replacing the wiring harness, and preventing transmission slipping. 

This may indicate that Chevrolet has been working to correct these transmission issues. We recommend researching before buying a used model to prevent expensive surprises. 

Vehicles are assessed on an individual basis when it comes to Lemon Laws. We wouldn’t say eerie Colorado is a lemon, but a few might be.