2021 Chevrolet Colorado: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 76 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 6 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Dec 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2026
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“Iba sobre el freeway a 60 millas y de la nada el freno se puso duro no respondÃan 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!”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2026
“The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the camshaft actuator valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with Special Coverage Program: N232430470 (Camshaft Position Actuator Valve Solenoid - Bank 2 (Left Side) Exhaust ); however, the VIN was not included in the program. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 43,500.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2026
“Brake vacuum pump appeared to fail creating brake system malfunction. Appears determined by mechanics to have seized and caused damage to cam shaft. Driver's safety issue caused when trying to brake vehicle not functioning. Vehicle was towed to mechanic shop. There were no warning signs of impending failure of system. Note that earlier years for this model may have had recalls for safety issue and malfunction.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2026
“There is a coolant leak from the hoses stemming to the thermostat housing. This has been commonly Reported amongst the same vehicles across the country. No damage to the hoses and no accidents to trigger leak. No light triggered. Just leaks visibly under the car”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2026
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2026
“This is the fifth vehicle with the 2.5l engine that has experienced vacuum pump failure resulting in a broken exhaust camshaft. Without warning, drivers have experienced a complete loss of brake function as a result of the vacuum pump failure.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Colorado years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Colorado by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
NHTSA has 76 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The most complained-about area is service brakes (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2021 Chevrolet Colorado problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 45,000 miles or less.
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning seat belts. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.