CHEVROLET COLORADO · model year

2020 CHEVROLET COLORADO

90 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020CHEVROLETCOLORADO carries 90 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 5 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2020 COLORADO is power train with 31 filings, followed by unknown or other (15) and engine (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2020 COLORADO, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

90
Complaints
1
Crashes
5
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths
2020 CHEVROLET COLORADO — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2020 CHEVROLET COLORADO. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 3.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

90 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 3/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN31
UNKNOWN OR OTHER15
ENGINE14
STEERING8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
SERVICE BRAKES4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
SEAT BELTS2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
SUSPENSION1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR1

Recent Complaints

20260126POWER TRAIN

My truck has been shuddering and when put into gear it sounds like the bottom is falling out of it. Now when I am driving my truck is shuddering very hard and skipping gears. I have been having this issue since I bought the truck with only 47k miles and I have only put 40k miles on this truck in the past 3 years that I have owned it. I keep the maintenance up on my truck and have since I’ve owned it and I have already put a complaint into GM, when I bought the truck it has had electrical issues and the dealership is not helping. My warranty is out on this truck and GM said there is nothing they can do to help with my transmission or electrical problems. This truck has not even hit 100k and I’m so upset that I am having these many problems and no one is wanting to help, they just want my money. I can’t afford an attorney or I would sue this dealership for selling me a Lemon and for GM knowing about there faulty transmission in my year truck and not standing behind it!

20260119POWER TRAIN

Had transmission serviced, was told the transmission was no good and about to fail Quoted $8000.00 dollars to repair

20260108POWER TRAIN

Vehicle has 54,250 miles. Vehicle has a rear differential bearing going out by hearing and feeling the grinding at all speeds and the transmission jerks shafting gears. Both could cause an accident if totally fail. Chevrolet has a service bulletin out from what my local garage says. Mechanic also says Chevrolet will not warranty the product. Vehicle is now being looked at by a Chevrolet dealer. The vehicle is OUT OF WARRANTY. My son, who is [XXX] and not familiar with vehicles thought it was the tires causing the whining and vibration. Took the vehicle in several times to Chevy and they ignored the issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20260103POWER TRAIN

The vehicle experienced a sudden and progressive transmission failure during normal driving conditions. Symptoms included harsh shifting, delayed engagement, loss of power transfer, and eventual inability to reliably propel the vehicle. The failure created a safety risk due to unexpected loss of acceleration and unpredictable drivetrain behavior while in traffic. The transmission issue was not the result of improper maintenance. The vehicle was maintained according to manufacturer recommendations. The condition worsened over time and ultimately required dealer inspection. A dealership inspected the vehicle and attributed the failure to a transmission defect, characterizing it as a maintenance issue despite no evidence of neglect. The transmission and related components remain available for inspection upon request. No warning lights provided adequate advance notice prior to the functional failure. The issue occurred without driver misuse and under ordinary driving conditions.

20251207POWER TRAIN

Torque converter shudder. Had dealer do the recommended flush which cost $800 and still has same issue.

20251112POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle vibrated and shook abnormally, as if driven over ripples on the roadway. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the tires were balanced. The contact picked up the vehicle and stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission oil failed to heat up as intended, and condensation had built up in the transmission. The dealer added Mobil 1 transmission oil to heat up the oil and remove the condensation. The contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle needed to be driven between 200 and 400 miles to remove the condensation. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a claim and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20250918POWER TRAIN

Defective Torque Converter at estimated 92k miles even after following all preventive maintenance schedule.

20250911POWER TRAIN

Transmission shuttering mostly at interstate speeds but as slow as 35 mph. Under light to medium light pedal acceleration. Truck feels as if it's going over Road ripples. I'm disappointed to find out this is a common problem with Chevy 8-speed Transmissions. It happens every time I drive it. From time to time it'll shake the truck a little violently

20250703ENGINE

The component that failed is the camshaft position actuator. My check engine light came on. Had my vvt solenoids replaced and the mechanic told me the actuator needs replacing. GM has issued a special bulletin to fix this part for the same year make and model as my truck but my vin doesn’t meet the criteria. I have only owned this vehicle for 8 months.

20250523POWER TRAIN

This vehicle suffers from a torque converter/transmission shudder after the transfer mission fluid heats up. My initial complaint to the selling dealer and they did not follow the GM posted procedure and initially charged me for the service. I’ve changed dealerships and I’ve been told it the temporary fix is to do a flush and there is no permanent fix by GM. I have had situations where and unexperienced driver would have definitely got into a car accident and I don’t let anybody drive my car because I believe it is unsafe. So far the dealer has been accommodating while under warranty but advised I reach out to GM who then advised to review my documents I file an NHTSA complaint. What occurs when the vehicle is not in warranty and the vehicle continues to shudder. I have included the service bulletin and repair invoices.

20250508ENGINE

Unknown. When my truck reaches a certain speed it is jumping or missing, it feels like a brake is sticking but I’m told it is a problem with my transmission, torque converter, going bad. It is getting worse. It cuts the power down on the vehicle. If I can go faster than 60 it doesn’t do it.

20250415POWER TRAIN

Vehicle began exhibiting an intermittent shake between 45-60 MPH which felt like driving on a wash board road. In addition it would shift hard/bog down between 1st and 2nd gear. Took to a dealer for service and was told a TSB had been issued to flush the transmission, this was performed. Condition returned within months and after multiple additional visits where the dealer claimed they couldn't replicate the issue they finally determined the torque converter needed to be replaced at approximately 70,874 miles. By this time the warranty had expired (60,000 mile warranty) and I was told I would have to pay for it.

20250331ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started to lose motive power. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone and was diagnosed with exhaust camshaft position actuator failure. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with exhaust camshaft position actuator failure. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

Mileage: 67,000

20250322SERVICE BRAKES

Driving on the highway speed limit 65-70 my truck started decelerating and breaks got hard and could not use break. Had to get home using emergency petal break and drive. My truck is only 2020 model for this type of problem. Want to see if I can get this fixed with the manufacture defect warranty. Took my truck to a Chevy dealer and they are saying it can be a faulty vacuum pump.

20250322FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Driving on the highway speed limit 65-70 my truck started decelerating and breaks got hard and could not use break. Had to get home using emergency petal break and drive. My truck is only 2020 model for this type of problem. Want to see if I can get this fixed with the manufacture defect warranty. Took my truck to a Chevy dealer and they are saying it can be a faulty vacuum pump.

20250320EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Third brake light seal leaking causing electrical connecs to corode and loose connection rendering the third brake light to stop functioning.

20250317UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Heard a humming noise ( spaceship like almost) coming form back of the truck. Took it in and mechanic said there was metal shavings in the differential fluid and gears where bad. Had to get the differential replaced. most cars go their entire life without having this issue.

20250311POWER TRAIN

Transmission shuddering shaking almost stopping with 60,292 miles used

20250226POWER TRAIN

This has been an ongoing issue. Truck currently has 45,000 miles on it. When driving on the interstate for 30 minutes, transmission flutters causing the cab to shake. It feels like running over rumble strips. Flutter lasts for several seconds and gets worse (longer duration, harder flutter) as time goes on. Dealer won't diagnose it because no codes are recorded. No dash lights light. The only indication is the flutter itself. Chevrolet cust support says their hands are tied - it is the dealers responsibility. The dealer will not devote personnel for 30 minutes to replicate the issue. Issue comes out of no where startling the driver - not safe. Your first reaction is either to brake or gas to stop the flutter/shake. Flutter is stronger as time goes by. This issue has been identified for other years of the same vehicle, and several GM vehicles. It is still an issue in 2020, but not recognized by GM. Multiple complaints are on the internet for this issue by oth

20250130POWER TRAIN

Drive ability issues, feels like going over cattle guard,shudders when accelerating around 40-60 mph. the vehicle shudder's abnormally. there are no warning lights illuminated. Took to local Chevrolet dealership where a service bulletin, TSB: 21-NA-047 was discovered to address the issue. The dealer recommended a transmission fluid flush. Mileage on this vehicle was 67,631.

Compare 2020CHEVROLETCOLORADO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 CHEVROLET COLORADO have?
The 2020 CHEVROLET COLORADO has 90 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 5 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 CHEVROLET COLORADO?
The 2020 CHEVROLET COLORADO received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 3/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 CHEVROLET COLORADO?
The most-complained component for the 2020 CHEVROLET COLORADO is POWER TRAIN with 31 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ENGINE.
Is the 2020 CHEVROLET COLORADO safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2020 CHEVROLET COLORADO has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.