Model year report

2018 Chevrolet Colorado: what breaks, and at what mileage

What breaks on the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado

On the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado, the failure owners report most often is other powertrain problem, and the reports cluster around 20,000 miles. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 14,000 miles. Overall it scores 82 out of 100, severe risk for a 2018.

Severe risk for a 2018 — 25th riskiest of the 251 2018 vehicles we can rate. 247 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.

What owners report breaking

Owners have reported 47 named failure modes on the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado, and the three most-reported carry 36% of everything filed.

Other powertrain problem leads with 51 reports, about 1,457 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 6k to 30,000 miles.

Other electrical problem follows with 23 reports, median 20,000 miles. 1 of those report mention a fire.

Other engine problem follows with 15 reports, usually reported between 5k to 40,000 miles. 1 of those report mention a fire.

By system, the reports fall mostly into transmission (65), electrical (36) and engine (20).

When these failures get reported

113 of the reports on the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 14,000 miles.

Cumulatively, 88% by 50,000 miles, 97% by 100,000 miles and 98% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.

The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 39% of the dated reports.

79% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.

Median

Other powertrain problem

19k
Other electrical problem

20k
Other engine problem

35k
Other steering problem

16k
Torque converter failure

13k
Wiring harness or short circuit

862
Fuel pump failure

90k
Other fuel system problem

23k
Infotainment screen failure

1
Parking brake failure

500
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure

37k
Backup camera failure

1

Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens

Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 47. The full list is in the table below.

How reports accumulate

Share of reports filed by each mileage

half by 14k

Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.

Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Dashed the median reported mileage

How bad it is when it goes

Across the named modes, 3 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 4 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.

The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.68, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.

What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500, other electrical problem at $250–$2,000, other engine problem at $300–$4,000 and other steering problem at $350–$2,400. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.

39% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.

Every reported failure mode

Mileage figures are percentiles of owner-reported readings. Click a column to sort.
Failure mode	System	Reports	With reading	25th	Median	75th	Per 1,000	Typical repair	Severity
Other powertrain problem	transmission	51	25	6k	19k	29k	1,457.1	$400–$4,500	High
Other electrical problem	electrical	23	7	—	20k	—	657.1	$250–$2,000	Moderate
Other engine problem	engine	15	9	5k	35k	41k	428.6	$300–$4,000	High
Other steering problem	steering	10	4	—	16k	—	285.7	$350–$2,400	High
Torque converter failure	transmission	9	6	—	13k	—	257.1	$1,100–$3,200	High
Wiring harness or short circuit	electrical	8	3	—	862	—	228.6	$400–$3,500	High
Fuel pump failure	fuel	6	4	—	90k	—	171.4	$600–$2,600	High
Other fuel system problem	fuel	6	2	—	23k	—	171.4	$300–$2,200	High
Infotainment screen failure	infotainment	5	1	—	1	—	142.9	$400–$2,600	Low
Parking brake failure	brakes	5	3	—	500	—	142.9	$250–$1,300	Moderate
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure	electrical	4	1	—	37k	—	114.3	$250–$1,500	High
Backup camera failure	infotainment	4	3	—	1	—	114.3	$250–$1,200	Moderate
Seat belt or retractor failure	airbag	4	2	—	4k	—	114.3	$200–$900	High
Other suspension problem	suspension	4	2	—	20k	—	114.3	$350–$2,000	Moderate
Other body or interior problem	body	4	4	—	4k	—	114.3	$200–$2,000	Moderate
Thermostat failure	cooling	3	0	—	—	—	85.7	$250–$900	Moderate
CV axle or driveshaft failure	drivetrain	3	0	—	—	—	85.7	$450–$2,200	High
Airbag inflator rupture	airbag	3	3	—	14k	—	85.7	$0–$0	Critical
Cruise control failure	adas	3	0	—	—	—	85.7	$200–$1,400	High
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure	steering	3	1	—	300	—	85.7	$700–$2,600	High
Other wheel or tire problem	wheels	3	1	—	69k	—	85.7	$200–$1,500	High
Other driver assistance problem	adas	3	1	—	23k	—	85.7	$250–$1,800	High
Other visibility problem	glass	3	1	—	2k	—	85.7	$150–$1,400	Moderate
Misfire or rough idle	engine	2	2	—	18k	—	57.1	$250–$1,600	Moderate
Radiator or coolant leak	cooling	2	2	—	31k	—	57.1	$350–$1,900	High
Harsh or jerky shifting	transmission	2	2	—	43k	—	57.1	$600–$4,000	Moderate
Wheel bearing or hub failure	drivetrain	2	0	—	—	—	57.1	$350–$1,200	Moderate
Master cylinder or brake booster failure	brakes	2	0	—	—	—	57.1	$450–$2,200	Critical
Other lighting problem	lighting	2	1	—	50	—	57.1	$120–$1,200	Moderate
Other speed control problem	adas	2	2	—	25k	—	57.1	$250–$2,000	Critical
Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure	engine	1	1	—	61k	—	28.6	$1,200–$4,500	Critical
Stalling while driving	engine	1	1	—	21k	—	28.6	$300–$2,500	Critical
No-start or intermittent start failure	engine	1	0	—	—	—	28.6	$200–$1,800	Moderate
Overheating	cooling	1	0	—	—	—	28.6	$400–$3,500	High
Transmission slipping	transmission	1	0	—	—	—	28.6	$1,200–$5,500	High
Complete transmission failure	transmission	1	1	—	23k	—	28.6	$2,800–$8,000	Critical
Manual clutch or hydraulics failure	transmission	1	0	—	—	—	28.6	$900–$2,800	Moderate
Differential or transfer case failure	drivetrain	1	1	—	36k	—	28.6	$900–$4,200	High
Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure	fuel	1	0	—	—	—	28.6	$250–$1,800	Moderate
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure	electrical	1	0	—	—	—	28.6	$700–$3,000	High
ABS module or sensor failure	brakes	1	0	—	—	—	28.6	$500–$2,400	High
Airbag failed to deploy in a crash	airbag	1	0	—	—	—	28.6	$1,000–$5,000	Critical
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault	airbag	1	0	—	—	—	28.6	$300–$1,600	High
Lane keep or steering assist fault	adas	1	0	—	—	—	28.6	$200–$1,600	High
Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure	body	1	0	—	—	—	28.6	$250–$1,500	Moderate
Exhaust leak or fumes in the cabin	emissions	1	0	—	—	—	28.6	$250–$2,000	High
Other brake problem	brakes	1	0	—	—	—	28.6	$300–$1,800	High
Unclassified problem	other	34	17	3k	11k	24k	971.4	—	Moderate

Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.

How often, against how many were built

Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado draws about 7,057 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 100th percentile of complaint rates among 2018 vehicles we can rate.

That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.

The working figure is 35 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2018 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.

What owners wrote

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.

Recalls on the 2018 model year

NHTSA has issued 1 recall campaign covering the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado, affecting an estimated 35 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.

The campaigns cover fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.

Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.

18V358000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

895 vehicles 2018-05-31

Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.

How it ranks in the 2018 field

The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.

Risk score against the rest of the 2018 field

Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.

Left fewer and less serious reports
Right more, or worse
Marker this vehicle

Better and worse years of the same car

Severe risk for a 2018 — 25th riskiest of the 251 2018 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.

Across the 21 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2010 comes out best at 65 and 2019 worst at 82, with 2018 itself at 82.

If the model year is negotiable, 2010, 2004, 2011, 2006, 2009, 2005, 2012, 2007, 2008, 2026, 2025, 2016, 2015, 2021, 2023 and 2022 score lower than 2018 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.

Within the 2017–2022 generation specifically, 2021 is the strongest year at 77 and 2019 the weakest at 82.

Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.

Risk score by model year, out of 100

Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.

Within the 2017-2022 generation, 2021 Chevrolet Colorado scores best at 77 and 2019 Chevrolet Colorado worst at 82.

What the numbers say to check

The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other engine problem from about 5k and other powertrain problem from about 6k.

On a 2018 Chevrolet Colorado with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other engine problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.

None of this is a diagnosis. It is a list of what other owners of the same model year reported, ordered by when they reported it, which is a good place to point an inspection and a poor place to stop.

What this page cannot tell you

247 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.

Of those 247 reports, 113 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 46% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".

Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.

And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.

Questions this page answers

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?

The most-reported failures are other powertrain problem (51 reports, median 20,000 miles), other electrical problem (23 reports, median 20,000 miles) and other engine problem (15 reports, median 35,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.

At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Colorado problems start?

Other powertrain problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 20,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 5,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 14,000 miles.

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?

It scores 82 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 25th riskiest of the 251 2018 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2018 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.

Which year of the Chevrolet Colorado is best?

Within the 2017–2022 generation, 2021 scores best at 77 out of 100 and 2019 worst at 82. Same body, same engines, different luck.

Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.

What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car

Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt 30 August 2026 Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed