2018 Chevrolet Colorado Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado report two dominant themes: a transmission shudder that shows up as a vibration or rumble-strip feel while cruising at highway speeds, and occasional electrical glitches that can kill power or freeze controls. Most complaints arrive fairly early in the truck's life, with many describing the shake well under 30,000 miles and a separate cluster involving steering, ignition key and interior electronics at low mileage.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder or shutter while driving

   • 70 complaints (38%)
   • median 15,000 mi at 1.9 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe a vibration, shudder or rumble-strip sensation that appears while accelerating or cruising at steady speeds, sometimes along with hard or jerky shifts and harsh downshifts when slowing. Many report that dealers flushed the transmission fluid or replaced the torque converter, and some say the shudder returned afterward or that the dealer could not duplicate it. Complaints also note the truck felt like it was shaking violently at highway speeds. Often reported between roughly 12,000 and 45,000 miles, though it appears as early as a few hundred miles and as late as the 80,000-mile range.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether transmission fluid flushes or a torque converter replacement have already been done, and request the service history for the transmission. On a test drive, hold a steady 45-65 mph cruise and light acceleration to feel for a shudder.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The transmission in my truck shakes, shimmies, vibrates, shutters when driving and shakes, shimmies vibrates even at idle. I took the truck to the dealership and they removed all of the transmission fluid and replaced with new fluid as per Chevrolet corporate mandate. The truck remains in shaking, shimmies, shutters and vibrating.”

   NHTSA complaint #11320055, filed 2020-04, 11,000 miles

   “When coming to stop from any speed the truck downshift hard that it feels like you've been hit from behind. Also when using remote start and you put the key in the ignition and turn it on the transmission does a little jump like the truck is going into gear. We have taken it in for repairs 3 times and the last time we were told the issue could not be fix and that it was normal.”

   NHTSA complaint #11242981, filed 2019-08, 22,000 miles
2. 2
   Other or unknown

   Engine shuts off or loses power while driving

   • 23 complaints (13%)
   • median 23,000 mi at 2.0 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the truck losing all power without warning, sometimes with warning lights flashing, sometimes with nothing at all, frequently while making a right turn, accelerating from a stop or backing out of a spot. Owners report having to coast to the shoulder and restart; some mention throttle body, wiring or communication codes being found, and others say the dealer cleared codes without a diagnosis. A recurring idle-stall pattern on cold starts is also described, with no codes stored. Reported across a wide range, from a few thousand miles up to about 35,000 miles, and often in stop-and-go or low-speed maneuvering.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask if the throttle body, battery cables and grounds, or any wiring repairs have been performed. Have a scan tool check for stored body and communication codes rather than only the check-engine light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Happened 3 time now. Each time I was driving slowly, idling along, in parking lot. Each time I was in gear (drive) moving at idling speed e.g. Parking lot crawl. All electrical shuts off just like I had turned the key off. All lights off, AC off, radio off, engine off, everything off. No warning lights, nothing - just turns off. Vehicle restarts fine with no immediate recurrence. For some reason it simple turns itself off. It's going to be bad if this happens when pulling out into traffic.”

   NHTSA complaint #11341534, filed 2020-07, 19,500 miles

   “My Colorado has completely shut down/powered off when making a right hand turn. Twice now. I'll be coming to a complete stop, accelerating through the turn and then all of the sudden, without warning, the truck loses all power. No flashing dash, nothing. I have to coast to the shoulder of the road, turn on the hazards, put in park, and restart the vehicle. This has happened twice now. From some online forums I've read, the problem only seems to get worse and has happened to others around 30-40 MPH. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11362236, filed 2020-10, 35,400 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering shake, rattle and loss of assist

   • 15 complaints (8%)
   • median 9,242 mi at 1.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe a rattle or shake felt through the steering column and wheel, especially on rough roads or gravel driveways, and in some cases the steering wheel seizing or becoming hard to turn with the steering assist warning on. Owners report dealers finding a loose bolt in the electric power steering or being unable to duplicate the complaint. Mostly reported below about 25,000 miles, including on nearly new trucks.

   What to check: On the test drive, listen for rattles over broken pavement and confirm the steering assist warning does not come on. Ask whether the intermediate shaft or steering module has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While the vehicle is in motion I get e rattle thought my steering column down into my peddle,. I cann fell the rattle through the intermediate steering shaft. It happens alot more on rough roads, for example my drive way is gravel, everytime I come home into my driveway I feel the rattle. It doesn't feel like my tires, bur more so my whole steering shaft. You can also see the shake in the steering wheel if you look closely at it. I have addressed this with my dealership and told them I don't feel comfortable driving it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11220551, filed 2019-06, 300 miles

   “Steering wheel constantly shakes and veers on roadway dealer changed torque converter but issue still. Happens while driving anywhere from 35 MPH to 70 MPH city street or highway does not make a difference feels like steering control could be lost while driving”

   NHTSA complaint #11310096, filed 2020-02, 15,100 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Key will not release from ignition in park

   • 14 complaints (8%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 3.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners report the ignition key will not come out after parking, and that jiggling the shift lever or cycling through drive and reverse back into park sometimes frees it. One complaint links it to the shift interlock switch not recognizing that the transmission is in park, and another describes a broken mounting post inside the shift assembly. Dealers reportedly replaced the shifter assembly in some cases. Typically reported in the 10,000 to 60,000 mile range during routine parking, not tied to weather.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Before buying, park the truck, shut it off and confirm the key releases cleanly; repeat a few times. Ask whether the shifter or interlock switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ignition switch fully won't turn to off position. Engine does turn off, but key can't be removed. Happens frequently and so far, starting it, putting it into drive or reverse and move a bit, then back into park will work. At some that might not work and I'd have to leave the key in the ignition and leave the truck unattended. I could still lock it, but if some kids see it or break into it, they could drive it away. Chevy knows about this. There is a service bulletin #pi1429b.”

   NHTSA complaint #11415678, filed 2021-05, 37,000 miles

   “Intermittent problem with ignition key not being able to be removed. Seems to be related to the shift lever, moving that back and forth can usually rectify the problem after many attempts. Vehicle stationary.”

   NHTSA complaint #11330269, filed 2020-06, 12,000 miles

Buying note. The transmission shudder is the item to verify first: ask for service records on fluid flushes or torque converter work and test drive at steady highway speed. Also confirm the fuel pump recall has been completed and check that the key releases from the ignition and the steering feels firm.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.