2021 Chevrolet Colorado Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado most often describe brake-pedal concerns that trace back to the engine-driven vacuum pump, along with power steering assist failures, rear differential noise, and assorted electrical or infotainment glitches. Many of the brake complaints describe a hard pedal that appears suddenly while driving, with no warning beforehand. Complaints in this sample span from vehicles still under 10,000 miles to ones past 100,000, so mileage varies widely.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Hard brake pedal / loss of brake assist (vacuum pump)

   • 15 complaints (19%)
   • median 70,029 mi at 5.9 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe the brake pedal suddenly becoming very stiff, requiring both feet or their full body weight to slow the truck, sometimes at highway speed with little warning. In many accounts the cause traced to the engine-mounted vacuum pump, and dealers reported the pump in pieces with damage to the exhaust camshaft; some repairs involved camshaft or engine replacement. Several owners say the truck was not covered by a recall or was repaired under warranty only after being towed in. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 40,000 to over 100,000 miles, and described as sudden rather than gradual.

   What to check: Ask whether the vacuum pump or brake booster has ever been replaced and whether the exhaust camshaft was inspected at the same time. Have a mechanic check brake assist and listen for pump noise before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11761541, filed 2026-09

   “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”

   NHTSA complaint #11753572, filed 2026-07
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering assist loss

   • 7 complaints (9%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners report a "Service Power Steering" message followed by loss of steering assist, with the wheel becoming hard to turn, sometimes while turning at an intersection. In some accounts the assist returned after a restart or after pressing the brake, while others say it never came back and the dealer quoted a full power steering assist assembly replacement. Complaints note parts backorders and that the condition recurred after repair. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 50,000 miles, often appearing at start-up or during low-speed turns.

   What to check: Ask whether the power steering assist unit or steering rack has been replaced and whether any warning messages have appeared. Test a full lock-to-lock turn at low speed during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Starting my 2021 Chevy Colorado Zr2 in the morning and noticed the service power steering, drive with care message. 40,000 miles. No power steering. This would clear after leaving vehicle sit and restarting. After reading many articles and found the recall notice for 2015 colorados. Based off of postings I didn't drive it due to the possibility of losing power steering while on the highway, which had happened to several people after restarting and clearing the error. I think GM never corrected the issue and is present in newer models. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11699539, filed 2025-11

   “I am reporting a serious safety defect involving my 2021 Chevrolet vehicle. While driving, multiple warnings appeared including “Service Power Steering,” “Steering Assist is Reduced,” “Service ESC,” and “Service Battery Charging System.” The vehicle then lost steering assist, braking performance became unreliable, and it created a serious risk of crash. The vehicle later shut down completely and has remained inoperable. The failure appears electrical and affected multiple critical systems at once, suggesting a cascading system malfunction. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11740930, filed 2026-05
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Infotainment and instrument panel dropouts

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 30,500 mi at 2.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2024

   Owners describe the radio, navigation and instrument cluster going blank or rebooting while driving, and in some cases volume jumping to maximum with unresponsive controls. A few report visits to the dealer where the problem could not be reproduced, and some say the battery charging or other warning messages appeared at the same time. Complaints also mention reboots tied to the infotainment system returning to normal after a few minutes. Reported from about 15,000 miles upward, with complaints also filed on vehicles with very low mileage.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether any infotainment software updates or module replacements were performed. Sit in the truck with the engine running and cycle the radio, navigation and cluster to confirm they stay on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My radio volume goes nuts and the controls go unresponsive, The unit brings the volume up to max I can not hear emergency crews if they are using the siren. This also creates a safety issues as now I am taking my eyes off the road to try and stop the problem. The infotainment system is failing yes the truck is available for inspection. I have taken video of the problem and sent it to the dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11439172, filed 2021-11

   “I have had multiple instances where the infotainment center as well as electronic components on my dash have shut down completely while driving. The truck stays running while it does this. The electronics then take a few minutes to reboot and then return to normal. I have had my truck to the dealership twice for this issue and I was told they did not find a problem and could not replicate it. I also contacted Chevrolet and they simply recommended I take it to a dealership to be evaluated.”

   NHTSA complaint #11478503, filed 2022-08
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Key stuck in ignition / shifter park sensing

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • typically at 4.1 yrs old
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners report that after shifting into park the key will not turn fully to off or come out, and that cycling the shifter in and out of park eventually frees it. Some link the problem to lock and unlock functions not working from the fob or door switches, and note that some systems stay powered while the key is stuck. Dealers in the complaints were described as familiar with the condition, and one owner said the repair would be customer-pay. Reported from roughly 36,000 miles upward, starting intermittently after months of use and becoming more frequent.

   What to check: During a test drive, park the truck and confirm the key turns fully and releases without jiggling the shifter, and check that the fob and door switches lock and unlock reliably.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Beginning at approximately 80,000 miles I began to notice I could not remove the key from the ignition switch at times. Turning the vehicle on and off, shifting repeatedly into park, turning the steering wheel and pressing the brake had no effect. I now have 90,000 miles and the problem occurs about half of the time when trying to exit the vehicle. It is dangerous to leave the vehicle with the key still in the switch. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11686850, filed 2025-09

   “When I stop and try to turn key off it does not turn to off. Have to turn back on and try shifting neutral and back to park. Then try straightened wheel and eventually key will go to off position and take out key. Started few days ago intermittently and now more often. Mileage is 36317 so warranty if expired. I will not pay dealer for analysis since it should be covered under engine. Also have seen 100s of complaints with this online for 2016 thru 2019.”

   NHTSA complaint #11518967, filed 2023-04

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on brake assist, steering assist and rear axle noise, since those are the most commonly described concerns in this sample. Ask for service records showing any vacuum pump, power steering or differential work already performed.

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.