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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2021 Chevrolet Colorado Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
16%of 80 total for the year
Median mileage
26,530miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, 16% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,530 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“In May 2025, I took my truck to the dealership due to a severe whining noise from the rear. They said the rear differential had failed and needed a full replacement, costing me $1,800 since the warranty didn’t cover the entire amount. By late September 2026, while driving on the highway, the whining returned—this time with vibrations under my feet whenever I accelerated. Back at the dealership, I was told the rear differential had failed again. …”

NHTSA complaint #11768860, filed 2026-10

“While driving on the parkway, the engine revved, and then the brakes became hard as a brick. The truck was unable to be stopped. There were no warning lamps or indications there was a problem, it happened suddenly and immediately. Other drivers' and my own safety was at risk because I could not stop the truck. Here is the diagnosis from the GM service center where it was towed to: After the removal of the valve cover, the tech found the pump in pieces, and the end of the exhaust camshaft was damaged, as presented in the photos. …”

NHTSA complaint #11748403, filed 2026-07

“I purchased a brand new Colorado earlier this year. The vehicle currently has about 9,000 miles on the odometer. On two recent occasions within 1 1/2 weeks of each other while driving at highway speeds, there was a clunk noise and the transmission acted as if it had been shifted into neutral. The truck would not accelerate, and the RPMs were very high as I was pushing the accelerator and the vehicle was not responding but the engine was revving. …”

NHTSA complaint #11428819, filed 2021-08

“I have 2021 Chevy Colorado pickup truck. Put the truck in park and unable to turn off and remove the key. This is the third time this has happened this week . The first two times I moved the shifter from park to drive and back and it released. The last time I had to sit in my drive way for twenty minutes with the truck running before I could turn the key to shut off the truck. This is a very dangerous situation if there was every an emergency and not being able the shut off the truck.”

NHTSA complaint #11517312, filed 2023-04

“I have taken my vehicle into the shop twice for an issue with the transmission. The first time they did a software update on the vehicle. They said that that would fix the issue. The vehicle was working fine for a week I took the vehicle back to the shop because it was making a clunking noise again when I put it in reverse. I recorded the incident of the clunking noise and I provided it to the service manager. They kept the vehicle for two days and stated that they were unable to replicate the issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11484356, filed 2022-09

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026211%
2025311%
20241310%
202397%
202235%
20211316%
20203338%
20196543%
20187843%
201710750%
20169714%
2015459%
201225%
201125%
2010310%
200923%
200879%
200786%
2006156%
2005278%
2004277%

Other parts of the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado

Brakes
21 complaints
Engine
19 complaints
Other or unknown
17 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Steering
10 complaints
Air bags
6 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
Engine cooling
2 complaints
Equipment
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology