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7 Common Problems Of A Chevy Colorado Diesel (2016-Present)

7 Common Problems Of A Chevy Colorado Diesel (2016-Present)

What kind of problems does an American-made Chevy Colorado Diesel usually have? This blog lists the most critical issues you should consider while buying a Chevy Colorado Diesel and leaving the world of gasoline behind.

First,  let’s take a look at a quick answer.

The most common problems of the Chevy Colorado diesel versions are vibrations and shuddering in the 2018 model and power steering failures in the 2016-2019 models. Other problems of the 2016 model include airbag inflation issues and faulty console latches. Finally, Chevy Colorado diesel have infotainment issues and fuel leak risks in the 2016-2018 models.

That was the most straightforward answer possible. In the article below, we’ll outline all the problems in detail. This includes identifying it, fixing it, and how much it costs to fix. Read on!

Vibrations and Shuddering

The 2018 Colorado is infamous for its vibrations and shuddering problems. The vibrations and shuddering are noticeable in common driving conditions and especially stand out while accelerating or decelerating. The problem points to a flawed transmission set up; to make things worse, we’ve also seen complaints about hard shifting at low speeds. In the video below, from 1:07 onwards, a Colorado owner talks about these problems.

Unfortunately, no significant step such as a recall has been taken by General Motors. The dealership has difficulty identifying the root of the problem, which can lead to unnecessary expenses. Multiple consumers stated that a transmission flush and fluid replacement solved the problem.

Although this is only a possible solution, this might be your best bet. The transmission flush and fluid replacement will cost around $225 to $350. If you’re in the market for a Chevy Colorado, we would recommend avoiding the 2018 model altogether.

Power Steering Failure

Some owners of the 2016 to 2019 Chevy Colorados complained about power steering failures on their vehicles. Power steering failures significantly increase the risk of serious crashes and injuries as the vehicle becomes difficult to steer and control. Owners may also notice an indicator light and hear a chime that alerts them of the problem.

According to General Motors, the power steering loss can be traced back to corroded connectors in the steering gear assembly. General Motors issued a recall for over 60,000 vehicles to rectify the issue. As part of the recall, the vehicle has to be taken to the dealership, where the technicians will install a new torque sensor cover assembly. All work will be done free of charge and owners who’ve already had repairs done will be reimbursed.

If you’re looking for a Chevy Colorado, it’s best to check if your prospective vehicle is part of the recall and if the repairs have been done. It’s best to watch out for this one since the recall began pretty recently in 2021.

The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 21V213.

Airbag Inflation Problem

Airbags are a crucial part of your vehicle’s safety features. The failure of such a safety feature greatly increases the risk of serious injuries. In the 2016 Chevy Colorado, the driver’s frontal air bag may inflate inadequately during deployment providing insufficient protection to the driver.

This is nothing but a manufacturing defect, just as it is in other vehicles like the ct200h, and requires the airbag module to be replaced. The good news is that GM already issued a recall in 2016 for the problem, which requires the vehicle to be taken in for inspection and the frontal airbag module replaced free of charge if needed.

If you’re in the market for a Chevy Colorado and end up opting for the 2016 model, we recommend checking if your vehicle was a part of the recall and if the necessary replacement was carried out.

The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16V125000.

Fuel Leak Risk 

Some units of the Chevy Colorado from 2016 – 2018 come with a fuel leak risk. A damaged fuel line can allow a fuel leak, increasing the fire risk. The problem can be traced back to a defective flange weld on the fuel pump that may fracture. The detached fuel pump can then cause damage to the fuel line.

Although the defect is not widespread, the fire risk is severe and requires quick action by the owners and General Motors. General Motors issued a recall in 2018 for these vehicles providing a reliable fix. The dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel pipe free of charge.

If you’re looking to buy a 2016 – 2018 Chevy Colorado, as always, we’d recommend inquiring about recall notices and checking if your vehicle is part of the recall. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 18V358000.

Faulty Console Latches

The 2016 Chevy Colorados have a faulty latch system for their console compartments. This faulty latch prevents the compartment from closing correctly and can quickly become an annoying hindrance because of the compartment’s regular usage. Although the problem doesn’t seem to be a vital flaw or significant safety issue, a recall is issued to rectify it.

General Motors issued the recall because the vehicle failed to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) requirements. According to the safety standards, in the event of a crash the compartment could open up, and the contents could fly about, causing severe injuries to the driver and passengers.

As part of the recall, the vehicle has to be taken to the dealership, where the console door latch assembly will be replaced free of charge. Once again, if you opt for a 2016 Chevy Colorado, we recommend inspecting the console compartment and checking if your vehicle was part of the recall. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 15V807000.

Infotainment Issues

Chevy Colorado owners seem to be particularly troubled with the infotainment system. There have been many complaints on online forums and the NHTSA website about glitches in the infotainment system. Some consumers state that the screen goes black without warning, shuts down, or becomes practically inoperable, but once you restart the vehicle, the infotainment system is operational again.

According to consumers the radio on the infotainment system is especially troubling; it increases and decreases the volume randomly and changes stations all on its own which is not only annoying but can become a dangerous distraction when you’re on the road.

Unfortunately, there have been no recalls by General Motors for this issue. We’ve also had no luck identifying a reliable solution to the problem. Some consumers replaced the infotainment only to be left with the same issues and a pricey bill. The problem finds its way onto many models of the Chevy Colorado, but it’s most prevalent in the 2016 to 2018 models.

Soy-Coated Wiring

Soy-Coated wiring has become a common issue for most brands including Chevrolet. Most automakers switched to soy-based coating for their wiring because it was more biodegradable and eco-friendly. Although it’s better for the environment, it’s also better for the automaker as these soy-based coatings are cheaper than their plastic counterparts.

The problem with these soy-based coatings is that they attract rodents which then like to chew on them and use them as nesting material. This could cause an array of problems, any system that utilizes wires accessible to these rodents is at risk of failing. This has become quite the problem since there is no easy solution, and it’s a problem found in most vehicles by most automakers.

Some simple steps to include into your routine to try and catch these rodents before they cause an expensive problem. This includes regularly opening the hood and looking for signs of rodent activity, looking for shredded pieces of wire where you park your cars and cleaning out all the food in your car.

What’s The Worst Year Of The Chevrolet Colorado Diesel

The Chevy Colorado Diesel has a reliable Duramax engine that should last you around 200,000 miles and could even last up to 300,00 miles. The diesel variant was launched in 2016 and is still going strong. This gives us a few model years of the Chevy Colorado Diesel to assess and rate which ones are the best and worst.

The worst years of the Chevy Colorado Diesel would have to be 2016 and 2018, with 2016 taking the top spot. We’d definitely recommend avoiding this model year. The 2016 model has the most complaints and is riddled with problems like power steering failure and infotainment system glitches. But that’s not all; it also has the highest number of recalls, which means troublesome visits to the dealership or at least worrying about whether or not your vehicle was part of the recalls.

We’d avoid the 2018 model because of its infamous vibrations, shuddering, and transmission issues.

The remaining models of the Chevy Colorado are all great options, with the 2020 model standing out. The 2020 model has remarkably few complaints compared to the other models and doesn’t share the annoying vibrations and shudders of the 2018 model, which were also found in the 2019 model but with less severity.

With the 2017 and 2019 models, you’ll have to look out for the power steering issue and check whether the vehicle is part of the recall and if the problem has been fixed, especially since the recall began in 2021. Other than you should be good to go.

Closing Thoughts

The Chevy Colorado Diesel, like any vehicle, has its share of common issues. While some are more severe, such as the power steering failures in the 2016-2019 models, and others more minor, like faulty console latches, understanding these potential problems can help you maintain your vehicle better or make an informed decision if you’re considering purchasing one.

Remember, each vehicle has unique components and specifications that may require specific care or attention. That could be big details like the type of engine to small stuff like the bolt pattern. At the end of the day, it all matters.

In the end, being an informed vehicle owner can not only save you from unexpected issues but also enhance your driving experience and the longevity of your vehicle. Remember to replace the (#) with the actual URL of your article about the bolt patterns for the Chevy Colorado Diesel.

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