Which Year Models of Used Chevrolet Colorado to Avoid
And which are safe to buy
2009 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 by Qwerty242 - CC BY
The Chevrolet Colorado is the perfect mid-size pickup truck for anyone seeking adventure that’s reliably safe and efficient. This series gives passengers the capability to explore the world as they please in stylish comfort. A compact version of Colorado was manufactured until 2012, after which only the mid-size pickups were continued.
Nearly two decades of Chevrolet Colorados in production means that different year models have their benefits and problems. Luckily, you must look no further than CoPilot to determine which used Chevrolet Colorado year model is suitable for you!
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Quick Answer: Avoid Chevrolet Colorado Year Models 2004, 2005, 2015, 2016 and 2018
The Chevrolet Colorado’s most problematic year models are the 2004, 2005, 2015, and 2016 models. Engine misfires, transmission failures, and other issues are commonly found in these year models. The 2004 and 2005 year models are both riddled with AC/heater problems and engine failures. They also tend for their check engine light to appear and refuse to go off without extensive maintenance.
The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is regarded as the worst year model, suffering from the severe transmission and engine problems that appear at low mileage, with a high average cost to fix. The 2016 is not much better, though its transmission failures are less severe than its predecessor’s. The 2018 model mostly functions properly but is infamous for intense shudder and vibration at low mileage.
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Which Year Models Of Chevrolet Colorado Are Safe To Buy Used?
At its best, the Chevrolet Colorado delivers incredible horsepower and off-road capabilities that will take you wherever you want to go, whether you’re in a city or out in the country. Fortunately, most used Colorado year models will provide you with these benefits without burdening you with deal-breaking problems. These year models may suffer from the occasional transmission problem, but they should be few and far between and relatively cheap to fix.
- 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2009 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2010 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2011 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2012 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2013 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2014 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2017 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2019 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2020 Chevrolet Colorado
The 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 Chevrolet Colorado year models are some of the best used models you can buy. Both models have very few complaints and often don’t encounter problems until they’re at an average of 70,000 miles, usually costing less than $1000 to fix. Similarly, the 2006 year model’s defects tend to show up later in the car’s life and are cheap to fix, but it has had more problems reported than the models following it.
2011, 2012, and 2017 Colorados are generally reliable but see some malfunctions happen at lower mileage, in some instances less than 20,000 miles. The 2019 Colorado still has problems with shudder and vibration like the 2018 before, but they are less severe.
Ultimately, the 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Colorado year models are your best bet, with excellent track records.
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Which Year Models Of Chevrolet Colorado To Avoid:
We don’t recommend purchasing these models due to their history of experiencing many problems, with transmission, engine, and AC unit failures being the most notable.
- 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2016 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2018 Chevrolet Colorado
The 2004 and 2005 Chevrolet Colorado year models have had many complications due to engine misfiring and AC units and brakes malfunctioning. Repairs on these year models cost, on average, around $2000, which is cheaper than some other models’ issues, but these have all sorts of problems.
We highly recommend that you steer clear of the 2015 Colorado, as it had the highest number of reported issues, with many occurring after only 10,000 miles. The transmission, in particular, is often faulty in these, leading to potential danger when you take it out on the road. The 2016 year model has similar problems but fewer reports. You shouldn’t purchase either model.
The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado is notorious for its bad shudder. The vehicle has been known to start shaking violently shortly after being purchased, so this is also one to avoid.
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Chevrolet Colorado Problem Counts By Year
These are the most common problems reported by owners on platforms such as carproblems.com, carcomplaints.com, and Car Talk Community. The most common issues with Chevrolet Colorados are transmission failure, stalling engines, and interior accessory issues.
Common Chevrolet Colorado Problems
Chevrolet trucks are known to be reliable, and the Colorado is no exception. However, it does have several issues potential buyers should know:
- Transmission issues – Many Colorado model years struggle with transmission woes. For instance, 2019 Colorado owners complained about shifting delays. It took about three seconds before their trucks went into gear. Slipping transmission was also a common complaint.
- Misfiring engine – This was a common issue in the 2004-2009 Colorado years, which caused the truck to stall intermittently. It was later determined that worn-out valve seats caused the misfires. However, other causes like faulty spark plugs and vacuum leaks were also cited.
- Power steering loss – While many Colorado models were reported for loss of power steering, this issue was more pronounced with the 2015 version. According to reports, drivers saw the service power steering or StabiliTrak warning lights coming on before losing their power steering control. Experts said that the cause might be low fluid levels and damaged belts and steering pumps.
- Faulty fuel level sensor – Many drivers reported erratic and inaccurate readings with their fuel gauges. The main culprit was the malfunctioning fuel level sensor which needs to be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions: Most Reliable Chevy Colorado Years
Q: What are the Chevrolet Colorado models to avoid when buying used?
A: The Chevrolet Colorado model years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2015, 2016, and 2018. These models have a history of experiencing many problems, mainly transmission, engine, and AC unit failures.
Q: What makes the 2015 Chevy Colorado the worst model year?
A: The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is considered the worst model year due to having the highest number of reported issues, with many occurring after only 10,000 miles. The transmission, in particular, is often faulty in this model, leading to potential danger when driving.
Q: What is the main issue with the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
A: The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado is notorious for its intense shudder and vibration, which can occur shortly after purchase.
Q: What are some of the common problems reported by Colorado owners?
A: Some of the most common issues reported by Chevrolet Colorado owners include transmission problems (shifting delays, slipping transmission), misfiring engines (caused by worn-out valve seats, faulty spark plugs, or vacuum leaks), loss of power steering (more pronounced in the 2015 model), and defective fuel level sensors leading to inaccurate fuel gauge readings.
The Easiest Way To Find A Reliable Chevrolet Colorado In Your Area
Finding a reliable used Chevrolet Colorado in your area has never been easier! Just download the free CoPIlot car shopping app, tell us what mid-size pickup truck you’re looking for and we’ll search every dealership in your area to craft a personalized list for great deals near you. Built using the same technology that car dealerships use to buy and sell their inventory, CoPilot is the smartest and easiest way to buy a used Chevrolet Colorado.
If you’d prefer newer, off-lease vehicles, look no further than CoPilot Compare, the search engine for nearly-new cars. We’ll only show you models that are 5 years or newer with low mileage, most with CPO availability. We’ll break down how much you save buying a used Chevrolet Colorado and where the best buys are in your area.
What’s even better is that CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no ‘promoted’ or ‘sponsored’ listings - just the best cars in your area. Learn more about how CoPilot works on our About Us page.
