Is the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado a bad year?
183 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 78, 7.8× a quiet Colorado year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 7k–32k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 Colorado owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 19,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 78 (43%) | 7k–32k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 34 (19%) | 12k–40k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 24 (13%) | 14k–42k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 18 (10%) | 12k–39k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 14 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 19,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 183 complaints: 3 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 2 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
14 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
When turning the key into the ignition position the vehicle will give a random downshift unless the brake pedal is pressed down.
It has an intermittent shudder at no particular speed and a kind of tugging at slow acceleration speeds, like a quick upshift and then down again.
When the truck is put in auto 4WD mode while parked, instead of the 4WD engaging as necessary, it engages immediately upon motion.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 19,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado: 1
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line. A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 456
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares
Delayed engagement into drive, shudder at a launch, or the transmission is slipping when shifting into 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th gears
Neighbouring years
2017 Colorado: 216 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2019 Colorado: 151 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Chevrolet Colorado year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Colorado years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado a bad year?
183 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 78, 7.8× a quiet Colorado year. At 19,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 7k–32k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (78), electrical system (34), engine (24), steering (18), fuel system (14). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 7k–32k miles.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-358). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.