This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Chevrolet Colorado electrical problems
severe 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 20 electrical complaints filed for the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The ignition key sticking and being difficult to remove is the most frequent complaint. Owners say the key gets stuck in the ignition cylinder or won't turn far enough to the off position for removal, forcing them to try shifting between gears multiple times to free it. The problem is intermittent, worsens in cold weather, and occurs at various mileages. Multiple owners mention GM Service Bulletin PI1429 addresses this exact issue, but the company issued no recall. One owner had the ignition switched replaced under warranty and the problem returned; another had the key tumbler replaced without resolution. Dealerships quote $491 to replace the shifter, though owners report that didn't fix it in other cases.
Power steering loss while driving is the second major concern. Owners describe sudden, complete loss of steering assist at highway speeds, with one reporting three separate incidents. One owner notes a 2021 recall existed for this identical problem but their VIN was excluded despite having the same failure, with repair quoted at $3,500.
Several owners report electrical fires. Two describe fires originating from wiring harnesses—one started overnight in a garage after dealership work on an 8,300-mile vehicle, the other at 40,000 miles while driving at 70 mph.
Additional electrical issues include unintended infotainment touchscreen input causing rapid display flashing and random radio/GPS changes, gauge cluster failures, brief complete power loss while driving, and backup warning system malfunction.
Same Chevrolet Colorado electrical reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Key stuck or difficult to remove from ignition
Ignition key becomes stuck, difficult to turn to off position, or difficult to remove from the cylinder. Owners report having to manipulate the shifter and place vehicle in different gears multiple times to release the key. Issue is intermittent and worsens in cold weather. Multiple owners reference GM Service Bulletin PI1429 but no recall has been issued.
When: Reported as early as 2017 on newer vehicles; one owner at 37,000 miles, another at 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Key stuck in ignition; Key difficult to turn off; Key difficult to remove; Requires repeated shifting to gears to release key; Problem worsens in cold weather; Key becomes hot
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had key ignition replaced under warranty initially but issue recurred. Another had key tumbler replaced without resolution. Dealership quoted $491 for shifter replacement, though owners report shifter replacement did not solve the problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Service Bulletin PI1429 exists for this issue. No recall issued. Dealership unsure of coverage and unable to locate bulletin.
Loss of power steering assist
Vehicle loses power steering assist while driving at highway speeds. Owners report three separate instances of complete loss of steering assist at speeds around 45 mph and at 5-10 mph. Diagnostic confirmed loss of power steering assist. One owner notes a 2021 recall (N202325410-01) existed for the same problem but their VIN was not included despite having identical failure.
When: At 68,000 miles in one case; April 2024 in another case
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering assist while driving; Check power steering warning light illuminates continuously
Repairs/costs cited: One owner quoted approximately $3,500.00 to repair. No repairs completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall N202325410-01 issued in 2021 but was VIN-specific. Affected vehicles excluded despite identical problem. GM directed owners to NHTSA.
Unintended touchscreen input and infotainment malfunction
Touchscreen display on information center accepts input without being touched, causing erratic behavior independent of temperature or vehicle motion. Results in rapid flashing displays, unsolicited voice system activation, random changes to audio source and radio station, and disconnection of Bluetooth phone calls. Creates significant driver distraction hazard.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Touchscreen accepts input without being touched; Display rapidly flashes; Voice system activates without command; Radio station changes without input; Audio source changes without input; Bluetooth phone calls disconnected without input
Electrical fire
Two owners report vehicle fires originating from electrical wiring harnesses. One fire occurred while vehicle was parked in a garage overnight after fender dent repair at dealership; second fire occurred at 40,000 miles while vehicle was being driven at 70 mph. Both fires resulted in extensive damage.
When: One at 8,300 miles; one at 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fire in engine and electrical area; Burning odor inside vehicle; Loss of power while driving; Unknown warning light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles destroyed or severely damaged. One fire report filed with fire department.
Engine and emissions control faults with starting and stalling issues
Vehicle displays diagnostic fault codes for evaporative emissions system and engine control module issues. Tank fill-up requires multiple attempts to start vehicle, and engine stalls while driving, creating safety hazard. Problem began around 2020-2021 and has become increasingly frequent.
When: Started 2020-2021 timeframe; ongoing and worsening
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple attempts required to start after fuel fill; Engine stalls while driving; Increased frequency of stalling events
Codes mentioned: P0442 (leak detected in EVAP system), P0496 (evaporative emission system flow during non-purge), 1.B1425-03 (control module power circuit - inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module)
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostic reports obtained from Firestone and Advanced Auto Parts. Initially suspected as gas cap issue.
Brief electrical power loss while driving
Vehicle loses all electrical power for approximately 2 seconds while driving, then power returns. Power loss occurs without warning and causes loss of steering assist, resets all electrical memory systems, and creates safety hazard at highway speeds.
When: Under 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete electrical power loss for 2 seconds; Loss of steering assist during power loss; All electrical systems reset; No warning light or indication prior to event
Gauge cluster and instrument panel malfunction
Front gauge panel becomes unresponsive with only battery gauge functioning. All other gauges fail including transmission shift indicator, speedometer, temperature, tachometer, and oil pressure. Service message displays for affected areas.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Gauge cluster does not respond; Only battery gauge functions; Transmission shift indicator not displayed; Speed indication not displayed; Temperature gauge not displayed; Oil pressure gauge not displayed; Tachometer not displayed; Service message displayed
Unintended radio and infotainment behavior without touch input
Radio station changes and GPS navigation settings change without driver input or touch. Radio changes stations spontaneously and GPS functionality becomes unreliable, creating safety concern during travel.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Radio changes stations without touch; GPS settings change without input; GPS navigation not working correctly
Reverse and cargo light circuit malfunction
Reverse lights illuminate when exiting vehicle instead of cargo light. Multiple fleet vehicles reported with same issue, suggesting systemic wiring or module problem.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Reverse lights activate instead of cargo light when exiting vehicle; Cargo light functions correctly when entering vehicle
Dashboard and navigation electrical malfunction
Dashboard and navigation system experience electrical glitches suggesting imminent shutdown. System then displays service airbag message after glitch event.
When: During out-of-town trip; not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard glitches; Navigation system glitches; Service airbag message displayed
Electronic backup warning system failure
Backup warning system fails to provide audible warning signal when vehicle approaches objects.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: No warning sound when backing up near objects
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Front gauge panel not responding. Only the battery gauge is working. A service message shows for all affected areas. No indication of transmision shift, speed, temperature, oil, tachometer and ohter features not shown on panel. Vehicle still able to run.
Had electrical trouble with your 2015 Chevrolet Colorado?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 20,000 and 79,000 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 79,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Chevrolet/Colorado.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.