This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Chevrolet Colorado engine problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 32,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Colorado | 4 |
| 2012 Colorado | 5 |
| 2015 Colorado (this page) | 15 |
| 2016 Colorado | 12 |
| 2017 Colorado | 15 |
| 2018 Colorado | 4 |
| 2019 Colorado | 10 |
2fires
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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 service bulletin advises the tech of a 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 for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report stalling when stopped at traffic lights or during low-speed acceleration, often without warning lights. Multiple complaints describe the engine dying unexpectedly at intersections and requiring restart; one owner resorts to pumping the accelerator at every red light to prevent stalling. Error codes like P0506 occasionally appear but clear before dealers can investigate, leaving them unable to diagnose the issue.
Acceleration problems run through many complaints—hesitation around 2,000 RPM, sluggish response after slowing down, and delayed throttle action for several seconds. One owner reports the dealership and GM customer service claimed the engine needs to "learn" their driving style, but the issue persisted after a dealer-applied computer patch.
Roughness and misfires show up in the complaints too. One owner's technician identified excessive intake valve carbon as the root cause, noting Chevrolet has a technical bulletin for this known issue on 2015-2016 Colorados, though no recall has been issued. An AC compressor bracket failed on one vehicle, causing belt slip; Chevrolet discontinued the replacement part, leaving the truck inoperable.
Two separate engine fires are reported—one at 124,000 miles and another at just 5,000 miles. Neither owner contacted the dealer or manufacturer; both vehicles were total losses.
Same Chevrolet Colorado engine reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling at stops and low-speed acceleration
Engine stalls or dies when stopped at traffic lights, or when beginning to accelerate from a complete stop. Multiple owners report the vehicle dying with no warning lights, requiring restart or manual neutral shifting to recover. Some owners report needing to pump the accelerator at traffic lights to prevent stalling.
When: Occurs within first mile of startup; some reports at 124,000 miles, 150,000 miles, and early ownership periods
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies or stalls at red lights or traffic stops; No warning lights illuminate during stall events; Vehicle requires restart after stalling; Hard or rough idle before stalling; Low idle speed that feels like stalling is imminent; Stalling occurs intermittently
Codes mentioned: P0506
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to duplicate problem; error codes clear before service appointments; one owner reports dealer mentioned computer issues but stalling continued after alleged fix
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers state vehicle is safe to drive when codes cannot be reproduced; one owner reports dealer said engine needs to 'learn' driving habits
Acceleration hesitation and sluggish response
Engine hesitates or fails to respond immediately during acceleration, particularly when accelerating from low speed or after slowing down. Vehicle remains in too-high gear, requiring stomping on accelerator to downshift and produce adequate power.
When: Occurs during normal driving and traffic conditions; present since purchase for at least one owner; multiple owners report since ownership began
Symptoms owners cite: Engine hesitates during acceleration around 2,000 RPM; Sluggish response when increasing speed after slowing to 20-30 MPH; Vehicle jumps and hesitates before downshifting; Delayed throttle response for several seconds; Requires excessive pedal pressure to achieve downshift and power
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealer applied computer patch with no improvement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM customer service and dealership told owner engine needs to adapt to driving style
Rough idle and engine misfires
Engine idles roughly or experiences misfires. One owner reports technician diagnosed excessive intake valve carbon buildup, which is a known issue for 2015-2016 Colorados with a technical bulletin on file but no recall issued.
When: Reported at unknown mileage; one diagnosis at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Rough or hard idle; Engine misfires; Excessive intake valve carbon buildup
Repairs/costs cited: Technician identified excessive intake valve carbon as root cause; manufacturer has bulletin for known issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Known issue with technical bulletin issued; no recall
Engine fire
Engine compartment catches fire while vehicle is parked in garage. Owner notices burning smell and smoke before fire becomes apparent. Vehicle fails to restart and is total loss.
When: At 124,000 miles (first case); at 5,000 miles (second case)
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell from under hood; Smoke from engine compartment; Engine compartment fire; Vehicle will not restart
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle is total loss; destroyed by fire
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not contacted by owners; no dealer contact
Accelerator pedal unresponsiveness
Vehicle fails to respond when accelerator pedal is depressed during highway driving. After several seconds, vehicle resumes normal operation. Occurs multiple times for same owner.
When: At 150,000 miles; occurred five times for reporting owner
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal depressed but vehicle does not respond; Delayed response of several seconds; Vehicle eventually resumes normal operation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis identified oil pressure control valve as needing replacement; vehicle was not repaired
Air conditioning compressor bracket failure with discontinued part
AC compressor bracket breaks, causing serpentine belt to slip. This triggers battery and high-temperature warning lights. Owner discovers Chevrolet has discontinued the replacement bracket part, preventing repair.
When: Mileage and timing unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Battery warning light illuminates; High-temperature warning light illuminates; Loose serpentine belt; AC compressor bracket breakage
Repairs/costs cited: Broken AC compressor bracket part is discontinued by Chevrolet; no third-party replacement available; vehicle inoperable for 2+ months at time of complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet directed owner to dealer; dealer unable to help because part is discontinued
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 15,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 32,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.