This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Chevrolet Colorado engine problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 15 engine complaints filed for the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 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 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 warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be entitled to the 7 year, 70,000-mile Emission Select State Component Limited Warranty.
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
The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado engine complaints span catastrophic failures to recurring systems malfunctions. One owner reported oil filter suction into the engine—GM acknowledged the issue in TSB 19-NA-066 but denied warranty replacement, leaving the owner with a totaled truck. Another reported wrist pin failure in the 2.8L diesel at highway speed, resulting in rod damage and ~$14,000 out-of-pocket repair; the owner cited Geen diesel engineering studies showing manufacturing defects in GM wrist pins affecting 2016–2017 models, some failing under 7,000 miles.
Transmission control module failures appear multiple times, causing deceleration with elevated RPMs, repeated shutdowns, and secondary electrical failures (door locks cycling) even after replacement. The diesel particulate filter sensor shows chronic failures—one owner needed five replacements by 50,000 miles (P1476 code), with warranty expiring soon.
Other owners report engine overheating despite running fans, unexplained coolant loss, check engine lights disabling tow-haul mode repeatedly, cylinder #6 failure requiring engine replacement at 28,000 miles, and aggressive shaking during acceleration. An EVAP filter plugged with dust from gravel roads triggered a $1,200 repair estimate. One complaint documents aggressive shaking with transmission involvement but notes Chevy refuses to recall despite widespread similar complaints.
Same Chevrolet Colorado engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Oil filter suction and engine failure
Oil filter drawn into engine due to missing or broken standpipe in crankcase ventilation system, causing catastrophic engine damage and loss of power.
When: 5 months of ownership; vehicle purchased 09/20/2025, failure reported 02/09/2026
Symptoms owners cite: Engine inoperable; Complete loss of vehicle use
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement needed; owner out-of-pocket $2,036.50 in diagnostic costs; vehicle diminished from $24,578 purchase price to $12,000 resale value
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM acknowledged issue in Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-066; owner sought extended warranty engine replacement through GM and dealership but was denied; case escalated to GM executive team without resolution
Transmission control module failure with secondary electrical issues
Transmission control module fails, causing vehicle to decelerate while RPMs increase unexpectedly; subsequent door lock cycling and repeated transmission failures even after TCM replacement and transmission rebuild.
When: 11,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Deceleration with simultaneous RPM increase at highway speed (70 mph); Vehicle shuts down at stops; Door locks cycle repeatedly (locking and unlocking); No diagnostic codes found by dealer
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission control module replaced; transmission replaced after multiple failed attempts; issues recurred twice more after transmission replacement over 2-month period
Diesel particulate filter sensor repeated failures
DPF sensor fails repeatedly, requiring replacement every few weeks to months; owner reports fifth replacement needed and forum posts indicate chronic failures across 2017 Colorado diesel owners.
When: By 50,000 miles; failures recurring at approximately 4-6 week intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination
Codes mentioned: P1476
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor replaced 4 times as of January; fifth replacement scheduled immediately after; owner reports ~$500 per replacement, covered by warranty but emissions warranty expiring soon
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty covers repairs currently; owner notes GM likely to ignore problem and many owners turning to aftermarket tuners to remove emissions controls
EVAP system filter plugging and check engine light
EVAP filter in fuel tank ventilation system clogs with dust and debris, triggering check engine light; filter location in exposed dusty area makes it prone to blockage during off-road or gravel driving.
When: By 58,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination
Codes mentioned: EVAP issue
Repairs/costs cited: Repair shop estimate $1,200; owner performed own diagnosis ($200) and cleaned primary filter and hose; filter replacement would address root cause but not mentioned in owner's manual service schedule
Wrist pin failure with rod damage
Wrist pin fails in diesel engine, allowing connecting rod to punch hole through engine block; catastrophic failure at highway speed results in complete engine loss.
When: Failures reported in 2016-2017 models; some occurring as early as 7,000 miles; this complaint at unknown mileage during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power at 70-75 mph; Catastrophic engine damage (hole punched in block)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports ~$14,000 out-of-pocket engine replacement cost; Geen diesel engineering studies cited showing manufacturing defect in GM wrist pins
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM stated this is not a documented problem and refused to acknowledge or provide assistance
Engine hesitation with transmission-related issues
Engine hesitates during acceleration without warning; diagnosis and repairs focused on transmission components despite engine symptom presentation; issue remains unresolved.
When: 18,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine hesitation without warning at unknown speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid replaced; torque converter replaced; technician stated vehicle performing as designed despite recurring failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM stated issue would be investigated but owner was never called back
Engine overheating with unexplained coolant loss
Engine overheats during driving with cooling fan operational but ineffective; coolant reservoir empties without visible leak.
When: 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating; Coolant reservoir empty without visible leak; Cooling fan running but ineffective; Air bag warning light illuminated; Seat belt warning light illuminated when seat unoccupied
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; independent mechanic consulted but issue not resolved
Check engine light with tow-haul mode shutdown
Check engine light illuminates repeatedly; when illuminated, tow-haul feature disables automatically, affecting towing capability.
When: 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illumination (over 30 times); Tow-haul mode disables when check engine light activates; Occurs during towing and non-towing scenarios
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM made aware of failure
A/C failure with coolant thermostat malfunction
A/C stops functioning when check engine light illuminates; cooling fan runs excessively when vehicle is parked; root cause determined to be failed engine coolant thermostat.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: A/C stops working when check engine light illuminates; Cooling fan runs 2-3 minutes after engine shutdown; Check engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Coolant thermostat diagnosed as failed; no repair performed by owner
Cylinder #6 failure requiring engine replacement
Engine develops cylinder #6 failure, requiring complete engine replacement; dealer identifies failure through abnormal clicking sound during A/C operation.
When: 28,208 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal clicking sound from engine when A/C activated while parked
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; manufacturer covered 50% of repair cost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM agreed to cover 50% of engine replacement
Abnormal odor from air vents
Abnormal odor emanates from air conditioning vents during driving; cause not identified.
When: 8,930 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal odor from air vents
Repairs/costs cited: Failure could not be duplicated by dealer; no repair performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM notified; case number 9-4995645432 assigned
Aggressive shaking during acceleration
Vehicle shakes aggressively when accelerating; attributed to transmission issue; owner reports thousands of similar complaints from other owners.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Aggressive shaking when accelerating
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as transmission issue by shop; no specific repair details provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevy refuses to acknowledge issue or issue recall despite widespread owner complaints
Thermostat failure with excessive fan operation
Engine thermostat fails to open; cooling fan operates excessively as result.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Thermostat failure; Excessive fan operation
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The truck shudders while accelerating
Had engine trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Chevrolet Colorado?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 11,300 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 35,870. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,300; a quarter make it past 90,000. 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/2017/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.