Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2018-CHEVROLET-COLORADONHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Chevrolet
2018 Chevrolet Colorado problems
The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado has 179 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado has 179 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 76 complaints, typically surfacing around 24,630 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2018 Colorado?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★3/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2018 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC RWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2018 Chevrolet Colorado? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 76 owner reports
· tends to show around 24,630 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 24 owner reports
· tends to show around 62,740 mi · ~$850 to fix
steering — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 20,288 mi · ~$700 to fix
airbags — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 3,412 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 3,412 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2018 Colorado· cruise control
The Stibilitrack in the truck went out just after 20 minutes of driving in 34 degree rainy weather at 65 mph. Found out that it was the passenger front bearing reluctor had chipped away, which is what the wheel speed sensor reads. Once one those go out, you lose Stibilitrack and…
A/c lines near driver side wheel well has chafed through fuel line and wire harness.Causing a couple thousand dollars in damage.Nor warning indicators leading up to either incidents. My chevy dealership mis diagnosed it twice and has now found the issue. Fuel lines leak can…
A faulty engine block heater caused the engine compartment to catch fire while the truck was parked, turned off and the factory installed engine block heater was plugged in.
He wiring harness to the 4wd kept coming on which wouldn’t allow me to ingage. Mountain Chevy citified mechanic found a chafing on the wiring harness. After filing it my truck started to light up like a Christmas tree, Stability service, trailer brake service, Locker service,…
Had a problem with your 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
Common questions
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 179 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 76 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 24,630 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 179 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 24,630 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 76 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 24,630 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 24,630 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Colorado has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 179 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Chevrolet/Colorado.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
