2020 Chevrolet Colorado problems
The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado has 79 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado has 79 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 31 complaints, typically surfacing around 46,500 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Colorado | 215 | 1 |
| 2018 Colorado | 179 | 1 |
| 2019 Colorado | 145 | 0 |
| 2020 Colorado (this page) | 79 | 0 |
| 2021 Colorado | 69 | 1 |
| 2022 Colorado | 49 | 1 |
| 2023 Colorado | 130 | 3 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
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
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: 2020 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC 4WD. 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 2020 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 — 31 owner reports · tends to show around 46,500 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- engine — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 74,153 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- steering — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 13,500 mi · ~$700 to fix
- brakes — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 102,400 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 13,500 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 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.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2020 Chevrolet Colorado
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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The vehicle is experiencing a shake and/or shudder during light throttle acceleration between 25 and 80 MPH steady state driving when transmission is not actively shifting gears. The condition is as if I were driving over rumble strips. Tsb 18-na-355 addresses this issue in 2017…
My 2020 colorado has a sloshing sound coming from passengers front going towards back when accelerating. Also the truck has been going out of alignment since the day I got it. Dealer claims 'rear thrust angle not aligned from factory' every month I have been back to get it…
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and accelerating, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the abnormal shaking was caused by…
COMPLAINT # 11630574 Transmission Shudder, took to dealership on 09/28/2023 had transmission flushed and changed fluid to new style transmission fluid, per GM under warranty. I was told that if it needed done again that i would have to pay to have it done and would cost…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 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 2020 Chevrolet Colorado?
On the NHTSA data, the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. 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 2020 Chevrolet Colorado?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 31 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 46,500 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 2020 Chevrolet Colorado a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 79 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 46,500 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 2020 Chevrolet Colorado?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 31 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 46,500 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 46,500 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 2020 Chevrolet Colorado?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 79 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.