Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition in which the Brake System Control Module does not have the latest software. Dealers are to reprogram the Brake System Control Module.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Chevrolet Colorado brakes problems
moderate Owners of the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Colorado | 6 |
| 2020 Colorado | 6 |
| 2021 Colorado | 10 |
| 2022 Colorado | 6 |
| 2023 Colorado (this page) | 18 |
| 2024 Colorado | 18 |
| 2025 Colorado | 10 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes 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.
Certain vehicles, may have a condition in which the Brake System Control Module does not have the latest software. Dealers are to reprogram the Brake System Control Module.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on the brake system warning lamp illuminated on driver information center (DIC), brake pedal goes closer to the floor and/or is harder to push.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides customer information for rear unwanted automatic braking, usually when reversing out of a garage or driveway.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2023 Colorado brake system has generated 17 complaints across several distinct failure modes. The most serious is unwanted automatic emergency braking—the forward collision system triggers hard stops on empty highways at 57–65 mph, in parking lots, and on open roads with zero obstacles present. Owners report abrupt stops causing whiplash, seatbelt marks, and in one case, a buyback after GM's investigation confirmed "unwanted or undesired automatic braking system failing." Software update N242452130 preceded at least one severe incident.
Spongy brakes and system failures are common. Owners describe brake pedals going to floor, "Brake System Failure" messages, and anti-lock brake codes. Dealers cannot reproduce the failures and have guessed at master cylinder or ECM communication faults. Reset procedures sometimes restore function temporarily.
Rotors warp prematurely—complaints cite 17,000 to 27,000 miles on lightly driven trucks, contradicting normal brake wear patterns. One owner purchased a certified used vehicle under 20,000 miles already exhibiting warped rotors and vibration.
A brake pad monitoring sensor delivered contradictory readings: 7mm+ per physical inspection one day, then 2mm or less the next. One caliper failed at 15,747 miles with zero pad remaining while other wheels were healthy. A vehicle locked up brakes while being towed without alerting the operator.
Dealers consistently cite "driving conditions" for premature wear, refuse warranty coverage, and have admitted they cannot duplicate intermittent failures.
Same Chevrolet Colorado brakes reports on nearby years: 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Unwanted Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
The forward collision warning system activates and applies hard braking with no vehicle or obstacle in the path, causing sudden stops at highway speeds.
When: Various, including at 57 mph on clear highway, 65 mph on empty highway, 30 mph on open road, middle of empty parking lot; some incidents follow software updates
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt full stop with no warning lights or dashboard alerts; Hard braking causing whiplash, seatbelt marks, and violent deceleration; Crash detection alert/light flashing before sudden brake application; No vehicles or obstacles in vehicle's path when braking occurs; Multiple false activations during single drive
Codes mentioned: N242452130 (ECM/software update related)
Repairs/costs cited: GM issued buyback in one case after black box investigation; dealership service manager reported similar issue on 2024 Equinox; one vehicle developed brake and rotor problems from repeated hard braking
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued buyback after 70-day investigation and stated failure was 'consistent with unwanted or undesired automatic emergency braking system failing'; software update N242452130 performed for ECM issue
Spongy Brakes and Brake System Failure Messages
Brake pedal loses firmness, goes to floor, or requires excessive travel; accompanied by system failure warnings. Intermittent nature makes dealer diagnosis difficult.
When: Occurs intermittently; one case happened immediately after delivery; some after holding foot on brake while engine running
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to floor with no stopping power; Spongy brake feel requiring excessive pedal pressure; Dashboard messages: 'Brake System Failure', 'Service Brake Pad Monitoring System', 'BREAK FAILURE – DO NOT DRIVE OVER 60MPH'; All warning lights illuminate on dashboard; Brakes release momentarily while holding foot on pedal (with engine running)
Codes mentioned: Brake System Failure code, Anti-Lock Brake Failure code, Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate intermittent failures; guesses included faulty master cylinder or ECM/brake control module communication issue; one vehicle required computer reset by dealer; brakes became functional again after reset but check engine light remained
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software recall performed; dealer service reset system
Warped Rotors at Low Mileage
Rotors warp prematurely (under 20,000 miles) with normal to light driving, causing brake vibration and shaking.
When: 17,000–27,000 miles; one vehicle had issue on certified used purchase with under 20k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Severe shaking or vibration when braking; Brakes feel spongy; Violent braking reaction from hard stops caused by AEB system
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership recommended rotor and brake pad replacement; one owner reports Chevy refused to cover cost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership attributed to 'driving conditions' despite owner reporting normal/light driving; no warranty coverage provided in at least one case
Brake Pad Monitoring System Malfunction
Brake pad wear sensor gives contradictory readings—multi-point inspection shows pads at 7mm or greater, but next day system reports pads at 2mm or less and demands service.
When: At approximately 27,000 miles; discrepancy appeared one day after service inspection
Symptoms owners cite: Message 'New Brake Pads Detected' on instrument panel at startup; Message 'Service Brake Pad Monitoring System' displayed; Sensor reading contradicts previous day's physical inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended brake pad and rotor replacement; vehicle not repaired; owner questioned dealer about 80mm difference in readings
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated computer results take precedence over multi-point inspection; manufacturer not notified
Right Front Brake Caliper Failure
Single brake caliper failed with zero brake pad remaining while other wheels retained full brake material, suggesting isolated component failure unrelated to driving conditions.
When: 15,747 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of brake pad on right front wheel only
Repairs/costs cited: Local dealer made repairs; owner retained failed parts as evidence; other three wheels showed 7mm+ brake lining and normal condition
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer blamed towing brake controller despite only one wheel affected; owner disputes this diagnosis
Brake Lock-Up During Towing
Brakes lock up suddenly while vehicle is being towed, causing the towed vehicle to drag for several feet without operator awareness until alerted.
When: After approximately 120 miles of towing on April 12, 2025
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes suddenly locked with no operator input; Vehicle dragged for several feet; No alert to tower operator
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Forward collision braking activated for no reason and will hard brake. Has done it in the middle of an empty parking lot as well as when driving 65 MPH down the highway, twice. No major injuries happened either time other then sore necks and seatbelt marks. On 2 incidents only the driver was in the vehicle, the other incident consisted of the driver, front seat passenger and 2 children in the…
When you have your foot on the break engine running within about 5 mins the breaks release for a second all the light on the dashboard kick on then the breaks feel spongy, you have to then turn the truck off the computer resets check engine light will still remain but the breaks will now be functional again. When taking it to the dealer they stated there was a software recall and they reset the…
Bought car on 10/28/23 and as I was leaving the dealership, I applied the brake and the pedal went to the floor. An error code came up "Brake System Failure". The truck was immediately brought back to the service department. 10/31/23- Capital Chevrolet service department checked the error and deemed the vehicle was safe to drive. 11/8/23-I was turning right on a main road and moved into the far…
Had brakes trouble with your 2023 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 brakes problem on the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 18 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 27,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2023/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.