Second generation
2018 Chevrolet Colorado
The most reported problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado is transmission shudder, with 34 complaints, usually around 36,000 miles.
- 183owner complaints
- 1recalls
- 3involved a crash
- 22,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 14, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Colorado doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2018 model year.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado has 183 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 350 for 2018 pickups on this site. Of the 12 Colorado model years since 2015, it has the 4th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017 and 2019
- The 2018 sits level with the years around it, at 20 complaints for each year on the road next to 22 for the 2017 and 19 for the 2019.
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, transmission shudder, covers 34 of the 183 complaints (19%), and stalling is next with 22 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). A quarter of the 22 owners who gave a mileage for transmission shudder saw it by about 18,000 miles, and half by about 36,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 10 of the 183 complaints (5%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 3 reports mention a crash, 5 mention a fire and 3 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as transmission shudder. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2019 at 39 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 21. So far in 2026, 12 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard, 34 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
183 complaints is 1.5 times fewer than the median 2018 model on this site and 1.9 times fewer than the median 2018 pickup. Among the 8 Colorado model years here it ranks 4th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado
Chevrolet filed 1,262 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado. 76 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 16 bulletins · 34 complaints
This service bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a delayed engagement into drive, shudder at a launch, or the transmission is slipping when shifting into 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th gears.
14 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure to aid in correcting a customer concern of a Howling, Whining/Whirring Noise, Shudder/Vibration and/or Grinding Noise While in 4HI, 4HI Auto and/or During Parking Lot Maneuvers in Auto Mode.
This service bulletin provides service /diagnostic information to aid with a Transmission Harsh 1-2 Shift Upon First Start Up/Shift of the Day Under Light Throttle.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of a complaint of a sag or hesitation when accelerating.
This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of Delayed and/or Harsh Engagement of Transmission Shift After Vehicle Sitting with Engine Off.
This informational bulletin explains how the trans slip or flare can be a normal condition.
This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the customer may experience a 2-3 slip or flare after the vehicle has been sitting for a period of time.
This informational bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
This technical bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of Delayed and/or Harsh Engagement of Transmission Shift After Vehicle Sitting with Engine Off.
This technical bulletin provides information for new transmission oil to use and a procedure for exchanging the old fluid and adding the new fluid to correct a shake/shudder during light throttle acceleration condition.
Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
Plus 4 older ones not listed here.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 7 bulletins · 22 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
This service bulletin provides service information for customer concerns of an in-tank fuel pump whining noise, engine hard to start and/or stalls and Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated that may be caused by gelling of fuel in cold temperatures.
5 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a Service Power Steering message, loss of power and or Malfunction Indicator Lamp on in the Instrument Panel Cluster.
This service bulletin provides information to correct a customer concern of an in-tank fuel pump whining noise, engine hard to start and/or stalls and Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated.
This Bulletin provides information to correct a customer concern of a siren or whine noise from the in-tank fuel pump at temperatures below -6C or 20F, accompanied by start and stall, no start, loss of power and MIL illuminated.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that a whine noise heard from the automatic transmission fluid pan hear with the the key on and engine off, or for up to one minute after the vehicle has been shut off should be ...
This Technical Bulletin provides information to correct a customer concern of a siren or whine noise from the in-tank fuel pump at temperatures below -6C or 20F, accompanied by start and stall, no start, loss of power and MIL illuminated.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 14 bulletins · 13 complaints
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to locate and repair a possible short in the wiring harness located at the camshaft cover or the cylinder head to correct customer concerns of Lack of Power, Reduced Power Displayed on DIC, Rough Idle, Stabilitrak ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Navigation radio does not have a global positioning system location but OnStar is able to accurately locate the vehicle.
12 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the HMI module to correct a condition of Radio Control (ICS) Display Does Not Remain Off at Times after it Has Been Turned Off in the Radio Settings Menu due to a software concern.
Audio speaker sound quality is poor, has a buzzing sound or rattles while listening to the radio or other music source.
This informational bulletin provides information for reprogramming the radio with the latest software due to a buzz and/or static noise heard during a Bluetooth call.
This informational bulletin provides information for the technicians on multi-media infotainment tester (MIT), does not function properly when diagnosing infotainment complaints, which may lead to mis-diagnosis.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to clear the codes and re-evaluate the XM radio channels to correct a condition of audio muting when listening to some Sirius XM channels but if they change channels they will find others that experience normal ...
This preliminary information bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for the customer concern of a blank radio with/without audio, by checking the the wiring harness, ECU and reprograming the HMI software update, if the wiring or ECU are not the cause.
This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
This informational bulletin provides information to the customer on the radio display "info pages" being blank and to make sure to select in the "active info pages" menu.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D-37 history in the Vehicle Communication Interface Module or telematics communication interface control module.
Plus 2 older ones not listed here.
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear 5 bulletins · 12 complaints
This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
3 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the rear axle c-clips if found the cause of the customers concern of rear axle clunk.
This informational bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operations.
This informational bulletin provides information on Some vehicles may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 2 bulletins · 9 complaints
This Technical bulletin provides information to correct a condition of a Service Power Steering Message on DIC, increased steering effort.
This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
Check engine light or misfire 25 bulletins · 8 complaints
This service bulletin provides inspection/diagnosis/correction information on a cold start misfire and/or rough idle and DTC P0300 that may also be set.
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce ...
23 more on this problem
This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to ...
This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Rough Idle, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated After Engine Repairs with DTCs P0016 and/or P0018 Set.
This service bulletin provides service information to correct a customer concern of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated on Driver Information Center (DIC) with DTCs P0171, P0174 Set.
This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or P0455 Set.
This service bulletin advises the technician of a diagnostic test for a possible issue with a damaged OCV solenoid that may cause an oil leak and misfire, illuminating the MIL and setting DTCs P0300, P0302 and/or P0305.
This service bulletin provides diagnostic strategy information to aid in diagnosing a Ticking, Tap or Rattle Noise from Engine with Possible Misfire, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P06DE set in the Engine Control Module.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible cause of engine oil consumption, misfire, cylinder leakage or blow by.
This Preliminary information communicates additional diagnostic information for DTC's P0016 and P0018.
Plus 13 older ones not listed here.
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 5 bulletins · 6 complaints
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air.
3 more on this problem
This Preliminary Infiormation relates to air condition performance issues that can occur if bulletin 19-NA-177 for air conditioning evaporator freeze up is performed on vehicles not in the geographical areas where this can occur.
This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Lack of A/C performance, Evaporator freeze up.
This preliminary information is to alert the service technician of a potential A/C evaporator freezing concern , engineering is investigating.
Seat belt or seat problems 2 bulletins · 6 complaints
This preliminary information shows how to inspect for and correct a rattle from the rear seat latches.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a loose front seat cover. Technician will need to remove 3 portions of the seat frame and reinstall the seat cover.
Complaints filed by year
39 complaints came in 2019, 3.0 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
The recall on the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
Transmission shudder, with 34 of the 183 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 36,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Colorado problems start?
Of the 88 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 9,000 miles and half by about 22,000.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado better or worse than the 2017 and 2019?
Counted per year on the road, the 2018 has about as many complaints as both the 2017 and the 2019: 20 a year against 22 and 19.
How many 2018 Chevrolet Colorado complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
10 of them (5%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for transmission shudder on the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
No recall on file for the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado is on the same system as transmission shudder. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.