2018 Chevrolet Colorado: check engine light

Filed Aug 2, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · PA

While driving at normal and safe highway speeds, without warning (no audible or visual warning from the vehicle information display) my vehicle experienced engine lockout, loss of all non-electric power, and no control over vehicle speed. A few seconds after loss, the information display did show a "check engine light" and that the engine was in "lockout." We (my spouse, young child, and self) were surrounded by multiple commercial semi-trucks and passenger vehicles and had to weave and serve to avoid collisions at highway speeds and get to the shoulder of the highway in a few seconds. The root cause as diagnosed by a Chevrolet Dealership Service Department was failure of the magnetic strip that is press fit to the reluctor (tone) wheel. A 1/2in piece of the magnetic strip was missing and over 10 cracks within the strip itself observed. This magnetic strip is used by the Engine Control Module to measure engine RPMs. The strip's failure caused the EMC to shutdown the engine without warning which is a significant hazard for controlled vehicle movement at highway speeds. My vehicle's engine (LWN) is one of the few GM designs that have the press fit magnetic strip reluctor wheels. The rest use integrated wheels with the crankshaft or traditionally stamped steel with machined teeth. The vehicle and reluctor wheel has not been inspected by GM or any other representatives. I offered to send images to GM for records but they declined.

Filed Apr 2, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · 90,369 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power and the driver observed a high pitch sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had fractured and there was a fractured bolt inside the cylinder head that needed to be replaced. Additionally, diagnostic trouble codes: P0089, P228C, and P2c1F were retrieved using a DTC machine. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,369.

Filed Jun 3, 2024 · Transmission · WA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? It appears to be a piston failure, as there is compression and diesel in the crankcase. Engine is still in the vehicle but once removed it will be available for inspection if needed. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Power loss on a busy highway requiring lane changes without available engine power is dangerous. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Not yet Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? P0266 code and engine light set immediately after the failure. But there were no warnings prior

Filed Feb 5, 2024 · SC

The check engine light came on because the coolant fan runs for a while after vehicle is shut off. This ended up being due to a thermostat failure. I did have this repaired in Novemver 2023 but what is interesting is that one of my sisters, who also owns a Chevy Captiva had this same thing repaired earlier in 2023 and now my other sister who owns a Chevy Equinox has this same issue now, 2/5/24, and will look into having it repaired. Is this just a coincidence or is this a defective problem that the manufacturers should address?

Filed Apr 20, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 41,000 miles · TX

This started about 3 months after I got the truck and has been doing it since. On three separate occasions, truck engine shut off after stopping then turning right on city and neighborhood streets. First time I pulled out on a road where the speed limit is 55 so I was lucky no one was behind me when the engine cut out. On the fourth occasion, truck shut off after backing up from parking spot and pushing on gas to go forward. No check engine lights, no noises or vibrations to tell me truck is going to shut off. I have to look at dash to see if it has gone black. Radio still works, and I'm able to steer off to side off the road because it's still in motion from after the turn. I can put gear in park position, turn key to off, then start the truck like normal. Have gone to mechanic and dealership and they can't get it to duplicate. Chevrolet has been notified but has said they cannot help if dealership can't find the problem. Steering wheel also starting to get stuck in turn position when turning right. Right after the turn it feels like it catches in something and I have to force the wheel back to center. Starting to happen almost daily, but not for dealership. I feel driving the truck is a safety hazard for not only me but others on the road.

Filed Mar 31, 2021 · Transmission · 21,000 miles · SC

2018 chevy colorado zr2, 21000 miles. Engine shut down while driving in motion on road. Restarted twice and shutdown again twice. Check end engine light came on and traction control said it was disabled. Started third time and put in drive. Wouldn't put power from engine to drive train. 4th start, put in drive and limped back home. Was towed to closest dealer and they cleared error codes with diagnosing. I scanned codes before being towed and error codes were u0700 and u0100. After 3 days of no comms from 1st dealer had 2nd dealer pick up via tow truck. They said 1st dealer cleared codes and could not duplicate. Picked up truck and ran fine for a week, then had same issue on busy road. Had to restart, engine light came on and limped back home. Scanned codes and received same u0700, u0100. Dealer is having tow truck pick up truck to diagnose and repair. This is a serious issue causing truck to shut off while driving and not knowing if it will restart and have power to drivetrain.

Filed Jul 8, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 23,000 miles · FL

I just left work, my truck was parked for 8, hrs. After 3, minutes of driving the service stability track light came on. After a couple mins. I turned down a major highway and then the following warning lights came on: check engine, low fuel ( it was half full), traction control, drive with caution, strearing assist off. The electrical panel went crazy and I lost power to the engine. I pulled over and called chevy roadside assist. They towed the truck to cox chevrolet, where I purchased the vehicle brand new only a year ago. They could not duplicate the issue and I had to drive it back home. This is clearly a malfunction. I do not feel safe driving the it.

Filed Nov 18, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 18,000 miles · OH

I have a 2018 chevrolet colorado lt 4wd crew cab. Multiple times on a cold start the engine is misfiring. The check engine like comes on, the vsa, and t/c lights all come on and a notification on the dash saying stabilitrak is disabled. The vehicle shakes terribly. The check engine light will flash and then go solid. I am an automotive technician. I know that a misfire should set a hard dtc. When the vehicle is turned off and started several hours later there is no check engine light or any other light on. The dealership in marysville, oh had my truck for 3 days and told me they cleaned a bunch of terminals at several connectors. Whatever that is supposed to do. They said they started the vehicle several times after and everything was good. The next day after I picked the truck up, it did the same exact thing! Extremely frustrating! I know a continuous misfire let's unburned fuel into the catalytic converter which leads to premature breakdown of the catalyst. So my question is what is being done about these issues? Another issue is with the transmission. On a cold start there is a clunk noise. Then when you are driving at cruising speed and you let off the throttle and depress throttle again there is a shudder. Also, when you come to a complete stop the vehicle tries to jolt forward. This is extremely concerning especially on a vehicle with roughly 18,000 miles on it. This needs to be addressed promptly!!

Filed Feb 11, 2018 · Engine · 5,000 miles · MN

While driving home, yellow check engine light came on & I noticed reduction of oil pressure. Parked in driveway, shut off engine, went inside. Upon returning, noticed significant amount of oil on driveway. Dipstick showed no oil. Towed to dealership. They verified leaking came from defective oil cooler line hose. Waited several days for replacement part. This is a new 2018 colorado z71 with only 5k miles on engine. And, this is a systemic problem that gm has known about since 2015 and impacts both colorado and canyon models (there are several complaints on web). This is a dangerous problem and should be investigated before someone gets hurt. It was not a slow leak. Obviously, it is manufacturing problem. Additional information (invoice and pictures) available upon request.