I purchased the truck at the end of March 2025. Within a few weeks I was noticing different issues in the transmission. It would occasionally shudder, have jerky or long shifts, would jump gears and lose power. The shudder was random but mostly on the highway, the jerky or long shifts would mostly occur when the egjne was cold and more often in cold weather. The lose of power and jumping gears would occur when towing and when I was in the mountains, once losing power as I was turning onto a major highway. I took the truck in three times to get diagnosed but they couldnt replicate the issue or find a code. I finally decided to pay for a flush with the fluid that was recommended by a TSB. After the flush the issues were then replicated by the service techs. I have an extended warranty. The representative then inspected the truck and found the same issues and approved a transmission replacement. I took the truck in on June 22nd 2026. As of July 21 the dealership is still waiting for the replacement transmission to be shipped from GM.
2018 Chevrolet Colorado: shudder or vibration when accelerating
26 of the 183 complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado describe shudder or vibration when accelerating.
- owner complaints
- 26
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 29,000
- recalls
- 0
Shudder or vibration when accelerating by model year
What owners say
66,500 miles transmission shudder. Scenic Chevrolet advised the torque converter failed and damaged the transmission.
Luggage and shudders at cruise speed, seems like auto transmission is coming apart. Paid $500 for the trans flush the service bulletin suggests but didn’t help, shop quoted a $8000 replacement on a vehicle with 60k miles. This should be a recall
The issue is with the transmission not shifting as should. The issue is called Shuddering and seems to be a know isuue. If you google search issues with 2018 Chevy Colorado this is the first issue that comes up. This could cause an accident. If gears aren’t shifting properly and I cannot excel as needed I could be rear ended or cause me not to be able merge into traffic if once accelerating it shudders and causes my speed to slow. I think there should be a recall for this issue.
Suddenly losing power, shifting hard, slipping between gears, causing shuddering while driving, and surging forward while accelerating.
At around the 105k mile range the truck would make a gear whine sound and shudder between gears at around the 50mph range, speeding up or slowing down a bit would fix the issue. By 110k miles the truck was making the gear whine sound at speeds over 10 miles an hour studdering at every gear change. I took it to a mechanic who said there were no TSB's for the truck and suggested doing a trans oil dump and filter replacement. The trans filter was replaced, and 7 quarts Mobil1 LV ATF blue label oil was put into the transmission. The studdering has reduced to just at the 50mph range but the gear whine sound has if anything gotten louder.
In [XXX] I took my truck in for oil change, inspection and 3rd complaint of shaking, and shuddering, lurching at a stop, they told me my transmission was broken, they would have to order the part and their was no ETA on when they would get it. I was told there were NONE in the tri-state area from another dealership. We are a one (1) car family and Jim Trenary Chevy said they don’t give out loaners, therefore we had to rent a car at 370.00 a week. Here it is January 15 and we are STILL renting a car. They finally got the part sometime last week, but WE NEED HELP! We have spent over 5,000 in rental car fees and GM will not reimburse us until we return the rental car, even though we have paid cash every week, and we’re have had to borrow from my husbands future paychecks. WE ARE BROKE. We have to pay the deductible of 500.00 when it is finally fixed, plus, during the snow storm last week someone side swiped my rental car, and I have to give Enterprise 1500.00 when I turn in the car for my deductible from insurance. I read there is a 65 million$ law suit pending to GM for these faulty transmissions, yet they don’t feel responsible to pay our expenses for something that IS THEIR PROBLEM, NOT OURS, but they have made it my problem, and I am shouldering all the financial burden of this, their faulty transmission. WE NEED HELP, We are now broke and now can not afford to pay for the rental, or our repair deductible, or our car payment. We don’t make that kind of money. My husband is the only one that works full time. WE NEED HELP, and no one wants to listen or seems to care. WE ARE BROKE! Thank you for listening. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
transmission shudders from 20 to 60 under light acceleration. took to dealer and said that needed different oil. dealer stated that a common issue with these vehicles. Cost $500 to replace oil to proper oil.
While driving, there is noticeable “shudder” that seems to feel like an issue with the transmission when it is shifting (automatic transmission). Research online shows this to be a consistent issue and concern with many owners of the 2018 Chevy Colorado. Having this shudder has not had a solution by the several mechanic shops I’ve been to. Nobody seems to know what is causing this issue, but with many owners having this same problem there must be something that Chevrolet can do to resolve this issue. We bought the vehicle brand new in 2018, and it is now paid off, but this shudder while driving has happened since we have owned the vehicle. It seems to be more prevalent while driving between 30 mph to 60 mph. The shudder happens during ever drive we take. We have the vehicle maintenance performed on all of the recommended intervals for oil, fluids, tires, brakes, etc. This is definitely something that should be a recall.
Transmission is shuddering, some jerking starts and stops.
Car begins to shudder intermetiently if driven over 50 MP due to faulty factor installed transmission fluid, can cause panic when unaware of what is happening. Also can marginally effect handling.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 40-60 MPH, the vehicle would shudder while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was test driven and diagnosed with transmission failure. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the transmission fluid was flushed and replaced with HD transmission fluid per GM Technical Service Bulletin Number: 18-NA-355. The dealer then advised the contact to drive 500-1,000 miles to allow the new HD transmission fluid to circulate the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,589.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Power train
- This service bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage...
- Power train
- This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- Power train
- This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or...
- Power train
- Power train
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado shudder
Is shudder or vibration when accelerating a common problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
26 of 183 owner complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado (14%) mention shudder or vibration when accelerating. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado?
There are 0 recalls and 115 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado
Loss of power 13Check engine light 9Harsh shifting 8Jerking 8Backup camera 6Fuel pump 5
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