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2021 Chevrolet Colorado transmission problems

13 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car).

owner complaints
13
of this car's complaints
16%
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Colorado transmission problems in other years

20042010201520202026

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2021 Chevrolet Colorado owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Transmission · FL

The rear differential is sounding very loud, like grinding roaring sound @ 72,000. This truck doesn't pull any loads or anything heavy.all service are on time. How can this young milage truck major part go bad just so. It's dangerous driving on the street. It can cause death if it blows up or freeze. GM has a global service about their miss labeled rear differential. They now acting like they now hearing about this when many people is complaining about this faulted differential.

Filed Oct 4, 2026 · Transmission · FL

In May 2025, I took my truck to the dealership due to a severe whining noise from the rear. They said the rear differential had failed and needed a full replacement, costing me $1,800 since the warranty didn’t cover the entire amount. By late September 2026, while driving on the highway, the whining returned—this time with vibrations under my feet whenever I accelerated. Back at the dealership, I was told the rear differential had failed again. From July 2025 to July 2026, my truck was equipped with a Snapshot device from my insurance, both before and after the first repair, so I can’t understand why the differential failed twice in just a year and a half. The dealership mentioned that many owners of the same vehicle, and others with the same differential, are experiencing the exact same issue. I believe this is a serious safety concern, as repeated failures could lead to a dangerous acc

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Transmission · FL

My 2021 Chevy Colorado experienced a distinct bucking and shuddering sensation under slow acceleration at lower RPMs, specifically when shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear. There were no dashboard warning lights or malfunction codes prior to the issue. The defect was officially reproduced, inspected, and confirmed by a GM technician at a certified Chevrolet dealership on October 28, 2025, at 46,437 miles. Diagnostic scanning using GM’s GDS software explicitly confirmed that the Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) slip speed was exceeding 100 RPM when the low-speed shudder occurred. The dealership determined the component was failing and replaced the entire torque converter assembly under warranty. This documentation is submitted to prove that the TCC defect remains uncorrected in post-2019 vehicles. My sister’s identical 2021 Colorado is now experiencing the same defect at 59,000 miles, but her symptoms have progressed significantly worse to include a severe high-speed drivetrain shudder alongside the low-speed acceleration bucking.

Filed Jul 5, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · AL

While driving on the parkway, the engine revved, and then the brakes became hard as a brick. The truck was unable to be stopped. There were no warning lamps or indications there was a problem, it happened suddenly and immediately. Other drivers' and my own safety was at risk because I could not stop the truck. Here is the diagnosis from the GM service center where it was towed to: "After the removal of the valve cover, the tech found the pump in pieces, and the end of the exhaust camshaft was damaged, as presented in the photos. The quote attached depicts all that is being replaced with this repair." The is a know and acknowledged GM defect that has affected well over 3 million vehicles to date. There was a recall issued for some models, but not the Chevrolet Colorado. There are many reports online of other Colorado owners having the exact brake vacuum pump failure, resulting in damage to the camshaft.There is also a class action lawsuit filed in Michigan in early 2026, involving the same brake vacuum pump failure, for some of the models that were not included in the recall. This is an extremely dangerous mechanical failure that GM is aware of.

Filed May 20, 2026 · Brakes, Transmission · HI

Brake vacuum pump appeared to fail creating brake system malfunction. Appears determined by mechanics to have seized and caused damage to cam shaft. Driver’s safety issue caused when trying to brake vehicle not functioning. Vehicle was towed to mechanic shop. There were no warning signs of impending failure of system. Note that earlier years for this model may have had recalls for safety issue and malfunction.

Filed Aug 16, 2025 · Transmission · CA

I own a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado Lt Extended Cab 2WD. The rear differential has failed prematurely at 70000 miles. the failure caused loud whining/grinding noises, vibration, and unsafe driving conditions. After researching online, i found many other 2021 Colorado owners reporting the same issue with rear differential failure, often at relatively low mileage. This indicates a widespread defect in the differential assembly. There are existing GM Technical Service Bulletins (20-NA-034, 20-NA-156) related to axle/differential noise and machining defects, but GM has not issued a recall or extended warranty coverage. Differential failure can lead to loss of power to the wheels or lockup while driving, which poses a serious safety risk. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this issue and require GM to issue a recall or Special coverage adjustment for the affected vehicles.

Filed Jun 6, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Complete engine failure due to defective crankshaft malfunction, truck taken to certified repair shop and then dealer, deal not responding for 24 days. Engine failed traveling on the highway was fortunately able to pull over, stranded. Engine light came on and the engine failed completely 5-10 min after on a 2 hour return trip home. Certified repair shop informed me this is the exact same reason of the recall just that my vehicle wasn’t currently under the recall. Vehicle component has been recalled on other Chevrolet vehicles manufactured during the same time just not this one yet.

Filed Oct 31, 2024 · Steering, Transmission · 53,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel briefly vibrated, and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the steering rack. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who then diagnosed a failure with the lower steering shaft, and the transmission 4x4 climbing gear. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 53,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Apr 16, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · NJ

I have 2021 Chevy Colorado pickup truck. Put the truck in park and unable to turn off and remove the key. This is the third time this has happened this week . The first two times I moved the shifter from park to drive and back and it released. The last time I had to sit in my drive way for twenty minutes with the truck running before I could turn the key to shut off the truck. This is a very dangerous situation if there was every an emergency and not being able the shut off the truck.

Filed Sep 14, 2022 · Transmission · CA

I have taken my vehicle into the shop twice for an issue with the transmission. The first time they did a software update on the vehicle. They said that that would fix the issue. The vehicle was working fine for a week I took the vehicle back to the shop because it was making a clunking noise again when I put it in reverse. I recorded the incident of the clunking noise and I provided it to the service manager. They kept the vehicle for two days and stated that they were unable to replicate the issue. Even though I sent them a video they tried to tell me that it is normal for the vehicle to make a clunking noise when put in reverse. Upon further investigation online and speaking with people that know how to work on cars they stated to me that that is not normal. I have determined that multiple other Colorado’s have had this issue based on what I found online at this point in time Chevy need to do something about this or refund my money.

Questions about the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado transmission

Does the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the transmission of the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2021 Chevrolet Colorado transmission problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Chevrolet Colorado have bad transmission?

The Chevrolet Colorado model years with the most transmission complaints are 2017 (108 complaints), 2016 (97 complaints) and 2018 (78 complaints).

Other 2021 Chevrolet Colorado problems

Brakes 21Engine 21Electrical 11Steering 10Airbags 6Fuel system 3Seat belts 3Suspension 3Visibility 3Acceleration 1Body 1Driver assistance 1Lights 1

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