The vehicle experienced severe transmission hesitation, rough shifting, and shuddering early on, which was brought to a Chevrolet dealership under factory warranty at 16,875 miles (April 2021). The issue was reproduced by the dealer at that time. The transmission has now suffered a complete failure at 97,277 miles, creating an immediate driving and safety hazard due to loss of propulsion while operating the vehicle. The failed transmission and vehicle are currently available for inspection upon request.
Chevrolet Colorado harsh shifting problems
45 of the 3,667 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Colorado describe harsh or hard shifting, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 45
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical mileage
- 8,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Shudder 11Slipping 6Transmission failure 5Hesitation 4Jerking 3Check engine light 3Stalling 2Misfire 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P2817 1P0700 1P00B7 1
What owners say
Seats: Driver’s seat shifts forward when normal braking pressure is applied. Bottom cushion seems to be loose/shifting. Cause for major concern if emergency braking should be needed and seat does not restrain driver Steering: Steering wheel has vibrations when driving over normal aberrations/roughness on paved roads. Accompanied by rattles and mechanical noise. Extremely annoying Suspension: Front passenger side has loud clunk from time to time on certain speedbumps/off road. Low speeds 10-15mph. Vehicle Details: 2026 Colorado ZR2, Odometer: 3176
Transmission hesitates and/ or slams into gear.
Transmission hard shift. Sputters when driving
The vehicle experienced a sudden and progressive transmission failure during normal driving conditions. Symptoms included harsh shifting, delayed engagement, loss of power transfer, and eventual inability to reliably propel the vehicle. The failure created a safety risk due to unexpected loss of acceleration and unpredictable drivetrain behavior while in traffic. The transmission issue was not the result of improper maintenance. The vehicle was maintained according to manufacturer recommendations. The condition worsened over time and ultimately required dealer inspection. A dealership inspected the vehicle and attributed the failure to a transmission defect, characterizing it as a maintenance issue despite no evidence of neglect. The transmission and related components remain available for inspection upon request. No warning lights provided adequate advance notice prior to the functional failure. The issue occurred without driver misuse and under ordinary driving conditions.
Clunking sound coming from rear end upon normal acceleration. When I take my foot off of the brake pedal, and depress the gas pedal, A loud clunk appears to come from the differential. If I coast first and then depress the gas pedal, it is not as pronounced. When you slow down to make a corner, and resume speed exiting the corner it is also pronounced. It should be noted that I am a safe adult driver (safe driver module installed in truck) and have 35,800 miles. My truck has always been serviced by my Chevrolet dealership; I am an older gentlemen and never drive recklessly. I'd like to think the rear differential should not be making a clunking sound at this point in its history
Transmission Issues — Shudder And Vibration; Stuttering; Vibration And Slams Into Gear At Low Speeds When Going Into Gear. Problem has been confirmed by a independent service center. No warning lights. No codes detected by service center. Bought in May of 2019. 47,000 miles. Noticed about two months ago,
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving 60-70 MPH, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle decelerated and shook before slamming into gear and then continuing to accelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after stopping, the vehicle proceeded to move off in another gear other than 1st gear, then abruptly downshifted into 1st gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a complaint was filed, the contact was added to a list, and then referred to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
06/13/2023: Odometer: 86881 Transmission-2nd Shift: Flare, 3rd Shift: rough shift flare, 4th Shift: shutter. Excessive metal particles in the fluid. No transmission codes or engine light detected. Result was a new rebuilt transmission. 11/01/23: Odometer: 90239 Engine Code: P00b7 coolant flow restriction, stuck thermostat. Result was to replace thermostat and flush coolant system. 12/06/23: Odometer: 91701 No codes detected. Fluids noticed on pavement occasionally. Valve cover gasket, vacuum pump gasket were failing. Result was to replace all parts. 02/25/24: Odometer: 92885 Code-engine overheating, idle engine. Critical 260 upon cold start. Failing temperature sensor. Result was to replace front and rear temperature sensor. Driver seat has begun to unravel and separate at the stich line on the side closest to the door. No repairs have been made. Issue began years ago. Approximately 2018. The area was small and has slowly widened. Approximately 6 inches currently even with avoidance of stretching and being cautious of that area. I do have documentation of this events and repairs if they are needed.
Reference report #[XXX] The transmission in my 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Quad Cab short bed is hard shifting, shuddering and pausing. The transmission has been serviced two times by the dealer and two times by me. Servicing means fluid and filter changes. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.9 or 3.7 liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect," and federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles may have been built with an automatic transmission adjustment clip that may not retain the shift cable in the correct position. If the shift cable is not in the correct position, the prndl shift lever may not accurately reflect the position of the transmission gear. The driver could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park."
- Risk
- The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle could roll away as the driver or other occupants exit the vehicle or have exited, resulting in the possibility of the vehicle striking them or someone around the vehicle, or could result in a crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Gm dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 19, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 11V337000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Colorado harsh shifting
Which Chevrolet Colorado years have harsh or hard shifting problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (16 complaints), 2018 (8 complaints) and 2019 (8 complaints).
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