Chevrolet Colorado transmission failure problems

Filed Nov 7, 2026 · Transmission · OH

I purchased a new 2017 Chevrolet Colorado on XXX. On about XXX the truck started shuddering or not shifting correctly. I took my truck to the local dealer [XXX] GM. There the diagnosed the problem to be the torque converter. According to what they told me GM instructed them to drain and replace the transmission fluid. GM knew the 8-speed transmission had a design defect in the torque converter. The torque converter clutch fails to engage smoothly, creating the shudder vibration. A fluid flush treats the symptom, not the cause. GM was permitted to put a band aid on a problem to get the vehicle through any warranty and make it not their responsible. The vehicle was returned to me, even after I complained to the dealer that this was not fixing the problem. And the truck continued to have a pause in the shifting. On about XXX the shuddering became much more apparent. I made an appointment with this same dealer that had done all of my service. On about XXX they did confirm the the problem was the torque converter. At this point the truck was no longer under the warranty, so GM had succeeded in putting the replacement of the faulty torque converter on me the consumer. As a consumer I feel I have been failed by a system we have in place to protect consumers from dishonest Corporate transactions. This process cost me $4000.00 out of pocket, and 11 days without the use of my truck. All of this transpired, because GM decided to not do what was right and fix what they knew was defective. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · 18,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that the vehicle jolted and hesitated while accelerating and occasionally decelerated suddenly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and a transmission software update was performed, and the valve body was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the transmission was replaced; however, after retrieving the vehicle the jolting of the vehicle persisted. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated to 20 MPH and jolted while decelerating, caused a neck injury. Medical attention was sought. The vehicle was later taken to a second dealer who replaced the ground wire on the battery terminal, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced a systematic factory network failure and network communication collapse. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000.

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Transmission · NC

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.

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Engine · KS

Since Friday, February 23rd 2026 when my 2023 Chevy Colorado first start blowing oil out of the oil pan. almost 5 qts total was lost when it arrived at the dealership. Truck was out of service from Friday until the following Wednesday, January 28th. The truck was picked up and taken on a drive out to (January 29th, 2026) Waverly, KS from my hometown of Prairie Village, KS about 70 miles. On the way back home the truck went into safe mode at highway speeds. Lost all acceleration and barely made it off the side of the road before getting hit. Truck went back to dealership after being towed 70 miles. Where it was kept until Friday, February 6th. During this time at the dealership, they thought the problem was fixed, where again blew out all the oil while driving. Finally received the truck back. Check engine lights were still on but truck was holding oil and driving decent. Truck was doing fine until Monday February 16th. I was at a job and was driving home to finish the day. Again on the highway at highway speeds, truck goes into safe mode and limp it to gas station to again be empty on oil. It is still sitting there. Just last January the truck needed a new Transmission at 48,000 miles and at the same time a wirinig harness for the back-up camera needed replaced. Alot of things have been going wrong with this truck to be so new. It has cost me alot of out of pocket expenses.

Filed Jan 3, 2026 · Transmission · DE

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.

Filed May 15, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · NY

On [XXX] after only 400 miles on the odometer, I experienced complete transmission failure while on a highway and was nearly hit by the vehicle behind me, luckily that did not happen. On April 29th, a new replacement transmission was installed by the Chevy dealer, and now on [XXX] I had experienced a severe burning smell from under the hood of the vehicle accompanied with a grinding sound, which lead to me to take it back to the dealer. On 05/15/25, the customer care manager informed me that the new transmission from the factory has metal debris inside the pan, and the vehicle would again require a complete "tear down". This is very unsafe for major powertrain components from the GM factory to keep failing, another failed transmission on a brand new truck like this is very unsafe especially because I drive on major highways to commute for work and transport my young children. This is unsafe for the public and my family, GM needs to be held accountable, they also refuse to refund me my money back on this vehicle, and are disregarding Lemon Laws in NYS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 6, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · 88,000 miles · CA · fire

The contact stated the company they work for owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission would slip intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the transmission failed. The transmission was replaced. When attempting to start the vehicle it failed to start. They had to jump-start the battery to start the vehicle. The battery was replaced by O'Rileys, a battery specialty shop. Approximately a year later, while another employee was driving at approximately 65 MPH when smoke began coming from underneath the vehicle's hood. The driver pulled over and exited the vehicle. The fire department came and put the fire out. The fire department informed the contact that the cause of the fire was because the battery caught fire. The fire department filed a report. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. There were no injuries or need for medical assistance. The contact spoke with the dealer who informed them that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NY

On [XXX] at approximately [XXX{}, my new 2025 Chevy Colorado Trail Boss which I purchased from the dealer brand new on [XXX], experienced a sudden catastrophic transmission failure which led to myself nearly being severely injured/possibly killed while driving on a main road in New York; on the way to pick up my two small children. The vehicle while on a main road (state highway) with other vehicles traveling at speeds of 40mph or greater, experienced a sudden mechanical failure that resulted in a complete loss of acceleration, and my vehicle was nearly rear ended by high-speed oncoming traffic behind me. As a medical professional, this is extremely frightening, because a mechanical issue like this could have led to the significant traumatic injuries to myself, my children and others. Upon the vehicle coming to a complete stop in the middle of this main road/state highway, the vehicle was turned back on and then went into a "Limp Mode" and was able to slowly crawl to the dealership which it was purchased from nearby. Luckily with the limp mode and hazard lights, I was able to safely make it to the dealer service department. There was a check engine light that then appeared on the dashboard after the vehicle had come to complete stop on the road, there were no indicators or symptoms that were occurring prior to this event. The vehicle was inspected by the service department of the dealership on 04/15/25, with the result as per the service manager and general manager being a major Transmission component failing- (Valve Body Failure). The service manager and general manager did not tell me if they would send the defective part to the manufacturer for inspection, they seemed more focused on having me leave the dealership and being satisfied with a repaired defective un-safe vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 13, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

I purchased my 2019 Chevy Colorado Z71 new in Feb 2019 from a dealership. About two years ago I began having shifting issues from 1st to 2nd gear, it would shudder and seem almost stuck, this would only occur infrequently. Right after I hit 100,000 miles (about a year ago) I have had nothing but issues with the 8 speed transmission, my vehicle is unable to shift from 1st to 2nd without having the shudder occur, it feels like the whole truck is shaking and loses power at acceleration. I took it in for their recommended "service bulletin" which was something that I had to locate myself because GM has not once communicated about there being any kind of shudder issue and they performed a simple flush of the transmission, not the service bulletin recommendation of three flushes and a different fluid. My truck is now in the shop because I am unable to drive it due to this ongoing issue that GM fails to recognize and so far have spent $1,000 attempting to rectify this issue and being told that in order for them to actually perform the service bulletin, it will be another $225 to diagnose the problem, around $500-$700 to perform the service bulletin, and then if that "does not fix the problem", I will have to spend another $900 on a torque converter because that "could" be the issue, the dealership "doesn't know". Then the third fix would be to replace the transmission ($5500-$8500) This has been a known issue since manufacturing and GM is failing to provide adequate assistance to fix a known problem with their 8 speed transmissions. I no longer feel safe to operate my chevy colorado in fear that it could cause serious injury to myself and others due to GM not being able to provide a safe fix to their ongoing issue.

Filed Oct 19, 2024 · Transmission · MO

My vehicle has only 70,000 miles on it. My transmission began to shimmy and is getting worse and worse and several technicians have told me the transmission will have to be replaced. The parts are not available anywhere in the country to rebuild the parts of the transmission that are defective. Secondly I was told I could replace the transmission but there are no transmissions available in the entire country to repair my vehicle with. After investigation on the internet this is a massive problem with this model vehicle and Chevy has been well aware of it for years. A few months ago I had the same problem with them air conditioner compressor. There were no air conditioner compressors available anywhere in the country for my four and a half year old vehicle.