general problems of the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado

Saturday July 12, 2025: my truck got an action required notice: "exhaust fluid quality poor see owners manual now 100 miles until 65mph max speed" I turned around and returned home to get a different vehicle to do what I needed to do. Monday, July 14 my mechanic hooked it up to the vehicle scanner and got the code information: "p11d5: nox sensor 2 exceeded minimum learning limit (symptom 00) - current dtc, test failed since dtc clear, history dtc, test not passed since power up, warning indicator requested" so we ordered and replaced the sensor, still the action required message remains. . . I am now down to "64 miles to 55mph max speed" and my dealership is telling me there is nothing more that can be done, unless I want to pay up to 5k for additional repairs that in their experience may not fix the issue?? I've googled the issue and many many people complain of this issue and there appears to be no actual fix for it. . . . Gm tells me that im out of luck and they have no information regarding a fix or remedy for the situation!.

The problem started two months ago, with a loss of engine power and a stability track warning on the dashboard. This happened occasionally while driving, often going away on its own by turning off the vehicle. Two weeks ago, I took it to Chevrolet for an inspection. They did a general inspection and said it was a factory defect. Now, the vehicle has the problem constantly, and there are times when it's undriveable. That's a risk for me.

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?.

The beginning of November my driver side door would not open. There was no warning, and nothing happened to cause this. I took it to the dealership. For $161. 00 they told me I would need $980. 00 worth for parts, which I had to pay upfront, so they would order them. Needless to say there is only one mechanic that is able to do this repair, so I’m still waiting. My appointment is on January 31. I feel this has been a big hazard, do to no fault of my own. I’m just grateful that at 57 I can climb through to still use the truck.

At the beginning of November I was out shopping, when I returned to my vehicle, the driver side door would not open. Luckily I was fit enough to crawl through from the passenger side. I promptly called the chevy dealership for an inspection/ repair. I feel this was an emergency situation. I didn’t even want to think about what would happen if I were in a vehicle accident, and couldn’t get out, or, no one could get in. I was able to get an appointment at the dealership for November 16, 2023. My chevy is always parked in covered garage, there was no warning sign of anything going wrong. They checked it at my appointment, but because they couldn’t open it, they decided to order all the assembly parts, which I had to pay for ahead of time. My next appointment for the repair wasn’t set till January 31, 2024. I never knew how important a functional door would be. Very inconvenient, and dangerous.

For at least 6 months now my ignition key goes in and starts normally. When parked the key goes back one notch and freezes. Cannot pull it out or put back to off position. This is sporadic. Have been to 2 Chevrolet dealers who simply stated they cannot duplicate the issue so they don't want to throw parts at it. On you tube there are many videos of how people are handling this. . If I had a emergency run to a hospital or something of a time constraint I cannot do it because I am stuck for at least a half hour until it moves again. Now about $280. 00 into diagnostic fees that Chevrolet claims they know nothing about so they are doing nothing. Imagine that click the key 5 or 6 times video it and then say cannot duplicate the problem. I hope this leads to someone acknowledging an issue. Thanks.

Unable to remove key from ignition switch. Engine shuts off, but ignition is still on. In short time the battery goes dead. Per the dealer, the customer needs to lift hood and disconnect negative battery cable to prevent the battery from dying and the vehicle needing towing. Most customers under the hood with wrenches is a dangerous situation. Per the internet this is common with this vehicle, and the dealer fix is not a sure cure. Gm needs to investigate and come up with a permanent fix that does not let customers stranded, carrying wrenches, and working under the hood to keep going, especially at night.

The hvac module temp door is cracked, as previously seen in the 2015-2016 recall for Chevrolet Colorado’s and GMC canyons. This forces the temperature to be 33 degrees f colder than requested. This poses a risk to those that live in cold winter climates, as there is no heat available in the vehicle.

We reported issues with our thermostat to our dealer back in September of 2022. The vehicle would not defrost or heat. We were then told the thermostat required replacements but there was no part in existence and they would notify us when it became available. After following up numerous times with no actionable timeline from the dealer we consulted with a secondary mechanic who confirmed the issue was related to a thermostat sensor malfunction and would require a replacement thermostat. Again we were told that the item was not available from gm and we would be contacted when more information was available. A spac case was created by our dealer in October of 2022, notifying the system of the urgent need and our dealer has followed up numerous times that gm has not provided any timeline for replacement. I have also filed a separate claim in January of 2023 to gm customer service notifying them of the ongoing issue and escalating to upper management. I have not heard back on mitigation or rectification plan for our issue. This ongoing issue is a major safety concern that has rendered my vehicle unfit for operation. I am unsure why gm is not making this major safety concern a priority because we are now in the middle of a chicago winter we’re temperatures are regularly below freezing. I cannot defrost my windows or maintain a safe cabin temperature. This is unsafe for me to operate let alone use the vehicle to transport my child because of the immediate danger it would place her and I in. I am now paying for a vehicle that has sat inoperable in my driveway for 4+ months with no end in site and opening is up to additional damages because it has had to remain inoperable for an extended period of time.

We have been complaining to the dealerships (2) since 2021 about a spontaneous outage of the infotainment system. Each time we were told there was no problem. They claimed to have contacted gm, who said 'no problem' or so we were told. The 'problem' has become a serious safety issue for myself. It starts with a loud constant ‘ticking’ sound that begins after getting seated, even before the key is placed in the ignition and does not stop. The radio rolls a list of station numbers even when nothing is on making it very distracting. Listening to the radio has become impossible. This system malfunction has created a more serious problem for me. At my height, the view of the speedometer reading on the dashboard is blocked by the steering wheel making me dependent on the mph display directly in front of the steering wheel, and is part of the infotainment system, which keeps going off and I have no way to watch or judge my speed safely. It also interferes when using gps and causes a loss of direction. This is just downright dangerous. As obvious as the problem is, the current dealership requires a $190 diagnostic fee with repair costs to follow. This system was not an option or add-on. We could not break it or wear it out. Now out of warranty gm refuses any responsibility. Why no recall? many complaints stated on social media.

While driving my truck overheated and antifreeze was leaking inside the car. Due to the antifreeze leaking my windows were fogging up pretty quickly and I couldn’t see. Therefore having to stop in the middle of the road cause I could t see almost getting hit. Now I can not drive the my car due to the smell making my kids and myself sick. It also states in the paper work after buying my truck new that this is a defect part. This would be a heater core. Thanks for this heater core being inside the truck I almost was hurt.

The key repeatedly will not turn to off position and cannot be removed from ignition. This results in my having to leave the key in the ignition. At the grocery store, at the post office, at the drug store etc. I have taken to dealership. The first time for 2 days and they said they could not duplicate the problem. The 2nd time it happened in the service drive. The service advisor saw it but the technician said could not duplicate. This could result in stolen vehicle or dead battery depending how long I have to leave in the on position. The TSB on this says replace shifter control assembly.

Key cannot be removed from ignition. I bought my truck 6 months ago and it’s been in the shop 3 times bc I can’t remove my key. Last time it left me stranded at my veterinary clinic at 1 am after dealing with an emergency because the battery died. It appears as though I am not the only one having this issue.

2018 Chevrolet Colorado. . . When driving if a side window is dropped less than an inch, vehicle shakes, vibrates and make odd noises. Raise all windows and vehicle runs smoothly. Many drivers are reporting the same problem online. Both the Colorado and same GMC vehicle having same problem. When a window is lowered the vehicle vibrates and shakes violently. . . One has to drop down to 30 miles and hour to make it safe to drive. Seems like a problem GMC should be able to repair without much trouble.

Ignition tumbler and steering wheel locked. Could not turn key, could not turn wheel. Truck was is park on flat driveway. Tried all basic instructions (three adults) and then called mobile mechanic. He could not get it to turn either and could not remove steering wheel cover to access ignition tumbler to replace. Truck is three years old. Had to have it towed to dealership.

We were driving on a city street and we started to smell burned plastic, we pulled over and the seat where my 3 month old baby in her car seat started to smoke, I immediately took the car seat out and flames started to come out from behind the seat, police and fire department came and extinguished the fire, fire department told me it's a electrical related fire. They are no seat warmers on the rear seats.

The truck vibrates , stutters some times when driving. Went to dealer he said it has been happening in trucks. He said thicker trans oil should fix it. Is this just a band aid for a bigger problem. Would like your view. Thanks.

My Colorado has completely shut down/powered off when making a right hand turn. Twice now. I'll be coming to a complete stop, accelerating through the turn and then all of the sudden, without warning, the truck loses all power. No flashing dash, nothing. I have to coast to the shoulder of the road, turn on the hazards, put in park, and restart the vehicle. This has happened twice now. From some online forums I've read, the problem only seems to get worse and has happened to others around 30-40 mph. My car is still under manufacturing warranty for another 500 or so miles. I took my truck into a certified chevy repair shop and after a week of troubleshooting and trying to recreate the problem, they have found "nothing" wrong with the car. If this doesn't get fixed and continues to occur, it's only a matter of time before an accident happens.

Cab vibration 70 mph to 75 mph.

Vibration and shuttering at 40-80 mph coming from engine.

Intermittent problem with ignition key not being able to be removed. Seems to be related to the shift lever, moving that back and forth can usually rectify the problem after many attempts. Vehicle stationary.

2018 Colorado develops a shutter when moving up an incline from speeds of 45 to 60 mph on highways. Truck has 33,000 miles 10,000 miles I placed on the truck the remainder was while the truck was part of a fleet. Just noticed this shutter at 32,000 miles. Though it was tires , but turned out not to be the issue.

Truck shakes at speeds above 55 mph. At 65 mph my phone will fly off the magnet mount on the windshield; water and ice shake as if boiling at 70 mph and above. Sometimes the vehicle feels like it is coming apart it shakes so hard. When the vehicle was two months old it stopped on a city street in arlington va and was undriveable. After a timeout period of 10-15 minutes it was driveable but at 10 mph it whined as if the transmission or engine was going to blow up. At 20-25 mph it was a screaming demon and had to be towed to the dealership (browns) who found no record in car computer system of fault. Battery or electrical system was completely dead on 7 June 2019 with about 10,200 miles. Dealership knew I had appointment and I asked for tow but they don't provide a tow from reed-lallier. Onstar was of little help so I called my usaa insurance roadside assistance to get truck jump started; I missed appointment and they canceled appointment that morning which was to check for shaking and also 2nd oil change. Gmcustomercare took my concerns and asked my resolution which was check battery for bad cell, be aware of first transmission problem in arlington va and the current problem of vehicle shaking. I am a retired paratrooper with verifiable severe nerve damage to my back and lower legs and this vehicle causes serious physical and neurological problems when driving highway speeds.

At speed and on acceleration, vehicle pulls intermittently and sharply. Vehicle drives rough, transmission shifts rough. Tires skip upon acceleration from stop. Tires show abnormal tread wear on inside edge despite proper inflation and alignment.

Bad rattling coming from back tires when coming out of driveway. And when passing any bumps. Has a sound on left tire that sounds like something is loose. Rattling sound is getting worst and it is very annoying. I love my truck but I am very disappointed in the rattling sounds. Sounds it did not make when I bought it.

The truck is the zr2 model, crew cab short bed. I was towing a 2100lb trailer with 347# of tongue weight at 25mph, uphill, on a dirt road. Hit a dip in the road at 25 mph and it bent the frame at the cab/pick up box area. The frame necks down to 3 1/2 inches there with 2 factory large oval holes on both sides of the frame. I have found another pic of a zr2 towing a trailer, and it bent at the exact same place.

The vehicle had just driven back from a 50 mile drive and was then parked. The vehicle was not running and had been parked for about 5 minutes when a vehicle fire occurred (starting in the engine compartment).

The vehicle had just returned from a 50 mile trip when the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was not running and had been parked for about 5 minutes when the fire started (from the engine compartment).

Takata recalls hear water rush with a gurgle noise from dashboard this happens when taking off from a stop. Also when the vehicle is in drive with the foot on the brakes it makes loud noise then jumps. Also paint on hood has fisheyes the truck also idols high when starting up.

May 2018, my wife and I noticed an obnoxious odor coming from ac after startup and believe an ac issue as starts blowing cold then warm/humid then back cold & it puts out a musty? smell the smell goes away, but after I have stopped and then restarted truck after a couple minutes and drive a couple more minutes the odor again presents itself. In June took the truck in for service and they sprayed the air filter with a disinfectant(?). That just masked the smell for a day or two, but the odor still present. The service tech was not been able to replicate the issue. This is still occurring and we have noticed that the odor occurs when using heat too. Informed service advisor in December when truck in for work. Issue of order still can not be replicated.

I had truck stationary parked on a slight incline on a dirt road for about 5 minutes when I heard a odd sound like "arrrrr clunk" and my car rolled down a hill. I had my car on park while on 4low with the engine off. I did not have my parking brake on though but the incline was so slight I feel I did not need it. My truck was not loaded with any extra weight or anything to cause it to roll down the hill. I truly believe I am not at fault for this happening it is a brand new car how could this happen? prior to this I was not doing anything extreme to damage my car in any way. Something must have failed on my truck.