Research Another Vehicle

Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado is associated with 72 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 1 safety recall campaign in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Other / Uncategorized, accounting for 8 reports (11% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 8 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.8l 4-cyl, 2.5l 4-cyl, and 3.6l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 17 to 23 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 72 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 1 official campaign
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Other / Uncategorized (8 / 11%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 6 crash / 1 fire / 2 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 4 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 17–23 MPG across 8 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Colorado 2WD Diesel 2.8L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 20 MPG 30 MPG 23 MPG — $3,450 / yr
Colorado 2WD 2.5L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 19 MPG 25 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Colorado 4WD Diesel 2.8L 4-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 19 MPG 28 MPG 22 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Colorado 2WD 3.6L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 18 MPG 25 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Colorado 4WD 2.5L 4-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 19 MPG 24 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Colorado 4WD 3.6L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 17 MPG 24 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Colorado ZR2 4WD Diesel 2.8L 4-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 18 MPG 22 MPG 19 MPG — $4,200 / yr
Colorado ZR2 4WD 3.6L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 16 MPG 18 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
PU/CC 2WD 21.9%
PU/EC 2WD 22%
PU/CC 4WD 21.2%
PU/EC 4WD 21.4%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Chevrolet Colorado models.
View complete 2021 Chevrolet Colorado crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado?

Summary of 72 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
72
Crash Reports
6
Fire Reports
1
Complaints w/ Injury
2
Total Injuries
4

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Service Brakes 7 complaints
Steering 6 complaints
Engine 5 complaints
Air Bags 4 complaints (4 crashes)
Electrical System 4 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2021 Chevrolet Colorado problems & component breakdown (38 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #20V811000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS

Defect Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
View all 2021 Chevrolet Colorado recalls & campaign history (1 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado

How many safety recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado have?

The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado is associated with 1 official NHTSA safety recall campaign in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 1 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado?

NHTSA records list 72 consumer defect complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Other / Uncategorized, appearing in 8 filings (11% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2021 Chevrolet Colorado defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado earned an Overall Safety Rating of 4 out of 5 stars across 4 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado range from 17 to 23 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.