Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 22% | 6,000 miles |
| 2025 | 7 | 26% | 112,000 miles |
| 2024 | 37 | 30% | 3,000 miles |
| 2023 | 44 | 32% | 15,000 miles |
| 2022 | 20 | 36% | 24,000 miles |
| 2021 | 11 | 14% | 27,000 miles |
| 2020 | 6 | 7% | 9,000 miles |
| 2019 | 24 | 16% | 21,000 miles |
| 2018 | 34 | 19% | 20,000 miles |
| 2017 | 41 | 19% | 35,000 miles |
| 2016 | 119 | 17% | 35,000 miles |
| 2015 | 53 | 11% | 63,000 miles |
| 2012 | 8 | 19% | 47,000 miles |
| 2011 | 14 | 33% | 62,000 miles |
| 2010 | 12 | 41% | 55,000 miles |
| 2009 | 36 | 54% | 60,000 miles |
| 2008 | 32 | 40% | 80,000 miles |
| 2007 | 45 | 32% | 60,000 miles |
| 2006 | 69 | 29% | 56,000 miles |
| 2005 | 69 | 19% | 74,000 miles |
| 2004 | 88 | 24% | 75,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle started, however the battery became drained. No warning lights were illuminated. After the battery was drained, the doors failed to unlatch, and the contact was stuck inside the vehicle. The tow truck driver arrived and assisted the contact with exiting the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,800.
ECM Engine Control Module TCM Transmission Range Sensor TCM Transmission Control Module While driving in a 45 MPH speed zone in heavy traffic, the vehicle suddenly lost power and abruptly slowed down causing a number of other vehicles to have to break and swerve . Problem confirmed through ONSTAR Diagnosis As of this date, the GM dealer has not confirmed the problem. No other inspections have been confirmed. there were no warnings prior to the event.
The contact's husband owns a 2025 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that after exiting a car wash tunnel and parking the vehicle on the side of the car wash building, the vehicle continued to roll forward at a high speed without warning. The contact used both feet and excessive force on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle; however, the vehicle continued to roll forward. The vehicle ran over the parking pillar and crashed into a brick column attached to the building. The vehicle continued to roll forward after the crash and eventually stopped once it rolled over the car wash road indentation. The contact reversed out of the car wash indentation and called her husband for assistance. After her husband arrived at the scene; the vehicle was driven to the residence without any further issues. The vehicle remained at the residence and was not yet diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the instrument cluster went black. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and the contact was informed that there was a Technical Service Bulletin regarding the failure. The contact was advised by the dealer that the manufacturer had ordered the release of the vehicle and informed the contact to wait for a recall letter from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the dealer was correct and to wait for the recall letter. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 396.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, and the brake pedal was depressed the pedal remained floored. The contact stated that the vehicle eventually slowed down on its own and came to a complete stop. The was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred a little over a month later. The vehicle was towed back to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery was dead and the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred approximately 17 days later. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the drivers door wire harness needed to be replaced due to an electrical issue that killed the battery. …
I was driving the truck and first I got a "Software Update Needed Vehicle must be parked and off" this was followed quickly be a "low tire pressure alarm" 3 times in a short distance then I got a message "Antilock brake issue do not drive over 62 MPH or vehicle may not stop" then the brakes began to randomly slam on and release and smoke began to come out of the air vents. The next alarm was "ESV Shutting down " and I lost power steering and brakes; I tried getting the vehicle off the road out of the traffic lanes and the smoke was rapidly increasing in the cab then the engine shut down and I did my best to get the truck out of the traffic lanes and flames started coming from under the hood. A man stopped to help me out of the truck and by then the engine compartment was fully involved quickly and spreading into the interior of the cab. …
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving approximately 5-30 MPH on several occasions, and occasionally while reversing out of a parking spot, the Forward Collision Avoidance Emergency Automatic Braking system unintendedly activated and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated that several undisclosed warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the check engine warning light had illuminated 30-35 days after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the front collision wiring system, the electronic control unit, and the evaporative emissions control system needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was possibly already repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V133000 (Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance); however, the failure occurred. …
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer for a routine oil change and after the vehicle was serviced, the contact was provided a multi-point vehicle inspection sheet which showed that the brake pads had received a green check mark and that the brake pads were 7-millimeters or greater on both the driver's and passenger's side. The next day upon start of the vehicle, the contact stated that a message "New Brake Pads Detected" question was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact selected the "No" option followed by another question to service the brake pads. The contact then stated that a "Service Brake Pad Monitoring System" message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the dealer was informed of the messages. …
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system › ADAS › Driver monitoring › Camera/sensor
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The front camera module (FCM) system may falsely detect an obstacle, causing the automatic emergency braking (AEB) to engage unexpectedly.
Remedy: Dealers will update the front camera module (FCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Colorado years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (119), 2004 (88), 2005 (69), 2006 (69) and 2015 (53) model years. Electrical complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Colorado electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 24V-133 (camera/sensor, Feb 22, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Colorado electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition (10 mentions), followed by the wiring (5).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.