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2021 Chevrolet Colorado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 84.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 16 of 75 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2026
Unknown Or Other

2021 CPO Colorado, bought used with 27,000 miles. KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. After 9 months of occasional use the key is, more times than not, getting stuck in the ignition when the truck is turned off. You cannot leave it this way because some systems are still energized. You have to repeatedly put it in and out of park till the k…

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2021 CPO Colorado, bought used with 27,000 miles. KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. After 9 months of occasional use the key is, more times than not, getting stuck in the ignition when the truck is turned off. You cannot leave it this way because some systems are still energized. You have to repeatedly put it in and out of park till the key comes out. An associated problem is lock/unlock. The fob and switches will not operate the lock unlock function. It is suspected the park problem makes the vehicle think the vehicle is being operated. It will also not let the remote start function work either. The dealer cleared a code and the problem is temporarily solved. They will not cover it under CPO because they cannot duplicate the problem despite the lock unlock not working at their facility. They ordered a new Gear Shift Mechanism for $800 and I am waiting for it to come in. It has been a few weeks of waiting thus far. It is theoretically possible to have the key get stuck and the doors staying locked thereby trapping all the occupants in the truck. I now carry the spare key if I must use the truck. I can turn the truck back on, lower the window, turn the key till it gets stuck, unlock the door by leaning out the window and then escaping but all the other occupants are still stuck inside till you can get the key out.

NHTSA ODI #11731793

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2026
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

Transmission hesitates and/ or slams into gear.

NHTSA ODI #11718422

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2025
Unknown Or OtherCrash

Backup camera has failed at 38,000 miles. Backed into a tree damaging the rear bumper.

NHTSA ODI #11669679

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2025
Unknown Or Other

I was unable to turn the truck off and remove my key. I restarted truck, backed up and put back in park. It took 10-15 minutes of sitting in truck to finally get key out.

NHTSA ODI #11639205

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2024
Unknown Or Other

The key is getting stuck in the ignition switch. I researched online and it appears to be a common defect with many of the Chevy trucks. This is a big safety concern.

NHTSA ODI #11614312

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2024
Unknown Or Other

2021 Chevrolet Colorado shifter would not work properly When put into park it would not allow me to turn the key all the way to the left and therefore would not allow me to remove the key. So my truck is only 3 years old, I keep up with preventative maintenance and this should not have happened. It just cost me $518.97 to get…

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2021 Chevrolet Colorado shifter would not work properly When put into park it would not allow me to turn the key all the way to the left and therefore would not allow me to remove the key. So my truck is only 3 years old, I keep up with preventative maintenance and this should not have happened. It just cost me $518.97 to get repaired. My husband and a friend both have Chevrolet (Malibu and Blazer) and both also have shift problems. Seems to me that Chevrolet has issues with their shifts.

NHTSA ODI #11600145

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2024
Unknown Or Other

If you review the Chevrolet Colorado for the last number of years, one will find that there is an issue with the key not removing when turning the vehicle off. I am experiencing this problem with a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. In some of the previous years the issue was referenced to a issue where the shifter needed repaired or re…

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If you review the Chevrolet Colorado for the last number of years, one will find that there is an issue with the key not removing when turning the vehicle off. I am experiencing this problem with a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. In some of the previous years the issue was referenced to a issue where the shifter needed repaired or replaced. My point is that it has been an ongoing problems for years which the NHTSA should demand that GM fix it without cost to the consumer. In my case, as a result of not being able to get the key out, it caused the battery to drain. It could easily leave someone stranded.

NHTSA ODI #11577915

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2023
Unknown Or OtherInjury

The truck has only 40K miles on it. I was checking under the hood when without notice the heed dropped hitting me in the head and pinning my hand under the hood thus trapping me there. A rescuer released the hood release lever so I could escape. I had a lump on my head and my hand was /wrist was bruised. I am on blood thinners s…

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The truck has only 40K miles on it. I was checking under the hood when without notice the heed dropped hitting me in the head and pinning my hand under the hood thus trapping me there. A rescuer released the hood release lever so I could escape. I had a lump on my head and my hand was /wrist was bruised. I am on blood thinners so I consider myself lucky. The stanchions that hold the hood open suddenly failed and will not hold the hood open.

NHTSA ODI #11554567

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2023
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I was sitting at a traffic light stopped when all of a sudden the truck tried to accelerate, I stood on the brakes to get it to stop then all of a sudden it was like i was giving it gas again and I hit the car in front of me again but harder the second time.

NHTSA ODI #11549877

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2023
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsUnknown Or Other

There are crackling sounds coming from the wheel when going over humps. no power while driving or changing lanes it's worst when the ac is on, was burning gas like crazy, and shakes at 65 mph., the gas while escalating makes a clicking noise like 2 iron knocking together, and the dashboard including the radio, and telephone scr…

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There are crackling sounds coming from the wheel when going over humps. no power while driving or changing lanes it's worst when the ac is on, was burning gas like crazy, and shakes at 65 mph., the gas while escalating makes a clicking noise like 2 iron knocking together, and the dashboard including the radio, and telephone screens goes blank/black. from time to time from day one, the truck drop dead/blank in August 2021, AC comes on while not on time to time. the tire sensors read wrong, the door is making clicking noise, outside air is coming into the cabin, and exhaust fumes. It's very damp by my feet and under the steering under the driver's feet it's rusty, the safety alarms are on from time to time. From time to time the belt will squeeze while driving. Yes, the truck has been at the dealership lots of times, every time they claim they can't find the leaks or the problem! and refuse to set up any warranty repairs.

NHTSA ODI #11534435

Official recalls

1

20V811000 · Seat Belts; Seat Belts:critical Fasteners

Dec 23, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts:critical Fasteners

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.

Consequence: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

Seat Belts

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.

Consequence: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.