Chevrolet Colorado Reliability: How Long Do Chevy Colorados Last ?

Last updated on October 4th, 2023 at 10:56 am

Chevrolet Colorado is one of the market’s most reliable midsize pickup trucks. Consumer Reports has a reliability score of 78 out of 100, which is above average. In addition, nearly 90% of Colorados from the 2015 model year are still on the road today. The Chevrolet Colorado offers a variety of features that make it an appealing choice for drivers looking for a reliable truck.

The Chevrolet Colorado is called the “Swiss Army knife of trucks,” It is a midsize pickup built for a wide range of usages. Pickups have been known for their longevity and durability in the automotive industry. Trucks like the Chevrolet Colorado are widely famous for staying in good condition for a long time. In this article, we will discuss the longevity and some other factors of Chevrolet Colorado. 

Chevrolet Colorado Specifications 

The Chevrolet Colorado has a DOHC 24-valve engine, aluminum block, and heads. Its engine uses a direct injection fuel system and offers a maximum horsepower of 308 hp at 6800 RPM. This vehicle’s full torque power is 275 hp at 4000 RPM. 

The exterior wheelbase is 128.3 inches, and the length of the car is 212.7 inches. The Chevy Colorado provides a front ground clearance of 8.3 inches. A total of 4 people can sit in this car at once comfortably. The transmission for this car is an 8-speed automatic with a manual mode shift, and the fuel economy is 17 mpg. 

• The cargo bed length is 74 inches.
• The steering type is pinion and pwr rack. 
• Front suspension is an independent type. 
• The spare wheel material is steel. 
• The maximum towing capacity is 7000 pounds. 

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As stated, the Chevrolet Colorado is a vehicle that can stay in good condition for a long time. It should be easy for people to get up to 250,000 to 300,000 miles or more from a Chevrolet Colorado. Most owners have reported receiving good mileage from their Chevy Colorado. At the very least, a Colorado will reach the 200,000-mile mark. 

From a new Chevrolet Colorado model, you can expect to get somewhere between 16 to 20 years of usage. Following the regular maintenance schedule will keep several issues from popping up now and then and will also help the vehicle run effortlessly.  

Is the Chevrolet Colorado Reliable? 

The Chevrolet Colorado has average reliability compared to other models in the pickup truck segment. Such as, J.D. Power has given the 2019 model of Colorado 2.5 out of 5 for predicted reliability rating, which is an average score. 

According to RepairPal, Chevrolet Colorado scores 4 out of 5 for reliability rating and ranks 4th out of 7 for compact SUVs. This means that Colorado gets an above-average reliability rating from RepairPal. Taking good and regular care of your vehicle will make it more reliable. 

Reliability Ratings of the Chevrolet Colorado Compared to Other Vehicles

Comparing the Chevrolet Colorado with Similar Other Vehicles

In this part, we will compare the Chevrolet Colorado with other vehicles of the same category. 

Chevrolet Colorado vs. Honda Ridgeline

The Honda Ridgeline is a medium-sized 4-door pickup truck that has been in production since 2004, and this truck is incredibly versatile. 

The Honda Ridgeline surpasses 200,000 miles, almost like the Chevrolet Colorado. 

The Ridgeline’s annual repair and service cost is $502 and for Chevrolet Colorado is $599. 

RepairPal ranks the Chevy Colorado 4 out of 5 for reliability, and the Honda Ridgeline gets 3.5 out of 5. 

According to J.D Power, the Honda Ridgeline scores 80 out of 100 consumer verification, and the Chevrolet Colorado rates 81 out of 100. 

The front seat in the Ridgeline offers 40.9 inches of legroom, but Colorado provides 45 inches of leg space. 

Chevrolet Colorado vs. Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck produced since 1995 by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. 

The Toyota Tacoma has an expected mileage of about 250,000 to 300,000 miles on average. 

The average maintenance cost of the Toyota Tacoma is $478 per year, whereas, for the Chevrolet Colorado, it is $599 annually. 

For reliability, according to RepairPal, Tacoma scores 3.5 out of 5, and Colorado receives 4 out of 5. 

J.D. Power scores Tacoma 82 out of 100 for consumer verification and Colorado 81 out of 100. 

The Chevrolet Colorado has better towing and a more powerful engine, but the Toyota Tacoma is safer. 

Chevrolet Colorado vs. Nissan Frontier

The Nissan Frontier is another midsize pickup truck with a front engine and is available in either 2-door or 4-door variants. 

It is normal to expect your Frontier to go up to 100,000 miles and sometimes reach 200,000 miles, much lower than Colorado. 

The maintenance cost of a Frontier is $470 annually and for the Chevrolet Colorado is $599 on average. 

According to Repairpal, the Frontier and Colorado score 4 out of 5 for reliability.

J.D. Power has rated the Nissan Frontier 77 out of 100, while Colorado gets 81 out of 100 for consumer verification. 

Even though the Nissan Frontier is more stylish and modern, the Chevrolet Colorado offers a better powertrain. 

Comparison Chart

Best and Worst Years of the Chevrolet Colorado

Like any vehicle, the Chevrolet Colorado has had its fair share of good and bad years of performance. 

Best Years

The 2010 model of Chevrolet Colorado is one of the bests as it has received very few complaints, and the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has issued only two safety recalls for this model. The model has gotten an almost perfect reliability rating and satisfying safety ratings. 

Then comes the 2020 model, one of the newer models with a lot to offer. So far, this model did not have any recalls issued by the NHTSA. J.D. Power has rewarded this model of Colorado with a score of 81 out of 100 in terms of reliability. The model also received an overall safety rating of 4 stars. 

Worst Years

The 2004 and 2005 models of Chevrolet Colorado are filled with engine failures and AC/heater issues. They also used to be inclined with the check engine light to turn on and not turn off without getting extensive maintenance. 

Then comes the 2015 Colorado, regarded as the worst model and suffers from severe engine and transmission issues that come up at low mileage and with a high cost to fix. The 2018 Colorado functions well for the most part but is known for vibrating at low mileage and shuddering intensely. 

Chevrolet Colorado Model Years and Reliability Ratings

Is the Chevrolet Colorado Expensive to Maintain? 

For a compact pickup truck, the Chevrolet Colorado is a bit expensive to maintain. An average compact truck to maintain costs $548, whereas the price for Colorado is $599 annually. 

The estimated repair cost and service a Colorado varies from $95 to $4553, but the price changes depending on the service provider. Below is a list of all the necessary repairs and costs for a Colorado. 

How Many Miles Will the Chevrolet Colorado Brakes Last?

On average, the Chevrolet Colorado brakes will last between 30,000 to 50,000 miles, but this varies depending on the maintenance and driving habits. Replacement of the brake pads will cost $150 to $300 per axle and some more for labor. 

If you go through stop-and-go traffic often, you must inspect the brake pads more frequently. A burning smell will indicate that your brake pads should be replaced. 

How Many Miles Will the Chevrolet Colorado Tires Last? 

Usually, the OEM tires do not receive high ratings for being durable, but the Colorado tires are expected to last anywhere between 30,000 to 50,000 miles with average use. Some other tires for the exact vehicle last only 10,000 miles, depending on the usage. 

Usually, the Chevrolet Colorado tires cost $150 to $300 per tire, and the high-performance ones can cost up to $500 or even more. The tire warranties last 2 to 4 years, but this also depends on the brand. 

How Many Miles Will the Chevrolet Colorado Transmission Last?

The transmissions on a Chevrolet Colorado 4L60E are expected to last between 130,000 to 180,000 miles. A common problem with this vehicle’s transmission system is that an intermittent hard 1-2 shift is often accompanied by engine bogging. 

It is advisable not to put your vehicle under immense stress, which causes long-term damage to any parts of the car getting the transmission system changed costs a hefty amount.

Tips to Prolong the Lifespan of Your Chevrolet Colorado

• Stick to proper and regular maintenance of the vehicle. 
• Avoid using the vehicle too often, which does not let the engine rest.
• Store your car under a shade away from nature’s elements. 
• Avoid adding modifications to your truck. 
• Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. 
• Change the engine oil often.
• Wash your vehicle frequently. 

We hope that this article has been informative.