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2017 Chevrolet Colorado Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering fuel pump. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission shudder and torque converter failure.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign #18V358000 · May 31, 2018

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission shudder and torque converter failure

POWER TRAIN

88 NHTSA complaints · 2018-05 → 2026-07

“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and vibrated abnormally”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11751766
“My car was shuddering (almost like the wheels didn't have enough power) and it felt like I was going over a rumble strip. After some research I found out that Chevrolet knew of this problem and acknowledged it in a service bulletin in 2018”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11496465
“AT 21000 MILES FELT LIKE DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS AND TACH WOULD MOVE IN CRUISE. DEALER FLUSHED TRANS. 4 MONTHS LATER AT 29000 MILES SAME PROBLEM BUT NOW SHIFTING HARD NOTICED DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. CHANGED OUT CONVERTER AND FLUSH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11162161

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition key stuck or unable to be removed

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2019-06 → 2024-08

“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the key was difficult to remove from the ignition. The failure occurred on several different occasions”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11611163
“WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED OFF THE KEY IS STUCK AND CAN'T BE REMOVED. HAVE TO RESTART CAR TURN OFF AGAIN AND AGAIN WHILE PUTTING CAR IN PARK VERY FORCEFULLY. HAPPENS VERY RANDOM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11413978
“My keys continue to get stuck in the key ignition slot. It doesn't matter if I am parked in a flat, incline or decline position. I have to lock and unlock my vehicle several times and sometimes it works”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11430959

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Touch screen and radio changing settings unprompted

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2026-02

“Infotainment system will start changing on the screen to navigation and also on the odometer screen to audio settings. After turning vehicle off it will seem like a reset then do it again”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11718116
“Radio system/touch screen control beeps repeatedly (like someone is selecting buttons on the control head), changes screens and modes by itself while driving. Very distracting while driving”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11556868
“The radio will change stations, switch apps, make phone calls all on its own. The drivers info center, located on the gauges will switch constantly to the radio setting, removing the speed that I'm traveling at”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11519519

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel line or fuel pump leak

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

8 NHTSA complaints · 2019-06 → 2026-07

“Fuel leak in line. There is a pin hole in the line spewing fuel under pressure when running. The fuel flows down the side of the tank as I reported in Complaint Number 11587383 on May 7th, 2024”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11588301
“Fuel leak. Engine stop the truck, smell of fuel in the cabin, the truck is using diesel. This started in Ictober, technician told me it’s the gas pump”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11700132
“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while her husband was driving 50 MPH, he smelled an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. He pulled over and noticed that the fuel gauge had indicated that the fuel was empty”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11466936

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss or steering wheel lockup

STEERING

18 NHTSA complaints · 2018-09 → 2025-01

“I took my 2017 Chevrolet Colorada in for an oil change and when exiting the building I made a sharp left turn at very slow parking lot speed. The steering wheel locked up and was difficult to break loosed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11528360
“I STARTED MY 2017 CHEVROLET COLORADO IN A PARKING LOT AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. I RECEIVED A POWER STEERING FAILURE MESSAGE TELLING ME TO DRIVE WITH CAUTION AND TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING SERVICED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11402682
“STEERING LOCKED WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND WOULD NOT STRAIGHTEN OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11190279

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of braking power

SERVICE BRAKES

5 NHTSA complaints · 2018-07 → 2026-03

“On Wednesday, February 18th, I was driving on the freeway, usual heavy traffic right off of it at 5:00pm. When exiting and merging onto the street, I pressed on my break to slow down and meet the speed of traffic, but my breaks felt hard, I struggled pressing it down”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11723086
“I was driving to lunch and without warning, my brakes failed when I approached a 4-way stop. With ABS, I was able to stop my vehicle safely in a parking lot. However, the when I turned the vehicle off, it would not start again”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11608631
“The contact stated that on another occasion while driving 55 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle was slower to stop than normal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and it was determined that the brake booster pump needed to be…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11673728

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles, sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

21 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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