2017 Chevrolet Colorado Safety Report

The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado presents a mixed safety picture, with strong crash test performance but a notable number of complaints, particularly concerning the powertrain. NHTSA awarded the vehicle an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with excellent 5-star ratings in side crash tests. Frontal crash tests received 4 stars, while the rollover resistance rating was 3 stars, indicating average performance in this area. Despite these generally good crash ratings, the vehicle has accumulated 210 total complaints, including 5 crashes and 6 injuries, suggesting potential issues that may not be fully captured by crash tests alone. A significant pattern in the complaint data points to widespread issues with the POWER TRAIN, accounting for 78 complaints, or 37% of all reported problems. These often describe hard shifting, sputtering, jerking, and even complete transmission failure, with some owners reporting replacement at relatively low mileages (e.g., 58,000 miles). Electrical system problems are also prevalent, with 19 complaints, including issues like flickering power, infotainment system malfunctions, and StabiliTrak errors often accompanied by loss of power steering or electrical function. Other recurring themes include issues with the heating/cooling blend door, leading to inoperable heaters and defrosters, and reports of fuel leaks, which are particularly concerning given the single recall for a fuel system component. The sole recall for the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado addresses a 'FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP' issue, specifically a damaged fuel line that could lead to a fuel leak and increase the risk of fire. This recall is directly relevant to several complaints mentioning fuel smells and leaks. While the recall aims to mitigate a serious fire risk, the high volume of powertrain and electrical complaints, which are not covered by this recall, suggests that potential buyers should be aware of these prevalent mechanical and electrical vulnerabilities. The combination of solid crash test scores with a substantial number of owner-reported functional problems indicates that while the vehicle may protect occupants well in a collision, its day-to-day reliability and operational safety could be compromised by these recurring issues.

Our recommendation: While offering solid crash protection, potential buyers should be wary of the prevalent powertrain and electrical issues; a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on these areas is highly recommended.