2018 Chevrolet Colorado Safety Report

The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado presents a mixed safety picture, with strong crash test performance but notable concerns regarding powertrain reliability and a specific fire risk recall. NHTSA crash test ratings are generally good, achieving an Overall 4-star rating, with 4 stars for Frontal impact and a perfect 5 stars for Side impact. However, the Rollover rating is a lower 3 stars, indicating a moderate risk in rollover scenarios. The vehicle has accumulated 173 total complaints, including 3 crashes, 5 fires, and 3 injuries, but no reported deaths. A significant safety concern is highlighted by the single recall issued for the 2018 Colorado, pertaining to the fuel system. This recall addresses a potential issue where a damaged fuel line can lead to a fuel leak, substantially increasing the risk of fire. Several complaints directly reference fuel leaks and strong gasoline odors, with one severe instance describing 'flames coming out' from under the truck, underscoring the critical nature of this recall. Beyond the recall, the most prevalent complaint pattern revolves around the POWER TRAIN, accounting for 59 complaints (approximately 34% of the total). Many of these describe 'shuddering,' 'slipping between gears,' 'loss of power,' and 'transmission not shifting properly,' often at low mileage (e.g., 33,000 to 60,000 miles). These issues are frequently cited as dangerous, especially when merging into traffic or climbing hills. Other notable complaint areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER (19 complaints) and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (14 complaints), with specific mentions of ignition switch issues, sensor malfunctions, and infotainment system problems. While airbags are mentioned in 3 complaints, including one instance of non-deployment during a crash, this is a relatively low number compared to powertrain issues. In summary, while the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado performs well in most crash tests, the high volume of powertrain complaints, particularly transmission-related 'shuddering' and 'loss of power,' coupled with a critical fuel system recall that poses a fire risk, suggests potential long-term reliability and safety concerns that prospective buyers should thoroughly investigate.

Our recommendation: Given the prevalent and severe powertrain issues, coupled with a critical fire risk recall, thoroughly investigate the vehicle's service history, especially for transmission repairs and recall completion, and consider an extended warranty if purchasing this model.