2019 Chevrolet Colorado Safety Report

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado presents a mixed safety picture. While its NHTSA crash test ratings are generally good, with 4 stars overall, 4 stars for frontal impact, and 5 stars for side impact, its 3-star rollover rating is a point of concern. The vehicle has a notable number of complaints, totaling 140, which include 6 crashes, 4 fires, 12 injuries, and 1 death, indicating real-world safety incidents. A significant pattern in these complaints revolves around the POWER TRAIN, accounting for 48 complaints, often describing transmission shuddering, hesitation, and outright failure, which can impact vehicle control and safety. There are no recalls issued for this specific model year, which means that identified widespread issues have not been addressed through manufacturer-mandated fixes. The most common complaint patterns are centered on the transmission, with numerous reports of shuddering, hesitation, and loss of power, sometimes at highway speeds. This directly impacts the vehicle's drivability and could lead to dangerous situations, as evidenced by descriptions of stalling or abrupt engagement. Other significant issues include steering problems (16 complaints), with reports of power steering going in and out or complete steering rack failure, and electrical system malfunctions (9 complaints), affecting components like the infotainment center, backup camera, and even ignition key removal. The engine also features in 7 complaints, with issues ranging from fuel delivery problems to blown head gaskets and high-pressure fuel pump failures. Despite the solid crash test performance in controlled environments, the high volume of complaints, particularly concerning the powertrain and steering, suggests potential reliability and safety risks in day-to-day operation. The absence of recalls for these recurring issues means owners are left to address these problems without manufacturer-mandated intervention. The reported incidents of crashes, fires, injuries, and a fatality, while a small percentage of total complaints, underscore the potential severity of some of these mechanical failures.

Our recommendation: Given the significant number of powertrain and steering complaints, potential buyers should proceed with caution and prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection, specifically focusing on the transmission and steering system, before committing to a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado.