Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2021 Chevrolet Colorado: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, most recently filed December 2020. Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 4 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V811000 Filed Dec 23, 2020

Incorrect Bolts Used To Attach Seat Belts

Seat belts
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Consequence
If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
93.8% repairedof 470 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V811000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (77)

77 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.

6involved a crash
1involved a fire
4injuries reported
2deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 77.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2021 compares with other Colorado years

Best and worst Colorado years →
2017201820192020202120222023202420252026
This year (2021)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 4 stars overall

Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 21.9%★★★☆☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2021 Chevrolet Colorado pu/cc 2wd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined

23
mpg combined
20
city
30
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,150
CO₂ tailpipe
435 g/mi
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks

What it costs you to run

$2,840per year
$237per month
652gallons a year

Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2021 Chevrolet Colorado configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive20 / 30 / 23$4,150435
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 22$3,050413
2.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive19 / 28 / 22$4,350455
3.6 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 21$3,200424
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 21$3,200431
3.6 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19$3,550465
2.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive18 / 22 / 19$5,050525
3.6 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive16 / 18 / 17$3,950510

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2021 Colorado for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Colorado years

Where to next

2021 Chevrolet Colorado FAQ

How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 20V811000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2021 Chevrolet Colorado problems?

Owners filed 77 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (20), Engine (18), Unknown or other (16) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado get?

EPA rates the 2.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 20 city, 30 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado get?

NHTSA rated the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado pu/cc 2wd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 3 stars rollover (21.9% rollover risk).

How does the 2021 Colorado compare with other years?

Among the 2017–2021 Chevrolet Colorado model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (77) and the 2017 the most (216). The 2021 drew 77. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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