The Chevy Colorado replaced the S10 as Chevy’s mid-size truck option. Some people love the design of the truck, but it has had reliability issues.
If you are considering purchasing a Chevy Colorado, you’ll want to learn about how long they are projected to last.
How long do Chevy Colorados last?
Proper maintenance plays a big role in longevity, but the Colorado can be expected to last 200,000 to 300,000 miles. 200,000 seems to be the general life expectancy for the engine, however, some Colorado owners say their truck is still going strong well after 300,000 miles.
We’ll look at how to get the history of the Colorado. We’ll also see the factors that impact its reliability, and problems that typically appear as the mileage increases. This will give you an idea what to expect as the Colorado ages.
The History of the Colorado
The Chevy Colorado debuted in 2004. It became the replacement for the S10. It offered many options, which likely played a part in its popularity with buyers.
Options included:
- Rear or all wheel drive
- Automatic or manual transmission
- Standard, extended, or four-door cab
- 2.8L (169 ci) 4-cylinder or 3.5L (211.1 ci) 5-cylinder engine
The model was refreshed in 2007. Along with some aesthetic changes, new engine options were added. These were a 2.9L (178 ci) 4-cylinder and a 3.7L (223 ci) 5-cylinder.
The Colorado wasn’t offered in 2013 or 2014, but came back for the 2015 model year. The options that made the Colorado a favorite were kept, but the engines were changed.
It now offered a 2.5L (150 ci) Ecotech 4-cylinder or a 3.6L (217 ci) V6. The V6 engine was a significant horsepower upgrade, offering 305 horsepower. In 2016, it became the only mid-size truck in America to offer a diesel engine, a 2.8 liter turbo-diesel.
The Colorado has always offered an off-road option as well. The size of the truck makes it perfect for off-roading, and Chevy capitalized on this. The ZR2 off-road model offers a modified body, off-road tires, and an off-road suspension.
How Long Does the Chevy Colorado Last?
Owners of 2004 and 2005 Colorados state their engines are still running at 200,000 miles and well beyond. There are several owners that state their vehicle is at or near 400,000 miles. This includes the 3.5L 5-cylinder engine and the 2.8L 4-cylinder.
Many of the owners state that they use full synthetic oil and change the oil every 4,000 to 5,000 miles.
They believe this has played a part in the longevity of their vehicles. One owner states they have a 2006 with over 200,000 miles. Another states they have a 2007 with 123,000 miles.
The older Colorados clearly provide reliability, but this may not be true with the newer models.
Consumer Reports named the 2020 Colorado one of their Ten Least Reliable Vehicles. Certainly not an award anyone wants to win.
Newer Colorados Likely Less Reliable
The biggest problems are with the 2015-2018 Colorado. The transmission was redesigned for the 2015 model. It has received a worse than average reliability rating from Consumer Reports in 2015-2018, but performed better in the 2019 rating.
The 2015 Colorado received a Beware the Clunker rating from Car Complaints due to transmission problems. These include slow shifting, rough shifting, and not shifting into the proper gear.
The 2018 Colorado also gets many complaints for vibration and shuddering while driving. Owner’s state that the dealership wasn’t able to identify the cause of the problem. Even though the vehicle is still under warranty, it couldn’t be repaired.
Repair Pal gives the Colorado a 4 out of 5 reliability rating. This ranks it 4th out of 7 mid-size trucks.
However, this includes all year models of the Colorado.
It’s impossible to know how long the new Chevy Colorados will last. A good deal of Colorados may continue to perform well and reach 200,000 miles or more like their older counterparts. However, given the concerning reliability ratings, newer Colorados are at best a gamble.
Is the Chevy Colorado the Vehicle for You?
If you are in the market for a mid-size truck, the Chevy Colorado is a popular choice. Before you make a decision, you should check out Vehicle History. You can research the history of your vehicle by performing a VIN search. You can also read owner and expert reviews, and view a full list of specs.