Model year 2021 · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD

2021 Chevrolet Colorado: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado at 17–23 mpg combined across 8 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 80 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

17–23

NHTSA overall rating

4/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Chevrolet dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2021 Chevrolet Colorado recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, newest first.

Seat belts: Critical fasteners and 1 more component

NHTSA 20V811000 Reported Dec 23, 2020
Filed by
General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N202322230)
Components
Seat belts: Critical fasteners; Seat belts
Units affected
470 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2021 Chevrolet Colorado fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2021 Chevrolet Colorado EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Colorado 2WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel DriveRegular19/25/22 mpg$3,050413
Colorado 2WD2.8L 4-cyl turbo dieselAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel DriveDiesel20/30/23 mpg$4,150435
Colorado 2WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel DriveRegular18/25/21 mpg$3,200424
Colorado 4WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel DriveRegular19/24/21 mpg$3,200431
Colorado 4WD2.8L 4-cyl turbo dieselAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel DriveDiesel19/28/22 mpg$4,350455
Colorado 4WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 8-spd4-Wheel DriveRegular17/24/19 mpg$3,550465
Colorado ZR2 4WD2.8L 4-cyl turbo dieselAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel DriveDiesel18/22/19 mpg$5,050525
Colorado ZR2 4WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 8-spd4-Wheel DriveRegular16/18/17 mpg$3,950510

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2021 Chevrolet Colorado crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2021 Chevrolet Colorado NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2021 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC 2WD4 stars4 stars5 stars3 stars21.9%Optional
2021 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC 4WD4 stars4 stars5 stars3 stars21.2%Optional
2021 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC 2WD4 stars4 stars5 stars3 stars22%Optional
2021 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC 4WD4 stars4 stars5 stars3 stars21.4%Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2021 Chevrolet Colorado owner complaints

Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, most recently on Oct 24, 2026. 7 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 5 injured people and 2 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2021 Chevrolet Colorado complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Engine19
Service brakes18
Unknown or other17
Power train13
Electrical system10
Steering10
Air bags6
Seat belts3
Service brakes, hydraulic3
Suspension3

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Chevrolet Colorado model years

Chevrolet Colorado by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2026 Colorado16–21 mpg1184/5
2025 Colorado16–20 mpg1274/5
2024 Colorado16–22 mpg31254/5
2023 Colorado16–22 mpg31374/5
2022 Colorado17–23 mpg1564/5
2020 Colorado17–23 mpg0874/5
2019 Colorado15–23 mpg01504/5
2018 Colorado15–25 mpg11834/5
2017 Colorado15–25 mpg12164/5
2016 Colorado16–25 mpg47144/5
2015 Colorado16–22 mpg74934/5

All Chevrolet Colorado years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 Chevrolet models

2021 Chevrolet Blazer2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV2021 Chevrolet Camaro2021 Chevrolet Corvette2021 Chevrolet Equinox2021 Chevrolet Malibu2021 Chevrolet Silverado2021 Chevrolet Spark2021 Chevrolet Suburban2021 Chevrolet Tahoe2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer2021 Chevrolet Traverse2021 Chevrolet Trax

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Chevrolet.