7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,500
Average Mileage:
41,650 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. replace/repair transmission (2 reports)
  3. replace the transmission (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #8

Aug 012022

Colorado Z71 2.8L Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,405 miles

Based on research, the transmission is designed to fail. Unfortunately, it is after the warranty has expired so the owner is responsible for the repair. I have heard from owners of newer vehicles that they have the issue also.

I would like GM to pick up the repair cost for what they know is a poorly designed transmission.

Update from Oct 16, 2022: This symptom has been known to GM for some time and has plagued a number of models. The trans was designed for cars not trucks and SUV's. When GM first became aware of the issue they were replacing the transmissions, then they went to torque converts with a flush and then just a flush. However, if the torque converter is failing, that just pushes more contaminants into the transmission which leads to premature failure. I have owned Chevy trucks since 1972 and currently have the 2016 Colorado and a 2019 Silverado with a 6.6. Like many others, who have had transmission issues and suffered the failure of GM to address the issue through recalls, I am looking to other manufactures for future vehicles. I am not paying the dealer $6,949 for a rebuilt trans and install when GM should do the right thing and replace it. I'd pay the labor if they pay for the trans.

- William B., Waldorf, MD, US

problem #7

Jul 022019

Colorado Z71 2.8L Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

Had this to 2 dealers and they both told me there is nothing wrong with it. But an independent shop said it was converter and clutch chatter. They suggested changing the fluid to a different fluid (which did not help - the damage was done). GM is in no way inclined to service the customer, this vehicle is now out of warranty and is going down the road I will never own another GM product.

- frymech1, Parkersburg, WV, US

problem #6

Aug 252020

Colorado Z71 2.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

Dealer said I needed a new transmission. I'm still waiting to find out the coast.

Update from Sep 20, 2020: Dealer said I needed a new transmission. I'm still waiting to find out the cost.

Update from Sep 20, 2020: 2016 2.8 diesel with 66000 miles. Going up a hill at 30 mph it starts shuddering. The dealer said my torque converter was shot and I needed a new transmission.

- Scott M., Seattle, US

problem #5

Jul 152019

Colorado LT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,500 miles

Transmission shudder at low throttle, low revs, 50-60mph, gear 6-8 in auto 8spd LT V6, feels like riding over rumble strips. Same gripe as the other 24.

Just bought this truck this weekend with existing 17k miles on it. drove on highway just fine, but got it into town and noticed this right away. Bypassed work this Monday morning and drove straight to the Chevy Dealer who was VERY familiar with the issue, prior attempts at repair and current status of proposed repair.

Dealer explained the Tranny fluid that came with the truck from the factory has an issue with absorbing moisture. Stated Mobil and Chevy teamed up AT THE BEGINNING OF 2019 and came up with a new fluid that resolves the issue. Dealer did state that they were replacing torque converters like crazy originally, thinking that was the issue. He stated the vibration felt (like driving over rumble strips) was the clutch in the TC activating something like 100 times per second. That may not be verbatim, but that is the gist of it.

4 hour fluid change I am waiting for right now. He swears this fixes the issue 100% of the time and that I will not even be aware there was ever an issue once this is done.

I've seen the other gripes that stated fluid change didn't do anything and TC replacement didn't do anything. Sounds like the fix may have been realized in early '19. All of the previous posts were pre-2019, so hopefully there is some validity to what I am being told.

- James P., Freeport, FL, US

problem #4

Apr 272018

Colorado Z71 4WD V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

Bought this vehicle used and on my way home the transmission started shuttering while I was driving about 15-20 MPH and taking a turn. Seems like a slipping problem then decreased performance because of it. Usually I just hit the gas and it shifts and moves on but this is a big problem and other people on other forms mention the same with 2016-2018 models.

- Jason A., New Market, MD, US

problem #3

Jan 312018

Colorado Z71 2.8L Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

Transmission went out 2k miles out of warranty on my 2016 Chevy Colorado 2.8 Duramax sh*t wagon. I had and extended service plan as well. I bought this truck to put high mileage on. It was in the dealer on time for every single service. Unfortunately I was never told the transmission needed service at 45k miles, which I gladly would have done if suggested.

At 62000, 2k miles out of warranty, the sh*tty clutch plates in this transmission came apart and did a number internally. I have been a mechanic my whole life and I am stranger to what happened to this tranny. I went down to the dealer and went over the problem with the mechanic and was assured that the clutches they use in these tranny's are sh*t. After fighting with the Service Director and GM for a week, they basically told me to pound sand. It didn't matter how many previous Chevy's I owned or that in the next 2k miles I was on my way to pick up our 3rd Tahoe.

All said and done I can't believe how GM handled this situation. I will never purchase another GM product again.

- kreickel, Wellington, US

problem #2

Jan 062017

Colorado WT 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,214 miles

click to see larger images

shakes while driving

Truck runs perfect the last 9400km. Than the car starts to jerking between 50-60km/h and 70-90km/h always in the 5th or 6th gear when accelerating slowly. It starts to downshifting and not shifting since this time and the transmission make a loud noise when shifting. The gas consumption went from 12L to 16L.

Went to the dealer and they found nothing. They went with me on a test drive and experience the problem but they said that is normal. It could not be normal because the LAST 9400 km the car runs without any problems and the shifting was good. They also mentioned that it feels that the Torque Converter might have a problem.

They said the car learned my driving stile. If this is right, than it should be gone after the reset the transmission software. They did but nothing change still a extreme shaking and jerking and its a pain to drive the car. I also came to a few dangerous situation when the car was not shifting down.

I worked over 4 year as a test driver for Mercedes Benz in Germany and this problem is definitely not NORMAL. I will ask my dealer to replace the Torque Converter and than sell the car immediately.

- steve g, Port, ON, Canada

problem #1

Mar 152016

Colorado Z71

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

2016 Colorado when going up a small hill at 20mph it shakes like it has no power I've got 3000 miles on it and the dealership says that's normal. Now it does the same thing at 40 to 44 mph.

- westnavy, Clarksville, TN, US