Chevrolet Colorado · Pickup
2.7L turbo four, aluminum block, direct injection only — GM's answer to Ford's EcoBoost. 310 hp, 400 lb-ft from 1,500 rpm. Feels like a small V8 until the revs climb and the four-cylinder character shows. Head gasket failures on 2019-2022 early production under 25k miles, warranty-covered. A fleet of 750+ trucks at 50-80k miles with zero engine failures suggests the 2022+ builds are sorted.
2.7 Turbo — GM's bet on downsizing
310 hp and up to 430 lb-ft from a 2.7L four-cylinder in a truck. Low-end torque is genuinely impressive. The 3rd gen Colorado has no V6, no diesel, no manual — this is it. Electrical gremlins in 2023 models are severe: false AEB, display blackouts, battery drain. The engine itself is the least of the worries.
Engine Weaknesses 3
Poor oil quality or extended intervals destroy turbo bearings.
Symptoms: Turbo lag, whine, blue smoke, power loss
Piston rings let oil past — 0.75 to 1.75 quarts per 3,000 miles in documented cases. GM in one case rebuilt engine after two years of oil consumption. Often from ~30k miles.
Symptoms: Dropping oil level, blue smoke, oil consumption 0.5+ quarts per 600 miles
Direct injection only — walnut blasting from ~60k miles.
Symptoms: Rough idle, power loss
Vehicle Weaknesses 6
Front camera module falsely detects obstacles, triggering hard AEB stops without warning. NHTSA Campaign 24V133. Multiple injury reports from sudden deceleration.
Digital instrument panel and infotainment screen go black simultaneously — losing speedometer, fuel gauge, and headlight controls. Software updates fix some cases.
Multiple owners report dead batteries on brand-new trucks — complete power loss overnight. Electrical modules may not properly enter sleep mode.
Side sensors produce false alerts or miss real vehicles. Firmware updates haven't resolved it consistently. Window controls lock during false alerts.
Rear frame section uses thin metal — bed bounces at highway speed. A 2023 ZR2 Bison suffered complete failure of all 4 bed mounts off-road.
Hard shifts between 1st-2nd, worse in cold weather. Fluid flush corrects many cases. 2024-2025 show fewer complaints.
