Chevrolet Colorado · Pickup
2.8L four-cylinder, base engine for the first-gen Colorado. 175 hp, mechanically simple and reliable. Same Atlas platform as the I5 but without the valve seat catastrophe. The 4L60-E auto is the bigger concern.
2.8 I4 — underpowered but honest
175 hp in a truck: barely enough to keep up, but mechanically simple and reliable. The 4L60-E auto is the bigger concern. Works for anyone who wants a cheap truck without ambition.
Vehicle Weaknesses 5
Box frame design traps water and road salt, causing severe frame corrosion. Driver-side rear near leaf spring is the first failure point. Aftermarket frame repair kits (Rust Buster) available but costly.
The 4L60-E suffers from weak sun shells and 3-4 clutch packs. Loss of reverse/2nd/4th indicates sun gear failure. Rebuild with hardened sun shell extends life.
Wire harness chafes at door hinge area, blowing fuse #42 and disabling windows and locks. GM TSB PIT3164B covers 2004-2009.
The resistor controlling HVAC fan speed fails prematurely. Fan only works on highest speed. Check blower motor for excessive current draw.
Fuel gauge sensor fails, reading higher than actual level. Requires dropping fuel tank for replacement.
