2021 Chevrolet Colorado

I am reporting a serious safety defect involving my 2021 Chevrolet vehicle. While driving, multiple warnings appeared including “Service Power Steering,” “Steering Assist is Reduced,” “Service ESC,” and “Service Battery Charging System.” The vehicle then lost steering assist, braking performance became unreliable, and it created a serious risk of crash. The vehicle later shut down completely and has remained inoperable. The failure appears electrical and affected multiple critical systems at once, suggesting a cascading system malfunction. Since the incident, the vehicle has not restarted or operated normally. I have replaced the battery, alternator, starter, ignition switch, brake vacuum pump, ECM, spark plugs, fuses, and relays, but the issue persists. The vehicle still shows charging system faults and severe battery drain, indicating an unresolved underlying electrical defect. I have found numerous reports from other 2021 Chevrolet owners describing nearly identical failures, including sudden loss of power steering assist, ESC warnings, charging system failures, battery drain, and complete vehicle shutdowns. This suggests a possible widespread defect affecting this model year. Given the loss of steering assist, braking irregularities, and full vehicle shutdown while driving, I request NHTSA investigate this issue for a potential safety-related defect and determine whether a recall or manufacturer action is necessary.

Brake vacuum pump appeared to fail creating brake system malfunction. Appears determined by mechanics to have seized and caused damage to cam shaft. Driver’s safety issue caused when trying to brake vehicle not functioning. Vehicle was towed to mechanic shop. There were no warning signs of impending failure of system. Note that earlier years for this model may have had recalls for safety issue and malfunction.

2021 CPO Colorado, bought used with 27,000 miles. KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. After 9 months of occasional use the key is, more times than not, getting stuck in the ignition when the truck is turned off. You cannot leave it this way because some systems are still energized. You have to repeatedly put it in and out of park till the key comes out. An associated problem is lock/unlock. The fob and switches will not operate the lock unlock function. It is suspected the park problem makes the vehicle think the vehicle is being operated. It will also not let the remote start function work either. The dealer cleared a code and the problem is temporarily solved. They will not cover it under CPO because they cannot duplicate the problem despite the lock unlock not working at their facility. They ordered a new Gear Shift Mechanism for $800 and I am waiting for it to come in. It has been a few weeks of waiting thus far. It is theoretically possible to have the key get stuck and the doors staying locked thereby trapping all the occupants in the truck. I now carry the spare key if I must use the truck. I can turn the truck back on, lower the window, turn the key till it gets stuck, unlock the door by leaning out the window and then escaping but all the other occupants are still stuck inside till you can get the key out.

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started hesitating, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle immediately started to decelerate and failed to exceed 25 MPH. The contact moved over to the right lane and continued to drive until arriving at an independent mechanic shop. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump was detaching due to a fractured bolt connecting to the mounting flange. The mechanic informed the contact of an undisclosed recall with a similar failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was confirmed from the diagnostic result; however, it was also confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The dealer replaced the fuel pump and the fractured bolt. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall and did not provide a reimbursement for the repair. The manufacturer opened a case for the issue. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

While driving a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado on Interstate 95 in Florida, the vehicle suddenly experienced a loss of brake assist. The brake pedal became extremely hard and very difficult to press. The driver had difficulty slowing the vehicle and had to use the emergency brake to help bring the vehicle to a stop. This occurred on Interstate 95, which is a very busy highway with high-speed traffic. The sudden loss of braking assistance created a serious safety hazard and could have resulted in a crash. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the mechanic diagnosed the problem as a failed vacuum pump that broke and damaged the exhaust camshaft and related components. The repair required replacement of the vacuum pump, exhaust camshaft assembly, camshaft actuator and solenoid, and valve cover gasket. The total repair cost was approximately $2,329. The vehicle had approximately 64,348 miles at the time of the failure. No warning lights or prior symptoms were noticed before the failure occurred.

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver’s side seat belt buckle failed to remain latched securely and independently unlatched. The “SRS” warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that on occasion, the driver’s side seat belt buckle failed to unlatch, and excessive force was needed to depress the unlatch button on the seat belt assembly. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. Upon further investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign: 20V811000 (Seat Belts); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while attempting to make a right turn from a traffic light, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact depressed the brake pedal the vehicle started operating as intended. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure had occurred twice. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.

The engine coolant temperature gauge is stuck at approximately 160•F. Cooling fans are running at high speed constantly. The thermostat is stuck in the open position. The vehicle is less than 100,000 miles. There is a “Special Coverage Bulletin N242484760” that has indicated the issue is occurring regularly with my type of vehicle but my specific VIN is excluded due to misplaced parameters. The part is readily available at the dealership in which we are getting the part fixed because so many vehicles of my make and model are having this issue. The cost of the repair will be $1,200 and will be out of pocket because my VIN is excluded but clearly affected by the same faulty system for the coolant. This is a mistake as my vehicle is have the exact same issue as all of the others “covered” in the special coverage. We are seeking an appeal and want to file a complaint that my vehicle is excluded and will have to pay $1,200 where other customers will not be required to do so.