2015 Chevrolet Colorado

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

Chevrolet Colorado
Pictured: 2024 Chevrolet Colorado Z71, front left, 09-28-2024. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
Crew Cab L/Box 2WD, Crew Cab L/Box 4X4, Crew Cab S/Box 2WD, Crew Cab S/Box 4X4
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
22 combined · 20 city / 26 hwy
Length
212.6–224.8 in
Curb weight
3,949–4,480 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
7 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Higher rollover riskNHTSA estimates a 22% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.
  • 7 recallsMore than similar models (about 0). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is a small pickup truck offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 225 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 141-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,259 lb (Crew Cab L/Box 2WD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (20 city / 26 highway), 7% better than the 2015 small pickup truck average of 20.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.

It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 493 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

What changed for 2015

  • New body dimensions: 17.7 in longer, wheelbase +14.6 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
  • Engines added: 2.5L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl
  • Engines dropped: 2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl and 5.3L 8-cyl
  • Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 Colorado →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–3.6L 6-cyl
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

LTWork Truck

Built in: Wentzville, Missouri

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2015 Colorado configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Crew Cab L/Box 2WD224.8 in74.4 in70.5 in140.6 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,259 lb57/43
Crew Cab L/Box 4X4224.8 in74.4 in70.5 in140.6 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,480 lb57/43
Crew Cab S/Box 2WD212.6 in74.4 in70.5 in128.3 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,041 lb57/43
Crew Cab S/Box 4X4212.6 in74.4 in70.5 in128.3 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,411 lb57/43
Extended Cab L/Box 2WD212.6 in74.4 in70.5 in128.3 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,949 lb57/43
Extended Cab L/Box 4X4212.6 in74.4 in70.5 in128.3 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,169 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Colorado 2WD2.5L 4-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 22+7%$3,050409
Colorado 2WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22+7%$3,050396
Colorado 2WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 21+2%$3,200425
Colorado 4WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 21+11%$3,200424
Colorado 4WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20+5%$3,350445
Colorado Cab Chassis 2WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 18 / 16-21%$4,200554
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.5 MPG2015 Small Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2015 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC RWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★22%
2015 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC 4WD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★21.4%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2015 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC RWD
Frontal crash test — 2015 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC RWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2015 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC RWD
Side crash test — 2015 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC RWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2015 small pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Chevrolet Colorado (this car)22 MPG★★★★★7
2015 Toyota Tundra17 MPG★★★★★4
2015 GMC Canyon22 MPG★★★★★8

Recalls (7)

Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Mar 25, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V213000 · 60,681 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The power steering assist may be lost due to a poor electrical connection within the steering gear assembly.
Risk
A loss of power steering, particularly at lower speeds increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace steering gear torque sensor cover assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 6, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202325410.
Air Bags › Frontal · Oct 5, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V621000 · 16 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Risk
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17387.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Feb 1, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V054000 · 2,988 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 6, 2015, to March 17, 2015, and 2015 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 6, 2015, to March 19, 2015. A poor electrical connection within the steering gear connector may cause a loss of power steering assist.
Risk
A loss or reduction in power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear torque sensor cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15595.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper · May 12, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V278000 · 24,380 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, and GMC Canyon trucks manufactured January 6, 2014, to December 24, 2014. The affected vehicles may experience the front brake calipers leaking brake fluid. This is due to air pockets, an imperfection in the metal caliper body.
Risk
If the vehicle experiences a brake fluid leak it can increase the stopping distance, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front-brake calipers if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 9, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14888.
Seats · May 8, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V267000 · 49,980 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks manufactured January 6, 2014, to April 1, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the hooks that secure the driver's and/or front passenger's seat frame may not have been properly attached to the vehicle body during assembly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk
If the seat-frame attachment hooks are not secured properly, the seat may not be adequately anchored to the vehicle, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of an injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seats, correcting their installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 2, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15150.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 18, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V157000 · 40 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured September 15, 2014, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured October 3, 2014, to December 9, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front driver air bag inflator that may be misaligned to the air bag module backplate. This can cause the inflator to separate from the backplate during a deployment.
Risk
If the inflator separates from the back plate in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, this may cause the air bag or steering wheel components to separate and be propelled into the interior compartment, potentially seriously injuring the driver or other occupants. Additionally, the air bag may fail to properly inflate, increasing the risk of injury to the driver.
Fix
GM has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the driver air bag module inflator for proper alignment, replacing the air bag, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15037.
Air Bags · Oct 9, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V645000 · 2,283 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 6, 2014, to October 1, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the driver air bag connections may have been wired incorrectly. This could reverse the deployment sequence and disrupt the deployment timing of the driver air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
If the driver air bag does not deploy as designed, there is an increased risk of driver injury in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM), free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet) or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14690.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

493Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
17Involved a crash
4Involved a fire
9Injuries reported
52,200 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering359
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)56
Electrical System50
Power Train44
Engine34
Unknown Or Other22
Service Brakes14
Air Bags12
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/09: 724/10: 224/11: 124/12: 125/01: 425/02: 125/04: 425/06: 425/07: 225/08: 325/09: 125/10: 425/11: 125/12: 126/01: 526/02: 126/03: 126/04: 326/05: 426/06: 226/07: 226/08: 526/09: 226/10: 324/0924/1225/0425/0825/1126/0226/0526/08max 7

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Chevrolet Colorado buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 359 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — 56 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  4. Electrical System — 50 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 52,200 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Colorado years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Colorado21213 inNot rated118
2025 Colorado20213 in★★★★★127
2024 Colorado22213 in★★★★★3125
2023 Colorado22213 in★★★★★3137
2022 Colorado23224.8 in★★★★★156
2021 Colorado23224.8 in★★★★★180
2020 Colorado23224.8 in★★★★★088
2019 Colorado23224.8 in★★★★★0150
2018 Colorado25224.8 in★★★★★1183
2017 Colorado25224.8 in★★★★★1216
2016 Colorado25224.8 in★★★★★4714
2012 Colorado21207.1 inNot rated228

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →