Chevy Colorado 5 Cylinder Problems (Common Issues)

5-cylinder engines are a rarity when it comes to the North American automotive scene. The most recent one, introduced in the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, has been the subject of some controversy surrounding its reliability.

The 5-cylinder is available exclusively on 4WD models of the 2015 and 2016 Colorado and is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. While it’s not quite as powerful as the V6 option, it’s more fuel-efficient, making it an ideal choice for those who want to save money at the pump.

That said, early models of the 5-cylinder engine have been plagued by problems that have left many owners frustrated. These issues range from minor annoyances to catastrophic failures that require a complete engine rebuild or replacement.

In short, after doing some extensive research on the Chevy 5 cylinder engine, the most common problems reported are Failed fuel injectors, Crankshaft bolt failure, Rough Idle & Hard Start in Cold weather, and exhaust manifold leak.

What is a Chevy Colorado 5 cylinder engine?

The Chevrolet Colorado five-cylinder diesel engine is a four-stroke diesel piston engine with five cylinders. Chevrolet is General Motor’s automotive division and has been in production since 1911.

The brand is known for its large selection of trucks, SUVs, and crossover vehicles, along with performance cars and passenger cars. The Colorado five-cylinder diesel engine was first introduced by the General Motors Company in 2004.

This was in response to the increasing demand for four-door pickup trucks. In 2007, Chevrolet introduced the second generation of Colorado, this time with an upgraded V6 engine.

Colorado was also redesigned to look more like a full-size truck. The Chevy Colorado 5 cylinder engine is a 4.2 liter turbocharged V6.

It is capable of producing 300 horsepower at 3200 rpm, which is very impressive considering its small size. The emission controls are extremely advanced on this model, which makes it one of the most environmentally-friendly vehicles on the road today.

What are Chevy Colorado 5 cylinder common problems?

A good place to start is with the most common Chevy Colorado 5 cylinder problems. Each of these issues is sure to be reported by someone, so it’s a good idea to check on them right away.

Failed fuel injector(s):

Some owners have reported misfires and other problems caused by malfunctioning fuel injectors. These symptoms can be hard to pin down because they may not occur until several weeks after a bad injector has been installed. Fortunately, most Chevy dealerships will replace any faulty injectors free of charge under warranty (although that warranty appears to be expiring for many 2015 models).

Crankshaft bolt failure:

There have been reports of crankshaft bolts failing and causing catastrophic engine damage. This problem is more common with cars that are driven hard or used for towing. The good news is that it’s easy to avoid if you follow the correct tightening procedure (see below).

Rough idle and hard starting in cold weather:

This is a problem that seems to affect some of the older models more than newer ones, but it can be fixed by replacing the IAC valve.

Exhaust manifold leak:

One of the more annoying problems drivers have reported is an exhaust manifold leak in their 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. This problem is caused by high heat cycling between cold and hot cycles which causes cracks in the exhaust manifolds over time.

Unfortunately, there is no way to fix this problem without removing and replacing the exhaust manifold(s). But once replaced, these manifolds should last your vehicle’s entire lifespan.

Is the 5 cylinder Colorado reliable?

The 5 cylinder Colorado is a reliable vehicle with a great warranty. It can hold its own against other vehicles in the midsize class, with better fuel economy and traction than many competitors.

It gets good gas mileage and gives you plenty of power for highway driving. If I had to pick one drawback, it would be the lack of an available diesel engine.

You can get one that produces over 300 horsepower, but they are rare, expensive, and hard to find. The 5 cylinder is plenty powerful enough, however, and you can get an automatic transmission if you prefer. You should expect this to be among the most reliable vehicles on the road as long as you keep up with regular maintenance.

For example, it’s essential that you change your air filter regularly because even a little dirt can slow down your engine significantly.

You should also check your tire pressure regularly to make sure they aren’t losing air over time. This driveline will do well in most weather conditions; however, some models suffer from rust problems around the rear suspension and the base of the trunk lid.

If you live in a particularly harsh climate or have children that like to throw things around the back of your car, this might not be a perfect fit for you.

How long do 5 cylinder Chevy Colorado engines last?

The 5 cylinder engine is one of the few engines that genuinely last for several years. There are other engines with higher horsepower numbers than that — in fact, more horsepower means more torque, which means more power — but the durability of a 5 cylinder engine is on par with that of a 6 cylinder engine.

Chevy Colorado engines are made to last. They’re very reliable and have many features that make them great for people who participate in off-roading and other adventurous activities. Since Colorado is a rugged vehicle, it’s important to choose the right kind of engine for your personal preferences.

Which Chevy Colorado engine is the most reliable?

If you’ve got a decent amount of money to spend on a car, it’s worthwhile to spend a little more to get a reliable engine. The best engine for the price is usually the one with the widest availability.

The old adage “you get what you pay for” holds true in the automotive world. There’s always going to be some kind of knock-off or unreliable “knock-off” out there, but when it comes to engines, that isn’t worth it.

Chevy’s 6.2-liter engine is one of the most reliable engines on the market today. It makes just enough power to get up and go, but it’s also reasonably efficient and relatively easy to maintain so you can add miles without taking your foot off the gas pedal.

The vast majority of these cars are sold with an automatic transmission, which adds another level of reliability thanks to smoother shifts and fewer problems associated with manual transmissions.

Conclusion

All in all, the Chevy Colorado is a very fine  Pickup truck with an impressive feature set and capabilities. If you’re looking for a smaller, lighter pickup but don’t want to give up too much capability, the Chevy Colorado could make a solid option. However, you might want to be aware of minor build quality issues and problems with the 5 cylinder engine that may be worth researching before you buy.