There are 9 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Coloradoin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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.
This is the fifth vehicle with the 2.5l engine that has experienced vacuum pump failure resulting in a broken exhaust camshaft. Without warning, drivers have experienced a complete loss of brake function as a result of the vacuum pump failure.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and failed to decelerate as intended while the brake pedal was depressed. An unknown message was displayed. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle failed to respond properly while the accelerator pedal was depressed. Upon inspection, the contact noticed an abnormal engine oil leak. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with an exploded brake booster and metal shavings inside the engine. The vehicle remained at the local dealer unrepaired due to the cost. The local dealer could not guarantee that the repairs would correct the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Today while driving my brakes got super hard. Had to use my entire weight to get it to stop and still was moving forward. Had to use the emergency brakes and a prayer. Luckily I wasn’t on the highway or it would’ve been a deadly accident. When I opened the hood the camshaft sensor was broken loose. Mind you I had taken the truck to the dealer a while back for a rattling noise at 1500 RPM and they couldn't figure out the issue. They replace the catalytic converter under warranty. But kept making the same noise around the same RPM. Obviously it wasn't the converter. My truck has 43,136 miles only. 2021 Colorado 2.5 Luckily I’m alive today but this must be taken care of as soon as possible. I read a lot of Colorado’s seem to have the same issues. Needs a recall.
I was on my way home from work and I was on Highway 16 in Washington state near Port Orchard and I was driving 64mph and all vehicles in front of me were all breaking slowing down pretty fast and when I pressed down on my brakes the brakes were totally stiff I could not stop and had to drive on the side of the road and passed 20 plus cars and was finally able to come to a stop. If I had no where to go I would’ve hit the car in front of me at a high rate of speed potentially causing a major or deadly accident. They were working fine 5 minutes before that. I think it is a major issue that will cause fatalities in the future if this problem isn’t taken care of. I’ve never had a vehicle do this and I’ve been driving for 38 years.
The vacuum pump brake booster on my Chevy Colorado went out with no warning first the camshaft went out then once the cam shaft was fixed the brakes didnt work luckily I made it home but the risk was there as the brakes became incredibly stiff and hard to press with me using all my weight to stop the truck I had a mechanic look at it and confirm the pump/booster as the readings show it’s getting power and that it has air but the pump is not working there was no warning no lights no nothing one day it was working the next it wasn’t same with the camshaft both things happened with zero warning
In December 2024, at under 50,000 miles, my 2021 Chevrolet Colorado suffered complete brake failure caused by vacuum pump failure. The vacuum pump failure led to irreparable internal engine damage, requiring complete engine replacement under warranty. Sudden, complete brake failure in traffic could have led to a serious accident causing injuries or death to myself and/or others. The component was inspected by the manufacturer and the service advisor at the dealership stated this was "kind of a known issue on Colorados". There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. This vacuum pump failure is documented in GM Technical Service Bulletin #21-NA-268, which addresses vacuum pump failures on other GM vehicles. The identical failure mode in my 2021 Colorado demonstrates this is a systemic manufacturing defect, not an isolated incident.
Brake failure. Brake pedal became hard to push and little braking action. I relied on downshifting and the parking brake to stop the vehicle from 40MPH.
The brakes went out on the vehicle while my service technician was driving and he barely missed getting in an accident. We had it towed to the Chevy dealer and the brake Pump shattered causing damage to the exhaust clamp and they are telling me it’s not under warranty or recall but I see this is happened with millions of other Chevy vehicles?
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026