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A worker cleans a Chevrolet Colorado displayed at the Indonesian International Motor Show

2020 Was a Rough Year for Chevy’s Reliability

When any of us go to the dealer to get a new vehicle, we’re hoping for a few things. One thing we’re hoping for is to find a car, SUV, or truck that’s visually appealing, affordable and that will get us through a few years without a lot of costly repairs. Thanks to organizations like …

When any of us go to the dealer to get a new vehicle, we’re hoping for a few things. One thing we’re hoping for is to find a car, SUV, or truck that’s visually appealing, affordable and that will get us through a few years without a lot of costly repairs. Thanks to organizations like Consumer Reports, you have a way of knowing which vehicles will be reliable choices and which may not be.

Each year, the CR Auto Survey provides buyers with the information to know which vehicles will be visiting the dealer often and which might hold up well. Their predicted reliability ratings are based on the recent history of the model where the vehicle wasn’t majorly overhauled or redesigned for the current year.

The 2020 report is out and Chevy made it on CR’s list of 10 Least Reliable Cars. Which Chevys made the list and why?

The Chevrolet Colorado

A worker cleans a Chevrolet Colorado displayed at the Indonesian International Motor Show
The Chevy Colorado | Andrew Gal/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Chevy Colorado is an attractive truck until you find out it’s received a one-out-of-five rating in predicted reliability for 2017 through 2019.

While the 2019 models showed some improvement from the 2017 and 2018 models, the areas where lower ratings were given were significant. In the areas of transmission major and transmission minor, the lowest rating was given in the 2017 and 2018 models. In the 2017 models, the lowest rating was also given to the truck’s drive system.

While the Chevy Colorado has several good qualities and it starts at a reasonable price, the interior lacks the quality feel of its peers. Its competitors offer more room in the rear too.

If a small truck is what you’re looking for, good alternatives to consider would be either a Ford Ranger or a GMC Canyon.

The Chevy Camaro

The Chevy Camaro has long been a popular sports car. That makes it disappointing to have to mention that its predicted reliability rating is a one out of five for the 2017 and 2018 models. No data was available for the 2019 models.

There’s already an NHTSA recall for the 2020 Chevrolet Camaro for the fuel pump. Over-pressurization of the pump can result in cracks and leaks. That presents the risk of fire since it’s close to an ignition source. 

There were numerous problems for the 2017 models and even more so for the 2018 models. The 2017 models received the lowest rating in the transmission major area, though that rebounded in the 2018 models. Both models rated poorly for the areas of transmission minor, paint, and trim. Ratings dropped to the lowest for the body hardware and power equipment on the 2018 models. 

Looking for a thrilling sports car to drive? Maybe try out the Ford Mustang instead.

The Chevy Traverse

Like the other two Chevys on the list, the Traverse received a one-out-of-five rating in predicted reliability. Like the Camaro, the 2020 models have a recall. There have been incidents of frame cracks that can hurt crash performance, making the SUV unable to offer its occupants proper protection.

Both the 2018 and 2019 Traverse models received the lowest overall predicted reliability rating. The 2018 Traverse models got the lowest rating in the transmission minor area and a low rating for power equipment. Both issues appear to have improved in the 2019 models. 

Curiously, while the 2019 models appear to be in better shape, it’s apparently not enough for CR to give it a higher rating for either the 2019 or 2020 models.

With the past problems and the fact that the SUV isn’t as energetic or agile as its peers, you might consider the Honda Pilot or the Toyota Highlander instead.