What Does P0174 Mean on Your 2020 Chevrolet Colorado?
A P0174 trouble code on your 2020 Chevrolet Colorado indicates the ECM has detected a lean air-fuel mixture on Bank 2. The engine is getting more air than fuel on that cylinder bank. The 2020 Colorado offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 200 hp, a 3.6-liter V6 producing 308 hp, or a 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 181 hp. P0174 is most commonly seen on the 3.6L V6, which has two distinct cylinder banks.
Whether you use your Colorado for work, recreation, or daily driving, a lean condition should be addressed promptly to prevent engine damage and keep repair costs down.
Common Symptoms You May Notice
- Check engine light on
- Rough idle
- Hesitation during acceleration
- Reduced fuel economy
- Loss of power under load
- Occasional engine misfires
Most Likely Causes of P0174 on the 2020 Colorado
- Vacuum Leak on Bank 2 - Cracked vacuum hoses, a leaking intake manifold gasket, or a failed PCV valve on the Bank 2 side can allow unmetered air past the MAF sensor.
- Dirty MAF Sensor - Trucks driven on dusty roads or job sites accumulate MAF contamination faster. A dirty sensor causes lean fueling.
- Failing Bank 2 O2 Sensor - A degrading upstream O2 sensor on Bank 2 can cause the ECM to lean out the fuel mixture incorrectly.
- Fuel Pump or Filter Issue - Insufficient fuel pressure from a wearing pump or restricted filter creates a lean condition.
How to Diagnose the Problem
- Read all codes - Confirm P0174 and look for P0171 or misfire codes.
- Check fuel trims - Monitor LTFT on Bank 2. Values above 10 percent confirm a lean condition.
- Inspect vacuum system - Focus on Bank 2 hoses and intake gaskets.
- Clean the MAF sensor - Quick first step that often resolves the issue.
- Test fuel pressure - Verify pressure meets GM specifications for the 3.6L V6.
Repair Options and Cost Breakdown
- Vacuum hose replacement - $10 to $40 for parts.
- Intake manifold gasket - $80 to $180, plus $200 to $400 labor.
- MAF sensor cleaning - $8 to $15.
- MAF sensor replacement - $100 to $220, plus $50 to $100 labor.
- O2 sensor replacement - $100 to $250, plus $80 to $160 labor.
- Fuel pump replacement - $280 to $480, plus $200 to $350 labor.
Can You Fix This Yourself?
The Colorado is a great truck for DIY work. The engine bay offers good access, and the midsize truck community has plenty of repair resources online. MAF cleaning, vacuum hose replacement, and sensor swaps are all straightforward. Intake manifold work on the V6 takes a few hours but is well-documented. Fuel pump access requires dropping the tank or removing the bed, which are bigger jobs but still doable.
Prevention Tips
- Replace the air filter frequently if you drive in dusty conditions
- Clean the MAF sensor every 25,000 miles in harsh environments
- Use quality fuel from top-tier stations
- Inspect vacuum hoses during oil changes
- Follow the GM maintenance schedule