2016 Chevrolet Colorado

Above average

Owners filed 707 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
42,500 milesMedian miles at failure

293 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering393
401
Electrical System71
210
Power Train63
101
Service Brakes33
401
Engine33
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)25
000
Unknown or Other24
000
Fuel/Propulsion System13
000
Structure › Body9
001
Air Bags9
302

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump18V358000
Filed May 31, 2018895 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

Risk. A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

Air Bags › Frontal17V621000
Filed Oct 5, 201716 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal16V125000
Filed Mar 2, 20161,579 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver 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.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. 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 28030.

Latches/Locks/Linkages15V807000
Filed Dec 1, 20158,763 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado trucks manufactured August 25, 2015 to September 24, 2015, and GMC Canyon trucks manufactured August 28, 2015 to September 24, 2015. The affected vehicles have a console compartment lid latch assembly that may fail to keep the compartment door closed in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."

Risk. If the console compartment door does not remain closed in a crash, the contents stored in the console may strike the vehicle occupants, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the console compartment door latch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on January 5, 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 16370.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 17, 2026AZ

2016 chevy colorado z71 v6. Sept.17,2026 took to mechanic because of bad gas smell in cab when window down and huge puddle of gas under truck. This could have exploaded very easily. Shop said high pressure line / fuel leaking severely and do not drive. There was no warning lights or any indication of a issue. I called the dealer due to a current GM recall ( number 18188 ) and they say my truck does not qualify but no one can explain why. I called GM and they said the same thing. This is clearly the same issue and online it just says 2015 to 2018 colorado trucks . No details on dates trucks made or anything. This needs to fixed and my truck and all other should be covered. I saw another guy on here dealing with same thing on the same year as mine. God help me if someone would have tbrow a cigarette out at the light when I had a foot wide puddle of gas under my truck. Also I have under 100k on this truck.

Steering
Filed Sep 16, 2026NC

Hello, This is my third or fourth attempt to contact NHTSA regarding the ongoing Power Steering Failure issue with my 2016 Chevy Colorado, and I am asking for assistance and a response. My truck has now been at the mechanic’s shop for three weeks: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] The shop has had to replace the rack and pinion three separate times in an attempt to correct the Power Steering Failure issue. Despite these efforts, this has become an extremely frustrating and costly situation. I rely on this vehicle for my work, and having it out of service for three weeks has put me significantly behind. As I have explained in my previous communications, GM issued a recall involving this same power steering problem on 2015 Chevy Colorados, yet there does not appear to be a corresponding recall for the 2016–2021 models, despite the fact that the same issue has been reported in those model years and GM has issued technical information regarding the problem. I am now facing more than $2,000 in repair costs, along with three weeks of lost work and the inconvenience of having my vehicle unavailable. I strongly believe that a known safety-related issue of this nature warrants further investigation and accountability from the manufacturer. At this point, I am asking NHTSA to please advise me on what steps I need to take to have this matter properly reviewed and investigated, and whether there is anything further I can provide to assist with documenting this issue. I would greatly appreciate a r

Steering
Filed Sep 16, 2026HI

The truck often loses power steering and traction control during trips rendering the vehicle with no power steering. Upon stopping and restarting the truck, the power steering can return to the vehicle or stay turned off. Taking it to multiple mechanics, they were unable to diagnose the problem. This is a concerning safety issue as the power steering can give out at any point during a trip.

Steering
Filed Sep 14, 2026ID

The power steering will intermittently go out. This occurs at random times and often at speeds of over 65 mph. This is not a maintenance issue as it is electronic power steering.

Steering
Filed Sep 14, 2026NC

Hello, I am following up because I still have not received a response regarding my 2016 Chevy Colorado and why it was not included in the same recall that covered 2015 Chevy Colorados for this known power steering issue. I am extremely disappointed that I am now facing a repair bill of more than $2,000 for a problem that appears to be well known to GM and has been documented across multiple model years. My understanding is that GM was aware of this issue affecting Chevy Colorado models from 2015–2021, yet my 2016 model was not included in the recall. To make matters worse, my truck has now been in the shop for more than two weeks because GM no longer manufactures the Rack and Pinion assembly my vehicle requires. As a result, my mechanic has had to source a remanufactured replacement part. After the replacement Rack and Pinion was installed, the vehicle began throwing a variant code, C056E:45 – “Incorrect Variant Programming.” It appears that the replacement part may not be properly programmed for the exact trim configuration of my truck. My mechanic has made multiple attempts to contact the remanufacturer, TruGrade, regarding this issue, but has been unable to get a response. Because the replacement part was not manufactured by GM, GM representatives have indicated that they cannot assist with the programming issue. At this point, I feel as though I am caught in a frustrating cycle: GM no longer manufactures the part, the remanufactured part is creating additional problems, t

Steering
Filed Sep 14, 2026MS

Intermittent total loss of power steering assistance while driving at speed, accompanied by the immediate illumination of the Traction Control and StabiliTrak warning indicators on the dashboard. The loss of power steering creates a sudden and severe handling hazard. This safety issue has occurred more than 15 times since this vehicle was purchase used in December of 2025. A diagnostic scan reveals specific diagnostic trouble codes: C0545-00 (Steering Wheel Torque Sensor Hardware Failure), C0460-5A (Steering Wheel Angle Sensor Plausibility), U0420-42 (Invalid Data Received from PSCM), and C0280-00. The power steering also intermittently returns to normal functionality after the vehicle sits completely powered off, indicating a thermal or electronic hardware failure within the internal torque sensor of the steering gear assembly. This specific failure occurred most recently at 76,143 miles on VIN 1GCGTCE38G1146466 (Manufacture Date: 10/1/2015; Original Sales Date: 4/1/2016). This is the exact component failure and safety hazard described in GM Recall #15595 (NHTSA Campaign #16V054) for the 2015 model year. Furthermore, despite this vehicle falling well within the mileage limits of GM Special Coverage N182182190, this specific VIN is excluded (per a VIH request to Mac Haik Chevrolet Service Desk with my VIN) from the coverage program for an identical hardware failure, posing an unresolved and dangerous safety risk on 2016 models.

Steering
Filed Sep 10, 2026CA

While sitting in idle the engine will just start to idle rough for no reason this happens all the time and clear out when accelerated. While driving the radio and Infotainment screen will go blank then come back on. I was driving on the freeway going straight and all of a sudden the power steering went out and I got this warning light on for the power steering being disabled along with this vehicle symbol and squiggly lines behind it on. I drove to a safe spot with the truck feeling really heavy. Turned it off and on then it cleared up. This power steering issue just happened.

Steering
Filed Sep 9, 2026MO

Power steering rack needs replaced. Power steering quit working.

Steering
Filed Aug 29, 2026NC

I am writing regarding an issue with my 2016 Chevrolet Colorado that I believe warrants GM’s attention and consideration for assistance with the cost of repair. My vehicle recently began constantly dinging and displaying an error message on the dashboard stating “Power Steering Failure.” I took the vehicle to a mechanic for diagnosis, and the vehicle produced error code C0800, which references Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) #PIT5474D. After researching this issue, I understand that GM is aware of power steering-related failures affecting Chevrolet Colorado models from 2015 through 2021. What I am having difficulty understanding is why, if this was a known and recurring issue across multiple model years, the related recall appears to have only included the 2015 model year. My 2016 Colorado is now obviously beyond its original warranty period, and there is no recall covering my vehicle for this known issue. As a result, I am now facing an approximately $2,000 repair bill for a failure that GM appears to have been aware of for years. I understand that vehicles eventually fall outside of their warranty coverage. However, when a manufacturer is aware of a recurring safety-related problem and has issued a TSB addressing the issue, it is frustrating for owners of other affected model years to be left responsible for the full cost of repair simply because their vehicle was not included in the recall. I am respectfully asking GM to review my situation and consider providing goodwill

Power Train
Filed Aug 27, 2026DE

While driving the vehicle, the power steering all of sudden goes out and I am unable to steer the vehicle properly. I know there was a recall for 2015 vehicles and wanted to know if the repair could be fixed on my vehicle as well. This is not safe for me to be driving with my children and grandchildren in the vehicle as it happens out of the blue and without warning, no matter what speed I could be going. This has occurred on multiple dates over the last month or so.

Steering
Filed Aug 24, 2026MS

Complete loss of electronic power steering capability while new teenage driver was traveling at high rate of speed. Loss of power steering and stabilitrak traction control warning indicators on dash. Issue that invoke a safety recall in previous year model vehicle (GM Recall #15595 & GM Special Coverage N182182190) but is being ignored by manufacturer for my 2016 model. ODB2 fault codes confirms U0420-42 and C0545 indicating exact same issues still occurring in 2016 vehicles despite recall due to this safety issue in 2015 models.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 22, 2026MO

For about two months my 2016 Chevy Colorado has been having a random power steering and stabilitrak issue message popping up. There’s no clear reason why this happens as I can drive my truck for days/weeks and it was suddenly lose power steering. When this happens it is a serious safety issue as I can be on the highway driving fine and my power steering will just suddenly stop working. Normally, I pull over and turn my truck off for 30 seconds to 1 minute and turn it back on and the issue will go away. I had two separate scans performed on the truck and both scans showed no “current” errors but pulled up past error codes of problems with ABS system and “low voltage.” I do not drive my truck roughly and most miles are simple roads or straight highways. No rough roads or heavy water/snow/mud. I have looked online and multiple threads from other drivers of GMC Canyons around 2015/2016 and trucks like mine who have had similar issues and the Canyon has recalls concerning this but I currently have none for the Chevy Colorado so I wanted to report this issue, especially for the safety reason. I believe if my wife was driving my truck on the highway and this happened she may not be strong enough to pull off and/or turn the truck if she had needed to since it is very difficult to turn the wheel when this error occurs.

Steering
Filed Jul 9, 2026CO

While driving 40-45 mph on a curvy mountain highway, the power steering suddenly stopped working. There was no warning message prior. Once the power steering ceased, a warning message displayed, "Service Stabilitrak". I was left in a situation which was challenging to steer the vehicle, and much more difficult to maneuver at slower speeds and turns. Soon after, I parked the vehicle and shut it off overnight. The next morning the vehicle started with the same warning message "Service Stabilitrak", but the power steering worked fine. I brought the vehicle into Chevrolet dealership service for inspection and diagnosis. Results are attached. The vehicle has not yet been repaired, and is available for inspection. Thank you.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 7, 2026NM

!!Vehicle Safety Complaint!! I am experiencing a serious safety issue with my 2016 Chevrolet Colorado involving the power steering system. On a regular basis, I receive dashboard warnings including "StabiliTrak Not Working," and "Service Power Steering." Shortly after these warnings appear, the power steering fails while I am driving. When this occurs, I must use significant force to turn the steering wheel in order to maintain control of the vehicle and make turns. When I pull over, turn off engine, open my driver door and restart the engine, it appears to have resolved and works fine. This creates an extremely dangerous driving condition. I am concerned that one day I may not be able to turn quickly or forcefully enough to avoid an accident, potentially resulting in a collision, injury, or death. I always have my children in the vehicle with me. NHTSA please investigate and fix this issue!

Steering
Filed Jun 17, 2026TX

**Vehicle Safety Complaint** I am experiencing a serious safety issue with my 2016 Chevrolet vehicle involving the power steering system. On a somewhat regular basis, I receive dashboard warnings including "StabiliTrak Not Working," and "Service Power Steering." Shortly after these warnings appear, the power steering fails while I am driving. When this occurs, I must use significant force to turn the steering wheel in order to maintain control of the vehicle and make turns. When I pull over, turn off engine and wait a few minutes, the restart the engine, it appears to be resolved and works fine. This creates an extremely dangerous driving condition. I am concerned that I may not be able to turn quickly or forcefully enough to avoid an accident, potentially resulting in a collision, injury, or death. I am aware that certain 2015 model year vehicles were recalled for similar power steering issues. However, despite experiencing what appears to be the same defect in my 2016 vehicle, no recall has been issued. The issue remains uncorrected and continues to pose a significant safety risk. GM Customer Care (1-800-462-8782) states I am not eligible for any cost assistance because it is a 2016 model and not 2015. Given the serious safety implications of sudden power steering loss while driving, I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue and determine whether a recall is warranted for affected 2016 vehicles. The sudden loss of power steering while the vehicle is in motion presen

Steering
Filed Jun 13, 2026CO

Driving 65mph down highway and power steering lost power and Error message "Stabilitrak" "Power steering drive with care" This is a busy highway and I was scared I was going to crash into another vehicle or run off the road. I have taken this vehicle immediately to my Chevy dealer and was told it was my rack and pinion needed to be fully replaced. I checked the recall list and my vehicle was not listed , however GM recall N202325410 for the 2015 Colorado has the same components and parts was involved in a recall.

Steering
Filed Jun 7, 2026RI

Was driving my vehicle on heavily traveled road June 3rd , 2026 when suddenly TC light and "service power steering drive with care "came on . Steering wheel became very stiff and hard to turn. Luckily I was able to pull into a parking lot and avoided an accident. I then turned off the vehicle and steering wheel became free. This happened again later that day and the next day. Each time I shut off the vehicle and it reset the steering wheel. However, due to safety issue I have not driven the vehicle since Thursday June 4th. We are a two care family and down to one car now. I need my vehicle so I made an appointment for service on June 8th. I will forward a copy of the bill. I noticed there was a recall on the 2015 Chevy Colorado however not on the 2016 model. I wanted to bring this to your attention.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 4, 2026180,203 milesGA

The contact called on behalf of a family member who owns 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, but was stiff, requiring the driver to forcefully depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the contact's auto repair shop, where it was diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump was fractured and damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed that there was no related recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not contacted. 180,203.

Steering
Filed Jun 2, 2026OR

The power steering has failed 4 times. This is the same problem that the 2015 Colorado's had. There was recall on the 2015 models. There has not been a recall on the 2016 models. but the problem still exists.

Steering
Filed May 30, 2026AZ

Complete failure of power steering while driving vehicle. Luckily I was almost home, had just exited the highway and was on a side road at low speed. High likely hood i would have crashed on the highway or at speeds greater than I was travelling. Numerous (at least 436 on one site) reports exist of this happening in the 2016 model. A recall exists on the 2015 model for this problem, but did not include my VIN. The stabilitrak icon flashed and I received a Power steering failure message on the dash. Stopping the vehicle and restarting apparently rebooted the electronic steering system and I was able to park it. The repair cost over $3000 at an independent mechanic. He replaced the rack and pinion component and said the wiring harness showed no wear, damage, or issues. Why isn't a recall issued for this safety problem on this model year? Especially given the number of complaints on the carcomplaints.com webpage and others.

20 of 707 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2016
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202614100Routine
202527100Routine
2024121310Routine
2023134300Routine
202254100Routine
202175112Fatalities reported
202084030Routine
2019149041Fatalities reported
2018183150Routine
2017216100Above average
2016 — this page707410Above average
2015491740Above average
20141000Routine
20131000Routine
201242220Routine
201142500Routine
201028210Routine
200967340Routine
200881272Fatalities reported
2007140350Routine
2006236421Fatalities reported
20053563111Fatalities reported
20043613131Fatalities reported

Compare every Colorado year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 31, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.