2016 Chevrolet Colorado problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 546 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, most often about steering. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
546
Recalls
4
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Median mileage
71,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Steering is the most-reported problem area, named in 415 of 546 complaints (76%).
  • Electrical System (96) and transmission & drivetrain (42) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 71,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 7 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury.
  • The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado has 4 recalls on file.
  • It has the most serious complaint record of all 20 Chevrolet Colorado model years we track.
  • That is 100% more complaints than the 2015 model year (273).

2016 Chevrolet Colorado problems by category

  • Steering · 5 crashes
    415 complaints
  • 96 complaints
  • 42 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 1 crash
    34 complaints
  • Brakes · 2 crashes
    34 complaints
  • 28 complaints
  • Engine · 1 crash
    25 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    13 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    12 complaints
  • Suspension
    6 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    6 complaints
  • Airbags · 2 crashes
    4 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    4 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    3 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Steering413
Electrical system93
Power train40
Unknown or other34
Service brakes32
Engine24
Electronic stability control (esc)23
Vehicle speed control12

When problems happen (mileage)

6Under 10k510k–30k4730k–60k3960k–100k42100k–150k12150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2016 Chevrolet Colorado complaints that list mileage.

2016 Chevrolet Colorado recalls (4)

  • Recall 18V358000May 31, 2018895 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    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.

  • Recall 17V621000Oct 5, 201716 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

    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.

  • Recall 16V125000Mar 2, 20161,579 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

    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.

  • Recall 15V807000Dec 1, 20158,763 vehicles
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

    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.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2016 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
2016 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
2016 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
2016 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆

Recent 2016 Chevrolet Colorado complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 30, 202677,000 miDESteering
    The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11768036 · source
  2. Filed Sep 28, 2026TXElectrical SystemSteering
    During a three point turn, the power turned off the car completely for a brief few seconds on the screens and the steering wheel locked. Was able to straighten it and all power was back on immediately. Stabilitrak warning has come out on the dash a few times. There seems to be a sudden power loss till the wheel is straightened. Luckily no one was behind, but this has happened a few times when turning.
    NHTSA complaint #11767537 · source
  3. Filed Sep 17, 2026AZFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11765112 · source
  4. Filed Sep 16, 2026HISteering
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11764846 · source
  5. Filed Sep 16, 2026NCSteering
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11764837 · source
  6. Filed Sep 14, 2026MSBrakesElectrical SystemSteering
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11764177 · source
  7. Filed Sep 14, 2026NCSteering
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11764018 · source
  8. Filed Sep 14, 2026IDElectrical SystemSteering
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11763982 · source

Compare the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado with another vehicle →

Other 2016 Chevrolet models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology