RoadVitals

2016 Chevrolet Colorado

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
707
+8 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest May 31, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
15
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 707 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, most frequently naming the steering, electrical and powertrain (other) categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,593 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

May 31, 2018
895 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 18188 18268View on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Oct 5, 2017
16 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 17387View on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Mar 2, 2016
1,579 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 28030View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Sep 17, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11765112
Incident
Sep 17, 2026
Steering
Filed Sep 16, 2026

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 ID
11764846
Incident
Sep 16, 2026
Steering
Filed Sep 16, 2026

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 response. I have made multiple attempts to bring this matter to your attention, and I am hoping NHTSA can provide some direction toward a resolution. Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11764837
Incident
Aug 26, 2026
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 14, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11764177
Incident
Sep 9, 2026
Steering
Filed Sep 14, 2026

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, the remanufacturer is not responding, and GM will not assist because the replacement part was not manufactured by GM. This entire situation could potentially have been avoided had my 2016 Colorado been included in the recall for this known issue. I do not believe it is reasonable for me to bear the full financial burden of a failure that GM was aware of and that appears to affect multiple model years. I am asking GM to please review this matter and provide a reasonable resolution.

NHTSA ID
11764018
Incident
Aug 26, 2026
ElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 14, 2026

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 ID
11763982
Incident
Sep 11, 2026
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Sep 10, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11763341
Incident
Sep 4, 2026
Steering
Filed Sep 9, 2026

Power steering rack needs replaced. Power steering quit working.

NHTSA ID
11763242
Incident
Sep 8, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP4902W

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIT5509N

This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.

PIT5099J

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

PIT5509M

This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.

PIT3271Q

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

PIP6104

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Colorado by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026141147.5
2025271152.4
20241223161.9
20231353158.7
2022551047.0
2021751052.8
2020840044.8
20191500044.1
20181831044.2
20172161045.2
2016Viewing7074054.3
20154917160.9
2014100—
2013100—
2012422051.1
2011425050.4
2010282041.4
2009673048.6
2008812051.7
20071403050.1
20062364149.9
20053563257.9
20043613255.9

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.