2016 Chevrolet Colorado Complaints

STEERING — Filed 09/30/2026

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.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 06/01/2026

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.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 09/17/2026

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.

STEERING — Filed 08/26/2026

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)

STEERING — Filed 09/16/2026

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.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 09/11/2026

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.

STEERING — Filed 08/26/2026

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.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/09/2026

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.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 09/04/2026

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.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/06/2020

The contact stated the company they work for owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission would slip intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the transmission failed. The transmission was replaced. When attempting to start the vehicle it failed to start. They had to jump-start the battery to start the vehicle. The battery was replaced by O'Rileys, a battery specialty shop. Approximately a year later, while another employee was driving at approximately 65 MPH when smoke began coming from underneath the vehicle's hood. The driver pulled over and exited the vehicle. The fire department came and put the fire out. The fire department informed the contact that the cause of the fire was because the battery caught fire. The fire department filed a report. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. There were no injuries or need for medical assistance. The contact spoke with the dealer who informed them that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

STEERING — Filed 01/24/2024

Power steering stops working while driving. The power assist on the steering stops working while driving. Same issue on the recall of the 2015 Chevy Colorado.

STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 11/10/2023

The power steering and stabilitrak went out while i was driving on the freeway, again!

STEERING,AIR BAGS — Filed 02/04/2022

As I was driving in the icy weather feb 2022 going down a slight incline approx speed 10-15 mph on the road the power steering went out and the traction control lights came on and air bag light went off and I lost steering control wound up in a 6 ft drop off of a culvert may have lost consciousness briefly as I didn’t know I was facing up and down and man living near the culvert came up to the truck asked if I was ok and said your not going anywhere your tires are off the ground and I did not realize I was air bags did not deploy as the airbag light malfunction came on prior so they did not deploy. I had to higher a crane operator to lift the truck out of the culvert and a wrecker to take it home.

STEERING,AIR BAGS,ENGINE — Filed 05/01/2017

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle would have a sudden loss of power steering. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact believed the check engine light, traction control, abs, and stability track warning lights and or messages become illuminated. The vehicle goes into limp mode causing the contact to have to turn the vehicle on and off several times. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 5 mph, on icy road conditions, the power steering suddenly failed to cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle. The vehicle ended up veering off the side of the road into a ditch about 6 feet deep. The air bags did not deploy. The driver had no injuries and no medical attention was needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle had to be lifted out of the ditch and then towed. There was no damage. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 140,000.

STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 03/18/2023

Vehicle suddenly loses power steering without warning. The power steering module is connected to the CAN bus which errors everything else on the same network so stabilitrack, traction control, ABS, etc goes out all at the same time. On icy roads, this caused to hit the ditch at very high speed. What I don’t understand is why you only forced a recall on the 2015 MY when the 2016’s use the same exact components and assembly process. Clearly this is still an issue for many 2016 owners!

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 10/05/2020

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while backing out of a parking space at a very slow speed, the braking system suddenly malfunctioned and erroneously released causing the vehicle to surge backward and crash into a second parked vehicle. During the incident, no injuries were reported and a police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rear driver side brake caliper and brake hose were faulty and needed to be replaced. The caliper and hose were replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was also contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/05/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE, REVERSING THE BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED AND SUDDENLY RELEASED AND CRASHED INTO AN UNOCCUPIED 2014 CHEVROLET COLORADO. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND LOCKED UP, SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND LEFT SKID MARKS WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SILVERTHORNE CHEVROLET INC.111 N FRANKLIN ST, ROBINSON, IL 62454 (618) 544-9506 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER FAILED TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

STEERING,SUSPENSION — Filed 08/16/2019

THIS 2016 CHEVY PICK UP THE RIGHT FRONTTIRE BOKE LOOSE OF THE VEHICAL AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WRECK INTO ANOTHER CAR. THE SUSPENSION ON THE LOWER ATTACHMENT POINT BROKE AWAY AROUND THE LOWER TYROD ATTACHMENT POINT . THE UPPER BROKE ALSO AT THE ATTACHMENT POINT . THESE PARTS ARE MADE OF CAST ALUMINUM AND HAVE THE LOWER TYROD WHERE IT ATTACHES ON IS A TAPERED PART IF IT IS TIGHTENED TO MUCH T WIL CAUSE THE CASTING TO CRACK.IT APPEARS THAT THIS PART HAD A CRACK IN THE PART. I AM A 49 YEAR MACHINIST ND SEE THAT THE PART IS A PORE DESIGN AND IS A LOW GRADE OF CAST ALUMINUM USE TO ATTACH THIS CRITICAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING LESS THAN15 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION. CONTACT ME AT (XXXX) REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/16/2019

THE TRANSMISSION (6SPD AUTOMATIC W/V6 ENGINE) OF THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN TO HAVE ISSUES THAT WILL SURPRISE YOU IF YOU AREN'T ALREADY AWARE OF THEM. THE ISSUE AFFECTING SAFETY THE MOST, IS THE OCCASIONAL ENGINE ACCELERATION WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AS THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS TO A LOWER GEAR. IT CAUSES THE CAR TO ACTUALLY ACCELERATE MOMENTARILY AS YOU APPLY THE BRAKE EVEN HARDER TO ARREST THE INCREASED SPEED. I WAS DRIVING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BECAUSE THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER HAD STOPPED COMPLETELY. I HAD DRIVEN THIS ROAD FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS AND HAD NEVER SEEN ANYONE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AS THE FIRST CAR DID IN THIS AREA. FIVE(5) OF US WERE ALL SURPRISED. I WAS THE THIRD CAR. AS I FIRMLY APPLIED MY BRAKES, THE CAR INITIALLY SLOWED DOWN BUT THEN IT FELT AS IF IT WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND UNFORTUNATELY I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME, ALTHOUGH I ONLY LIGHTLY TAPPED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, FOLLOWED BY 3 MORE CARS IN BACK OF ME. AT FIRST I WAS SURPRISED THAT I WASN'T ABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND THEN IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT THE STRANGE FEELING I FELT AS THE VEHICLE SLOWED WAS AS IF THE ENGINE HAD ACCELERATED AS IT DOWNSHIFTED CAUSING THE BRAKING ACTION TO NOT BE AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. SINCE I KNEW THE CAR OCCASIONALLY DID THIS I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS AS POSSIBLY CONTRIBUTING TO MY PROBLEM AND PUT IT ON RECORD IN CASE YOU HAD OTHER REPORTS LIKE THIS.

STRUCTURE — Filed 05/20/2018

THE DOORS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COME TO A SHARP POINT ON THE BOTTOM. THE WIND CASE THE DOOR TO COME BACK ON MY LEG AND BADLY BRUISING MY LEG. I CONTACTED GM TO PAY MY DOCTOR BILL BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY.

AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/28/2017

ON NOVEMBER 24TH 2017, WHILE STOPPING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, MY 2016 EXTENDED CAB, CHEVROLET COLORADO 4WD TURNED ITSELF OFF. WITH THE BRAKES NOT WORKING AND INTO THE INTERSECTION OF A 4 WAY STOP, I PUT THE GEAR IN PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I RESTARTED AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. NO ACCIDENT AND NO INJURIES. ON NOVEMBER 28, 2017, ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT IN TRAFFIC ON US /ROUTE 40 IN MARYLAND, MY COLORADO TURNED ITSELF OFF, BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, RESULTING IN REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK (DID NOT DEPLOY). THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO MY COLORADO, AND I HAVE CHEST BONE (STERNUM) INJURIES.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 03/16/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN A PARKING LOT, THE HORN FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/02/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE HORN FAILURE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. UPDATED 09/07/2017*JS

POWER TRAIN — Filed 06/23/2016

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

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 06/08/2016

APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AND OBSERVED A YELLOW LIGHT. I WAS TRAVELING 35MPH AS POSTED AND APPLIED THE BRAKES ONLY TO HAVE THE PEDAL GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FIRE WALL. THE TRUCK HAD NO BRAKING POWER AND ONLY SLOWED TO ABOUT 15MPG AFTER APPLYING FOR ROUGHLY 40-50 YARDS. I ENDED UP RUNNING INTO THE INTERSECTION COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT PROCEEDED ON GREEN.

AIR BAGS — Filed 02/05/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEFT WRIST, LEFT ARM, SHOULDER, AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.