One of the worst Colorado years
Owners filed about 3.9 times as many complaints as a typical Colorado year. The main thing to watch is the steering, which half of owners reported by about 68,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2020 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Colorado years from 2015 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 716 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The most reported problem area is the steering (465, 65% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the transmission and drivetrain. That is the most complaints of any Colorado year from 2015 to 2024. It has 4 recalls.
3 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado before you buy.
Steering
465 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 68,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
EPS disable while driving, Service Stabilitrak message displayed, ESC/TCS disabled, EPS/TDM code C0545 [0x00] ABS/ESC/EBCM code U0420 [0x42]Owner complaint, filed 2026
While driving, the truck can suddenly lose power steering and traction control without warning. When this occurs, steering becomes extremely difficult and creates a significant safety risk, particularly at higher speeds or when turning. Restarting the vehicle will sometimes restore power steering, but the problem can persist after…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
120 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 35,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving a warning will pop up and says "stabilitrack." All I can do is put my hazards, wait on the side of the road, and turn off the vehicle to see if it goes away. I can't drive in that state as the steering wheel gets really hard to control. The steering that make it easier to move the steering wheel (left and right to drive)…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Wiring harness problem resulting in loss of power to a/c, and other electrical components such as radio scrolling without being called for, only small portion on left side of touch screen works. Problem previously reported under 11516530. Dealership that sold me the vehicle and other automotive shops want $75 or more just to look at the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Transmission and drivetrain
97 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle jerked while shifting gear. Additionally, while driving at slow speeds, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle hesitated while shifting into gear. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 142,000 miles
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Transmission, yes How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was going 55mph on an open highway and the transmission downshifted into 2nd gear throwing me forward and dropped me to 35mph with a line of cars behind. I…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Brakes and stability control
78 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 180,203 miles
Vacuum pump failed and developed a tear almost leading to an accident. Now part of the pump system broke into motor leading to potential engine failure.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Engine and cooling
50 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vacuum pump busted as shown in photos. Once that busted it sent metal shrapnel into the engine which broke a piece of the cam shaft into bits. There were metal fragments that had to be meticulously cleaned out of my engine block. The loss of vacuum seal caused me to lose brakes while driving in stop and go traffic on the highway.Owner complaint, filed 2025
COMPONENT: The piston in cylinder #1 cracked and created conditions for the fuel injector to bore a hole through it. SAFETY: This led to sudden loss of engine power and violent shaking of the vehicle at highway speeds. CONFIRMATION: Multiple reports of the exact same incident can be confirmed and researched at ColoradoFans.com…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Cruise control and acceleration
24 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 7,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
Anytime I drive down a moderately steep hill, the transmission down shifts to a lower gear and the RPMs go above 5000. It seems to get stuck in this gear for a bit of time. If I speed up, the RPMs get to about 6000 before shifting. Otherwise, I’ll need to slow the vehicle considerably before it will change gears. I contacted the…Owner complaint, filed 2023
I put larger tires on my colorado. The local chevrolet dealer says they cannot correct the speedometer reading. I am told I can buy the necessary software from gm, but I can't find it, nor can anyone at the dealership tell me how to obtain it. Until now, it was possible to get the speedometer corrected. So, I don't know how fast I am…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 41,600 miles
Fuel system
22 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
On October 3, 2025 the driver of the 2016 Chevy Colorado we own, left our house and drove .5 miles where he stopped for a red light. The light turned green and he accelerated to make a left turn. At that time, the gas gauge dropped to "E", the truck engine turned off, and gas emptied from the gas tank. The driver managed to coast the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Suspension
10 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 chevrolet colorado. The contact stated that the vehicle downshifted to 3rd gear while approaching a downhill slope. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who changed the oil and informed the…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 10,000 miles
Steering of the truck. No, it has not been reproduced by a dealer No has not been inspected Does not do it all the time, does in over period of times cannot specify any specific time you be driving and all sudden the wheels seem to lock and hard to steer and turning is very hard.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Air bags
10 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
Bad airbag sensor in back of front bumper. Was told if not replaced, airbags would not deploy. Not covered under warranty and no recall found.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 40,000 miles
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…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 200 miles
Body, doors and structure
10 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (9).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
Paint on leading hood edge bubbling on top of and beneath the hood. Gm certified auto technicians confirmed this is a result of moisture during the painting process and not due to damage inflicted while driving.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 50,000 miles
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.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 30,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
10 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 14,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
Third break light is out caused by corrosion of the wires. The corrosion is the result of a water leak that is caused by a defective body seal on the roof of the cab.Owner complaint, filed 2023
I was driving in a heavy rain storm, on the highway, and the right windshield wiper just stopped. A few minutes later, the left wiper stopped working. I was able to move to the side of the road, since I couldn't see to drive, and I could hear the motor working, but the wipers were not moving.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 39,000 miles
Wheels and tires
7 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The Good Year tires that I purchased are making a high speed vibration. I feel that my safety is at high risk when I am driving on the highway. I did seek help from a independent service center. They rebalanced the tires, and one tire was replaced under warranty. I paid $65.00 out of my pocket. The vehicle has not been inspected by the…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Tire pressure monitor failed in less then 3 years of owning the vehicle. The truck was purchased brand new in 2016 and now I'm being told that I have to pay for the tmps [VIN] cause I'm past the bumper to bumper warranty. This is clearly a defect in the tpms as the batteries should last at least 10 years. I have a 2008 vehicle that has…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 37,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
6 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Seat belt cable broke. In my opinion the square edge of the crimp has weakened and ultimately caused the cable to be cutOwner complaint, filed 2023
Seat belt cable broke between anchor on floor and first connection. Brought to chevrolet dealer and they said they haven't seen that before. Now I wonder if the other seat belts are defective. There was no previous warningOwner complaint, filed 2023
Driver assist systems
4 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
2016 chevrolet colorado. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle back-up camera remains on for about 10 seconds after changing gears from reverse.Owner complaint, filed 2017
POWER STEERING AND STABILITAK UNABLE TO STEER . CHECKED OWNERS MANULE IT SAYS TURN TRUCK OFF THEN START AGAIN. iT ALSO STATES IT IS STILL SAFE TO DRIVE I don't think so!!! it comes with no warning and you have to pull over and shut the truck off let it sit just a short while then it will steer just fine ....again for a while . the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Chevrolet Colorado complaints by year
Compare the 2016 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2016 midsize trucks
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Chevrolet Colorado | Among the worst years | 4 |
| 2016 Toyota Tacoma | Among the worst years | 4 |
2016 Chevrolet Colorado recalls
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags
- Risk
- An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags
- Risk
- An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Doors, hood and latches
- 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.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the console compartment door latch assembly, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
2016 Chevrolet Colorado questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?
The most reported problem areas on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado are the steering (465 complaints), the electrical system (120 complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (97 complaints).
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado a good year to buy?
One of the worst Colorado years. Owners filed about 3.9 times as many complaints as a typical Colorado year. The main thing to watch is the steering, which half of owners reported by about 68,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Colorado years from 2015 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The most recent, from May 2018, covers the fuel pump. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Colorado problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the steering gave a mileage of about 68,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 35,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Chevrolet Colorado years should I avoid?
The Colorado years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2015 and 2016. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?
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