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2016 Chevrolet Colorado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Colorado years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado are substantially higher than the model-year median of 84.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

295 reports with mileage · 411 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 457 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

117 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2023
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteeringCrash

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…

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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!

NHTSA ODI #11514352

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2023
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

While my 17 year old son was traveling on the highway at a speed of 55, the truck (2016 Chevy Colorado)suddenly lost its power steering. He was barely able to get off the road, because the steering wheel was so hard to turn. The stabilitrak warning light came on and a warning light about the power steering also came on(while t…

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While my 17 year old son was traveling on the highway at a speed of 55, the truck (2016 Chevy Colorado)suddenly lost its power steering. He was barely able to get off the road, because the steering wheel was so hard to turn. The stabilitrak warning light came on and a warning light about the power steering also came on(while the problem was happening). My son was very concerned, because he said if he had been traveling at that speed around a curve, he could have crashed. This seems very serious to me. I googled this problem, only to find there have been recalls on several 2015 and 2016 models, but my VIN was not one of them.... something is wrong here!!?? I'm scared to let him drive it anymore.

NHTSA ODI #11513141

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2023
Electrical SystemSteering

Power steering stopped working while driving on open road. A box in the display opened and said that there was a problem and see dealer. The vehicle was stopped and inspected under hood. No reservoir or pump, so suspect it is an electrical issue. Turned vehicle off for a few moment and restarted, made a phone call to home and al…

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Power steering stopped working while driving on open road. A box in the display opened and said that there was a problem and see dealer. The vehicle was stopped and inspected under hood. No reservoir or pump, so suspect it is an electrical issue. Turned vehicle off for a few moment and restarted, made a phone call to home and all of a sudden, the power steering started working again. Returned home, made appointment with Chevy service, paid for diagnostic of issue, nothing found, no codes, no history, can not observe issue during test drive. Vehicle returned to me, I have driven about 400 miles with not a repeat of issue. I have read about a recall for this issue in the 2015 model, and have heard of owners of 2016 having the same issue, so I am adding my experience. I have the repair doc. but can not upload it at this time. RAB

NHTSA ODI #11512485

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2023
Electrical SystemSteering

A warning came on my dash board for Service saying "Power Steering Drive With Care" followed by another Service warning for "Stabilitrak." See photos of warnings. I had the same incident occur a couple of months ago, but it went away while driving and no adverse affects occurred. However, this time, my power steering lost all ab…

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A warning came on my dash board for Service saying "Power Steering Drive With Care" followed by another Service warning for "Stabilitrak." See photos of warnings. I had the same incident occur a couple of months ago, but it went away while driving and no adverse affects occurred. However, this time, my power steering lost all ability to function. Luckily, I was parked and just reversing out of a parking spot. I shut the vehicle off, opened and closed my doors, and restarted it to no avail. The power steering was still not working with the same warnings. I was close to home with only a few turns so I muscled my way to the road. Power steering returned while on a straightaway going 25 mph. The warnings did not cease even though power steering returned. I have restarted my vehicle twice and the warnings are still there. The Stability Control Warning Symbol and TC symbol to the left of the info display also stay on while these warnings are occurring. Took pictures of them for proof that are included. I read on this forum (https://www.coloradofans.com/threads/2016-colorado-stabilitak-power-steering-fault.413270/) that it is a known issue and see many complaints here on NHTSA. This is a dangerous scenario that should be investigated and seems to be an obvious manufacturer's fault or oversight, especially since a recall was issued for some 2015 models. Please investigate before crashes begin to occur. Its an expensive repair that many will not pay for, especially since it is well documented to be an issue plaguing the vehicles.

NHTSA ODI #11512113

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2023
Electrical System

When shifting into Park and attempting to turn ignition off, the ignition does not fully rotate to the Off position and I’m unable to remove key from ignition. There are several YouTube videos demonstrating this issue with thousands of views, so the problem clearly affects a lot of people. Some videos show where the ignition saf…

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When shifting into Park and attempting to turn ignition off, the ignition does not fully rotate to the Off position and I’m unable to remove key from ignition. There are several YouTube videos demonstrating this issue with thousands of views, so the problem clearly affects a lot of people. Some videos show where the ignition safety switch solenoid does not properly disengage when placed in Park. Would be more than happy to have my vehicle inspected and tested, if needed. Have been able to “work around” issue by doing a couple of quick release pops of the shifter release switch. Seems to be a mechanical + electrical issue. Happened suddenly in February 2023 when parking in a busy parking lot. Became very nervous and concerned that I couldn’t turn the ignition off and therefore remove my key. Was not going to walk away from vehicle and leave the key in the ignition either. Have not yet reported to dealer, but that’s my next step. No warning lamps or related lights on dash.

NHTSA ODI #11509941

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2023
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Try to completely shut the truck off but cannot remove the ignition key after putting the truck in park . After several times of starting the truck and moving the shifter back and forth then turning the truck off the key releases. Went on car gurus.com chat line and found this problem is widespread. Chevrolet dealerships will no…

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Try to completely shut the truck off but cannot remove the ignition key after putting the truck in park . After several times of starting the truck and moving the shifter back and forth then turning the truck off the key releases. Went on car gurus.com chat line and found this problem is widespread. Chevrolet dealerships will not honor the warranty on this issue if the vehicle is passed it’s warranty. Looks like someone is going have to get injured or trapped in the vehicle for Chevy to acknowledge this safety issue. Thank you for your consideration.

NHTSA ODI #11501586

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2022
Electrical System

The ignition swich won't turn off in one of ten time. Truck could be stolen & driven away.

NHTSA ODI #11497417

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2022
Electrical SystemSteering

Experiencing intermittent power steering lose while vehicle is moving. Contacted GM and got a GM diagnostics and they said that I have to replace steering rack. Same problem as other intermittent steering loss. Safety concern. I have more files but difficult to upload on current platform.

NHTSA ODI #11493889

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2022
Electrical SystemSteering

Colorado truck has been experiencing intermittent failure of power steering system for several weeks. This has occurred on start up and also while vehicle is moving. The problem may resolve temporarily on its own and then recur at another time. Watson Chevrolet evaluated this problem on 9/28/22 and found “DTC UO420 42 Which st…

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Colorado truck has been experiencing intermittent failure of power steering system for several weeks. This has occurred on start up and also while vehicle is moving. The problem may resolve temporarily on its own and then recur at another time. Watson Chevrolet evaluated this problem on 9/28/22 and found “DTC UO420 42 Which states that the power steering control module was not properly calibrated, causing the electronic brake control module to lose communication with it. Reprogram the PSCM. Condition is no longer present.” The problem reccurred while driving on September 30, 2022. Chevy dealership has been notified and the vehicle will be taken back in for further evaluation.

NHTSA ODI #11487331

57,000 miles · Sep 29, 2022
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that when she parked the vehicle she was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated that in order to remove the key she was required to turn off and restart the vehicle several times. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the…

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The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that when she parked the vehicle she was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated that in order to remove the key she was required to turn off and restart the vehicle several times. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure did not occur while the vehicle was with the mechanic. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that while attempting to remove the key from the ignition, she had to continue to turn off and restart the vehicle and noticed she was unable to depress the brake pedal as well. The vehicle was taken to Premier Chevrolet of Seaside (4 Heitzinger Plaza, Seaside, CA 93955) and My Chevrolet (444 Auto Center Cir A, Salinas, CA 93907) on separate occasions for routine services; however, the failure did not occur so the mechanics were unable to give a diagnosis for the failure. The vehicle was later taken to Chevrolet of Watsonville (490 Auto Center Dr, Watsonville, CA 95076) for a failure with the vehicle idling however, the failure could not be duplicated. Additionally, the contact stated that when she attempted to remove the key from the ignition, all the door locks engaged intermittently and would not unlock unless she was able to remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #11487076

Official recalls

4

18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 31, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

17V621000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 5, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

16V125000 · Air Bags:frontal

Mar 2, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

15V807000 · Latches/locks/linkages

Dec 1, 2015

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.