← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Engine complaints

48 reports
Clear category filter
130,000 miles · Nov 8, 2023
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and slowing down for traffic or a traffic signal, the vehicle would start to vibrate excessively. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle almost stalled. The contact had taken the vehi…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and slowing down for traffic or a traffic signal, the vehicle would start to vibrate excessively. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle almost stalled. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the failure two more times and was taken to the same mechanic. The contact stated that he had purchased the purge valve from an auto parts store and later purchased the valve from the manufacturer. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the contact believed that the valves sold were defective. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11554195

140,000 miles · Apr 13, 2023
Air BagsEngineSteeringCrash

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 illuminat…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11516838

138,000 miles · Aug 26, 2022
EnginePower TrainService Brakes, Air

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that on several occasions, the engine, traction, and stabilitrak warning lights illuminated then the vehicle went into Limp Mode. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone where a diagnostic test indicated that the powertrain system and cylinder #1 had failed. The contact st…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that on several occasions, the engine, traction, and stabilitrak warning lights illuminated then the vehicle went into Limp Mode. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone where a diagnostic test indicated that the powertrain system and cylinder #1 had failed. The contact stated while driving downhill, the RPM increased however, the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that the ABS warning light illuminated and the vehicle went into Limp Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pipe, fuel rail and fuel injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed that cylinder #1 and the power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that she would receive a loaner vehicle however, the manufacturer was contacted a second time where the contact was denied a loaner vehicle due to a warranty issue. The failure mileage was 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #11481401

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2022
Engine

While making a left turn through an intersection, the vehicle's engine shut down without any warning. The electronics were still powered. My safety was put at risk, as other drivers were also going through the intersection. If this issue occurs again at another random time and I lose power while driving, this could easily result…

Read full complaint

While making a left turn through an intersection, the vehicle's engine shut down without any warning. The electronics were still powered. My safety was put at risk, as other drivers were also going through the intersection. If this issue occurs again at another random time and I lose power while driving, this could easily result in an accident. I have not had it inspected by a mechanic, since it just happened, but have read online that others with Chevy Colorados have had this issue and could not find the cause.

NHTSA ODI #11470425

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2022
Engine

One morning I started my truck to go to work and the engine started ticking when I arrived at work the engine was still ticking . Being a European Automotive Technician for 34 years I knew this was bad . I performed an extensive diagnosis of the engine and found metal particles in the oil and filter at that point I knew that so…

Read full complaint

One morning I started my truck to go to work and the engine started ticking when I arrived at work the engine was still ticking . Being a European Automotive Technician for 34 years I knew this was bad . I performed an extensive diagnosis of the engine and found metal particles in the oil and filter at that point I knew that something in the engine had failed . I removed the engine and removed the oil pan for further inspection and discovered that the # 2 cylinder piston was broken below the wrist pin.

NHTSA ODI #11464967

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2022
Engine

accelerating and shuttering and jerking when you are trying to accelerating afraid to accelerate to go aroud another vehicle or to pull my tariler

NHTSA ODI #11457471

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2021
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

my truck has a issue when you are going down a hill it shifts into a lower gear. This is an automatic transmission. This can cause my truck to slide and spin in bad weather. I have seen people comment about this issue on some Colorado forums. It has done this many times and at times I have pulled over and placed it in park

NHTSA ODI #11443159

36,000 miles · Aug 27, 2021
EnginePower Train

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, after switching from the automatic drive mode to manual drive mode, the driver was able to manually switch to 1st gear which caused the speed to abruptly decrease. The contact indicated that the owner’s manual stated that the veh…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, after switching from the automatic drive mode to manual drive mode, the driver was able to manually switch to 1st gear which caused the speed to abruptly decrease. The contact indicated that the owner’s manual stated that the vehicle would not allow itself to shift into a lower gear at an unsafe speed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the mechanic duplicated the failure, but no service was performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #11430721

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2021
EngineVehicle Speed Control

2016-2020 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon diesel models have faulty DPF and DEF systems that fail within <20-60K miles. They do not warranty it as powertrain, and it is a common problem. SAFETY ISSUE: While out of state, the vehicle regenerating exhaust cleaning cycle can not properly clean the system. It then goes into limp mode…

Read full complaint

2016-2020 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon diesel models have faulty DPF and DEF systems that fail within <20-60K miles. They do not warranty it as powertrain, and it is a common problem. SAFETY ISSUE: While out of state, the vehicle regenerating exhaust cleaning cycle can not properly clean the system. It then goes into limp mode. 2 dealers have tried to fix it, with no avail. Limp mode limits speed from 65mph with no power on hills, to 55, then 4mph. See this thread for how many people are experiencing problems: https://www.coloradodiesel.org/threads/dpf-regeneration.1137/page-2 Thank you, Andrew R

NHTSA ODI #11418576

126,000 miles · Jan 24, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

DURING ANY TYPE OF MOISTURE IE (FOG, RAIN) VEHICLE GOES INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE CODES FROM THE ECM P2122 AND P2138 BOTH RELATING TO APP. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN RAIN STORM IN MOTION, APP PEDAL WAS REPLACED WITH NEW OEM PART BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I SUSPECT WATER INTRUSION FROM WIPER COWLING AFFECTING ELECTRIC HAR…

Read full complaint

DURING ANY TYPE OF MOISTURE IE (FOG, RAIN) VEHICLE GOES INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE CODES FROM THE ECM P2122 AND P2138 BOTH RELATING TO APP. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN RAIN STORM IN MOTION, APP PEDAL WAS REPLACED WITH NEW OEM PART BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I SUSPECT WATER INTRUSION FROM WIPER COWLING AFFECTING ELECTRIC HARNESS. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT EXIST DURING DRY SEASON. AFTER MANY HOURS OF ONLINE RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN CHEVROLET VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11389643

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.