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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.

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

What owners actually said

706 reports
1,200 miles · Feb 24, 2017
EnginePower Train

SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, IT HAD A BUCKING AT SPEED OF 25-40 MPH, THIS WAS VERY NOTICEABLE IN CITY DRIVING, THIS ISSUE WAS COUPLE WITH UNCONTROLLED SURGES IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE OCT 28 OR 30, 2016. I TURNED IN THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE ON DEC 19, 2016, DEALER SERVICE REP CONFIRM THERE WAS AN ISSUE AND KEEP THE TR…

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SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, IT HAD A BUCKING AT SPEED OF 25-40 MPH, THIS WAS VERY NOTICEABLE IN CITY DRIVING, THIS ISSUE WAS COUPLE WITH UNCONTROLLED SURGES IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE OCT 28 OR 30, 2016. I TURNED IN THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE ON DEC 19, 2016, DEALER SERVICE REP CONFIRM THERE WAS AN ISSUE AND KEEP THE TRUCK FOR REPAIRS. VEHICLE WAS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR OVER 40 CONSECUTIVE DAYS TO FIX ISSUE, DEALERSHIP TECHS, AS WELL AS GM FIELD REPS HAVE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND HAVE TRIED TO FIX IT TO NO AVAIL. ON FEB 8, THE GM REP SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE ISSUE WAS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM WITH THIS SPECIFIC TYPE VEHICLE AND THAT THE SOFTWARE THIS VEHICLE HAS IS A NEW SOFTWARE. WHEN I ASKED IF THIS ISSUE IS BEING WORKED BY THE SOFTWARE ENGINEERS FOR SOLUTION THE REP SAID HE HAS NO IDEA AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WHEN SUDDENLY SURGES WITHOUT CONTROL, PARTICULARLY WHILE DRIVING IN A CITY CENTER A DRIVER CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR POTENTIALLY HIT A PERSON WHILE LOOSING CONTROL. GM COSTUMER ASSISTANT WAS CONTACTED, BUT THERE WAS NOT HELP AND GM REFUSES TO LET ME KNOW WHEN THE FIXES FOR THIS ISSUE WILL BE OUT. THEREFORE I HAVE REFUSE TO TAKE POSSESSION OF VEHICLE UNTIL IF FIXED CORRECTLY!! THIS ISSUE WILL AFFECT ALL 2016 AND UP COLORADO WITH DURAMAX ENGINE AND NEW SOFTWARE VERSION INSTALLED ON THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10956693

28 miles · Feb 4, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

VEHICLE HAS ERRATIC DOWNSHIFTING AND UPSHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAUSES ABRUPT CHANGES IN ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION THAT SETS UP SEQUENCES THAT FORCE THE DRIVER TO CONTINUALLY PRESS DOWN ON, OR LET UP, ON THE BREAK AND OR ACCELERATOR TO ATTEMPT TO BLEND IN WITH STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. ONLY GETTING 15-16.5 MPG C…

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VEHICLE HAS ERRATIC DOWNSHIFTING AND UPSHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAUSES ABRUPT CHANGES IN ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION THAT SETS UP SEQUENCES THAT FORCE THE DRIVER TO CONTINUALLY PRESS DOWN ON, OR LET UP, ON THE BREAK AND OR ACCELERATOR TO ATTEMPT TO BLEND IN WITH STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. ONLY GETTING 15-16.5 MPG CITY DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10949602

9,000 miles · Jan 30, 2017
VisibilityVisibility/wiper

DEFROSTER SYSTEM IS INADEQUATE TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS IN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 DEG. F. DRIVING IS UNSAFE BECAUSE VISIBILITY IS REDUCED TO A 20 IN. ZONE FORWARD ONLY. SIDE VISION IS COMPLETELY BLOCKED. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS UNABLE TO FIX THE DEFROSTER, AND INFORMS ME THAT EVEN BRA…

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DEFROSTER SYSTEM IS INADEQUATE TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS IN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 DEG. F. DRIVING IS UNSAFE BECAUSE VISIBILITY IS REDUCED TO A 20 IN. ZONE FORWARD ONLY. SIDE VISION IS COMPLETELY BLOCKED. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS UNABLE TO FIX THE DEFROSTER, AND INFORMS ME THAT EVEN BRAND NEW CHEVROLET COLORADOS ON THE SALES LOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM EXISTS WHEN THE TRUCK IS STATIONARY AND JUST AS BADLY WHEN IT IS MOVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10948452

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2017
StructureSuspension

TRUCK SITS UNEVEN FROM SIDE TO SIDE . 1" DIFFERENCE AT REAR WHEEL WELLS WHEN SITTING ON A LEVEL SURFACE WITH NO LOAD IN THE BED AND A 1/2 " DIFFERENCE IN THE FRONT SIDE TO SIDE . THE REAR OVERLOAD SPRING LEAF WITH RUBBER BUMPER TOUCHES UPPER ADJACENT SPRING LEAF WITH NO LOAD IN THE BED ON THE DRIVER SIDE . NOT SURE IF THIS COULD…

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TRUCK SITS UNEVEN FROM SIDE TO SIDE . 1" DIFFERENCE AT REAR WHEEL WELLS WHEN SITTING ON A LEVEL SURFACE WITH NO LOAD IN THE BED AND A 1/2 " DIFFERENCE IN THE FRONT SIDE TO SIDE . THE REAR OVERLOAD SPRING LEAF WITH RUBBER BUMPER TOUCHES UPPER ADJACENT SPRING LEAF WITH NO LOAD IN THE BED ON THE DRIVER SIDE . NOT SURE IF THIS COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN IF THERE IS A LOAD PLACED IN THE BED CAUSING ISSUES IN HOW THE TRUCK HANDLES OR COULD BE CAUSING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR OR OTHER ISSUES WITH OTHER SUSPENSION PARTS .I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH OTHER COLORADO TRUCKS BY THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE FROM . THIS TRUCK CAME OFF OF THE DEALERSHIP LOT WITH THIS PROBLEM AND GM TECH. ASSIST. IS AWARE . AFTER ALMOST 3 MONTHS NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE .

NHTSA ODI #10947729

27,000 miles · Jan 14, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

I STARTED MY COLORADO TO HEAD HOME, THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND COOL. THE "DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER" IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FLASHED THAT THE AIRBAG, ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS)/STABILITRAK WERE INOPERABLE. THE AIRBAG, TCS, AND ONE OTHER LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. WAITED …

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I STARTED MY COLORADO TO HEAD HOME, THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND COOL. THE "DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER" IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FLASHED THAT THE AIRBAG, ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS)/STABILITRAK WERE INOPERABLE. THE AIRBAG, TCS, AND ONE OTHER LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND TURNED IT BACK ON. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I CLEARED THE WARNING MESSAGES AND STARTED TO DRIVE TO TAKE IT IN AND GET IT LOOKED AT BY A CERTIFIED CHEVROLET MECHANIC. I LEFT THE PARKING LOT AND AFTER ENTERING THE NEARBY STREET I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WAS NOT DISPLAYING ANY VEHICLE INFORMATION (SHOWING ZEROS OR BLANKS FOR ALL DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION INCLUDING MILEAGE, FUEL, OIL PRESSURE, SPEED ETC). ALSO, THE NEEDLES FOR THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, AND ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE WERE LIFELESS AND READING ZEROS. ONLY THE ODOMETER AND "INFOTAINMENT" SYSTEM WERE WORKING CORRECTLY. I ESTIMATED MY SPEED TO BE ABOVE 30 MPH AT THIS POINT. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND SCANNED THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD AND STEERING WHEEL BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY ISSUES. WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, ALL THE ISSUES WERE GONE AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. SEEMED KINDA LIKE RESTARTING A COMPUTER TO CLEAR SOFTWARE ISSUES. NOT SURE WHAT COULD'VE CAUSED IT. MY VEHICLE IS A 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO Z71 WITH 27,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS PURCHASED OCTOBER 2015. [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10945281

7,600 miles · Jan 1, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

THIS VEHICLE'S ERRATIC DOWNSHIFTING AND UPSHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAUSES ABRUPT CHANGES IN ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION THAT SETS UP SEQUENCES THAT FORCE THE DRIVER TO CONTINUALLY PRESS DOWN ON, OR LET UP, ON THE BREAK AND OR ACCELERATOR TO ATTEMPT TO BLEND IN WITH STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC, PRES…

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THIS VEHICLE'S ERRATIC DOWNSHIFTING AND UPSHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAUSES ABRUPT CHANGES IN ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION THAT SETS UP SEQUENCES THAT FORCE THE DRIVER TO CONTINUALLY PRESS DOWN ON, OR LET UP, ON THE BREAK AND OR ACCELERATOR TO ATTEMPT TO BLEND IN WITH STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC, PRESENT WHEN ENTERING OR LEAVING LARGE CITIES, THE ONSET AND CONTINUANCE OF THIS VEHICLE'S PERFORMANCE WORSENS RESULTING IN DRIVER FATIGUE AND EXTREME STRESS, BROUGHT ON BY THE EVER PRESENT NECESSITY TO BE EXTRA WATCHFUL AND TO MANEUVER TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, OR BEING REAR-ENDED. WHEN DRIVING THROUGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT TODAY'S INTERSTATE SPEEDS, THERE IS RECURRING "BUMPING" THAT SETS UP WHEN ASCENDING LONG GRADES. IT CREATES THE FEELING THAT EITHER THE TRANSMISSION IS ATTEMPTING TO DOWNSHIFT BUT THEN CHANGES ITS MIND, OR THE ENGINE'S RPM ARE ABOUT TO INCREASE BUT DON'T. THIS ADDS TO FEAR OF IMMINENT FAILURE AND BEING LEFT STRANDED. THIS BEHAVIOR WAS PRESENT FROM THE VERY FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. IT'S GETTING WORSE.THIS DRIVER BELIEVES THE UNSAFE OPERATING PERFORMANCE OF THIS VEHICLE AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, IS EXACERBATED BY THE COMBINATION OF THE SMALL, 4 CYLINDER ENGINE COUPLED TO THE 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION, THAT REQUIRES THE ENGINE TO RAPIDLY DOWNSHIFT OR UPSHIFT TO PROVIDE THE NEEDED PERFORMANCE REQUIRED IN TODAY'S DRIVING ENVIRONMENTS. FURTHER, IT IS EVIDENT THE SOFTWARE CONTROLLING THE TRANSMISSION'S OPERATING BEHAVIOR WAS NEITHER FULLY DEVELOPED NOR TESTED THROUGHOUT ITS ANTICIPATED FULL OPERATING RANGE AND AS SUCH CREATES A VEHICLE THAT IS DANGEROUS TO OPERATE ON PUBLIC ROADS ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THESE ISSUES ADDRESSED WITH THE DEALER RESULTED IN BEING TOLD..." NOTHING CAN BE DONE...THE PROBLEMS YOU ARE ENCOUNTERING ARE BEING ARE BEING EXPERIENCED BY MANY CUSTOMERS. CHEVROLET IS NOT PROVIDING ANY SOLUTIONS". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10938972

600 miles · Dec 19, 2016
Steering

POWER STEERING STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET, SERVICE POWER STEERING MESSAGE APPEARED, VERY HARD TO TURN IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. CAME BACK TO NORMAL 5 MIN LATER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10936124

800 miles · Dec 14, 2016
Exterior Lighting

THE AUTO SENSOR FOR THE HEAD LIGHTS/DASH LIGHTS DOESN'T SEEM SENSITIVE ENOUGH AS ON CLOUDY DAYS IT STAYS IN NIGHT TIME MODE AND I CANT SEE MY DASH.

NHTSA ODI #10935241

5,700 miles · Dec 13, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A LOUD POPPING NOISE CAME FROM THE ENGINE AREA BEFORE THE SPEED SUDDENLY DECREASED TO 40 MPH. DURING THE FAILURE, THE STEERING ASSIST, STABILITRAK, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AND TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A LOUD POPPING NOISE CAME FROM THE ENGINE AREA BEFORE THE SPEED SUDDENLY DECREASED TO 40 MPH. DURING THE FAILURE, THE STEERING ASSIST, STABILITRAK, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AND TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,700. UPDATED 02/03/17*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10934932

50 miles · Dec 9, 2016
Power Train

IN MOTION, WHEN DRIVING SPEED LIMIT AND THEN YOU LET OFF ACCELERATOR TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN YOU PRESS GAS AGAIN IT HESITATES AND DOES NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED BY PROGRAMMING SOMETHING IN COMPUTER AND IT RAN FINE FOR 3 DAYS AND STARTED DOING SAME THING AGAIN. AND ALSO, WHEN YOU ACCELERA…

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IN MOTION, WHEN DRIVING SPEED LIMIT AND THEN YOU LET OFF ACCELERATOR TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN YOU PRESS GAS AGAIN IT HESITATES AND DOES NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED BY PROGRAMMING SOMETHING IN COMPUTER AND IT RAN FINE FOR 3 DAYS AND STARTED DOING SAME THING AGAIN. AND ALSO, WHEN YOU ACCELERATE AND IT WILL NOT RESPOND YOU GIVE IT A LOT OF GAS AND IT MAKES RPMS GO TO LIKE 5000, BUT THE RPM DO NOT MATCH THE SPEED, ITS VERY STRANGE. I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING ON FORUMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10934064

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.