2015 Chevrolet Colorado: jerking or lurching

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · PA

The EPS (Electrical Power Steering) or Steering Assist has been plaguing our 2015 Chevy Colorado for almost two years. It will randomly go out, without warning. The steering assist has a defective piece that was recalled in other 2015 Chevy Colorado's (GM Recall 15595). While driving the vehicle on a busy highway or neighborhood roads, the EPS will give out and jerk the wheel causing the driver to make a quick reaction to avoid collision with other vehicles or pedestrians. Since there is no warning, there is no way to be prepared. Our vehicle is currently at our local dealership and they have been able to reproduce the issue and diagnose the issue as a defective steering gear torque sensor. This defective piece, previously recalled for other 2015 Chevy Colorado's, causes danger to the driver, passengers and others sharing the road. Unfortunately we waited to take it to a dealership because of the potential cost; at this time, the safety is so concerning, we had to take it in. it is available for inspection upon request.

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · Steering · TX

While driving and attempting to make a right hand turn, all of the sudden the power steering went out. There were warnings that stated traction control was out and power steering were out. There were also warning chimes. But these did not happen BEFORE i lost control. I almost hit another vehicle that was at the stop sign on the street I was attempting to turn onto. It jerked the steering wheel out of my hands. Luckily I was going slow enough to stop and not collide with the other vehicle. This has happened on several occasions, but luckily it hasn't been that close to a collision except that time. Once I turn the truck off and start it again, I will have steering control back. I understand that this is a recall issue for my year, make, and model; but apparently not for the month my truck was produced. This is an extremely dangerous problem as it just happens all of the sudden. Losing complete steering control while driving on the highway is extremely scary, as there isn't always a safe place to pull over and turn off the truck. There have been times that luckily I have a passenger in the truck with me to help maneuver the steering wheel because I can't turn it on my own. This problem really should be addressed for all these vehicles manufactured in 2015. Apparently it is an issue. I have read many forums regarding this exact problem.

Filed Feb 5, 2023 · Transmission · OH

Transmision in this vehicle is the worst,and could be dangerous for novice drivers.I've read plaged problems with these vehicles and transmissions after I purchased it.Transmision jerky,shutters.You go to take off and it switches in to low gears too soon and causes the vehicle to vibrate.Sometimes slips between 4th and 5th gear.Also when giving a little bit of throttle sometimes vehicle acts like your flooring it,in rainy or icy weather can cause back wheels to spin causing fish tailing.Had it happen couple times.I've read torque converter problems,and some under a campaign have been replaced.This vehicle has low mileage for a 2015 (83,000)

Filed Oct 21, 2020 · Steering · 96,800 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 chevrolet colorado. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the power steering assist warning light was illuminated while the vehicle jerked to the right. The contact pulled over on the side of the roadway and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated the warning light disappeared and he continued driving to his destination. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle towed to his residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired in 2018 under the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v054000 (steering) before the vehicle was purchased. The failure mileage was approximately 96,800.

Filed Feb 28, 2020 · Steering · 95,876 miles · NJ

Driving down the road dash lights came on stating service power steering drive with care while it was raining.drove for a while did not go out then stable link light came on.parked the truck came out later dash lights still on no par steering.I called the dealer they said bring it right down .after 140.00 diagnosing I was told I need a new electric rack and pinion system at a cost of 1800.00. Called gm for assist. They would only cover half.I told the dealer I will call gm tonight on the way home my truck jerked to the left and power steering came back buts lights stayed on.this happen on 02/13/20. Next day no rain power steering ok lights off I called the dealer and told they lets wait for a raining day again. On 02/25 -26/20 rain again lights on on power steering took it to another dealer was told the same thing .I talked to gm four times now without any help. On 02/27/20 no rain power steering working called gm back after finding 18027 power steering loss of assist reference number n172115610 was told by gm my truck was not cover although both dealers saw what was going on with the steering 6000 trucks are covered but not mine although it was happening when I spoke to gm.gm should be paying for the whole job not me. I was told to ask the dealer to cover the other half of bill by gm waiting to her back from dealer.

Filed Aug 10, 2018 · Driver assistance, Steering · 21,315 miles · WV

While driving the vehicle has lost power steering assist and stabilitrak intermittently on multiple occasions. Alerts flash on the screen and warning lights illuminate and ofcourse the steering will jerk back from a turn (if you're actively in one). Fortunately, I have taken photos in the past and actually had it occur on my way to an oil change today. They checked the code it comes back to "c0545" which can be found on gm bulletin "pit5437b" that identifies this problem back in september 2015. The cherolet service technician who diagnosed this on my vehicle informed my service department adviser that the vehicle is not safe with the problem, which of course was relayed back to me. So, if a problem chevy identified in 9/15 makes a vehicle unsafe to operate, why does chevrolet want me to pay $1700 + tax instead of including my vehicle in the recall that addressed the same issue (the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v054000)?

Filed Jul 13, 2018 · Steering · 22,900 miles · KY

Power steering failed at 50 MPH in right turn, steering wheel jerked out of my hand in a right turn. The truck went hard left towards opposing traffic. Steered with difficulty back in my lane. This is the 5th time the steering has failed. Stop the truck and turn off the engine will normally reset the steering.

Filed Nov 3, 2017 · Transmission · 500 miles · CO

When driving my 2015 colorado z71 4x4 with the v6, in city traffic, you try to speed up slightly so you depress the throttle and the truck doesn't go any faster, then the truck will downshift two gears, lurch forward at high RPM's nearly striking the vehicle in front of you. The engine also spark knocks when up shifting in all gears. Took it to dealership and was told, gm engineers were aware of the problem and working on it, it appears they fixed it with the 2017 colorado as they put a different engine and 8 speed transmission in the new trucks. If there was nothing wrong with the original power plant and transmission why would they change especially since the new engine transmission doesn't get any better mileage. Also, when driving at highway speed, 75 MPH the truck downshifts on it's own, the RPM's go almost to redline and if someones in back of you, you almost get rear ended. Gm says that the transmission is learning, really at 17000 miles its still learning. There is a significant problem with the shift pattern and timing with the engine on this truck. The spark knock and transmission issues have been going on since the truck was new.

Filed Apr 28, 2017 · Transmission · 28,000 miles · MO · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 chevrolet colorado. While driving uphill, the vehicle began to jerk forward independently without warning. During the failure, the transmission jumped in and out of gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer stated that the vehicle could not be repaired because no failure codes were generated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Chevrolet assigned an investigator to diagnose the vehicle, but the failure could be duplicated. The contact mentioned that the recurrence of the failure caused her extreme neck pain. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000. ....updated 06/23/ 17 *bf

Filed Sep 6, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 100 miles · NC

Colorado has a great deal of hesitation at low speed when acceleration is applied. Vehicle lurches, shrugs, spark knocks, has delayed throttle response....seems to "chug" until a heavy throttle is applied, then the vehicle "jumps" to a gear/RPM. Very dangerous when trying to accelerate normally and "get out of the way" of other traffic or just climb a slight incline. Chevrolet dealership says this is "normal". This may be normal for chevrolet, but it certainly is not acceptable for the consumer that wants a responsive throttle when acceleration is required...... This has been an on-going issue with the truck since it was purchased new in april 2015.

Filed Jul 19, 2016 · Transmission · CT

When stopped or maintaining a low speed (e.g. In traffic) when the accelerator is slightly pressed the truck will hesitate and have a slight jerking motion. Will need to almost full press the accelerator to get the truck moving. Brought the truck to the dealer on 3 separate occasions just for them to say that there is nothing wrong and that hesitation & jerking is 'normal'. The 'normal' diagnosis drove me to do some research on this issue and come to find out that other people with the same make, model, year are having the same issues. I have noticed this issue since I had purchased the vehicle back in august 2015.

Filed Oct 5, 2015 · Transmission · NY

The transmission won't downshift while trying to accelerate after slowing down. The truck will start to very noticeably chug and jerk and not want to go from not downshifting when braking and then trying to accelerate. I have been close to getting rear ended when this happens and to avoid it I have to stomp on the gas pedal which then causes it to jerk erratically from downshifting too far and causing me to accelerate too fast and almost rear ending the vehicle in front of me. This happens every time I slow down to go around someone turning or slowing down to stopped traffic and then accelerating again. While driving with my wife at around the 200 mile mark it started chugging badly and she thought we were breaking down. It is very embarrassing when someone is riding with me because no vehicle should act like this. Gm should be ashamed of themselves. I have about 10,500 miles on my truck right now and this issue has been a serious issue since I drove it off the lot brand new. Took it to the dealer and they said it should take a couple seconds to shift from gear to gear. Its funny because I have driven a lot of vehicles and none of them have done that or took that long to shift. I know the transmission is supposed to adapt to your driving...which seems very unnecessary to me but obviously it is not working out for the colorados. Adaptive transmissions need to go and put a firm sporty shifting transmission in these trucks.