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2016 Chevrolet Colorado problems

The most common problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado is steering, typically around 68,000 miles. It has 5.1 times the complaints of a typical Colorado model year.

Year to avoid5.1x the typical complaints
Year score
14/100
Owner complaints
716
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
1,598
Worst area
Steering
Fuel economy
16-25mpg
Typical repair
$2,000

The worst 2016 Chevrolet Colorado problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado

Power steering loss 192Loss of power 123Jerking 30Stalling 28Steering lock-up 19Hesitation 18Check engine light 17ABS 13Shudder 11Engine failure 10Won't shift 10Adaptive cruise 7Backup camera 7Fuel pump 6Slipping 5Won't start 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado mention

C0545 11U0420 6C0460 2U0101 2

Recalls 4

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported May 31, 2018 · 895 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 18V358000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported October 5, 2017 · 16 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 17V621000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported March 2, 2016 · 1,579 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 16V125000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkagesReported December 1, 2015 · 8,763 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
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.
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.

Recall number 15V807000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado

Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado 1,598

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 1,598 bulletins for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado

2016 Chevrolet Colorado fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.8L 4‑cyl DieselRWD223025
2.8L 4‑cyl Diesel4WD202823
2.5L 4‑cylRWD19-202622
3.6L 6‑cylRWD15-1817-2516-21
2.5L 4‑cyl4WD192421
3.6L 6‑cyl4WD172420

What 2016 Chevrolet Colorado owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Steering · CA

Random loss of power steering

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Steering · MI

EPS disable while driving, Service Stabilitrak message displayed, ESC/TCS disabled, EPS/TDM code C0545 [0x00] ABS/ESC/EBCM code U0420 [0x42]

Filed Oct 24, 2026 · Electrical · TX

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) goes off. So, I am having to put all my strength to make a turn or continue driving. It becomes a huge problem when I am on the highway as it can cause an accident.

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Steering · SC

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 restarting. Because the failure is unpredictable and can occur at any time while driving, I am concerned that it could result in loss of vehicle control or a crash.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · MO

The truck suddenly losses power steering and traction control during trips rendering the vehicle with no power steering. Upon stopping and restarting the truck, the power steering can return to the vehicle or stay turned off. This is a concerning safety issue as the power steering can give out at any point during a trip.

Filed Oct 11, 2026 · Steering · OK

While driving, the steering suddenly failed. I was physically unable to steer the vehicle, which made it impossible to continue driving safely. This has happened a few times and I have been able to turn the vehicle off and restart and the steering will work again.

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Steering · 79,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and operated as intended. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V213000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

Filed Sep 30, 2026 · Steering · 77,000 miles · DE

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · TX

During a three point turn, the power turned off the car completely for a brief few seconds on the screens and the steering wheel locked. Was able to straighten it and all power was back on immediately. Stabilitrak warning has come out on the dash a few times. There seems to be a sudden power loss till the wheel is straightened. Luckily no one was behind, but this has happened a few times when turning.

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Fuel system · AZ

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 current GM recall ( number 18188 ) and they say my truck does not qualify but no one can explain why. I called GM and they said the same thing. This is clearly the same issue and online it just says 2015 to 2018 colorado trucks . No details on dates trucks made or anything. This needs to fixed and my truck and all other should be covered. I saw another guy on here dealing with same thing on the same year as mine. God help me if someone would have tbrow a cigarette out at the light when I had a foot wide puddle of gas under my truck. Also I have under 100k on this truck.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado before you buy

Compare the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado

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Other model years

20042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?

Owners have filed 716 complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, 5.1 times a typical Colorado model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado year score?

The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado scores 14 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Colorado: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?

Steering, with 465 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles. Next is electrical (120).

How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have?

4 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, air bags and latches/locks/linkages.

What year does the Chevrolet Colorado have bad steering?

The Chevrolet Colorado model years with the most steering complaints are 2016 (465 complaints), 2015 (366 complaints) and 2019 (22 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado get?

Official estimates for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado range from 16 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.8L 4-cyl diesel, RWD) gets 22 city and 30 highway.

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