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.
Chevrolet Colorado jerking problems
92 of the 3,667 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Colorado describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 92
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical mileage
- 11,000
By model year
Often reported together
Shudder 15Hesitation 12Loss of power 8Slipping 7Power steering loss 7Stalling 5Won't shift 4Grinding brakes 4
Trouble codes mentioned
C0545 2
What owners say
Vehicle: 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss, 4WD Crew Cab. Delivered new 3/29/26. Beginning in May 2026, the vehicle developed a steering column defect: play in the steering wheel, a catch or jerking sensation while driving and turning (particularly at low speeds and on rougher residential/city roads), a structural popping noise, and an accompanying dashboard rattle. Dealership staff advised the vehicle was safe to drive despite the confirmed defect, and I continued operating the vehicle with my family for approximately two months while a replacement part was on backorder. The vehicle has been repaired three times for this identical defect: - 5/5/26–7/3/26: intermediate steering shaft replaced; defect returned - 8/17/26: upper and lower intermediate steering shaft joints replaced; defect returned - 9/7/26–10/7/26: intermediate steering shaft replaced again. Dealership staff told me directly this repair was untested and that I would be the first to determine whether it holds up long term. The repair order's own mileage log shows only 18 total miles driven for the entire 30-day visit, including the post-repair verification test drive. No independent manufacturer field inspection was conducted before the vehicle was released back to me. Since picking up the vehicle on 10/7/26, I have noticed new symptoms: the vehicle occasionally pulls to the left when braking, and the steering feels unusually tight at times, as though the power steering is not fully engaging. A loaner vehicle (also a Chevrolet Colorado) provided to me by the dealership during an earlier repair exhibited the identical steering catch and popping symptoms as my own vehicle, suggesting this may be a defect affecting the platform rather than an isolated issue with my individual vehicle. I am filing this report due to the ongoing safety implications of a recurring, unresolved steering defect on a new vehicle, the manufacturer's acknowledgment that the most recent repair was unverified, and new symptoms
I purchased the truck at the end of March 2025. Within a few weeks I was noticing different issues in the transmission. It would occasionally shudder, have jerky or long shifts, would jump gears and lose power. The shudder was random but mostly on the highway, the jerky or long shifts would mostly occur when the egjne was cold and more often in cold weather. The lose of power and jumping gears would occur when towing and when I was in the mountains, once losing power as I was turning onto a major highway. I took the truck in three times to get diagnosed but they couldnt replicate the issue or find a code. I finally decided to pay for a flush with the fluid that was recommended by a TSB. After the flush the issues were then replicated by the service techs. I have an extended warranty. The representative then inspected the truck and found the same issues and approved a transmission replacement. I took the truck in on June 22nd 2026. As of July 21 the dealership is still waiting for the replacement transmission to be shipped from GM.
My 2023 Chevrolet Colorado (2.7L, approx. 49,000 miles) experiences sudden, intermittent loss of motive power involving the 8-speed automatic transmission. The transmission sets codes and the vehicle drops into limp mode, capped at roughly 45 mph, without warning. The most dangerous symptom is a total loss of acceleration from a stop, especially on inclines — pressing the accelerator produces no response. On one occasion, stopped on a slight incline, the vehicle rolled backward toward the car behind me when it failed to move forward on accelerator input. I narrowly avoided a collision. On a separate occasion, after pressing the accelerator with no response, the vehicle then suddenly lurched forward into cross traffic; repeated presses produced inconsistent, delayed engagement, nearly causing a collision. To climb inclines I now have to hold the brake while applying throttle and slowly release the brake to prevent rollback. These are unpredictable loss-of-control events that create a serious crash risk in traffic. I believe this relates to a known issue affecting the GM 8-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle is currently at a GM dealer and I have an open GM Customer Care case. No crash, fire, or injury has occurred yet, but two near-collisions have.
The blind spot indicator on my truck activates randomly without any vehicle present, and I reported this issue immediately after purchasing it. Despite bringing the truck to Boyd Chevrolet in Henderson, NC multiple times, I am repeatedly told they “can’t duplicate the problem” and therefore cannot repair it. Their only explanation has been that “maybe a future software update will fix it.” No components have ever been replaced to rule out a defective part, and I have no indication that Boyd Chevrolet has escalated the issue to Chevrolet, or anyone else, for further guidance. After nearly three years and 30,000 miles, the problem remains completely unaddressed while my warranty is nearing expiration. This is not a minor inconvenience — it is a serious safety hazard. On several occasions, I have begun changing lanes only for the blind spot indicator to suddenly illuminate, causing me to jerk the wheel to avoid a car that isn’t there. The unexpected false alerts create a dangerous overreaction that puts me and others at risk. I want my truck properly diagnosed and repaired, but I have been unable to find a solution through the dealership. I have detailed service records documenting every visit and every time I reported this issue. At this point, I need meaningful action taken to resolve this ongoing safety concern.
Vehicle has 54,250 miles. Vehicle has a rear differential bearing going out by hearing and feeling the grinding at all speeds and the transmission jerks shafting gears. Both could cause an accident if totally fail. Chevrolet has a service bulletin out from what my local garage says. Mechanic also says Chevrolet will not warranty the product. Vehicle is now being looked at by a Chevrolet dealer. The vehicle is OUT OF WARRANTY. My son, who is [XXX] and not familiar with vehicles thought it was the tires causing the whining and vibration. Took the vehicle in several times to Chevy and they ignored the issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Transmission shakes, lurchers when driving, transmission stalls then engages abruptly at low speed and highway speed.
After purchasing my 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 (approx. 113,000 miles) from Avalon Honda in New Jersey, steering began to exhibit an intermittent, jerky, “cog‑like” feel—almost as if slipping or catching. It’s unpredictable but recurrent, raising serious concern for sudden loss of control and potential collision. A repair shop replaced the front passenger‑side control arm, but the issue persists. It comes and goes, making it difficult to diagnose. I believe this may be a hidden steering defect that needs formal investigation.
From auto stop when engine turns back on it jerks me forward
I believe there should be a recall for the KNOWN chafing issues for the engine wire harness. This happened to my truck this past year around September/November of 2024 and didn't get a fix until June 25. There are TSB's out for other models as well as mine regarding the wire chaffing. it shorts out intermittently and cause all kinds of warning lights to go off, (check stabilitrak, check 4x4, etc) the vehicle usually did a bunch of stop and go jerks when it would do this then go into limp mode. I even had it stall completely on me and the steering wheel locked up. I think they had to disconnect the battery or something to get the key out. I've been on several different forum pages trying to find the issue and I have seen it happen on relatively new vehicles as well. Lucky for them they are under warranty but dealers still giving them a hard time on this issue. I believe this poses a safety issue and there should be a recall on this. Besides that, no one should have a perfectly good vehicle and have to pay 4000-7000 dollars to replace a wire harness because of a manufacturer design defect which seems will eventually cause this issue though it had happened on newer models as well. the bulletin #specific to my vehicle is PIT5626D but there are other bulletins for other engines/models
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.9 or 3.7 liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect," and federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles may have been built with an automatic transmission adjustment clip that may not retain the shift cable in the correct position. If the shift cable is not in the correct position, the prndl shift lever may not accurately reflect the position of the transmission gear. The driver could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park."
- Risk
- The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle could roll away as the driver or other occupants exit the vehicle or have exited, resulting in the possibility of the vehicle striking them or someone around the vehicle, or could result in a crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Gm dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 19, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 11V337000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Colorado jerking
Which Chevrolet Colorado years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (30 complaints), 2017 (13 complaints) and 2015 (12 complaints).
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