2016 Chevrolet Colorado: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2016 Chevrolet Colorado? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 685 complaints, with Steering Defects as the top reported area.
2016 Chevrolet Colorado Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 8 2016 Chevrolet Colorado trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 8 trims analysed.
2016 Chevrolet Colorado Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program4 variants tested — showing 2016 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC RWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
21.9% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
21.9% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado has 685 owner complaints, 14 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Steering Defects. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Chevrolet
- Model
- Colorado
- Model year
- 2016
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 685
- Crash-related complaints
- 14
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Top reported component
- Steering Defects
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 22
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 26
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 3/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Steering Defects
Electrical Faults
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Steering Defects, Electrical Faults, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?
The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2016 Chevrolet Colorado
Inspection Focus
- Inspect steering components for any signs of wear or malfunction.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering, electrical, and transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect steering components for any signs of wear or malfunction.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering, electrical, and transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado are heavily concentrated in steering defects, with a notable number of electrical and transmission issues. Crash-related complaints are relatively low given the total volume. The data suggests potential concerns with steering and electrical systems, but confidence is low due to the single-year sample.
- Steering defects account for the majority of complaints among the 2016 model year.
- Electrical faults and transmission/drivetrain issues are the next most reported components.
- Crash-related complaints represent a small fraction of total complaints.
- Steering Defects
- Electrical Faults
- Transmission / Drivetrain
All 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 439 | 6 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 112 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 96 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 49 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 45 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 38 | 5 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 36 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 24 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 10 | 4 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Diesel | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The power steering randomly goes out while driving then resumes working fine after turning off and back on. Sometimes minutes apart it reoccurs other times its days apart. Issue seems same as the recall for 2015 models.
For the past couple years, the electronic power steering system shuts off while driving. Turning off and on the car would usually reset it. These past couple months, that trick doesn't work anymore. Using an OBD two-way scanner, the codes popping up are PSCM not calibrated and it…
The Power Steering and Stabilitrak went out on my vehicle. Within a 2 week period the service lights started coming on and then it finally went out. I could not steer the vehicle due to it being so hard to turn. Brought vehicle to dealer and they had the same issue with it. T…
I was driving home and and out of no where my power steering went out, good thing I was driving slow and that no other cars was heading toward me, it was very difficult to keep my truck in my lane. I did get a warning light stating no power steering, I stop the truck when I got …
While driving my family home on a hot 90+ degree day. My 2016 Chevy Colorado suddenly has a power loss engine died and i went from 75 to parked in less than 30 seconds. Luckily I was able to pull off the freeway to the median. We were almost hit by two vehicles pulling a trailer …
Driving down the road and had Stabiltrak disable and power steering go out, causing great difficulty to maintain control of steering the vehicle. My teenage son’s first vehicle and he was driving with myself and younger son as passengers. This could have been a very horrible si…
My 2016 Colorado is experiencing the same loss of power steering issue that the 2015 models have which was recalled. The 2016 models need to be included. It started 2 years ago and will randomly cut in and out. I was unaware of the recall when it first occurred and I took it t…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, or while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel locked up, and excessive force was needed while steering the vehicle. The "Stabili-trak - Caution When Driving" message was displa…
I am consistently having the power steering shut off while driving . I have read that this was an issue with the 2015 model year that had a recall issued , but there is no recall for the exact same problem on a 2016 model year . When this happens it puts me at risk of controlling…
While driving the dash will show power steering alert and then stabilitrack alert and the power steering then fails. This always happens while in motion and never when parked\idling. It has happened while turning which proves dangerous as the car then starts to straighten out. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel locked. The message "Stabili-trak - Caution When Driving" was displayed. The contact stated that during the failure, the contact had to pull over to the side of…
Hello, I have already submitted a steering complaint for this 2016 Chev Colorado. It has intermittently have had this issue for some time. I have checked to see how many complaints there were with this same issue, and it was 422 complaints. I am just wondering how long it takes …
We were driving on a busy freeway and the power steering quit working making it hard to steer and maneuver in traffic. We went directly to a GM dealer and the code CO545 Steering Wheel Torgue Sensor came up. This is a sensor inside the sealed steering gear that cannot be replace…
When driving normally on wet paved city roads (it had recently rained but not currently raining), my truck suddenly lost power steering and the warning messages came on to service power steering and stabilitrak systems. Traction control lights also came on. The next morning, I …
I currently have a 2016 Chev Colorado with a intermittent power steering issue. It stops sometimes without warning in which it makes it very difficult to drive especially if you have no warning to this issue. I am sure this is a extra unsafe condition to deal with. I have seen th…
Vacuum pump busted as shown in photos. Once that busted it sent metal shrapnel into the engine which broke a piece of the cam shaft into bits. There were metal fragments that had to be meticulously cleaned out of my engine block. The loss of vacuum seal caused me to lose brakes …
My 2016 Chevrolet Colorado lost all power steering while driving down the road. My young daughter was in the vehicle with me on a busy highway when I lost my ability to safely steer the vehicle. The stabilitrak light came on and that is when the power steering failed and I had to…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to steer in the intended direction. In addition, the “Service Stabili-trak” message was displayed, and the “Power Steering Failure” warning light w…
The electric power steering system on my vehicle intermittently fails while I am driving. When the failure occurs, the steering suddenly becomes extremely heavy and difficult to control, creating an immediate safety risk to me and to others on the road. The loss of power steering…
POWER STEERING AND STABILITAK UNABLE TO STEER . CHECKED OWNERS MANULE IT SAYS TURN TRUCK OFF THEN START AGAIN. iT ALSO STATES IT IS STILL SAFE TO DRIVE I don't think so!!! it comes with no warning and you have to pull over and shut the truck off let it sit just a short while t…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado.
2016 Chevrolet Colorado Recalls
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2016 Chevrolet Colorado Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 685 owner complaints, 14 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?▾
#1: Steering Defects (439 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (112 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (96 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, NHTSA complaints include 14 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 685 total complaints. 6 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?▾
Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?▾
The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Steering Defects during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Colorado reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.