2016 Chevrolet Colorado Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado ranks worst of all 21 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 707 complaints, mostly steering (65%). NHTSA lists 4 recalls, and the model earns an Avoid verdict relative to other Colorado years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 Colorado years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 707
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 14
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2016 Chevy Colorado problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering457 (65%)
- Electrical System120 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain97 (14%)
- Brakes78 (11%)
- Engine65 (9%)
- Other48 (7%)
- Fuel System22 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (2%)
- Structure & Body11 (2%)
- Airbags10 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering and suspension components at the tie-rod attachment points reportedly break loose, causing loss of control at highway speed.
- Owners describe brake pedals going to the floor or brakes suddenly locking and releasing, leading to unintended acceleration or rollback into other vehicles.
- Some drivers report the transmission surging forward without touching the gas pedal shortly after shifting into gear.
- Power steering has reportedly cut out without warning while connected to the CAN bus, disabling stabilitrack, traction control, and ABS simultaneously.
- Airbags failed to deploy in a rear-end crash, and separately the vehicle reportedly shut off mid-turn with brakes not responding at an intersection.
- The horn has reportedly failed to respond in a parking lot without any dealer diagnosis found.
2016 Chevrolet Colorado recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V358000May 31, 2018Fuel System895 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
- NHTSA 17V621000Oct 5, 2017Airbags16 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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.
- NHTSA 16V125000Mar 2, 2016Airbags1,579 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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.
2016 Chevrolet Colorado fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,175
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Colorado years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Colorado ranks worst among all 21 model years with a complaint index of 100 and 707 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Colorado years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?
- Steering accounts for 65% of complaints (457 of 707), with a median failure mileage of 68,000 miles, making it the top problem area.
- Does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Colorado covering the fuel system, airbags (two separate campaigns), and the structure/body console latch. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Colorado compare to other years?
- The 2016 model has the highest complaint index (100) of the 21 years with data, worse than 2015 (95) and 2019 (75), while years like 2010-2012 rate Best with indexes of 10-20.