YearToAvoid

2016 Chevrolet Colorado Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 65 engine-area complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, 9% of its 707 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 27,000. There are no related recalls tied to this complaint area.

Engine complaints
65
9% of 707
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
27,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe hesitation or lag when accelerating from a turn or lane change, typically around 20-25 mph.
  • Multiple reports describe the truck bucking, vibrating, or surging while the engine RPM drops sharply during acceleration, especially between 45 mph and 20 mph.
  • Owners report the transmission failing to downshift smoothly, causing the vehicle to lurch or jerk forward unexpectedly.
  • Several drivers describe chugging or shuddering in heavy traffic, with the truck bogging down and nearly getting rear-ended.
  • One owner reported a loud popping noise from the engine area followed by a sudden drop from 70 mph to 40 mph, with several warning lights illuminating.
  • Some owners describe the vehicle stalling at low speeds or while cornering, with the transmission seeming confused about gear selection.

When 2016 Chevrolet Colorado engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 24, 2016, latest Sep 10, 2026.

2016 Chevrolet Colorado engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2016Jan 2017Dec 2017Jun 2019Aug 2020Mar 2022Jul 2023Sep 2025
65 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2016 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2018 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Colorado model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200543 (12%)
  2. 200655 (23%)
  3. 200732 (23%)
  4. 200818 (22%)
  5. 200910 (15%)
  6. 201010 (36%)
  7. 20114 (10%)
  8. 201211 (26%)
  9. 20130 (0%)
  10. 20140 (0%)
  11. 201543 (9%)
  12. 201665 (9%)
  13. 201731 (14%)
  14. 201827 (15%)
  15. 201924 (16%)
  16. 202019 (23%)
  17. 202120 (27%)
  18. 20227 (13%)
  19. 202323 (17%)
  20. 202423 (19%)
  21. 20254 (15%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have?
NHTSA lists 65 engine-area complaints for the 2016 Colorado, which is 9% of the 707 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado engine?
No. NHTSA's data shows no related recalls tied to this engine complaint area for the 2016 Colorado.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2016 Colorado?
The median mileage at failure for engine-area complaints on the 2016 Colorado is 27,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
What kind of engine problems do 2016 Colorado owners report?
Owners commonly describe hesitation during acceleration, bucking or surging at certain speeds, delayed or harsh transmission downshifts, and occasional stalling, based on NHTSA complaint narratives.
Did any 2016 Colorado engine complaints involve a crash?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 0 fires linked to complaints filed in this engine-area category for the 2016 Colorado, with 0 injuries reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.