How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?

NHTSA lists 97 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2016 Colorado, which is 14% of the 707 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado transmission?

No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this transmission and powertrain issue on the 2016 Colorado.

At what mileage do these transmission problems usually show up?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 10,000 miles.

What do owners describe as the main transmission symptom?

Owners most often describe the transmission failing to downshift properly between roughly 40 and 20 mph, causing bucking, vibrating, or a sudden burst of power.

Have these transmission issues caused crashes?

NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2016 Colorado includes 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury among the reported complaints.

2016 Chevrolet Colorado Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 97 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, 14% of all 707 complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 10,000. No related recalls are listed for this issue.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 97; 14% of 707
Crashes reported: 3
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 1
Median mileage: 10,000 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Owners report the transmission fails to downshift from 5th or 6th gear to a lower gear when slowing from around 40-45 mph down to 20 mph or below.
Multiple drivers describe the engine bucking, vibrating, or bogging down with RPM dropping to 1,000 or lower before a sudden burst of power when accelerating out of that low-speed range.
Some owners report unexpected forward surging or engine acceleration when backing up or applying the brakes as the transmission downshifts, with one case linked to a crash.
One owner reported the vehicle lugging and stumbling when merging onto a freeway, causing the truck to fail to accelerate and nearly causing a rear-end collision.
One later complaint describes intermittent transmission slipping at various speeds that the dealer diagnosed as a failed transmission requiring replacement.

When 2016 Chevrolet Colorado transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 3, 2016, latest Aug 27, 2026.

97 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2016 Q3 (12).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Colorado model year

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

20103 (11%)
20112 (5%)
20122 (5%)
20131 (100%)
20140 (0%)
201545 (9%)
201697 (14%)
2017107 (50%)
201878 (43%)
201965 (43%)
202033 (39%)
202111 (15%)
20223 (5%)
20239 (7%)
202413 (11%)
20253 (11%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?: NHTSA lists 97 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2016 Colorado, which is 14% of the 707 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado transmission?: No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this transmission and powertrain issue on the 2016 Colorado.
At what mileage do these transmission problems usually show up?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 10,000 miles.
What do owners describe as the main transmission symptom?: Owners most often describe the transmission failing to downshift properly between roughly 40 and 20 mph, causing bucking, vibrating, or a sudden burst of power.
Have these transmission issues caused crashes?: NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2016 Colorado includes 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury among the reported complaints.