Is the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado a bad year?
710 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Colorado years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado are in line with other Colorado years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Colorado owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 68,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 463 (65%) | 48k–106k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 37 (5%) | 18k–100k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Stability control | 36 (5%) | 46k–103k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 10 (1%) | 8k–105k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 119 (17%) | 17k–52k miles · mostly behind | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 97 (14%) | 2k–36k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine | 50 (7%) | 4k–65k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 24 (3%) | 5k–40k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 22 (3%) | 10k–48k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 10 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 68,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 710 complaints: 14 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 6 report an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
55 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Vehicle shudders does not downshift smoothly jerks when backing up at times, vehicle jumps when trying to shift to a lower gear.
Transmission fails to downshift properly and shutters when coming back under acceleration after slowing (To yield for example) and sometimes shutters when coming to a stop.
Transmission does not downshift properly under any type of acceleration (Slow or sudden) especially between 20 MPH and 40 MPH in normal street traffic and on the highway.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 68,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado: 4
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line. A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
The affected vehicles have a console compartment lid latch assembly that may fail to keep the compartment door closed in the event of a crash. If the console compartment door does not remain closed in a crash, the contents stored in the console may strike the vehicle occupants, increasing their risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 541
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Delayed engagement into drive, shudder at a launch, or the transmission is slipping when shifting into 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th gears
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Neighbouring years
2015 Colorado: 497 complaints, keep it · 2017 Colorado: 216 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Chevrolet Colorado year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Colorado years side by side
Other Chevrolet models: Chevrolet Astro · Chevrolet Avalanche · Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Blazer · Chevrolet Bolt EV · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Captiva · Chevrolet Cavalier · Chevrolet Cobalt · Chevrolet Cobalt SS · Chevrolet Corvette · Chevrolet Cruze · Chevrolet Equinox · Chevrolet Equinox EV · Chevrolet Express · Chevrolet HHR · Chevrolet Impala · Chevrolet Malibu · Chevrolet Malibu Classic · Chevrolet Malibu Maxx · Chevrolet Monte Carlo · Chevrolet S10 · Chevrolet Silverado · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD · Chevrolet Silverado 2500 · Chevrolet Silverado 3500 · Chevrolet Sonic · Chevrolet Spark · Chevrolet Suburban · Chevrolet Suburban 1500 · Chevrolet Tahoe · Chevrolet Tracker · Chevrolet Trailblazer · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 · Chevrolet Traverse · Chevrolet Trax · Chevrolet Uplander · Chevrolet Venture · Chevrolet Volt. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado a bad year?
710 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Colorado years. At 68,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (463), brakes (37), stability control (36), air bags (10), electrical system (119).
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-358), Air bags (NHTSA 17V-621), Air bags (NHTSA 16V-125), Latches and locks (NHTSA 15V-807). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.