What 694 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and slowing down for traffic or a traffic signal, the vehicle would start to vibrate excessively. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle almost stalled. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the failure two more times and was taken to the same mechanic. The contact stated that he had purchased the purge valve from an auto parts store and later purchased the valve from the manufacturer. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the contact believed that the valves sold were defective. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11554195

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH uphill on a curvy road, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and jerked to the right towards a ditch that was in front of a cliff. The contact used physical strength to steer the vehicle back into the lane. The message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed and the traction control, the Stabili-trak and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove downhill and pulled to the side of the roadway, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed; however, the failure recurred while driving in the mountains. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where diagnostic code: C0545 was retrieved, and the mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to the power steering system. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for repairs. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

NHTSA ODI 11552841

When driving the truck I loose the power steering which makes it almost impossible to safely drive the vehicle..its happened 10 times and 2 of which I was in the smokey mountains and almost went off the road.

NHTSA ODI 11552847

While driving to work the power steering stopped. There was a faint audible chime and a warning comes on and there is no power steering. This happened two separate times this week and one other time approximately three months ago. I was able to exit the highway. I turned the vehicle off, took the key out of the ignition, and exited the vehicle. There's no smoke or unusual smell from the engine. When I restarted the vehicle, the warning light goes off and the power steering works again like normal. I have contacted the dealer for an appointment.

NHTSA ODI 11552159

Power steering intermittently goes out. Stopping and restarting the truck usually fixes for awhile. Problem seems to be getting worse and this problem after reading about the 2015 recall sounds the same. It is extremely dangerous to lose power steering while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11551836

This is my second report on the same issue. The Stabiltrak light comes on and the power steering goes out. It is the exact same issue that was reported and recalled on the 2015 model.

NHTSA ODI 11551841

I've had the truck since 2019. No matter what the power steering will cut out and I have to use every single muscle to navigate myself and family to our destination. The problem comes and goes. It can happen at a red light or when I'm doing 70 mph on the interstate. It also makes the back up camera malfunction when put in reverse. The code is stabilitrak power steering.

NHTSA ODI 11551222

I receive a message regarding stabletrack system and suddenly lose power steering. This started 7 days ago and happened 3 times. Shutting off the truck and restarting temporarily clears the problem. Today it happened at freeway speed in a curve, barely made it to the pullout. Many reports about this being a common issue and the same components recalled in the 2015 's

NHTSA ODI 11551249

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle independently started steering to the left and to the right. The contact stated that when she attempted to correct the steering, the steering wheel became very stiff, requiring extra effort in keeping the vehicle centered in the lane. The contact stated that the stabili-trak warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to regain normal steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering failure had been intermittent at first but had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering torque sensor and steering gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000 (Steering). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ODI 11550817

While driving at highway speed the vehicle information display displayed "service stabiltrack" and "service power steering" messages. The vehicle lost power steering. Restarting the truck restored power steering but the same messages and loss of power steering appeared again. This made the truck very difficult to drive. Local Chevy dealer diagnosed a sensor issue requiring replacement of steering rack. Numerous others have reported this same issue: [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11550492

Several times while driving I will get a StabilTrak warning light and the Power steering will go out. This is happening while I'm driving the speed limit and I have almost wrecked when it happens in a curve or turn. Turning the engine off and back on will correct it for a short period. There was recall on the 2015 models, from what I can tell is the early year models of the 2016 have the same problem and it has been reported numerous times. Let's not wait for someone to die or get seriously injured before we do something.

NHTSA ODI 11550197

Occasionally while driving warning lights will illuminate on the dashboard and the vehicle will lose both power steering and StabiliTrak traction control. Turning the vehicle off and restarting it resolves the problem but it eventually happens again. This has happened at low speeds and at 70 mph on the interstate. When this situation occurs steering the vehicle becomes very difficult creating a safety issue for the occupants of the vehicle as well as a safety issue for the occupants of any vehicles in the vicinity and any nearby pedestrians. This steering failure is a known problem in the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and a recall was issued in 2016 and again in 2021. The steering gear assembly recalled for the 2015 year model is the same unit installed in the 2016 year model hence the same steering issue so a recall should be issued.

NHTSA ODI 11548770

Hello, I have a 2016 chevy colorado z71 v6 engine. I have been having issues with the ( Stabilitrak ) light coming on for about 3 years. Before there were no real changes in stearing and light would go off therefore mechanic could not diagnose the issue. Recently I was driving down the freeway and while switching lanes in rush hour traffic, with no warning the steering went out !!! ( LOST POWER STEARING AND WAS UNABLE TO STEAR VEHICLE PROPERLY) I almost crashed. The (Stability) light came on at the same time. Once I got it off the road I turned off the truck and waited a bit and started again and it was off. Started driving slowly and within 5 min it came back on and I lost steering. Tring to get the truck home and was able to drive for about 20 min the 4th time until it finally happened again. Got home turned ot off and then back on after about 30 seconds and it's off again. This is extreamly dangerous and if my 120 lb wife was driving I'm sure she would have crash on the freeway and maybe died due to a lack of ability to control steering. Please help. This is the same problem that is on the 2015 Chevy Colorado's. Chevy wants 1000's of dollars to fix.

NHTSA ODI 11548546

I was driving to work on the freeway at about 65 mph and all of a sudden my power steering went out at the same time the warning flashed. Luckily, I had some space between me and the car in front of me. If I would have had to make an evasive maneuver, I would have certainly crashed. I know this is a known issue of 2015 models and there was a recall, but apparently not for 2016 models. I dont feel the car is safe to drive. I have an appt set for Friday this week, but likely wont be able to drive until then.

NHTSA ODI 11547678

Lost power steering after stabilizer and power steering warning came on dash. If happens very Radom and cause a big concern especial since driving mostly interstate. There is only a warning and power steering is gone. This has happened at least 20 times in a couple of weeks.

NHTSA ODI 11547260

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle. The stabili-trak warning light and the power steering warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a service center where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11547084

My vehicle gives "service power steering" and "stabilitrac not working" and "service 4wd" console messages then THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING and I need to wrench hard on the steering wheel to make turns. It's scary because if I'm required to make a quick or sharp turn to avoid anything, I may not be able to avoid crashing. 2015s were issued a recall for this issue. 2016s also have this same issue with 11 complaints, why hasn't a recall been issued for this year since the problem is still occurring? The safety rating for losing power steering is 8.7 Pretty Bad. I contacted GM Customer Care 1-800-462-8782 and was told I was ineligible for cost assistance but they were aware of this problem. I filed a claim while on the phone with GM, since it is apparent GM isn't concerned with product or customer safety. Then I contacted National Highway Administration (NHTSA.gov) 1-888-327-4236 and filed an Office Defects Investigation ODI Safety complaint. The way this safety issue has been handled is unacceptable.

NHTSA ODI 11547145

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, intermittently the steering wheel became firm. The Service Stabili-trak warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

NHTSA ODI 11546549

I was traveling on hwy 8 at 65 mph when power steering without warning quit working. I was on a curve and in the other lane before i could get back control of the PU. I took the PU to the repair shop but didn't even make it home before it did it again. Pick up is back in the shop now. If there had been other traffic at the time it could have been deadly.

NHTSA ODI 11546734

Loss of power steering control while driving at high and low speeds. Almost caused accident with young children in car. Symptoms identical to 2015 same make and model recall. Dealership says bad sensor but wants to replace the whole rack and pinion as the sensor is built in. Very dangerous

NHTSA ODI 11546333

While driving on a 2 lane road, a service power steering warning light came on and there was an immediate loss of power steering assist. This happened during a turn and the steering without the electric power assist is extremely difficult. I was able to complete the turn by using both hands on the steering wheel. I was able to pull over, turn off the vehicle and turn it back one which reset the issue. This has now happened at least 3 other times while driving and while parked. Took the vehicle to the dealer and they noted that there was an error code in the system relating to lost communication/invalid data to the DTC (code U0101). Dealer reset code and "checked" connections. Could not reproduce the issue. However the issues if intermittent. There was a code indicating that an issue occurred but no action taken by dealer. This is the same issue that the 2015 Colorado/Canyon trucks experienced for which a recall was issued.

NHTSA ODI 11545559

My 2016 keeps losing the power steering and stability traction. Same problem the 2015 had a recall on. The exact same part number. I almost wrecked yesterday while making a turn when it went out on me. I had to find a safe place to pullover and shut my truck off and restart it so the power steering would work. There are several complaints on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado's that the recall was for on the 2015. This happens all of the time. Some time 10 times a day and some days non at all.

NHTSA ODI 11545616

While driving the power steering failed with associated Stabilitrak warning. Fortunately it happened while driving slowly and there was not a concern for safety. Though it was very hard, the car was driven home.

NHTSA ODI 11545527

Power steering fault Twice so far I’ve been driving and get greeted with a warning that power steering has failed, followed immediately after with a fault in the power steering that turns that system off & Stabilitrak light comes on had loss of power steering unable to turn the steering wheel & becomes hard to steer.

NHTSA ODI 11545307

I’ve previously looked into the steering recall for the 2015 Colorado and my 2016 vehicle is doing the exact same thing AGAIN. My power steering/stabilitrak has gone out multiple times while driving on the road. This is a major safety concern as it will cause an accident, due to not being able to steer properly. I love my truck so far but this issue must be handled like it was for the 2015 models asap.

NHTSA ODI 11544447