What 694 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado

Power Steering Loss while driving. Based on what I've read, many 2015/2016 Colorado's have been recalled for this issue. It appears many more people have the same issue but their VIN# was not part of the recall, like mine. This has happened to me on multiple occasions, and often while traveling at high speeds on the highway. It is very dangerous as it is nearly impossible to turn the wheel when the power steering has gone out. I've been very lucky that I have been on a straight away when it's happened and been able to pull over and re-start my vehicle to correct the issue. With all the complaints over the last 6 years, I cannot believe that the recall hasn't been extended to all 2015/2016 Colorado/Canyon models.

NHTSA ODI 11515750

Total failure of electric power steering assist while driving on I-5 in Oregon & attempting to take off ramp. Took to Zilkowski Auto Electric in Springfield Oregon 541-747-9213, have repaired & the wiring harness was melted & full of fluid from the power steering unit. Also the plug on the electric assist fell apart when removed & you could hear grinding or metal clashing type sound if you tried to steer. Did not take it to the local Chevy dealer as I got the run around & they were several weeks out to even look at it. Fortunately when the unit failed I had the awareness to keep the vehicle in the lane of travel as steering became a physical effort. It also required realignment that the shop who repaired it could not do.

NHTSA ODI 11515290

Vehicle suddenly loses power steering without warning. The power steering module is connected to the CAN bus which errors everything else on the same network so stabilitrack, traction control, ABS, etc goes out all at the same time. On icy roads, this caused to hit the ditch at very high speed. What I don’t understand is why you only forced a recall on the 2015 MY when the 2016’s use the same exact components and assembly process. Clearly this is still an issue for many 2016 owners!

NHTSA ODI 11514352

When operating the vehicle the steering will suddenly without warning go from power steering to a very stiff steering which someone of limited upper body strength would have great difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle. Vehicle was taken to a dealer who advised the problem was electrical and replaced the battery. Steering has failed twice since then in less than 100 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11513472

While my 17 year old son was traveling on the highway at a speed of 55, the truck (2016 Chevy Colorado)suddenly lost its power steering. He was barely able to get off the road, because the steering wheel was so hard to turn. The stabilitrak warning light came on and a warning light about the power steering also came on(while the problem was happening). My son was very concerned, because he said if he had been traveling at that speed around a curve, he could have crashed. This seems very serious to me. I googled this problem, only to find there have been recalls on several 2015 and 2016 models, but my VIN was not one of them.... something is wrong here!!?? I'm scared to let him drive it anymore.

NHTSA ODI 11513141

I went out to my truck the morning of March 16, 2023. Upon starting the truck I saw in the dashboard information center "service power steering" and "Stabilitrak-Stability control" notifications. My truck had absolutely no power steering. Later in the day I arranged to have the vehicle loaded onto a car carrier and delivered to the dealer - Bob Allen Chevrolet here in Danville. They told me the problem will cost $1,750 to fix and, BTW, the parts are on back-order with no ETA. Tonight I checked several sites on the internet and find that these problems with this truck are epidemic! Also Chevrolet recalled some 60,000 2015 Chevrolet Colorado's for this identical problem but thus far they have not recalled any 2016 Colorado's even though the problems and the parts are identical. I am very thankful this problem occurred in my driveway! Other owners have had this happen on the interstate at high speeds or in traffic. I think that Chevrolet should/must be forced to issue a recall and fix this known issue on these trucks. Someone is going to get killed if it hasn't happened already.

NHTSA ODI 11513117

Power steering stopped working while driving on open road. A box in the display opened and said that there was a problem and see dealer. The vehicle was stopped and inspected under hood. No reservoir or pump, so suspect it is an electrical issue. Turned vehicle off for a few moment and restarted, made a phone call to home and all of a sudden, the power steering started working again. Returned home, made appointment with Chevy service, paid for diagnostic of issue, nothing found, no codes, no history, can not observe issue during test drive. Vehicle returned to me, I have driven about 400 miles with not a repeat of issue. I have read about a recall for this issue in the 2015 model, and have heard of owners of 2016 having the same issue, so I am adding my experience. I have the repair doc. but can not upload it at this time. RAB

NHTSA ODI 11512485

A warning came on my dash board for Service saying "Power Steering Drive With Care" followed by another Service warning for "Stabilitrak." See photos of warnings. I had the same incident occur a couple of months ago, but it went away while driving and no adverse affects occurred. However, this time, my power steering lost all ability to function. Luckily, I was parked and just reversing out of a parking spot. I shut the vehicle off, opened and closed my doors, and restarted it to no avail. The power steering was still not working with the same warnings. I was close to home with only a few turns so I muscled my way to the road. Power steering returned while on a straightaway going 25 mph. The warnings did not cease even though power steering returned. I have restarted my vehicle twice and the warnings are still there. The Stability Control Warning Symbol and TC symbol to the left of the info display also stay on while these warnings are occurring. Took pictures of them for proof that are included. I read on this forum (https://www.coloradofans.com/threads/2016-colorado-stabilitak-power-steering-fault.413270/) that it is a known issue and see many complaints here on NHTSA. This is a dangerous scenario that should be investigated and seems to be an obvious manufacturer's fault or oversight, especially since a recall was issued for some 2015 models. Please investigate before crashes begin to occur. Its an expensive repair that many will not pay for, especially since it is well documented to be an issue plaguing the vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11512113

Driving 55 miles per hour and the power steering suddenly cut out. Has since happened two other times, both driving and completely stopped. Traction control and stabilitrak warning lights illuminate at the same time. Luckily was driving in less dangerous situations at the time, but had this been on a windy road or highway, could have been much more serious.

NHTSA ODI 11511318

Vehicle intermittently will show power steering loss warning then stabilitrak loss warning. Have to immediately pull out of traffic and turn off vehicle as it is hard to steer. Usually turning vehicle off helps resolve issue until it appears again. This has occurred previously about 9 months ago for about a week and then again now.

NHTSA ODI 11511223

Car losses steering after light comes on for stab/track , turning car off clears it seem to clear it and happen for 2 days then stopped. It’s terrible not never know when it will happen. This happens in the 2015 model and seem it’s a problem with this model as well.

NHTSA ODI 11510899

When shifting into Park and attempting to turn ignition off, the ignition does not fully rotate to the Off position and I’m unable to remove key from ignition. There are several YouTube videos demonstrating this issue with thousands of views, so the problem clearly affects a lot of people. Some videos show where the ignition safety switch solenoid does not properly disengage when placed in Park. Would be more than happy to have my vehicle inspected and tested, if needed. Have been able to “work around” issue by doing a couple of quick release pops of the shifter release switch. Seems to be a mechanical + electrical issue. Happened suddenly in February 2023 when parking in a busy parking lot. Became very nervous and concerned that I couldn’t turn the ignition off and therefore remove my key. Was not going to walk away from vehicle and leave the key in the ignition either. Have not yet reported to dealer, but that’s my next step. No warning lamps or related lights on dash.

NHTSA ODI 11509941

My power steering went out while driving. I had 2 errors pop up that I need to service power steering and that I need t service Stabilitrak. This was very dangerous. I read that this is a known issue for a recall for the 2015 model but not the 2016. However, it is happening with this model.

NHTSA ODI 11509465

While driving the power steering goes out and you have to drive without power steering. It is very hard to steer when this happens. It has happened several times and I’m scared I’m going to have a wreck. Dash warning lights come on saying check steering and stabilink. If you shut it off and restart it, it resets until the next time it does it. Very dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11509618

Since I have got the truck I have had non stop problems with power steering going out while driving. Almost causing multiple accidents when turning corners and yanking the wheel out of my hands when it shuts off. There are recalls on the 2015 Colorados with the same parts as the 2016 Colorado’s but to recall on these. When power steering fails it pops up “service power steering drive with care” and “stabilitrack”

NHTSA ODI 11508770

Power steering fails at random points while driving.The steering wheel jerks suddenly, locks up and becomes nearly impossible to turn, and the Power steering and StabiliTrack warnings come on. This happens while driving in town and on highways, at high rates of speed. I’m forced to pull off the road (if possible, and not surrounded by traffic), and restart my truck. SOMETIMES restarting the truck will clear the problem, sometimes not. Many times I’m forced to drive the truck unsafely and barely be able to steer. I have nearly been in several crashes due to not being able to steer or get off the road in time. I see the 2015 model has the same problem and was recalled. RECALL THE 2016’s too!! Why are we being put in danger? The dealership won’t fix it because they say there’s “nothing to fix”. But obviously there is if the year prior model was recalled for this exact problem. It is terrifying. This type of incident has occurred over 75 times (NOT an exaggeration), in the last year. Often multiple times a day.

NHTSA ODI 11508821

While driving, out of the blue, two censors popped up(Power Steering & Stabilitrak)and my power steering was gone. Thankfully I was driving in a straight section of roadway at the time. I was able to muscle the car into a business and park away from others. I turned off the car and turned it on again, and the error codes went away and my steering returned. Over the next couple of days, the same error codes popped up and steering went out. Stopped by my dealership and spoke with the service manager who just started the week before, said he would speak with the area manager. It has been a week and have heard nothing. The safety issue is, if you are driving in an area where you cannot pull safely off the road you are putting yourself and everyone else at risk. Especially dangerous, is if you need to make a right turn, anyone who is not extremely strong is going to end up going wide and possibly collide head on with traffic coming in the opposite direction. Apparently the flawed part has brought forth a recall for the 2015 model, but the same issue and part occurs with the 2016, yet no recall has been issued.

NHTSA ODI 11507860

While driving my power steering goes out and I have to stop the truck and turn it off and restart it and it reset. Has done this several times and I’m scared I’m going to kill my self or someone else. Lights on dash says check steering .

NHTSA ODI 11507462

Vehicle shuddering at low speeds. Took to Chevrolet Dealer, and they diagnosed as Torque Converter coming apart. Colorado has 67,953 miles. Per dealer service department, Need to replace Transmission at $6,273.52. If not replaced, Vehicle will freeze up and not be able to shift gears.

NHTSA ODI 11507164

While driving my 2016 Chevrolet Colorado P/U Truck, the steering assist failed numerous times and steering became dangerous especially for my wife. I took the vehicle to a repair shop and they said the Electric Steering Motor is failing and warned not to drive the vehicle. I called Chevrolet and they advised there is a recall on that truck and equipage, however my VIN was not included in the recall. My question is why not, I am experiencing the issue as others and this could result in a deadly crash.

NHTSA ODI 11507280

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the "Service Power Steering Drive with Care" warning light was illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 11507035

Auto stutters in lower gears at lower speeds like transmission is skipping.

NHTSA ODI 11506756

Was driving down the road and the stabilitrac warning came on and it caused the power steering system to shut down while driving causing me to almost wreck because the steering became so hard to turn. When I stopped and turned the truck off and restarted it, the warning lights went off and the power steering was working normally again

NHTSA ODI 11506717

Getting a power steering failure just like the 2015 model parts on the 2016 is the same as 2015 which had a recall on this failure getting failure and losing ability to steer the vehicle from what I can tell there is a lot of vehicles this is happening to cost is very expensive to fix I think it should be investigated and a recall to gm to fix before someone gets hurt because of this failure I have had it several times and it never happens when dealerships look at it

NHTSA ODI 11506476

Power Steering has went out on my truck. I only have 37700 miles on this 2016 chevy colorado and think the power steering should last longer than that. It is my only vehicle and now I am being told that the part is on back order. Please can you help me?

NHTSA ODI 11504691