What 694 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado

Was driving the truck down a straight and smooth road when I suddenly got an error message that both Stabilitrak and power steering had failed. The lack of power steering makes it very difficult to turn and if it had failed during a turn, it could've potentially caused an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11656097

As many other complaints regarding the power steering system failure (350 total), the vehicle will randomly lose power steering with the driver display indication of "Service Power Steering" and "Stability Control Disabled". The vehicle becomes very hard to steer. Once the vehicle is shut off and restarted after 10-15 seconds, the power steering will be active again. This has happened multiple times over the last 3 weeks. It does make it quite dangerous as there is not warning as to when it might happen again.

NHTSA ODI 11655760

Power steering and stability track control failed to operate while driving vehicle at a high rate of speed. No power steering was available to control the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11655850

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the stability control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.

NHTSA ODI 11655412

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel failed to respond as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle, and after restarting the vehicle the steering function was reset. The contact was able to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with steering gear and steering rack failure. The vehicle was at the dealer but was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

NHTSA ODI 11655248

Power steering fails while driving Completely goes out. Shut car off and back on, it goes away. Then driving it will go out again, been to multiple places and nothing seems to fix it.

NHTSA ODI 11655319

On main route switched to a designated turning lane for turn and u turn only with other vehicles and stopped for red light with my foot on the break. Waiting to turn I receive a ding sound for dash and 2 lights TC and car with skid lines( in my other cars has been traction control.) Message on dash said something like service stabilizer and i believe drive with caution? Now I go to drive forward and the wheel is dead stiff. Unexpected and scary. I Waiting for the cars in front of me to get ahead so I could excellerate a bit more to try to turn the wheel no power. I got into the lot pulled over and shut the vehicle off because I was shaken up. After few minutes I turned vehicle back on and the lights were gone and power steering was back. I then cautiously drove back home. I called the dealer and explained. They can't check codes now they are not appearing. They said they can check maybe something stored in memory. I was given a paper with DTC codes no symptom description. This happened once so far. Receipt of truck on 3/6/25 incident on 4/9/25 only one month. Mechanic says he thinks it's C0545. at this stage it could be a quirk. Why did it show at all if it's a quirk? If it happens again while I'm driving? How do I show what happened? Brought it in @ 45820 miles. I've read somewhere 2015 recall was on part C0545. I bought a warranty covering me for 70k or so..dealer is already set to use my warranty if need be when I believe this is still a GM problem. I am not prepared to just give the vehicle back. If it happens again, I believe this vehicle is not safe when power steering just cuts off. I love this style truck but want it to remain safe. Only thing I can do if it happens again it to record on cell phone if possible and drive with caution? Take my son to and from school this is scary and a payment to boot. What if?..why wait? I can't prove it if I turn vehicle off, I can't drive it like that either..GM fix it plz

NHTSA ODI 11654438

My 2016 Colorado has been having the infamous power steering and Stabilitrak issue that stems from a poor connection in the steering rack (to my understanding). While driving the power steering will randomly go out, making it extremely difficult to turn. It has nearly caused an accident while driving when it went out mid turn. Usually stopping, turning the truck off, then back on will temporarily resolve the issue but it reoccurs nearly every trip.

NHTSA ODI 11654201

I get a power steer warning and the steering wheel locks while driving. I can absolutely not turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is running.

NHTSA ODI 11652852

Vehicle is losing power steering at random intervals even while driving at 70+ mph. Power steering loss is SUDDEN and vehicle will lunge to the left or right when it occurs, sometimes placing vehicle into the other lane. THIS IS EXTREMELY UN-NERVING/FRIGHTENING and DANGEROUS. Vehicle is VERY HARD TO STEER, especially at low speed, causing the driver fatigue and muscle weakness in the arms and chest. The steering wheel has slipped right out of my hands due to the amount of exertion needed to turn the wheel. The power steering issue will sometimes "fix itself" if the vehicle is parked for several hours BUT THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. Sometimes the power steering loss is still present the next day even after the vehicle has sat idle for hours and hours. The occurances of power steering loss and power steering return are happening COMPLETELY AT RANDOM. I cannot begin to explain to you the amount of anxiety that this is creating on a daily basis for the driver and passengers. NOTE: THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE RECALL OF THE 2015 CHEVY COLORADOS. SAME FAILING COMPONENTS. SAME RIDICULOUSLY PRICED REPAIR ( $1600 to $2300 ) THE SAME EXACT ISSUE THAT CAUSED THE RECALL OF THE 2015 CHEVY COLORADOS IS NOW OCCURING ON MY 2016 CHEVY COLORADO. GM IS REFUSING TO INCLUDE THE 2016 MODELS IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH ITS THE SAME ISSUE RIGHT DOWN TO THE REPLACEMENT PART NUMBERS. PLEASE HELP! THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. NO JOKE. Thank you. - [XXX] 2016 Chevrolet Colorado LT [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11649776

I lose power steering randomly. Sometimes multiple times a day, sometimes only every couple months. It has happened on the highway and when the truck is parked and in idle. Shutting off and restarting fixes but sometimes only for a few minutes. I get a stabiltrak error and then no power steering. Dealership wants 2k to fix, this seems like the same problem that was recalled in the 2015 Colorado.

NHTSA ODI 11649004

While driving, I notice that the power steering has gone out and steering has become significantly more difficult. This has happened several times and many times at dangerous situations. It occurs while driving and also when at an idle. If this occurred during a turn or I needed to swerve, I would have been in an accident and unable to turn quickly enough. As of today the vehicle is not drivable and will need to be towed to a dealership to be fixed. I looked up recalls and saw the 2015 model had the same issue and was covered with a recall. I'm frustrated that my 2016 which seems to have the same parts and same issue is not covered by this recall. This is a very scary safety issue. My Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Very unsafe situation currently. I have not been to a dealer yet but will need to have it towed to one this week. No, the vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. Traction control lights and stable lock lights come on as far as messages.

NHTSA ODI 11648467

While driving, a series of warning messages flash on the dash quickly, ending with "Service Stabilitrack" and the power steering of the vehicles is disabled. Putting the vehicle in neutral and restarting the engine temporarily fixes the issue sometimes for several days, others for just a few minutes. Chevy denies ever hearing similar issues from this specific make or model, yet I've found hundreds of people with the same issue online.

NHTSA ODI 11647827

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the contact heard a warning chime and then observed that the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the power steering warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact pulled over, turned off, and restarted the vehicle the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and only occurred while driving above 55 MPH. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000 (Steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

NHTSA ODI 11646923

While driving, my vehicle will report that the power steering has gone out and steering has become significantly more difficult. This has happened several times while driving on I95. A vehicle restart will often reset the issue but it can occur anytime and either while driving or at an idle. If this occurred during a turn or I needed to swerve, I would have been in an accident and unable to turn quickly enough. I have not had it inspected yet but it is reproducible but highly intermittent.

NHTSA ODI 11640748

Bad power steering torque sensor. There is a recall for the 2105'5 but not 2016. It is the exact same parts. Loosing power steering. $2k fix at dealer

NHTSA ODI 11638231

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH in a parking lot, the power steering became inoperable. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000 (Steering) and 16V054000 (Steering). The contact sent an email to the local dealer, who confirmed there was no recall coverage on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11636073

I have recently starting to experience my vehicle having power steering issues. This has caused the power steering to go out as I'm drive which has almost caused me to be involved in multiple accidents. I did some research online and found out that this is an ongoing issue with my vehicles make and model. I am hoping that this being a KNOWN issue with this year and model of vehicle it gets put on the recall list so this issue doesn't potentially kill someone. Thank you,

NHTSA ODI 11630988

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle jerked while shifting gear. Additionally, while driving at slow speeds, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle hesitated while shifting into gear. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the torque converter and other unknown transmission parts had previously been replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

NHTSA ODI 11630583

The vehicle steering system stopped working while driving and a steering and stabilitytrac lights came on. This occurred also occurred last week. In both cases the error resolved itself after fighting the wheel to the side of the road and restarting the car. The failure of this key control component presents an obvious risk of injury or death. I was therefore concerned to find that this exact same issue arose on the prior year Colorado (2015) and resulted in a formal recall. I also saw on line a multitude of reports for this same issue on 2016 trucks and was troubled by seeing that no recall or corrective action has been ordered by GM or the NHTSA. I struggle to understand why NHTSA has not acted on the 2016 Colorado complaints re the exact same issue presenting the exact same danger to the public. Please act.

NHTSA ODI 11629439

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH the "Stability Control" and "Service Power Steering" warning lights illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to continue driving however, it was difficult to turn the steering wheel to the left or right. The contact stated that the failure recurred at various speeds. The contact regained normal power steering functionality by stopping and turning off and restarting the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11625400

07-01-23 Vehicle died out, wouldn't start, got jumped, still wouldn't start. No indicator lights or warnings. Towed vehicle to the dealership, where it was for 11 1/2 months with the determination it was the ECM and Harness. Which it took that long to get. The vehicle was given back 06-14-24, even though it was in running condition, it was discovered parts were missing. Dealership put on order, received by end of July and installed. November 13, 2024, vehicle died out while driving on the freeway. Dashboard lit up everything, had to get the vehicle towed back to dealership. I have the Onstar diagnostics indicating the same components as the original reason the vehicle was held for an approximate year. Dealership now has vehicle and we have to wait for them to do a diagnostic.

NHTSA ODI 11625518

With no warning while driving on the Interstate at highway speed, the service light came on reading "Power Steering Drive with Care"/"Stabilitrak". Safety was very at risk, since we were driving down the interstate at regular speed and getting ready to go through a mountainous section. We have taken the truck to the dealership and they were unable to duplicate the fault. they did notice low voltage codes and replaced the battery and negative battery terminal. We didn't have the truck back for 24 hours and I needed to head to town and on my way home the service light appeared again with the same reading and all of a sudden again lost power steering in he middle of traffic. I have read where recalls have been issued on 2014 and 2015 Colorado Trucks for this same issue and think this recall should be extended to the 2016 year models. Thinking this had been resolved and driving normally, it was scary having this happen again and knowing that it could happen at any time we are driving.

NHTSA ODI 11623894

Power steering shuts off while operating vehicle at random times.

NHTSA ODI 11623305

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The power steering and the stabilizer warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure progressively worsened, and the vehicle occasionally responded as needed after being restarted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000(Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11622417