Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Chevrolet Colorado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while backing out of a parking space at a very slow speed, the braking system suddenly malfunctioned and erroneously released causing the vehicle to surge backward and crash into a second parked vehicle. During the incident, no injuries were reported and a police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rear driver side brake caliper and brake hose were faulty and needed to be replaced. The caliper and hose were replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was also contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that on several occasions, the engine, traction, and stabilitrak warning lights illuminated then the vehicle went into Limp Mode. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone where a diagnostic test indicated that the powertrain system and cylinder #1 had failed. The contact stated while driving downhill, the RPM increased however, the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that the ABS warning light illuminated and the vehicle went into Limp Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pipe, fuel rail and fuel injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed that cylinder #1 and the power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact called on behalf of a family member who owns 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, but was stiff, requiring the driver to forcefully depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the contact's auto repair shop, where it was diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump was fractured and damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed that there was no related recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not contacted. 180,203.
Intermittent total loss of power steering assistance while driving at speed, accompanied by the immediate illumination of the Traction Control and StabiliTrak warning indicators on the dashboard. The loss of power steering creates a sudden and severe handling hazard. This safety issue has occurred more than 15 times since this vehicle was purchase used in December of 2025. A diagnostic scan reveals specific diagnostic trouble codes: C0545-00 (Steering Wheel Torque Sensor Hardware Failure), C0460-5A (Steering Wheel Angle Sensor Plausibility), U0420-42 (Invalid Data Received from PSCM), and C0280-00. The power steering also intermittently returns to normal functionality after the vehicle sits completely powered off, indicating a thermal or electronic hardware failure within the internal torque sensor of the steering gear assembly. …
Operator reported that under braking, they lost all power assist to the brake pedal and brake pedal was extremely hard to push. This resulted in extended stopping distance and difficulty slowing the vehicle down. It was found that the vacuum pump had failed. We are a large utility fleet, and this issue has occurred a number of times to our Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon vehicles and we deem this a safety issue. These incidents have been reported to the OEM and we recently received the attached reply, "We submitted a "Speak up for Safety Campaign" to our internal quality team for review. These reviews are conducted to determine if there is a manufacturing or design defect that could impact quality. After review, the case was closed with no action to be taken." The operators receive no warning prior to the failure.
Operator reported that under braking, they lost all power assist to the brake pedal and brake pedal was extremely hard to push. This resulted in extended stopping distance and difficulty slowing the vehicle down. It was found that the vacuum pump had failed. We are a large utility fleet, and this issue has occurred a number of times to our Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon vehicles and we deem this a safety issue. These incidents have been reported to the OEM and we recently received the attached reply, "We submitted a "Speak up for Safety Campaign" to our internal quality team for review. These reviews are conducted to determine if there is a manufacturing or design defect that could impact quality. After review, the case was closed with no action to be taken." The operators receive no warning prior to the failure.
Operator reported that under braking, they lost all power assist to the brake pedal and brake pedal was extremely hard to push. This resulted in extended stopping distance and difficulty slowing the vehicle down. It was found that the vacuum pump had failed. We are a large utility fleet, and this issue has occurred a number of times to our Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon vehicles and we deem this a safety issue. These incidents have been reported to the OEM and we recently received the attached reply, "We submitted a "Speak up for Safety Campaign" to our internal quality team for review. These reviews are conducted to determine if there is a manufacturing or design defect that could impact quality. After review, the case was closed with no action to be taken." The operators receive no warning prior to the failure.
Operator reported that under braking, they lost all power assist to the brake pedal and brake pedal was extremely hard to push. This resulted in extended stopping distance and difficulty slowing the vehicle down. It was found that the vacuum pump had failed. We are a large utility fleet, and this issue has occurred a number of times to our Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon vehicles and we deem this a safety issue. These incidents have been reported to the OEM and we recently received the attached reply, "We submitted a "Speak up for Safety Campaign" to our internal quality team for review. These reviews are conducted to determine if there is a manufacturing or design defect that could impact quality. After review, the case was closed with no action to be taken." The operators receive no warning prior to the failure.
Operator reported that under braking, they lost all power assist to the brake pedal and brake pedal was extremely hard to push. This resulted in extended stopping distance and difficulty slowing the vehicle down. It was found that the vacuum pump had failed. We are a large utility fleet, and this issue has occurred a number of times to our Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon vehicles and we deem this a safety issue. These incidents have been reported to the OEM and we recently received the attached reply, "We submitted a "Speak up for Safety Campaign" to our internal quality team for review. These reviews are conducted to determine if there is a manufacturing or design defect that could impact quality. After review, the case was closed with no action to be taken." The operators receive no warning prior to the failure.
Operator reported that under braking, they lost all power assist to the brake pedal and brake pedal was extremely hard to push. This resulted in extended stopping distance and difficulty slowing the vehicle down. It was found that the vacuum pump had failed. We are a large utility fleet, and this issue has occurred a number of times to our Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon vehicles and we deem this a safety issue. These incidents have been reported to the OEM and we recently received the attached reply, "We submitted a "Speak up for Safety Campaign" to our internal quality team for review. These reviews are conducted to determine if there is a manufacturing or design defect that could impact quality. After review, the case was closed with no action to be taken." The operators receive no warning prior to the failure.
Brake complaints in other Colorado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, 6% of the model year's 712 complaints. The component named most often is antilock › abs warning light (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Chevrolet Colorado brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Colorado brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.