Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 stated the company they work for owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission would slip intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the transmission failed. The transmission was replaced. When attempting to start the vehicle it failed to start. They had to jump-start the battery to start the vehicle. The battery was replaced by O'Rileys, a battery specialty shop. Approximately a year later, while another employee was driving at approximately 65 MPH when smoke began coming from underneath the vehicle's hood. The driver pulled over and exited the vehicle. The fire department came and put the fire out. The fire department informed the contact that the cause of the fire was because the battery caught fire. The fire department filed a report. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that when she parked the vehicle she was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated that in order to remove the key she was required to turn off and restart the vehicle several times. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure did not occur while the vehicle was with the mechanic. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that while attempting to remove the key from the ignition, she had to continue to turn off and restart the vehicle and noticed she was unable to depress the brake pedal as well. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The failure was intermittent. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle was restarted, and the vehicle regained power steering functionality however, the failure would recur soon afterwards. The contact found NHTSA ID Number: 10208045 (Steering, Power Train, Electrical System, Exterior Lighting) as well as NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000 (Steering) which were related to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery had failed. The battery was replaced. The failure persisted and the vehicle was returned to the dealer, and a recalibration was performed. The vehicle was returned to the dealer a third time to be diagnosed. …
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!
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact was unable to release the key from the ignition. The contact stated that he had to manipulate the steering wheel and ignition switch after approximately 5 mins and the key would release from the ignition. There was no warning light illuminated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.
When it first happened, I cranked my vehicle and seconds later, a chime and two messages went across my dash saying "Stabilitrack disabled." "Power steering disabled." and both were inoperable. I restarted the truck, and it ran fine. Happened again two weeks later. Then two weeks after that, it happened suddenly WHILE DRIVING down the road. Again, it worked properly after restarting, but it's started to be a constant. Now it immediately shows "Stabilitrack disabled" after starting and the power steering goes after about 10-15 minutes of driving, like clockwork. There were no lights on or any other warning indicators prior to this happening. It was a sudden issue with an otherwise unproblematic vehicle. I see there was a recall for a bad wiring harness connection that caused exactly this for the 2015 year model. Mine is a 2016 and no recall exists. …
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. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Water intrusion to the cab of the truck has structural failure in the roof causing it to leak inside the cab. Leak runs into dash and out of ignition causing electrical issues in the dash and ignition, along with pooling on the floorboards causing rusting; runs into the rear 3rd brake light and rear headliner causing electrical concerns to the rear brake light not alerting of braking and leaks into rear seats causing rusting under the seats where the seats can fall through the floorboards. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? rear brake light failure to alert surrounding drivers of braking. Possible electrocution in starting the vehicle with water in the ignition and dash; possible passenger/driver being dropped through the floorboards while driving. …
My 2016 Colorado is having a power steering failure identical to the 2015 recall. Recall #16V054000 (issued February 2016) covered 2015 Colorados and Canyons with the same type of electric power steering (EPS) gear assembly prone to internal corrosion. Exact failure symptoms: Sudden stiff steering, steering wheel locks/stiffens "Service power steering" or "Stabilitrak" warnings DTC codes like U0073, U0101, C0545, etc. Defective part: Original gear assembly: GM part #23228020 Revised torque sensor cover kit (to prevent corrosion): GM part #84344239 The vehicle has been taken to the dealership in January when this failure first occured. The dealer claimed it was due to the corroded negative battery cable. I explained that this was a known issue and a recall had been issued for the same part on the 2015 model. They refused to investigate further. …
The power steering will suddenly go out while a "Stabilitrak" warning comes up on the display. There are many reports of this problem documented online in this year and model, and the 2015 had a recall for this known issue that was evidently not resolved OR recalled for the 2016 model. Suddenly losing power steering when traveling at highway speed or making a turn is a tremendous crash risk as it is very difficult to turn the wheel and the responsiveness and ability to turn quickly is greatly diminished. I and my wife have both almost crashed when this has happened. Most of the time turning the vehicle off and then on again will reset and reactivate power steering, other times it does not. …
Electrical complaints in other Colorado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA has 119 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, 17% of the model year's 712 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Chevrolet Colorado electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.