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 driving at various speeds the vehicle would have a sudden loss of power steering. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact believed the check engine light, traction control, abs, and stability track warning lights and or messages become illuminated. The vehicle goes into limp mode causing the contact to have to turn the vehicle on and off several times. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 5 mph, on icy road conditions, the power steering suddenly failed to cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle. The vehicle ended up veering off the side of the road into a ditch about 6 feet deep. The air bags did not deploy. The driver had no injuries and no medical attention was needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle had to be lifted out of the ditch and then towed. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various undisclosed speeds, the stabili-trak activated independently, and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. In addition, the message "Service Power Steering" was displayed. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while reversing out of the driveway, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact used force to steer the vehicle. The stabili-trak feature was activated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer replaced the rack and pinion assembly. The vehicle was retrieved, and the contact was informed that a leak was found. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the oil pan was leaking. …
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 owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, upon reaching the top of an incline, the vehicle began to shudder before losing motive power. The contact pushed the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the purge valve and mass air flow sensor. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was a possible failure with the vent valve canister. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact discovered water within the vent valve canister. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to Emission Recall: N202313200. …
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 contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle stalled but restarted. The contact continued driving, but the failure recurred. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure should be covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000 (Steering). The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering gear torque sensor cover assembly needed to be replaced; Part Number: 23232310. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 122,998.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, after switching from the automatic drive mode to manual drive mode, the driver was able to manually switch to 1st gear which caused the speed to abruptly decrease. The contact indicated that the owner's manual stated that the vehicle would not allow itself to shift into a lower gear at an unsafe speed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the mechanic duplicated the failure, but no service was performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.
I have asthma and it is controlled by medication when needed. Recently I have had a lot more incidents of breathing difficulty since I purchased my vehicle. It was during one of these episodes that my wife noticed an odor associated with antifreeze. However, there is no moisture in the vehicle and no visible leaks or puddles on the ground. I have detected the same odor when standing near the back of the truck near the tailpipe. Also, I have had to refill the radiator with exactly five gallons of Antifreeze in less than 3000 miles of driving. It was my wife who alerted me to the odor being inside the vehicle and only during times when the heater was running. Since that time I have driven the vehicle only when I can safely leave the heater off, because I cannot be sure it is safe. If I need the heater to defrost, I leave the vehicle. …
06/13/2023: Odometer: 86881 Transmission-2nd Shift: Flare, 3rd Shift: rough shift flare, 4th Shift: shutter. Excessive metal particles in the fluid. No transmission codes or engine light detected. Result was a new rebuilt transmission. 11/01/23: Odometer: 90239 Engine Code: P00b7 coolant flow restriction, stuck thermostat. Result was to replace thermostat and flush coolant system. 12/06/23: Odometer: 91701 No codes detected. Fluids noticed on pavement occasionally. Valve cover gasket, vacuum pump gasket were failing. Result was to replace all parts. 02/25/24: Odometer: 92885 Code-engine overheating, idle engine. Critical 260 upon cold start. Failing temperature sensor. Result was to replace front and rear temperature sensor. Driver seat has begun to unravel and separate at the stich line on the side closest to the door. No repairs have been made. Issue began years ago. …
COMPONENT: The piston in cylinder #1 cracked and created conditions for the fuel injector to bore a hole through it. SAFETY: This led to sudden loss of engine power and violent shaking of the vehicle at highway speeds. CONFIRMATION: Multiple reports of the exact same incident can be confirmed and researched at ColoradoFans.com, specifically on these threads https://www.coloradofans.com/threads/looks-like-my-number-finally-came-up-engine-failure.444376 https://www.coloradofans.com/threads/poll-how-many-blown-up-2-8-diesels-please-indicate-on-poll.396705/ https://www.coloradofans.com/threads/documented-2-8l-duramax-lwn-engine-catastrophic-failures-thread.427244 INSPECTION: Confirmed the crack and the hole in piston #1 with borescope. WARNINGS: Prior to catastrophic failure, there was an ongoing intermittent issue chasing down DTC P11CC - NOx1 Performance Low. …
Engine complaints in other Colorado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, 7% of the model year's 712 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Chevrolet Colorado engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.