Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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 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. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH uphill on a curvy road, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and jerked to the right towards a ditch that was in front of a cliff. The contact used physical strength to steer the vehicle back into the lane. The message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed and the traction control, the Stabili-trak and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove downhill and pulled to the side of the roadway, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed; however, the failure recurred while driving in the mountains. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where diagnostic code: C0545 was retrieved, and the mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to the power steering system. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for repairs. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that from idle to up to 55 MPH, the steering seized, and the power steering failure warning light illuminated. The vehicle became difficult to steer causing the contact to drive into the grass on a slight decline on the side of the road. The contact backed out of the grass and waited a while to regain proper power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering had failed a second time. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering had failed. The dealer replaced the wire from the battery to the alternator. The failure persisted and became more persistent. The failure occurred approximately 12 or more times within 3 days. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle independently started steering to the left and to the right. The contact stated that when she attempted to correct the steering, the steering wheel became very stiff, requiring extra effort in keeping the vehicle centered in the lane. The contact stated that the stabili-trak warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to regain normal steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering failure had been intermittent at first but had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering torque sensor and steering gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to steer in the intended direction. In addition, the "Service Stabili-trak" message was displayed, and the "Power Steering Failure" warning light was illuminated. The contact held the steering wheel tightly and pulled on the steering wheel, preventing the vehicle from crashing into a wall. The vehicle was driven to the intended destination. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was driven very slowly, and the contact used added force to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall for the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado with a similar description of a failure; however, the VIN was not under recall. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the Stabil Track warning light illuminated. The contact mention he pulled over to the right side of the road, turned the vehicle off, exited the vehicle lift the hood did not see anything got back into his vehicle turned the vehicle on and the vehicle responded as intended. A dealer was contacted. The contact mention that this failure has occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the Stabil Track needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: PI0639C (Service Stabil Trak Message Displayed in DIC, Stabil i Trak Indicator Light On, DTC C0455 and/or C0710 Set); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. …
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 contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the ABS fault and stability track light warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that after the last failure, turning off and restarting the vehicle the power steering functionality had not returned. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V213000 (Steering). …
Steering complaints in other Colorado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA has 462 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, 65% of the model year's 712 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Chevrolet Colorado steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.