Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 22% | — |
| 2024 | 6 | 5% | 3,000 miles |
| 2023 | 7 | 5% | — |
| 2022 | 12 | 21% | 20,000 miles |
| 2021 | 10 | 13% | 53,000 miles |
| 2020 | 10 | 12% | 16,000 miles |
| 2019 | 22 | 15% | 17,000 miles |
| 2018 | 18 | 10% | 9,000 miles |
| 2017 | 19 | 9% | 27,000 miles |
| 2016 | 462 | 65% | 68,000 miles |
| 2015 | 360 | 73% | 60,000 miles |
| 2012 | 5 | 12% | 85,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 2% | 34,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% | 2,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% | 72,000 miles |
| 2006 | 10 | 4% | 64,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% | 55,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% | 40,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Seats: Driver's seat shifts forward when normal braking pressure is applied. Bottom cushion seems to be loose/shifting. Cause for major concern if emergency braking should be needed and seat does not restrain driver Steering: Steering wheel has vibrations when driving over normal aberrations/roughness on paved roads. Accompanied by rattles and mechanical noise. Extremely annoying Suspension: Front passenger side has loud clunk from time to time on certain speedbumps/off road. Low speeds 10-15mph. Vehicle Details: 2026 Colorado ZR2, Odometer: 3176
Vehicle: 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss, 4WD Crew Cab. Delivered new 3/29/26. Beginning in May 2026, the vehicle developed a steering column defect: play in the steering wheel, a catch or jerking sensation while driving and turning (particularly at low speeds and on rougher residential/city roads), a structural popping noise, and an accompanying dashboard rattle. Dealership staff advised the vehicle was safe to drive despite the confirmed defect, and I continued operating the vehicle with my family for approximately two months while a replacement part was on backorder. The vehicle has been repaired three times for this identical defect: - 5/5/26-7/3/26: intermediate steering shaft replaced; defect returned - 8/17/26: upper and lower intermediate steering shaft joints replaced; defect returned - 9/7/26-10/7/26: intermediate steering shaft replaced again. …
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was stiff and difficult to turn in either direction. In addition, the passenger's side mirror failed to illuminate while another vehicle was passing by as intended. The messages "Reduced Acceleration", "Service Steering", and "Service Drive Train" were displayed on the instrument panel. The ESC warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure became progressively worse. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
At ~20,300 miles, severe chassis and steering wheel vibration occurred during high-speed highway descents while braking. Safety risk: reduced steering control at highway speed. The vehicle was inspected by a franchised Chevrolet dealer in Lakewood, CO. The technician's written service notes document rear rotor Lateral Runout (LRO) of 0.006 inches against GM's maximum allowable specification of 0.002 inches per GM Service Bulletin 00-05-22-002 - 3x the engineering limit. The defect was confirmed in dealer documentation and is available for inspection. After I identified this discrepancy, the Service Manager claimed the technician meant 0.006 mm (metric). Photographic evidence from the dealer's own diagnostic video shows a dial indicator clearly labeled in 0.001-inch increments with the needle resting on the 6th tick mark. …
I have experienced brake failure twice while driving my 2023 Chevrolet Colorado. When the failure occurs, the dashboard displays multiple warnings, including "Service Traction Control," "Service Power Steering Drive With Care," and "No Assist Soon." When these messages appear, the steering becomes extremely stiff, the brakes lose stopping power, and the vehicle becomes very difficult to control. The first incident happened around April 2024, and the dealer performed a software update. The issue happened again around October 2024 at approximately 24,000 miles. The vehicle is primarily used on highways and has no modifications. This is a serious safety concern. The combination of brake loss and power steering failure could result in loss of control, crash, injury, or death. There was no warning before the failures occurred. The dealer cannot confirm a permanent fix. …
After completing a right turn with a right turn signal, the vehicle will sometimes signal a left turn for 3 blinks. I believe this is because the turn signal stalk 'bounces' down to the left turn signal area when returning back to normal position from a right turn. This is a safety issue because the vehicle is signaling a left turn when no turn is intended. This could cause confusion to other drivers on the road. I have taken it to my dealer who attempted 3 times to fix with no success. It's a common issue that GM has not addressed for a long time now.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would make an abnormal squeaking noise when turning to either the right or the left without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to be serviced on three separate occasions by two separate dealers. The first visit, the contact had the GM SIR coil and entire steering column replaced. The second visit, the intermediate steering shaft was replaced. The third time, the vehicle was taken to Sir Walter Chevrolet Company (8501 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612) where the intermediate shaft was removed and it was discovered that the boot ring had detached from the boot, the boot was then replaced. Despite the three visits, the contact stated that failure returned soon after each repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. Additionally, the steering was sticking while turning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rack and pinion was faulty and needed to be replaced. The rack and pinion were replaced but the failure later reoccurred. Additionally, while driving over bumps in the road there was a clanking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the suspension sway bar was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Related recalls (2)
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The power steering assist may be lost due to a poor electrical connection within the steering gear assembly.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace steering gear torque sensor cover assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 6, 2021.
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 6, 2015, to March 17, 2015, and 2015 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 6, 2015, to March 19, 2015. A poor electrical connection within the steering gear connector may cause a loss of power steering assist.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear torque sensor cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2016.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Power Steering Assist
In May 2019 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ19-001) to assess the scope of General Motors (GM) recall 16V-054. ODI had received 50 complaints with allegations of loss of electric power steering assist while the vehicle was in motion.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Colorado years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (462), 2015 (360), 2019 (22), 2017 (19) and 2018 (18) model years. Steering complaints make up 65% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Colorado steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 21V-213 (electric power assist system, Mar 25, 2021); 16V-054 (electric power assist system, Feb 1, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Colorado steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the electric power assist system (3 mentions), followed by the linkages › tie rod assembly (1).
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.