Is the 2016 Chevrolet COLORADO reliable?

The 2016 Chevrolet COLORADO has 936 complaints filed with NHTSA (5.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet COLORADO?

Top problems: STEERING (445 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (115 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (96 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Chevrolet COLORADO?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Chevrolet COLORADO?

The 2016 Chevrolet COLORADO gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Chevrolet COLORADO?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Chevrolet COLORADO is approximately $1,539/year (truck-small class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Chevrolet COLORADO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2016 Chevrolet COLORADO has 936 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 5.2x the segment average of 181. The most common issue is steering problems (48% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet colorado. the contact stated that the steering wheel locked more than twice. the dealer was notified each time, but was unable to provide a solution to prevent the failure. the contact experienced the failure again and was able to receive roadside assistance. th. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 20 crash reports 5 injuries

936

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

5.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

445 complaints

48%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED MORE THAN TWICE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED EACH TIME, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO RECEIVE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. TH
• POWER STEERING STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET, SERVICE POWER STEERING MESSAGE APPEARED, VERY HARD TO TURN IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. CAME BACK TO NORMAL 5 MIN LATER. *TR
• NOISES COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL FROM DAY THE TRUCK WAS NEW HAS BEEN MY COMPLAINT. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIRS. GM AND THEIR DEALER J.P. CHEVROLET IN PERU, IL. INSTALLED FELT TAPE INSIDE THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT THE FIRST AND SECOND ATTEMPT WHICH DID NOT WORK. NOW THEY H

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 6 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED MORE THAN TWICE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED EACH TIME, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO RECEIVE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. TH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Chevrolet COLORADO

Based on 413 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 42K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

147

30-60K

123

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 61 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 33K mi · 42 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 37 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 7K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL05/10/2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17387.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Chevrolet COLORADO

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Chevrolet COLORADO

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,539

Full coverage / month

$128

Liability only / year

$617

vs US avg

-8%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (truck-small)1.02x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1539

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet COLORADO Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2016 COLORADO, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 936 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED MORE THAN TWICE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED EACH TIME, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO RECEIVE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THERE WERE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES, INCLUDING ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS. THE TECHNICIAN STAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TRANSMISSION DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT PROPERLY FROM UPPER GEARS (5,6) TO LOWER RANGE WHEN DECELERATING FROM 40 + MPH TO UNDER 20 MPH. VEHICLE WILL EXHIBIT LOSS OF POWER FROM BEING IN TOO HIGH OF A GEAR RANGE, CAUSING "CHUGGING", AND THEN A SUDDEN BURST OF POWER AS YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE. DEALER RESET ECM F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK ON 9/25/15.ON 9/30/15 THERE WAS HEAVY DOWN POUR,AND THERE WAS BIG PUDDLE OF WATER UNDER THE DRIVERS FLOOR MATS,THE PASSENGER FLOOR MATS,AND BEHIND THE DRIVERS MATS.ALSO THE LEFT VENT HAD A BROKEN PIECE THAT WAS ON THE FLOOR.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)