Problems · by component

2016 Chevrolet Colorado engine problems

48 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado cite engine, 7% of all 716 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
48
7% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“While sitting in idle the engine will just start to idle rough for no reason this happens all the time and clear out when accelerated. While driving the radio and Infotainment screen will go blank then come back on. I was driving on the freeway going straight and all of a sudden the power steering went out and I got this warning light on for the power steering being disabled along with this vehicle symbol and squiggly lines behind it on. I drove to a safe spot with the truck feeling really heavy. Turned it off and on then it cleared up. This power steering issue just happened.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2026Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11763341
“Vacuum pump busted as shown in photos. Once that busted it sent metal shrapnel into the engine which broke a piece of the cam shaft into bits. There were metal fragments that had to be meticulously cleaned out of my engine block. The loss of vacuum seal caused me to lose brakes while driving in stop and go traffic on the highway.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 31, 2025EngineODI 11708112
“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. Not sure if that was a harbinger or completely unrelated.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2025EngineODI 11697475
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2025Steering, EngineODI 11696544
“-What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? 2016 Chevrolet Colorado VIN: [XXX] Engine: 2.5L I4 (camshaft-driven brake system assist vacuum pump failure). GM Technical Service Bulletin 21-NA-268 (Nov 2021) confirms that if vacuum pump drive lugs are broken, replacement of both the vacuum pump and the exhaust camshaft is required which was the case. Parts kept by repair facility that performed service. Autonation Chevrolet South Clearwater FL 33764. -How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? May, 2025 the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of braking (hard/stiff brake pedal). This is a safety-critical failure. -Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?Yes by shop stated above. Diagnosis showed a seized engine brake system vacuum pump (driven by the exhaust camshaft) that had sheared drive lugs and produced metal debris which damaged the exhaust camshaft and associated components. The repair required replacement of the vacuum pump and the exhaust camshaft; my total repair cost was over $4,000. The camshaft was not readily available and I required a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2025Service brakes, EngineODI 11687092
“07-01-23 Vehicle died out, wouldn't start, got jumped, still wouldn't start. No indicator lights or warnings. Towed vehicle to the dealership, where it was for 11 1/2 months with the determination it was the ECM and Harness. Which it took that long to get. The vehicle was given back 06-14-24, even though it was in running condition, it was discovered parts were missing. Dealership put on order, received by end of July and installed. November 13, 2024, vehicle died out while driving on the freeway. Dashboard lit up everything, had to get the vehicle towed back to dealership. I have the Onstar diagnostics indicating the same components as the original reason the vehicle was held for an approximate year. Dealership now has vehicle and we have to wait for them to do a diagnostic.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 15, 2024Electrical system, EngineODI 11625518

Showing 6 of 48 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.