Problems · by component
2016 Chevrolet Colorado power train problems
97 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado cite power train, 14% of all 716 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
97
14% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
What owners say about the power train
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“While driving the vehicle, the power steering all of sudden goes out and I am unable to steer the vehicle properly. I know there was a recall for 2015 vehicles and wanted to know if the repair could be fixed on my vehicle as well. This is not safe for me to be driving with my children and grandchildren in the vehicle as it happens out of the blue and without warning, no matter what speed I could be going. This has occurred on multiple dates over the last month or so.”
“While driving my family home on a hot 90+ degree day. My 2016 Chevy Colorado suddenly has a power loss engine died and i went from 75 to parked in less than 30 seconds. Luckily I was able to pull off the freeway to the median. We were almost hit by two vehicles pulling a trailer and the other pulling a RV. I had to have someone pick my kids up due to the hazards of being stranded on the side of the freeway. We had to have the truck towed. The code we got was for a fuel pump control module. We replaced and had it programed. This did not fix the issue. After further diagnostics from a auto mechanic shop, which we had to pay out of pocket. We learned it was a lifter failure. I have see numerous forums and people sighting "Lifter Failure" in Chevy Vehicles. Where most of us owners have to cover all cost out of pocket. Yet still "NO RECALL" for this issue that seems to be worth a recall. Next Issue the speed sensor which we have replaced it 3 times now in less than 2 years.”
“Power steering suddenly stops working while driving, making it difficult to steer. Fortunately when this happened today it was at low speeds and on a straight away. Warning light to check power steering went on followed by check Stabilitrak system. I called the dealer and am waiting for a response. The vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance rep, or other. No warning lamp occurred prior to the power steering failure.”
“The contact stated the company they work for owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission would slip intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the transmission failed. The transmission was replaced. When attempting to start the vehicle it failed to start. They had to jump-start the battery to start the vehicle. The battery was replaced by O'Rileys, a battery specialty shop. Approximately a year later, while another employee was driving at approximately 65 MPH when smoke began coming from underneath the vehicle's hood. The driver pulled over and exited the vehicle. The fire department came and put the fire out. The fire department informed the contact that the cause of the fire was because the battery caught fire. The fire department filed a report. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. There were no injuries or need for medical assistance. The contact spoke with the dealer who informed them that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.”
“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle jerked while shifting gear. Additionally, while driving at slow speeds, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle hesitated while shifting into gear. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the torque converter and other unknown transmission parts had previously been replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Transmission, yes How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was going 55mph on an open highway and the transmission downshifted into 2nd gear throwing me forward and dropped me to 35mph with a line of cars behind. I could've been rear-ended, thrown off the road, or rolled if I had not immediately grabbed the shifter and put into manual and manually upshifted it back up. Besides the damages to the engine downshifting at that rate of speed to the wrong gear without notice or warning. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? no not a dealer but it has recreated itself a handful of times. This happens more often on downhill grades. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? yes, Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?No”
Showing 6 of 97 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.