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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,120 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Chevrolet Colorado engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Chevrolet Colorado Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #41

Jun 132023

Colorado

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

06/13/2023: Odometer: 86881 Transmission-2nd Shift: Flare, 3rd Shift: rough shift flare, 4th Shift: shutter. Excessive metal particles in the fluid. No transmission codes or engine light detected. Result was a new rebuilt transmission. 11/01/23: Odometer: 90239 Engine Code: P00b7 coolant flow restriction, stuck thermostat. Result was to replace thermostat and flush coolant system. 12/06/23: Odometer: 91701 No codes detected. Fluids noticed on pavement occasionally. Valve cover gasket, vacuum pump gasket were failing. Result was to replace all parts. 02/25/24: Odometer: 92885 Code-engine overheating, idle engine. Critical 260 upon cold start. Failing temperature sensor. Result was to replace front and rear temperature sensor. Driver seat has begun to unravel and separate at the stich line on the side closest to the door. No repairs have been made. Issue began years ago. Approximately 2018. The area was small and has slowly widened. Approximately 6 inches currently even with avoidance of stretching and being cautious of that area. I do have documentation of this events and repairs if they are needed.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

problem #40

Oct 062021

Colorado

  • miles
I have asthma and it is controlled by medication when needed. Recently I have had a lot more incidents of breathing difficulty since I purchased my vehicle. It was during one of these episodes that my wife noticed an odor associated with antifreeze. However, there is no moisture in the vehicle and no visible leaks or puddles on the ground. I have detected the same odor when standing near the back of the truck near the tailpipe. Also, I have had to refill the radiator with exactly five gallons of Antifreeze in less than 3000 miles of driving. It was my wife who alerted me to the odor being inside the vehicle and only during times when the heater was running. Since that time I have driven the vehicle only when I can safely leave the heater off, because I cannot be sure it is safe. If I need the heater to defrost, I leave the vehicle. Also, I noticed that when the engine coolant is low, the engine never seems to overheat, and the heater no longer blows hot air. Is this an issue involving only my vehicles and what other health risks are there? The most I have had to add to restore heat is a gallon of coolant.

- Clearfield, PA, USA

problem #39

Apr 192022

Colorado

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, upon reaching the top of an incline, the vehicle began to shudder before losing motive power. The contact pushed the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the purge valve and mass air flow sensor. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was a possible failure with the vent valve canister. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact discovered water within the vent valve canister. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to Emission Recall: N202313200. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 96,000.

- Waubeka, WI, USA

problem #38

Aug 082022

Colorado

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and slowing down for traffic or a traffic signal, the vehicle would start to vibrate excessively. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle almost stalled. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the failure two more times and was taken to the same mechanic. The contact stated that he had purchased the purge valve from an auto parts store and later purchased the valve from the manufacturer. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the contact believed that the valves sold were defective. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #37

May 012017

Colorado

  • 140,000 miles
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. There was no damage. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 140,000.

- Joshua, TX, USA

problem #36

Jul 032022

Colorado

  • 138,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that on several occasions, the engine, traction, and stabilitrak warning lights illuminated then the vehicle went into Limp Mode. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone where a diagnostic test indicated that the powertrain system and cylinder #1 had failed. The contact stated while driving downhill, the RPM increased however, the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that the ABS warning light illuminated and the vehicle went into Limp Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pipe, fuel rail and fuel injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed that cylinder #1 and the power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that she would receive a loaner vehicle however, the manufacturer was contacted a second time where the contact was denied a loaner vehicle due to a warranty issue. The failure mileage was 138,000.

- Fulton, MO, USA

problem #35

Jun 212022

Colorado

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While making a left turn through an intersection, the vehicle's engine shut down without any warning. The electronics were still powered. My safety was put at risk, as other drivers were also going through the intersection. If this issue occurs again at another random time and I lose power while driving, this could easily result in an accident. I have not had it inspected by a mechanic, since it just happened, but have read online that others with Chevy Colorados have had this issue and could not find the cause.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #34

Sep 232021

Colorado

  • miles
One morning I started my truck to go to work and the engine started ticking when I arrived at work the engine was still ticking. Being a European Automotive Technician for 34 years I knew this was bad. I performed an extensive diagnosis of the engine and found metal particles in the oil and filter at that point I knew that something in the engine had failed. I removed the engine and removed the oil pan for further inspection and discovered that the # 2 cylinder piston was broken below the wrist pin.

- Springboro , OH, USA

problem #33

Dec 052021

Colorado

  • miles
accelerating and shuttering and jerking when you are trying to accelerating afraid to accelerate to go aroud another vehicle or to pull my tariler

- Gretna , LA, USA

problem #32

Dec 082021

Colorado

  • miles
my truck has a issue when you are going down a hill it shifts into a lower gear. This is an automatic transmission. This can cause my truck to slide and spin in bad weather. I have seen people comment about this issue on some Colorado forums. It has done this many times and at times I have pulled over and placed it in park

- Honesdale , PA, USA

problem #31

Feb 272020

Colorado

  • 36,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, after switching from the automatic drive mode to manual drive mode, the driver was able to manually switch to 1st gear which caused the speed to abruptly decrease. The contact indicated that the owner-€™s manual stated that the vehicle would not allow itself to shift into a lower gear at an unsafe speed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the mechanic duplicated the failure, but no service was performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.

- Northville, MI, USA

problem #30

May 252021

Colorado 4WD 4-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2016-2020 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon diesel models have faulty DPF and DEF systems that fail within <20-60K miles. They do not warranty it as powertrain, and it is a common problem. SAFETY ISSUE: While out of state, the vehicle regenerating exhaust cleaning cycle can not properly clean the system. It then goes into limp mode. 2 dealers have tried to fix it, with no avail. Limp mode limits speed from 65mph with no power on hills, to 55, then 4mph. See this thread for how many people are experiencing problems: https://www.coloradodiesel.org/threads/dpf-regeneration.1137/page-2 Thank you, Andrew R

- Waterbury Center, VT, USA

problem #29

Jan 242021

Colorado

  • 126,000 miles
During any type of moisture ie (fog, rain) vehicle goes into reduced engine power mode codes from the ECM P2122 and P2138 both relating to app. First time it happened was in rain storm in motion, app pedal was replaced with new oem part but the problem persists. I suspect water intrusion from wiper cowling affecting electric harness. This problem does not exist during dry season. After many hours of online research I have found that this is a widespread problem in Chevrolet vehicles.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #28

Oct 012018

Colorado

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was pulled over, restarted, and operated as intended. The contact reached out to jk Chevrolet (1451 highway 69 N, nederland, tx 77627, (409) 527-4142) and was informed that the vehicle was not under recall and that there would a fee to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Port Neches, TX, USA

problem #27

Aug 022020

Colorado

  • 170,000 miles
There is an electrical issue that causes the truck to completely shut down and lose all power sometimes while driving with do warning. When this happens, power steering and power brakes are lost. This happened to me while turning into a gas station and I nearly wrecked into another vehicle as I couldn't stop or turn.

- Powell, WY, USA

problem #26

May 232020

Colorado

  • 64,665 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound like and explosion coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed to tom gill Chevrolet (7830 commerce dr, florence, ky 41042) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump bolts became detached. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V358000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,665.

- Lyons, IL, USA

problem #25

Jan 032020

Colorado

  • 30,103 miles
Constant code P1427 shows vacume leak, can't be found 2) the dash go completely dark on and off, both the odometer side and the digital panel for radio etc

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #24

Nov 022019

Colorado

  • 50,000 miles
The truck will randomly shut off while driving, sitting still, and then start back up with no problem. The truck isn't reporting any codes but the engine has randomly cut off during operation on several occasions. I have read many forums of others having this issue. This has happened to me while pulling out into traffic on a city street and almost causing a major accident. It occurred at several traffic lights and also merging onto a highway exit. This is a major problem with serious risks involved!

- Ringgold, GA, USA

problem #23

Sep 252019

Colorado

  • 39,000 miles
The check engine light came on it popped up engine power reduced wouldn't go over 35 miles and hr on the interstate is not a good thing. I pulled over turned car off. Turned key back on started it was fine. A couple weeks later pulling out in traffic check engine.light.comes on and loses power again almost get hit. Go to parts.store to plug machine for diagnosis. First it said unknown. So we do it again PA201 00 code. Computer said CO2 sensor. I was told a tsb bulletin came in for this software update but nobody wants to talk about it they just want to fix it then charge.U for it.but.I think it should be covered software issues shouldn't be absorbed at customers exspense. My truck is a turbo diesel its hard to find parts for it at part store and diagnostic machine just getting in oil filters. Anyway in response of software it should be covered by someone else besides me. Before it loses power and vet's me killed or I. a wreck need issue resolved

- Winder, GA, USA

problem #22

Jun 282019

Colorado

  • 41,800 miles
I was turning through a busy intersection and as I completed my turn and came to a stop the engine shut down. Prior to making the turn the engine felt like it was going to stall out and quit running. I have experienced the sluggish idle before but it never shut down like it did today. A google search revealed that Chevrolet has a technical sb, 16-na-284 that says a reprogram of the computer is required to correct the problem. In my opinion this is a safety issue. I was fortunate to have completed my turn before it quit running but someone else may not even be aware of the situation putting themselves at risk if it would happen to quit during the turn with oncoming traffic.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

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