The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado is associated with 698 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 4 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Steering, accounting for 332 reports (48% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 8 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.6l 6-cyl, 2.8l 4-cyl, and 2.5l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 25 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 698 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 4 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Steering (332 / 48%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 14 crash / 1 fire / 6 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–25 MPG (8 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Colorado Cab Chassis 2WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 15 MPG | 17 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
| Colorado 2WD Diesel | 2.8L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,200 / yr |
| Colorado 4WD Diesel | 2.8L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 20 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| Colorado 2WD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Colorado 2WD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 20 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Colorado 2WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 18 MPG | 25 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Colorado 4WD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 19 MPG | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Colorado 4WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 17 MPG | 24 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| PU/CC 4WD | | | | | 21.2% |
| PU/EC 4WD | | | | | 21.4% |
| PU/CC RWD | | | | | 21.9% |
| PU/EC RWD | | | | | 22% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Chevrolet Colorado models.
View complete 2016 Chevrolet Colorado crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Chevrolet Colorado problems & component breakdown (89 categories) →
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Defect Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Defect Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.
View all 2016 Chevrolet Colorado recalls & campaign history (4 campaigns) →