This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Chevrolet Colorado steering problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 10 steering complaints filed for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 16 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to eliminate a power steering noise due to extremely low temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone calls. Technician will need to determine what type of call the customer is having that is unwanted. The vehicle may receive an incoming call just like any other phone. Typically the customer will hear the phone ringing in the vehicle. This scenario also includes incoming Bluetooth calls. One type of unwanted call can be made if the key pad is faulty the OnStar system will try to make a blue button call for shorted voltage in the circuits. The OnStar module could have an internal fault and produce a ″Phone Unavaila
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician vehicles with a slight rough idle. Technician should compare the concern with a like vehicle. If the concern is worse than a like vehicle, technician should follow published Service Information diagnosis and repair as necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2006 Chevy Colorado describe several steering failures. The most common is power steering loss while driving, especially at low speeds and during parking maneuvers; power returns after restarting the engine or waiting a few minutes. One vehicle experienced this same failure twice even after a previous recall campaign (NHTSA 10V073000) and power steering motor replacement. Tie-rods have snapped or worn prematurely—one owner at 51,000 miles and another around 80,000—neither on heavy or off-road use. A third owner reports intermittent hard spots when turning at low speeds that mechanics cannot isolate. One vehicle stalled at low speed with concurrent steering wheel seizure at 137,000 miles.
ABS and brake issues also appear: owners report frequent squealing during turns and braking, along with grating noises during low-speed stops on dry pavement. One ABS fault sensor activated during a parking maneuver.
Broader electrical problems recur in these narratives—PassLock ignition system failures causing stalling and starting refusal, blower motor resistor hazards, and general electrical faults—though these fall outside the steering component. One owner disabled PassLock entirely and replaced the ECM/PCM due to repeated failures.
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Loss/Electrical Cutout
Complete loss of power steering assist while driving, sometimes accompanied by clicking noise inside the vehicle. Power steering returns after engine restart or sitting for a few minutes. Occurs at low speeds (15–45 mph) and during parking maneuvers. One owner reported steering wheel seizure concurrent with engine stall.
When: 48,900 miles; 123,546 miles; 137,000 miles; occurs intermittently at low RPM/idle
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering assist without warning; Clicking noise inside vehicle; Power steering restored after engine restart; Steering wheel seizure; Loss of power steering at low engine RPMs or idle
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering motor replaced; power steering box and sensor replacement recommended by dealer but not completed; owner disabled PassLock system and replaced ECM/PCM to resolve related electrical issues
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign ID 10V073000 (steering) was previously issued; failure recurred on at least one vehicle despite prior repair
Tie-Rod Failure
Tie-rods snap or wear excessively, compromising steering control and front-end geometry. Two owners reported failures on vehicles with moderate mileage and no heavy use or off-road driving.
When: 51,000 miles; ~80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering became unresponsive or difficult; Tie-rods snapped off; Front end began to rise (symptom of tie-rod failure); Poor steering
Repairs/costs cited: Tie-rod ends replaced; parts not retained by owner
Hard Spots/Resistance While Turning
Intermittent hard spots or resistance encountered when turning at low speeds across all temperature conditions. Mechanics unable to isolate root cause.
When: Occurs intermittently at all temperatures
Symptoms owners cite: Hard spots while turning at low speed; Intermittent steering resistance
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; owner lacked capital for diagnostic parts swapping
ABS Fault and Brake Noise
Frequent squealing during turns and braking; grating noise and sensation during low-speed braking. ABS fault sensor triggered during low-speed parking maneuver on dry pavement.
When: ~75,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Squealing every time vehicle turns or brakes; Grating noise and sensation during low-speed braking; ABS fault sensor activation; Difficulty achieving safe stop
Codes mentioned: ABS fault
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Had to replace tie rod ends on my 2006 Chevy colorado pickup truck. The tie rods were worn out after 51000 miles. Truck would steer poorly. Not used off road or heavy use, normal driving! Don't have old parts. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet colorado. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 137,000.
Loss of power steering when at low engine rpms or idle pulling into or out of parking spaces. *tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet colorado. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the powering steering stopped working while turning on a curvy road. The contact pulled the vehicle to the side of the road, turned the ignition off for a few minutes and turned it back on and the power steering functioned properly again. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer…
Had steering trouble with your 2006 Chevrolet Colorado?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 51,000 and 155,000 miles, with the median around 123,546. A quarter of owners report trouble before 51,000; a quarter make it past 155,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chevrolet/Colorado.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.