This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Chevrolet Colorado brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have filed 26 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 51,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Colorado | 4 |
| 2015 Colorado | 13 |
| 2016 Colorado (this page) | 26 |
| 2017 Colorado | 6 |
| 2019 Colorado | 6 |
| 2020 Colorado | 6 |
3crashes
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 15 model years of Chevrolet Colorado in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes 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 bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicle that may have a "Check Trailer Wiring" or "Service Trailer Brake System” message on the Driver Information Center when a trailer is connected to the vehicle. Diagnostic Trouble Code C1114 set in the Chassis Control Module. Chassis Control Module has to determine the type of trailer brake system that is being used. The Chassis Control Module can be sensitive to a variety of trailer wiring issues. The technician will need to make a trailer tester using Electric Trailer Brake Magnets and 7-way trailer connector to determine if it is a vehicle or trailer issue. If the concern i
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates that when removing the fuel line jumper hose care should be taken to be sure the line is reinstalled correctly to avoid a no/low fuel pressure situation.
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 2016 Chevrolet Colorado report sudden, catastrophic brake failures with no warning. The dominant issue is vacuum pump failure, documented in multiple complaints and confirmed by GM's own Technical Service Bulletin 21-NA-268. The pump, driven by the exhaust camshaft, develops broken drive lugs that shear metal debris into the engine, damaging the camshaft and contaminating oil. When this happens, the brake pedal becomes hard and immovable, eliminating power assist and extending stopping distance dramatically. Failures occur as early as 50,000 miles and as late as 138,000; fleet operators report it happens repeatedly across their Colorados with zero warning.
A large utility fleet operating multiple Colorados reports the vacuum pump failure multiple times and states GM closed an internal safety review with no corrective action. Individual owners report near-collisions at highway speeds, running red lights, and backing into parked vehicles when brakes failed. One owner has replaced the brake booster three times with no resolution; another experienced brake pedal lock-up and sudden release while reversing. Rear brake calipers fail to release or lock spontaneously at very low mileage (41,000–42,000 miles), causing unintended surging and crashes. Repair costs exceed $4,000 for the vacuum pump and camshaft replacement alone, with parts delays stretching to 30 days.
Same Chevrolet Colorado brakes reports on nearby years: 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Vacuum pump failure — drive lug fracture and camshaft damage
Camshaft-driven brake system vacuum pump develops broken drive lugs, shears metal debris into the engine, and damages the exhaust camshaft and associated components. This occurs without warning and results in sudden loss of brake assist.
When: Around 130,000–138,000 miles in some cases; earlier in fleet vehicles; one case at 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hard, stiff brake pedal with no power assist; Extended stopping distance and difficulty slowing vehicle; Loss of all brake assist power; Check Engine light (code P0017 — camshaft position); No warning prior to failure
Codes mentioned: P0017
Repairs/costs cited: Requires replacement of vacuum pump, exhaust camshaft, and camshaft position sensor; metal contamination in engine oil and screen noted. Repair cost over $4,000 in one case; another case $468.18 for vacuum pump alone at 50,000 miles. Parts availability delays (one owner waited 30+ days for camshaft).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Technical Service Bulletin 21-NA-268 (Nov 2021) documents the failure mode and repair procedure. GM Special Coverage N182202780 (Apr 2019) addresses vacuum-pump-related brake assist loss for 2014–2017 GM trucks/SUVs, but Colorado is not listed. Fleet reports indicate GM closed internal safety review with 'no action to be taken.'
Brake booster vacuum hose disconnection
Brake booster vacuum hose unplugs, causing loss of brake assist. Owners report concern that hose may disconnect while driving.
When: One case at low mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Hard brake pedal; Brake booster hose unplugged; Loss of brake assist
Repairs/costs cited: Hose reconnected at repair facility; booster replacement mentioned as necessary but unclear if completed.
Brake booster failure — repeated cycles
Brake booster fails multiple times on the same vehicle with no warning. Owner replaced booster three times; shop reports part keeps failing and mechanics are uncertain of root cause.
When: No specific mileage given; first failure at highway speed (~65 mph)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake booster sudden failure with no warning lights; Loss of brake assist; Spontaneous occurrence during normal driving
Repairs/costs cited: Booster replaced three times; mechanic unable to resolve; manufacturer contact yielded no clear answers.
Rear brake caliper failure — erratic release and lock-up
Rear driver-side brake caliper fails to release properly or locks spontaneously, causing sudden unintended braking or loss of braking during operation. Two separate incidents reported.
When: One case at 41,000 miles; another at 42,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brake caliper locks and spontaneously releases; Loss of braking power when brake pedal depressed; Sudden backward surge when brakes fail to hold; Skid marks without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Rear driver-side brake caliper and brake hose replaced in one case. Caliper failure diagnosed in another.
Brake pedal loss of assist — sudden onset at highway speed
Brake pedal becomes extremely stiff with total loss of power assist while driving at highway speeds. No warning provided; brake response severely compromised, requiring extended stopping distance.
When: Highway driving; one case at 35 mph approach to intersection
Symptoms owners cite: Stiff brake pedal with no power assist; Brake pedal goes to firewall with minimal stopping effect; Pedal goes all the way down with very limited braking response; No warning prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: One case involved cam-driven vacuum pump failure.
Brake assist service light and stalling during braking
Vehicle stalls during braking and brake assist service light illuminates. Condition persists and reportedly affects other vehicles in owner's awareness.
When: No specific mileage or timing given
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls during braking; Brake assist service light on
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2016 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 brakes problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?
It's a meaningful issue. 26 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 42,000 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 51,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,000; a quarter make it past 130,000. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2016/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.