This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Chevrolet Colorado steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have filed 446 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 68,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
446
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Colorado | 5 |
| 2015 Colorado | 351 |
| 2016 Colorado (this page) | 446 |
| 2017 Colorado | 19 |
| 2018 Colorado | 18 |
| 2019 Colorado | 21 |
| 2020 Colorado | 9 |
6crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 446 steering complaints filed for the 2016 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
Of the 15 model years of Chevrolet Colorado we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 446.
Steering accounts for 64% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
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 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 ↗This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin advises the technician of possible concerns caused by failed or incorrectly installed parts that may cause the battery positive cable to contact the water pump pulley or alternator.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe sudden, complete loss of power steering assist while driving at all speeds—from startup to 75+ mph—with no advance warning beyond dashboard messages ("Service Power Steering," "Service Stabilitrak"). The steering wheel becomes extremely stiff and nearly impossible to turn, especially during low-speed maneuvers, lane changes, and turns. Many owners report having to use significant physical force to steer the vehicle to safety.
Failures are random and intermittent. Most owners regain steering after turning the engine off and restarting, though some find the problem persists even after restart. A few report the issue resolves after the vehicle sits idle for hours, while others see it return immediately. One owner documented the failure happening over 75 times in one year; another reports it occurring roughly every other drive. Temperature appears to influence frequency—warm weather (above 80°F) triggers more failures; cold below -10°F causes startup power steering loss.
Dealers have diagnosed steering torque sensor failure, connector corrosion, voltage drops, and poor electrical connections. Repairs involve replacing the entire steering rack and pinion assembly (commonly $1,750–$2,300) because the torque sensor cannot be repaired alone. Several owners note that dealers acknowledge this as a "known issue" but deny recall coverage. The 2015 Colorado was recalled for the identical defect and part numbers; the 2016 was not, leaving owners responsible for all costs despite using the same faulty components.
Same Chevrolet Colorado steering reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent power steering loss with voltage drop
Electric power steering system fails suddenly and unpredictably, requiring manual steering with significant physical effort. The steering becomes extremely stiff and nearly impossible to turn, especially at low speeds or during turns. Failures occur while driving at all speeds (from idle to 75+ mph) and sometimes upon startup. Turning the vehicle off and restarting temporarily restores function, but failures recur randomly—sometimes within minutes, sometimes hours or days later. Owners report weather correlation: failures increase in warm weather and during/after cold weather exposure.
When: Failures reported from 2021 onward; one incident at 45,820 miles, another at 56,000, and recurring through higher mileage. Temperature-dependent pattern noted (warm weather increases frequency; cold weather below -10°F triggers startup failures).
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power steering assist with no advance warning; Steering wheel becomes extremely heavy and stiff; Dashboard warnings: 'Service Power Steering Drive With Care,' 'Service Stabilitrak,' traction control disabled; Vehicle may lurch left or right when failure occurs; Power steering may or may not return after vehicle restart; Failures occur randomly and intermittently, sometimes multiple times per day or weeks apart; At higher mileages, failures become more frequent and persistent
Codes mentioned: C0545, C0460, U0073, U0101
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced: steering gear torque sensor cover assembly, entire steering rack and pinion assembly (cost $1,750–$2,300), battery, negative battery cable, fuses, wiring connectors, and performed recalibrations. Owners report dielectric grease application and connector cleaning as temporary fixes. Parts on backorder nationwide per owners. Complete steering rack replacement is most common repair cited ($2,000+); torque sensor cannot be repaired separately.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 21V213 (NHTSA N202325410) and Recall 16V054000 (15595) cover only 2015 model year Colorado/Canyon vehicles. 2016 models with identical symptoms and part numbers are excluded from recall despite matching defect profile. GM has verbally acknowledged the issue as 'known' but declined warranty coverage on affected 2016 vehicles. Owners report dealer service managers stating 'it's a known issue' but refusing recall application. GM Customer Care told one owner they are 'aware of this problem' but ineligible for cost assistance.
Steering torque sensor electrical fault
The steering gear torque sensor fails internally or loses electrical connection, preventing the power steering control module from reading steering input. Dealers confirm torque sensor failure as root cause on several vehicles. The sensor cannot be individually replaced; entire steering gear assembly must be replaced. Failures appear related to connector corrosion, poor electrical connection within power steering system, or internal sensor degradation.
When: Diagnosed at mileage range 56,000–174,000 miles. One vehicle had first occurrence in July 2024 and repeated many times thereafter; another had symptoms consistent with early 2016 production built in August 2015 (within recall window for 2015 model year components).
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering disables without warning; Steering becomes extremely stiff; Service messages: 'Power Steering Assist Failure,' 'Steering Gear Pinion' electrical issue noted by dealer; Stabilitrak and traction control also disabled simultaneously; Vehicle difficult or impossible to steer at low speed
Codes mentioned: C0545
Repairs/costs cited: Complete steering gear assembly replacement required; cost $1,750–$2,066 plus labor and core charge. Torque sensor cover kit (GM part #84344239) may be applied to original assembly (GM part #23228020) in recall population but not available to non-recalled vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 16V054000 (issued Feb 2016) covers only 2015 model year vehicles and includes steering gear torque sensor cover assembly replacement at no cost. 2016 Colorado owners report being denied recall coverage despite holding same part numbers. One dealer informed owner the corroded negative battery cable was the cause, contradicting independent mechanic diagnosis that cable had nothing to do with the power steering failure.
Wiring harness/electrical connection corrosion or degradation
Power steering system electrical connections deteriorate or corrode, causing intermittent loss of signal and voltage drops to the steering control module. Owners and dealers have mentioned corroded negative battery cables, connector corrosion, and poor torque sensor wiring harness connections. Cleaning connectors and applying dielectric grease temporarily restores function but failures recur, indicating the root cause (corrosion or defective connector design) is not permanently resolved.
When: Recurring failures from 2021–2025 across multiple owner timelines; cold weather (below -10°F) consistently triggers failures on startup.
Symptoms owners cite: Voltage drops detected by dealer diagnostics; Intermittent power steering loss with no predictable pattern; Warnings for power steering and stabilitrak appear simultaneously; Turning vehicle off and on may reset the issue temporarily; Failures increase in frequency over time despite connector cleaning
Codes mentioned: Low voltage codes noted by one dealer
Repairs/costs cited: Temporary fixes: cleaning connectors, applying dielectric grease, replacing negative battery cable (did not resolve issue in at least one case), and battery replacement. Permanent fix requires steering gear assembly replacement. One service center verified that cleaned connectors fixed the problem 'temporarily' until issue returned approximately one year later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued for 2016 models. One dealer's service center reported cleaning connectors as treatment; another replaced battery without resolving the underlying electrical failure. Manufacturer has not publicly acknowledged this specific failure mode in 2016 vehicles despite 2015 recall citing 'poor electrical connection within the power steering system' as the root cause.
Synthesized from 446 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
My 2016 Chevrolet Colorado lost all power steering while driving down the road. My young daughter was in the vehicle with me on a busy highway when I lost my ability to safely steer the vehicle. The stabilitrak light came on and that is when the power steering failed and I had to force my vehicle off the roadway manually to avoid getting into a collision. Had I needed to quickly steer to avoid…
My power steering goes out intermittently. I get a power steering drive with care and stabilitrak service on my dash. It’ll go back to normal when I shut off the truck and restart. But sometimes the service error doesn’t go away. Also, while power steering is out service rear camera comes in intermittently too.
Power steering failure at high speed
This is the 2nd time this has happened. Once in 2018 approx feb. The steering lost all electric assist. This always appeared after it was driven and had been parked. It did this about 4 times before the dealer would repair it. At that time everything was covered by warranty. This time, the same problem, loss of all steering assist after driving and it was parked. Same issue, this time they…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that the…
I keep getting info messages while driving to service stabilalink and power steering and drive with car and I lose all power steering. It happens multiple times a day and dealer says they can't get it to do it when they drive it. At highway speeds it goes out and I have almost crashed several times due to not being able to control my steering. It happens often and 8 times today.
Service stablelink comes on and within seconds the power steering turns off. I have to pull over turn off the truck for 15 seconds to reset the computer and most of the time it stops. However there have been times when it does not reset and I have to drive without power steering. This happens randomly. I can be stoped on the highway or around town.
Power steering stop working while driving on city street, service power steering message appeared, very hard to turn is very dangerous to drive. Came back to normal 5 min later. *tr
I have recently starting to experience my vehicle having power steering issues. This has caused the power steering to go out as I'm drive which has almost caused me to be involved in multiple accidents. I did some research online and found out that this is an ongoing issue with my vehicles make and model. I am hoping that this being a KNOWN issue with this year and model of vehicle it gets put on…
While driving from the grocery store to our house, the steering wheel became incredibly stiff and a message appeared on the dashboard warning me to service power steering and drive with care. I was making a right turn out of the parking lot onto the city street and the steering wheel went stiff and the message appeared. I had to move the steering wheel with a lot of force to avoid crossing over…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 446 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 137 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 47,800 and 106,250 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,800; a quarter make it past 106,250. 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/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.