The Lemon Index2016 Chevrolet Colorado.
The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado is worse than average by owner complaints: 163 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 150, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 16 to 25 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Colorado year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 712 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Colorado year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 13K to 79K miles on the car (295 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 47K–106K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 16K–52K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 1K–36K miles
Recalls 4
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
- airbags 2017
The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
- airbags 2016
The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Show all 4 recalls
- latches/locks/linkages 2015
The affected vehicles have a console compartment lid latch assembly that may fail to keep the compartment door closed in the event of a crash.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1597 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips,…
- If a vehicle comes into the dealership with a knock noise, seized engine, lower end squeak or…
- Some customers may comment that the vehicle has reduced acceleration at low speed and/or…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–4100 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.8L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While stationary I tried to switch from 4wd auto, to 2wd. The light flashed and failed to change, then a service 4wd system popped up. The vehicle is stuck in 4wd auto and now loses all power while trying to turn.
2016 Chevrolet Colorado owner · NHTSA complaint 11191226
More owner reports
While driving on the highway at 50-60 m/h the truck will loose the power steering assist and wheel will turn hard and difficult to turn at lower speeds. Problem will appear for a while and return again at anytime.
NHTSA complaint 11266205
Vehicle has 40k miles. Began displaying stabilitrak probkem at 30k miles along with warning that steering assist is diminished. This seems to be the same problem with their 2015 models.
NHTSA complaint 11024550
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 150; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Colorado year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Colorado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (34%), steering (27%) and engine (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have?
4 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado get?
16 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Colorado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 13,500 and 79,000 miles. The middle report was at 43,000 miles, from 295 complaints.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 34% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $4100 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.8L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Colorado year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2020 and 2022.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works