2016 Chevrolet Colorado · symptom sheet

Power steering cuts out or goes heavy

411owner reports
68,000median miles
$2,000median quote
5involved a crash

Newest report Aug 29, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

450 of the 699 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 411 of those describe power steering loss, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Colorado.

Tick what matches of 411 reports

steering suddenly went heavy

a power steering warning came on

261

it came back after restarting

155

happened at low speed or parking

happened while driving

313

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (71 reports) and the EPS motor or module (18 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the steering system covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Colorado

RQ19-001opened May 9, 2019

Steering · model years 2015

Loss of power steering assist. Closed may 28, 2021, led to recall 21V-213.

NHTSA summary

In May 2019 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ19-001) to assess the scope of General Motors (GM) recall 16V-054. ODI had received 50 complaints with allegations of loss of electric power steering assist while the vehicle was in motion. These complaints were for vehicles outside the scope of recall 16V-054 yet exhibited the same symptoms.ODI?s review focused on specific build months outside the recall scope that had a high electric power steering failure rate and failures that were the same or similar to those addressed by the remedy associated with recall 16V-054. ODI?s review of data supplied by GM confirmed a high failure rate for vehicles outside of the recall scope.On March 25, 2021, GM filed a defect information report recalling select 2015 Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon vehicles to remedy a potential loss of power steering assist while driving. The recall (21V-213) includes vehicles that were not addressed by recall 16V-054 and also prompted this recall query.In view of the recall, ODI is closing this recall query. Despite closing this investigation, NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment. ?

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

What owners paid

39 of the 411 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $250 to $2,500.

$250$2,000$2,500

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 47,800 and 106,000 miles, from the 134 reports that gave a mileage.

216

217

418

3019

2720

3921

4822

9723

6424

7625

2226

What owners wrote

“I was driving my 2016 Colorado of the freeway going about 70 mph. Suddenly, a stabilitrak warning came up on the dashboard and the power steering immediately turned off making the truck difficult to control. I managed to drive 20 miles home, but turning was extremely difficult. I'm frightened to drive it now. Truck has 94,000 miles on it.”
Filed Sep 19, 2024 · 94,000 miles

“The power steering cut off and on intermittently and occasionally making it very difficult to steer. This is the same problem that was recalled on 2015 models. The 2016 Colorado has the same parts as the 2015 and yet they will not recall I have been told at this is a two to $3000 repair my truck has 29,000 miles on it, and this should not be happening.”
Filed Aug 27, 2024 · 29,000 miles

“Power Steering has went out on my truck. I only have 37700 miles on this 2016 chevy colorado and think the power steering should last longer than that. It is my only vehicle and now I am being told that the part is on back order. Please can you help me?”
Filed Jan 31, 2023 · 37,700 miles

“The Power Steering is going out while Driving has happen 4 times now in 4 Days..The truck has 90,000 miles....The Radio started acting up at 50,000 miles.. The Radio will start changing flashing lights changing Modes not safe while driving at night...”
Filed Dec 2, 2021 · 90,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 5 of 411 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.