OBD diagnostics · purchase protection

2016 Chevrolet Colorado
Common Problems & Inspection Guide

Verify baseline vehicle system stability data. Learn what to check on the physical vehicle computer before signing a bill of sale.

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Platform Heritage

The Chevrolet Colorado (sharing mechanical commonality with the GMC Canyon) is a series of compact pickup trucks (first generation) and mid-size pickup trucks (since second generation) marketed by American automaker General Motors. They were introduced in 2004 to replace the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC S-15/Sonoma compact pickups. The Colorado is named after the U.S. state of Colorado, while the Canyon took its name from the deep chasm between cliffs.

Source: Wikipedia intro extract · as of Jun 19, 2026

Key facts for this model year

692NHTSA owner complaints
4Safety recalls on file
290Top issue reports · Steering
$0Typical OEM recall remedy cost to you

~6.5k average monthly buyer searches in the US (google ads data · as of Jun 19, 2026). Run a MotoMetrics scan for your VIN to see live repair exposure.

Verify the data — open primary sources · as of Jun 19, 2026

System Defect Summaries & Field Data

Active safety recalls on file: 4 (source: NHTSA Recalls API · as of Jun 19, 2026)

Top NHTSA complaint categories

Recent recall summaries

Campaign 17V621000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · API record

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Campaign 18V358000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · API record

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

Campaign 15V807000 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES · API record

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado trucks manufactured August 25, 2015 to September 24, 2015, and GMC Canyon trucks manufactured August 28, 2015 to September 24, 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."

Campaign 16V125000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · API record

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

YouTube voice themes below are research hints only — verify against NHTSA data before citing.

Search demand cross-check: ~6,463 avg monthly intent searches (source: google ads data · as of Jun 19, 2026)

On-Site Chevrolet Colorado Pre-Purchase Checklist

  1. Verify OBD-II readiness monitors are complete (not recently cleared) using a full protocol scan.
  2. Compare dashboard mileage to ECU-stored odometer modules where accessible.
  3. Pull permanent and pending DTCs — not only stored codes visible on the dash.
  4. Inspect systems related to STEERING (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  5. Inspect systems related to STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  6. Inspect systems related to POWER TRAIN (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  7. Inspect systems related to SERVICE BRAKES (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  8. Inspect systems related to STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) (NHTSA complaint cluster — verify during test drive and PPI).
  9. Confirm recall remedy completed for AIR BAGS:FRONTAL (campaign 17V621000).
  10. Confirm recall remedy completed for FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP (campaign 18V358000).
  11. Confirm recall remedy completed for LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (campaign 15V807000).
  12. Run a MotoMetrics on-site scan for Chevrolet Colorado before signing the bill of sale.

Alternative Inferences & Cross-Shopping Matrix

Adjacent model years for this nameplate and equivalent footprints shoppers compare across brands.

Generational cohorts

2021 Chevrolet Colorado 2025 Chevrolet Colorado

Class competitors

2016 About Us 2016 Acura Rdx 2016 Buick Encore 2016 Car Finder 2016 Car Recalls 2016 Chevrolet Sonic 2016 Chevrolet Spark 2016 Chevrolet Trax

Vehicle health varies wildly by individual history. Aggregate recall and complaint data cannot tell you whether the specific car on the lot had its monitors cleared or its odometer rolled back. Verify the physical or digital scan before you sign a bill of sale.

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