# Chevrolet Colorado power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 810 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (424) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 810 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Chevrolet Colorado (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (424). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Chevrolet Colorado power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 335 | 498 | 67% | | 2016 | 424 | 716 | 59% | | 2017 | 12 | 216 | 6% | | 2018 | 8 | 183 | 4% | | 2019 | 13 | 150 | 9% | | 2020 | 4 | 88 | 5% | | 2021 | 7 | 80 | 9% | | 2022 | 2 | 56 | 4% | | 2023 | 3 | 138 | 2% | | 2024 | 1 | 126 | 1% | | 2026 | 1 | 20 | 5% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Chevrolet Colorado recalls related to the power steering warning light **[21V213000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V213000)** (2015 models, reported 2021-03-25): A loss of power steering, particularly at lower speeds increases the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace steering gear torque sensor cover assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 6, 2021. **[16V054000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V054000)** (2015 models, reported 2016-02-01): A loss or reduction in power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear torque sensor cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2016. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Chevrolet Colorado owners report - "Since picking up the vehicle on 10/7/26, I have noticed new symptoms: the vehicle occasionally pulls to the left when braking, and the steering feels unusually tight at times, as though the power steering is not fully engaging. A loaner vehicle (also a Chevrolet Colorado) provided to me by the dealership during an..." -- owner of a 2026 Chevrolet Colorado, complaint filed 2026 - "The next alarm was "ESV Shutting down " and I lost power steering and brakes; I tried getting the vehicle off the road out of the traffic lanes and the smoke was rapidly increasing in the cab then the engine shut down and I did my best to get the truck out of the traffic lanes and flames started coming from under..." -- owner of a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado, complaint filed 2025 - "The power steering assist stopped working intermittently (virtually impossible to steer even at speed) 2. Power brake stopped working intermittently (very hard to get vehicle to stop) Unsafe for me, would have been very unsafe for certain without significant physical strength." -- owner of a 2023 Chevrolet Colorado, complaint filed 2025 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Chevrolet Colorado power steering light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (21V213000, 16V054000) covering 2015 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Chevrolet Colorado years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2019 Colorado model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 424 for 2016. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Chevrolet Colorado with the power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### How do I check if my Chevrolet Colorado has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Chevrolet dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Chevrolet Colorado warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-colorado): 25 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-colorado): 13 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-colorado): 44 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-colorado): 106 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/chevrolet-colorado): 39 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-colorado): 128 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/gmc-sierra): 212 complaints ## Chevrolet Colorado - [Chevrolet Colorado specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/chevrolet-colorado) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.