2016 Chevrolet Colorado maintenance schedule

The 2016 Colorado is part of the GMT31XX generation (2015-2022), sold as a pickup. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2016 Colorado needs, and when

All 13 of these items come from Chevrolet's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Chevrolet's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

Per OLM

7,500 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Engine air filter

Inspect at 22.5k

45,000 mi / 4 yearsManufacturer
Cabin air filter22,500 mi / 2 yearsManufacturer
Tire rotation7,500 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Brake fluid

Replace fluid

45,000 mi / 3 yearsManufacturer
Engine coolant150,000 mi / 5 yearsManufacturer
Transmission fluid

Severe schedule

45,000 miManufacturer
Spark plugs (LCV, LFX, LGZ)

2.5L/3.6L only

97,500 miManufacturer
Timing belt (LWN)

Timing belt on 2.8L Diesel

150,000 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
Serpentine belt97,500 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
Differential and transfer case fluid

4WD/Severe duty

45,000 miManufacturer
PCV valve (LCV, LFX, LGZ)97,500 miManufacturer
12V batteryInspect, replace as neededManufacturer

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
5W-20 (LCV), 5W-30 (LFX/LGZ), 5W-30 dexos2 (LWN)
Coolant
Dex-Cool
Transmission fluid
Dexron VI (6spd) / Mobil 1 LV ATF HP (8L45)

Powertrains in this generation

  • 2.5L 4-cyl (LCV), 200 hp, 6-speed auto / manual, RWD/4WD
  • 3.6L 6-cyl (LFX/LGZ), 6-speed / 8-speed auto, RWD/4WD
  • 2.8L 4-cyl diesel (LWN), 181 hp, 6-speed auto, RWD/4WD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2016 Colorado owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

Worn valve seats

high severity

60,000-120,000 mi · $1,800-$3,800 to fix

Cylinder misfire, code P0300

Source: repairpal.com

AC blower resistor

low severity

40,000-90,000 mi · $110-$280 to fix

Fan stuck on high speed only

Source: repairpal.com

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Chevrolet dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA 18V358000

May 2018

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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

October 2017

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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17387.

March 2016

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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.

Latches/locks/linkages

NHTSA 15V807000

December 2015

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."

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the console compartment door latch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on January 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16370.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$744
Five years of maintenance
$4,320
The major service near 100,000 mi
$2,160

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other Colorado model years

GMT31XX-2 (2023-2026)

GMT31XX (2015-2022)

Shopping new? The Chevrolet Colorado guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-18. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running a Colorado for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2016 Colorado earns before you buy it.

Free to start. No card, and we never sell your details to a dealer.