IllustrationBRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY WAS RECALLED IN 2006 AND REPLACED. 28,000 MILES LATER THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAS AGAIN FAILED. THIS HAS CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL TO AGAIN MALFUNCTION. ADDITIONALLY, THE REVERSE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED AND THE FUSE CONTINUES TO FAIL. *TR
2004 Chevrolet Colorado
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Colorado years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado are substantially higher than the model-year median of 84.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Colorado years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
790–25K
5025–50K
3950–75K
4575–100K
49100–150K
21150K+
283 reports with mileage · 78 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports13 fire reports14 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
43 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL HAVE BOTH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL #06V139000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE FAILURE RESURFACED, BUT SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. SHE WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL HAVE BOTH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL #06V139000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE FAILURE RESURFACED, BUT SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. SHE WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,200.
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 TO 4O MPH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES MADE A SOUND LIKE METAL GRINDING ON METAL. WHILE COMING TO A STOP IN 2006 SHE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT ,THERE WAS NO GRINDING ,BUT THE DEALER SAID THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYST…
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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 TO 4O MPH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES MADE A SOUND LIKE METAL GRINDING ON METAL. WHILE COMING TO A STOP IN 2006 SHE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT ,THERE WAS NO GRINDING ,BUT THE DEALER SAID THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER SAID THAT IF SHE PURCHASED A WARRANTY THEY WOULD REPAIR THE BRAKES AT NO COST TO THE CONTACT. ONCE THE CONTACT REALIZED HOW UNSAFE THE VEHICLE WAS SHE STOPPED USING THE VEHICLE, ANDWAS CURRENTLY DRIVING A RENTAL VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS LISTED ON NHTSA WEBSITE RELATED TO THIS INCIDENT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL WITH HER CURRENT REQUEST TO GAIN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECEIVED RECALL NUMBER 06V139000 ONH APRIL 26, 2006 CONCERNING EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS, THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V139000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT TWO LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE CAUSING BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. THERE WAS A RECALL # 06V139000 REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO VERIFY THE DEFECT OR ADDRESS THE ISSUE.
DRIVING FROM DEALER TO MY HOUSE AFTER BUYING TRUCK THE BRAKE LIGHTS, WIPERS, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL ALL STOPPED WORKING AT SAME TIME. *JB
I WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER TELLING ME THAT I HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. I HAD JUST PREVIOUSLY CHANGED THE BULBS, SO I SEARCHED FOR ALTERNATE PROBLEMS AND LOCATED THE RECALL NO. 06V139000. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VIN # DOES NOT MATCH THE RECALL ORDER. I CONTACTED CHEVY OWNER SUPPORT AND THEY TOLD ME…
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I WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER TELLING ME THAT I HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. I HAD JUST PREVIOUSLY CHANGED THE BULBS, SO I SEARCHED FOR ALTERNATE PROBLEMS AND LOCATED THE RECALL NO. 06V139000. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VIN # DOES NOT MATCH THE RECALL ORDER. I CONTACTED CHEVY OWNER SUPPORT AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING, THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A RECALL FOR MY VIN # AND THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE DATABASE SHOWING A RECALL EXISTED. *NM
BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. *NM
BRAKE LIGHTS & CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL 06V139000 AND GM RECALL 06030. DEALER DID NOT REPAIR UNDER RECALL BECAUSE THE VIN # DID NOT MATCH RECALL DATABASE. I THINK GM NEEDS TO EXPAND RECALL TO ALL WHO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V139000, REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Official recalls
310V575000 · Child Seat
Nov 18, 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2011, CHEVROLET COLORADO, GMC CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006, ISUZU I-280/I-350, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008, I-290/I-370, REGULAR CAB VEHICLES AND EXTENDED CAB VEHICLES WITHOUT A REAR SEAT AND EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT 60/40 SPLIT BENCH SEAT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR FOR THE FRONT CENTER SEAT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE AND THE OWNER MANUAL DOES NOT INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING HOW TO USE THE TOP TETHER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BOTH NHTSA AND GM DISCOURAGE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A FRONT SEAT. NEVERTHELESS, THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY REQUIRE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A RESTRAINT IN THE FRONT CENTER SEATING POSITION OF THIS VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT OFFER A REAR SEAT. LACK OF ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR AND A LACK OF INSTRUCTIONS AS TO HOW TO USE IT, MAY RESULT IN IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE RESTRAINT'S PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD SEATED IN THE RESTRAINT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT A HOLE INTO THE BACK PANEL TRIM COVER TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR FOR THE FRONT CENTER SEAT POSITION AND WILL PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AS TO USE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR VISIT GM'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
09V310000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Jul 29, 2009
GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, PUERTO RICO, SOUTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND UTAH. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH THAT MAY NOT WORK AS DESIGNED DUE TO CONTAMINATION IN THE SWITCH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. IN THE INTERIM, OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE CAN OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR, HOWEVER THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN WHEN THE NEW DESIGN PART BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
06V139000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Apr 27, 2006
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS MAY EXPERIENCE THE PERMANENT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP (CHMSL) IS AFFECTED IN BOTH INSTANCES. ALSO, IF EQUIPPED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE. ANY TRAILER BRAKE LAMPS WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LAMP WIRING WILL MIMIC THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LAMPS WHEN EITHER CONDITION OCCURS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2RQ09001 · Brake Lamp Switch Malfunction
Opened Feb 25, 2009 · Closed Jul 30, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
ON JULY 28,2009, GM INITIATED A REGIONAL RECALL CAMPAIGN ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES AND MY2006-2008 ISUZU I-SERIES VEHICLES.THE STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES INVOLVED ARE AL, AZ, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NV, NM, PR, SC, TX, VI AND UT.A TOTAL OF 185,903 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED WITH 92,272 VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL COVERAGE/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM WILL BE INITIATED FORVEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES. GM DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURES ARE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN VEHICLES IN WHICH CUSTOMERS USED INTERIOR CLEANERS CONTAINING SILICON AND THAT RESIDE IN HOT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS.BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONTAMINATION FAILURE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS OR THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF REAR-END CRASHES.GM HAS REPORTED NO CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.ODI INITIALLY REPORTED ONE CRASH INCIDENT, BUT LATER DOWNGRADED THE REPORT DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF ACTUAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR COST INCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LIGHTLY TAPPED FROM BEHIND AT LOW SPEED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V0310).
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
ON JULY 28,2009, GM INITIATED A REGIONAL RECALL CAMPAIGN ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES AND MY2006-2008 ISUZU I-SERIES VEHICLES.THE STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES INVOLVED ARE AL, AZ, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NV, NM, PR, SC, TX, VI AND UT.A TOTAL OF 185,903 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED WITH 92,272 VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL COVERAGE/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM WILL BE INITIATED FORVEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES. GM DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURES ARE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN VEHICLES IN WHICH CUSTOMERS USED INTERIOR CLEANERS CONTAINING SILICON AND THAT RESIDE IN HOT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS.BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONTAMINATION FAILURE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS OR THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF REAR-END CRASHES.GM HAS REPORTED NO CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.ODI INITIALLY REPORTED ONE CRASH INCIDENT, BUT LATER DOWNGRADED THE REPORT DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF ACTUAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR COST INCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LIGHTLY TAPPED FROM BEHIND AT LOW SPEED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V0310).
Exterior Lighting
ON JULY 28,2009, GM INITIATED A REGIONAL RECALL CAMPAIGN ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES AND MY2006-2008 ISUZU I-SERIES VEHICLES.THE STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES INVOLVED ARE AL, AZ, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NV, NM, PR, SC, TX, VI AND UT.A TOTAL OF 185,903 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED WITH 92,272 VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL COVERAGE/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM WILL BE INITIATED FORVEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES. GM DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURES ARE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN VEHICLES IN WHICH CUSTOMERS USED INTERIOR CLEANERS CONTAINING SILICON AND THAT RESIDE IN HOT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS.BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONTAMINATION FAILURE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS OR THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF REAR-END CRASHES.GM HAS REPORTED NO CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.ODI INITIALLY REPORTED ONE CRASH INCIDENT, BUT LATER DOWNGRADED THE REPORT DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF ACTUAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR COST INCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LIGHTLY TAPPED FROM BEHIND AT LOW SPEED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V0310).
PE04076 · Inadvertent Front Airbag Deployment
Opened Nov 10, 2004 · Closed Mar 14, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal
ALL REPORTS INDICATE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT DURING IGNITION START-UP (KEY-ON) AND WITH THE VEHICLE NOT IN MOTION.REPORTED INJURIES WERE MINOR AND CONSIST OF SKIN ABRASION AND BRUISES.THE INCIDENT DATES RANGED FROM JULY THROUGH NOVEMBER 2004.ODI HAS RECEIVED NO ADDITIONAL REPORTS SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal
ALL REPORTS INDICATE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT DURING IGNITION START-UP (KEY-ON) AND WITH THE VEHICLE NOT IN MOTION.REPORTED INJURIES WERE MINOR AND CONSIST OF SKIN ABRASION AND BRUISES.THE INCIDENT DATES RANGED FROM JULY THROUGH NOVEMBER 2004.ODI HAS RECEIVED NO ADDITIONAL REPORTS SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Air Bags
ALL REPORTS INDICATE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT DURING IGNITION START-UP (KEY-ON) AND WITH THE VEHICLE NOT IN MOTION.REPORTED INJURIES WERE MINOR AND CONSIST OF SKIN ABRASION AND BRUISES.THE INCIDENT DATES RANGED FROM JULY THROUGH NOVEMBER 2004.ODI HAS RECEIVED NO ADDITIONAL REPORTS SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.