← New search

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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Visibility complaints

26 reports
Clear category filter
4,000 miles · Mar 16, 2005
Electrical SystemVisibility

AIR IS SEEPING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE GLASS BECAUSE IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SEALED AT THE FACTORY. ALSO, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS COMES ON UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHT DIMS THEN BRIGHTENS AS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THIS INDICATES A FAILURE IN THE BATTERY. ALTHOUGH THE BATTERY IS FINE. THIS MAYBE DUE TO AN ELECT…

Read full complaint

AIR IS SEEPING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE GLASS BECAUSE IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SEALED AT THE FACTORY. ALSO, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS COMES ON UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHT DIMS THEN BRIGHTENS AS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THIS INDICATES A FAILURE IN THE BATTERY. ALTHOUGH THE BATTERY IS FINE. THIS MAYBE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. DEALERSHIP IS NOT BEING HELPFUL WITH RESOLVING ANY OF THE PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10115254

7,200 miles · Feb 10, 2005
Visibility

DRIVER'S SIDE DEFROSTER DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT CONDITIONS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10111288

10,000 miles · Jan 5, 2005
Visibility

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A DEFROSTER PROBLEM. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHED 20 DEGREES OR LOWER THE DEFROSTER WILL NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD, MAKING VISIBILITY VERY DIFFICULT. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT THIS WAS THE WAY VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED, AND THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10106841

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2004
VisibilityFire

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW MAKES LOUD SQUEALING AND WINDOW SKIPS WHEN MOVING UP AND DOWN (ELECTRIC WINDOWS). DRIVERS DOOR PANEL BULDGES WHEN WINDOW IS AT TOP OF IT'S TRAVEL. HAVE HAD AT CHEVROLET DEALER 4 TIMES FOR REPAIR, PROBLEM STILL THERE. WITH THE WINDOW BEING ON A BIND (DOOR BULDGING) THERE IS A DANGER ON THE WINDOW BREAKING WHE…

Read full complaint

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW MAKES LOUD SQUEALING AND WINDOW SKIPS WHEN MOVING UP AND DOWN (ELECTRIC WINDOWS). DRIVERS DOOR PANEL BULDGES WHEN WINDOW IS AT TOP OF IT'S TRAVEL. HAVE HAD AT CHEVROLET DEALER 4 TIMES FOR REPAIR, PROBLEM STILL THERE. WITH THE WINDOW BEING ON A BIND (DOOR BULDGING) THERE IS A DANGER ON THE WINDOW BREAKING WHEN ROLLING WINDOW UP TO TOP OF TRAVEL. TOLD BY CHEVROLET THEY WOULD NOT WARRANTY THIS PROBLEM ANY LONGER AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100278

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2004
VisibilityInjury

NOTICED AN 'OFF' ODOR FROM VEHICLE AFTER IT SAT OVERNIGHT THROUGHOUT THE FALL. AS VEHICLE IS TYPICALLY OPERATED WITH WINDOWS DOWN DURING THE TEMPARATE MONTHS I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. ONCE THE WEATHER CHANGED AND VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED WITH THE WINDOWS UP I STARTED TO FEEL ILL WITH RESPIRATORY DISTRESS / TIGHNESS IN THE CHEST…

Read full complaint

NOTICED AN 'OFF' ODOR FROM VEHICLE AFTER IT SAT OVERNIGHT THROUGHOUT THE FALL. AS VEHICLE IS TYPICALLY OPERATED WITH WINDOWS DOWN DURING THE TEMPARATE MONTHS I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. ONCE THE WEATHER CHANGED AND VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED WITH THE WINDOWS UP I STARTED TO FEEL ILL WITH RESPIRATORY DISTRESS / TIGHNESS IN THE CHEST AND THROAT EACH TIME I OPERATED THE VEHICLE. WHEN RETREIVING AN ITEM FROM THE FLOOR I NOTICED A VERY DISTINCT STRONG ODOR OF MILDEW. I FELT THE CARPETS AND THEY WERE DAMP TO THE TOUCH. FEELING UNDER THE CARPET I FOUND THE PADDING SATURATED FROM THE FIREWALL TO THE REAR OF THE CAB. DEALER FOUND THAT THE SEAM BETWEEN THE COWL AND CAB WAS NEVER SEALED AT THE FACTORY CAUSING WATER TO DRAIN INTO THE CAB'S FLOORPAN. DEALER HAD SPECIALIST COME AND LOCATE/REPAIR THE LEAKS IN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAB. DEALER'S INVOICE STATES THAT THE INTERIOR WAS REMOVED AND CARPETS DE-ODORIZED. UPON PICKING UP THE VEHICLE THE DISTINCT ODOR OF MILDEW CONTAMINATION REMAINED. DEALER STATED THAT IT IS NOT MANUFACTURER'S POLICY TO REPLACE THE DAMAGED CARPETING/INTERIOR MATERIALS EXCEPT FOR THE PADDING. SHAMPOOING OF THE REMAINING MATERIALS DOES NOT REMOVE MILDEW CONTAMINATION FROM THE REST OF THE INTERIOR. HAVE PETITIONED MANUFACTURER AND DEALER TO PLEASE ADDRESS CONCERNS DUE TO THE SEVERE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES. RESPONSE HAS STILL BEEN THAT THEY CAN ONLY SHAMPOO IT WHEN I SMELL SOMETHING. MANUFACTURER IS UNWILLING TO READILY/COMPLETELY REPAIR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES CAUSED BY A COVERED AND ACKNOWLEDGE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. FOR SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS THE RESULTING MOLD/MILDEW CONTAMINATION CAN HAVE SERIOUS HEATH CONSEQUENCES. INJURIES: RESPIRATORY DISTRESS / TIGHNESS IN THE CHEST AND THROAT (AL

NHTSA ODI #10097923

2,100 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Visibility

THE REARVIEW MIRROR WOULD NOT ADJUST ENOUGH TO SEE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS CAUSED A BLIND SPOT AND OBSTRUCTED THE DRIVER'S VIEW. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10071474

Official recalls

3

10V575000 · 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

2

RQ09001 · 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.