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
What owners actually said
361 reports
118,000 miles · Mar 1, 2019
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TRUCK BED MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR OF THE CABIN. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TRUCK BED MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR OF THE CABIN. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. *TT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11183374
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2019
Structure
MY GAS TANK FELL BECAUSE MY FRAME IS RUSTING AND WON'T HOLD IT THIS IS MY WORK TRUCK AND I REALLY NEED IT FIXED ITS VERY DANGEROUS MY FRAME HAS VERY BAD RUST PROBLEM
NHTSA ODI #11181023
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2019
EngineService BrakesStructure
TRUCK HAS 25,000 MILES. I DO NOT DRIVE IT OFTEN BECAUSE FUEL ECONOMY HAS NEVER BEEN AS ADVERTISED, NO BETTER THAN 15 MPG. WHEN IT WORKED, IT WAS FUN TO DRIVE. NOW FAILS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE FRAME IS SEVERELY RUSTED, MY TRUCK IS NOW UNSAFE. NOT COST EFFECTIVE TO REPAIR, I HAVE TO SELL AS SCRAP. RADIO REPLACED ONCE. BLOWER …
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TRUCK HAS 25,000 MILES. I DO NOT DRIVE IT OFTEN BECAUSE FUEL ECONOMY HAS NEVER BEEN AS ADVERTISED, NO BETTER THAN 15 MPG. WHEN IT WORKED, IT WAS FUN TO DRIVE. NOW FAILS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE FRAME IS SEVERELY RUSTED, MY TRUCK IS NOW UNSAFE. NOT COST EFFECTIVE TO REPAIR, I HAVE TO SELL AS SCRAP. RADIO REPLACED ONCE. BLOWER WORKS BUT VERY NOISY. ABS SENSORS WERE REPLACED AFTER 10,000 MILES AND NEED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. I HAVE REPLACED INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS AFTER 21K MILES. I HAVE REPLACED GAS TANK GASKET AND EXTERIOR CAB BRAKE LIGHT. ALSO REPLACED TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE DUE TO RUST. TUBE ON RACK AND PINION RUSTED AND REPLACED. TINY COOLANT LEAK THAT I CANT FIND. ALL I CAN REMEMBER. MOST FAULTY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. NEVER BUY A FIRST YEAR MODEL OF ANY VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11174634
62,000 miles · Jan 28, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL OR ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE ABS, STABILITY CONTROL, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL OR ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE ABS, STABILITY CONTROL, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
NHTSA ODI #11172628
171,000 miles · Jan 11, 2019
Structure
VEHICLE IS IN GREAT CONDITION. FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH WHERE THE CAB MEETS THE BED. SO MUCH THAT THE FRAME BENT AND THE BED IS UP AGAINST THE CAB
NHTSA ODI #11166529
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2018
Unknown Or Other
NOTICED THE FRAME IS ROTTING OUT AND NEEDS TO GET FIXED BEFORE IT CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY DEATH .IT WAS SITTING STILL WHEN NOTICE
NHTSA ODI #11154292
128,000 miles · Nov 23, 2018
Structure
ENTIRE FRAME OF TRUCK RUSTED AND CRACKED THROUGH. WHEN LOOKING ON THE INTERNET THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MULTIPLE 2004 COLORADOS. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN I NOTICED THE FRAME HANGING IN THE BACK.
NHTSA ODI #11153375
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2018
Unknown Or Other
THE FRAME IS ROTTED NEEDS REPLACED OR ITS GONNA GET ME KILLED IT THE ONLY TRUCK I HAVE I STILL OWE $9000 ON IT PLEASE HELP ME THANKS
NHTSA ODI #11145300
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2018
Unknown Or Other
THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE JUST UNDER THE EXTENDED CAN IS CRACKED, AND THE FRAME JUST BEHIND EXTENDED CAN DRIVER SIDE IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT TO THE POINT THE LEAF SPRING MOUNT IS COLLAPSING INTO THE FRAME.
NHTSA ODI #11144962
100,000 miles · Jul 15, 2018
Unknown Or Other
NOTICED SEVERELY RUSTED FRAME ON 2004 CHEVY COLORADO JUST IN FRONT OF LEAF SPRINGS BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE. DRIVER SIDE MORE SEVERE AS PART HAS ROLLED INTO FRAME. PICTURES ATTACHED.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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.
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