IllustrationVehicle taillights failed to function when lights come on at night. I became aware of this when another motorist stopped beside me to tell me. Fuse and lightbulbs work when tested.
2005 Chevrolet Colorado
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Colorado years
Owner complaints for the 2005 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
760–25K
6425–50K
5550–75K
4575–100K
26100–150K
22150K+
288 reports with mileage · 68 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 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
27 crash reports11 fire reports16 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
49 reportsTHE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS QUIT AND I CANT FIGURE OUT WHY. I REPLACED THE BULBS.
WIRING FOR TURNSIGNALS MELTS DOWN. THERE IS A WIRE HARNESS WITH A CONNECTOR AT THE TURN FRONT SIGNALS, THE WIRE GAUGE IS IN ADEQAUTE AND CAUSEA EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP THIS CAUSES THE WIRES AND CONNECTORS TO THE FRONT TURN SIGNALS TO MELT DOWN AND THE TURN SIGNALS BECOME INOPERABLE. I HAVE REPLACED THESE COMPONENTS TWICE DUE TO …
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WIRING FOR TURNSIGNALS MELTS DOWN. THERE IS A WIRE HARNESS WITH A CONNECTOR AT THE TURN FRONT SIGNALS, THE WIRE GAUGE IS IN ADEQAUTE AND CAUSEA EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP THIS CAUSES THE WIRES AND CONNECTORS TO THE FRONT TURN SIGNALS TO MELT DOWN AND THE TURN SIGNALS BECOME INOPERABLE. I HAVE REPLACED THESE COMPONENTS TWICE DUE TO THIA ISSUE. THE RESISTOR PACK FOR AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER FAN SPEED CONTROL MELTS AND CATCHES FIRE. I HAVE REPLACED THIS PART TWICE AND ULTIMATELY HAVE BYPASSED THE RESISTOR PACK LEAVING THE AC BLOWER WITH ONLY THE CHOICE OF HIGH SPEED OR OFF.
MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND THEN MY BREAK LIGHTS. PUT IN NEW BREAK BULBS AND THEY STILL DO NOT WORK! I WAS DRI ING WHEN CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT AND MY HUSBAND NOTICED MY BREAKS WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
I LOOKED UP MY VIN AND HAVE HAD AN ACTIVE RECALL SINCE 2006
AT DIFFERENT TIMES TURN SIGNALS, BRIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS WILL QUIT WORKING AND DASH LIGHT INDICATOR THAT AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING WILL ILLUMINATE. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN FIRST STARTING UP. AT TIMES YOU CAN PUSH STALK UP FOR A RIGHT HAND TURN AND LEFT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR WILL LIGHT UP AND BLINK. IF YOU PUSH THE STALK…
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AT DIFFERENT TIMES TURN SIGNALS, BRIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS WILL QUIT WORKING AND DASH LIGHT INDICATOR THAT AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING WILL ILLUMINATE. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN FIRST STARTING UP. AT TIMES YOU CAN PUSH STALK UP FOR A RIGHT HAND TURN AND LEFT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR WILL LIGHT UP AND BLINK. IF YOU PUSH THE STALK DOWN FOR A LEFT TURN SIGNAL NOTHING WILL HAPPEN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED IN 2007 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V139000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
SEPT OF 2014 OUR CHEVROLET COLORADO HAD ISSUES WITH NOT STARTING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS "CODE ISSUES" AND REPLACED A SAFETY SENSOR. THE ISSUE WAS NEVER RESOLVED AS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. OCT OF 2015 WHILE DRIVING, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NEVER WENT OFF. ALSO OCT 2015, ABOUT THE TIME THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, WE …
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SEPT OF 2014 OUR CHEVROLET COLORADO HAD ISSUES WITH NOT STARTING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS "CODE ISSUES" AND REPLACED A SAFETY SENSOR. THE ISSUE WAS NEVER RESOLVED AS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. OCT OF 2015 WHILE DRIVING, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NEVER WENT OFF. ALSO OCT 2015, ABOUT THE TIME THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, WE RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT A WIRE HARNESS IN THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF VEHICLE COULD CAUSE CODE PROBLEMS AND OR THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND THAT GM WOULD FIX IT AT NO COST TO US, IF THE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN 10 YRS OLD OR HAD 120,000 OR LESS MILES. LAST YEAR WHEN THIS STARTED OUR VEHICLE WAS 9 YRS OLD, YET GM WILL NOT PAY FOR IT SAYING IT'S NOT A SAFETY HAZARD. I COMPLETELY DISAGREE AS THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME, HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO KNOW IF IT'S REALLY NOT AIRBAG FAILURE AS OPPOSED TO THE FAULTY WIRE AND HARNESS? THIS LETTER WAS DATED OCT 2015 YET GM IS SAYING THE OFFER ON THIS EXPIRED OCT 29 2014 YET WE DIDN'T RECEIVE A LETTER UNTIL 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE BRAKE LAMPS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE BRAKE LAMPS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V310000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE SERVICED IN AUGUST 2012 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V310000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE SERVICED IN AUGUST 2012 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V310000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TR
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).
PE05065 · Brake Lamp Switch Failure
Opened Dec 2, 2005 · Closed May 1, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
BY LETTER DATED APRIL 26, 2006, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V139) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-06 CHEVROLET COLORADO, GMC CANYON AND 2006 MY ISUZU I280/I350 VEHICLES.GM'S RECALL COVERS 404,733 VEHICLES.GM REPORTS THAT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP ILLUMINATION WAS CAUSED BY INSUFFICIENT PLATING ON THE STATIONARY CONTACT IN THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.GM WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WITH THE NEW SWITCH THAT HAS THE INCREASED PLATING ON THE STATIONARY CONTACT.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.