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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Power Train complaints

27 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2005
Power Train

I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER 7 TIMES BECAUSE IT SUDDENLY AND ON ITS OWN SHIFTS INTO 4H FROM 2H. ONCE, THIS HAPPENED AT 45 MPH AND THE VEHICLE'S SUDDEN SHIFTING INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE THREW ME ONTO A ROCKY SHOULDER. DEALER REPEATEDLY SAYS HE CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT,BECAUSE CHEVROLET DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. …

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I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER 7 TIMES BECAUSE IT SUDDENLY AND ON ITS OWN SHIFTS INTO 4H FROM 2H. ONCE, THIS HAPPENED AT 45 MPH AND THE VEHICLE'S SUDDEN SHIFTING INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE THREW ME ONTO A ROCKY SHOULDER. DEALER REPEATEDLY SAYS HE CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT,BECAUSE CHEVROLET DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. INCIDENTS ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. COMPUTERS HAVE BEEN REPROGRAMMED, WHICH DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. LATEST INCIDENT DELINEATED BELOW. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10145994

25,000 miles · Dec 14, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

ABOUT 1 YR. AND 1 MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT A CHEVY COLORADO, THE THING SHUT OFF ON ME. THE FIRST TIME IT LEFT ME ON THE SIDE OF I-55 AND DID NOT WANT TO START. IT DID THOUGH, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, IT SOON WENT OFF. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. IT HAS SHUT OFF ON ME 4 MORE TIMES. THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE TRUCK B/C …

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ABOUT 1 YR. AND 1 MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT A CHEVY COLORADO, THE THING SHUT OFF ON ME. THE FIRST TIME IT LEFT ME ON THE SIDE OF I-55 AND DID NOT WANT TO START. IT DID THOUGH, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, IT SOON WENT OFF. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. IT HAS SHUT OFF ON ME 4 MORE TIMES. THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE TRUCK B/C IT IS NOT STORING "CODES". ALSO, THE TRACTION CONTROL ON THE TRUCK SEEMS TO ENGADGE ITSELF AT THE ODDEST OF TIMES WHEN THERE IS REALLY NO TIRE SLIPPAGE AND THIS HAS ME SPUTTERING AND JUMPING WHILE I'M TRYING TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC. AT FIRST START UP, THE TRUCK HAS ALWAYS MADE THIS RATTLING PING NOISE OUT OF THE MUFFLER. EVERY TIME I STEP OUT OF THE TRUCK, I SHOCKS ME, I BELEIVE DUE TO THE NYLON IN THE FABRIC SEATS. THE TURN SIGNAL WILL ONLY "TICK TOCK" WHEN IT WANTS TO. THE HOOD ON THE TRUCK WILL "BOW" OR "BUBBLE" IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY ON THE INERSTATE WHEN THERE IS SOME LITTLE WIND BLOWING OUTSIDE. THE ALARM ON THE TRUCK HAS GONE CRAZY ON ME A FEW TIMES. I CAN UNLOCK THE DOOR, IT WILL GO OFF BUT THE RADIO INSIDE THE TRUCK WILL BE PLAYING. IF I WERE TO CRANCK THE TRUCK UP, TURN THE ENGINE OFF, GET OUT, AND LOCK THE DOOR, THE ALARM WILL BE GOING OFF ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER. THIS CYCLE WILL KEEP GOING ON UNTIL I RESET THE COMPUTER BY PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL THREE TIMES. ALL THE DEALER AND GM WANTS TO OFFER ME IS AN EXTENDED WARRENTY, WHICH THE WARRENTY I HAVE NOW IS DOING ME ABSOLUTELY NO JUSTICE, I REFUSED IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY CANNOT WORK ON THE TRUCK B/C THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS AT WHICH THEY DROVE IT TWICE, AND THE COMPUTER IS NOT STORING CODES. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE COMPLEATELY SPURRATIC AND UNPREDICTABLE. I HAVE INVESTED ALOT OF MONEY INTO THIS TRUCK AND STILL OWE ON IT. I REFUSE TO BE FORCED TO PAY FOR AND DRIVE A HAZZARD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10145232

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2005
Power Train

MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING INTO 1ST, 2ND, OR 3RD GEARS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10142469

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2005
EquipmentPower Train

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS PUSH BUTTONS TO CHANGE TO 4-WHEEL DRIVE. WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE CHANGED FROM 2-WHEEL DRIVE TO 4-WHEEL DRIVE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROLS. THE DEALER CHANGED THE COMPUTER AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. CALLER SAID LOANER VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING. MANUFACTU…

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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS PUSH BUTTONS TO CHANGE TO 4-WHEEL DRIVE. WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE CHANGED FROM 2-WHEEL DRIVE TO 4-WHEEL DRIVE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CONTROLS. THE DEALER CHANGED THE COMPUTER AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. CALLER SAID LOANER VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM EITHER. HAD VEHICLE 7 TIMES AT DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK THE AIR CONDITION WAS NOT COOLING PROPERLY, THEREFORE THE DEALER REPLACED THE AC CONDENSER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10127479

1,200 miles · Jun 25, 2005
Power Train

REAR DRIVE SHAFT BROKE OFF AT UNIVERSAL JOINT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON 5/31/05

NHTSA ODI #10126574

1,721 miles · May 31, 2005
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH I STRUCK A PIECE OF ROAD DEBRIS ( APPROX 6" PIECE OF A MUFFLER). THE DEBRIS MUST HAVE HIT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE GEAR SHIFTER AND THE TRANSMISSION AND THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY DOWN SHIFTED TO 2ND GEAR FROM DRIVE. THE PIECE THAT BROKE WAS A PLASTIC CONECTION DEVICE THAT CO…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH I STRUCK A PIECE OF ROAD DEBRIS ( APPROX 6" PIECE OF A MUFFLER). THE DEBRIS MUST HAVE HIT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE GEAR SHIFTER AND THE TRANSMISSION AND THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY DOWN SHIFTED TO 2ND GEAR FROM DRIVE. THE PIECE THAT BROKE WAS A PLASTIC CONECTION DEVICE THAT CONNECTED THE CABLES OF THE GEAR SHIFTER TO THE LEVERS OF THE TRANSMISSION. WHAT CONCERNS ME IS TWO ISSUES: THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID STATED THAT HE SEES THIS ALL THE TIME ON CHEVY'S AND HAD I BEEN DRIVING FASTER (HIGHWAY SPEEDS) AND THE VEHICLE DID SUCH A SUDDEN DOWN SHIFT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIIDENT. MY FINAL COMMENT/QUESTION, WHY WOULD SUCH AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT BE PLACED IN SUCH A VULNERABLE POSITION AND WHY WOULD IS BE MADE OF PLASTIC AND NOT SHIELDED IN SOME MANNER.

NHTSA ODI #10122491

750 miles · Mar 19, 2005
Power Train

2005 COLORADO LS 4X4 ON MAKING LEFT TURNS TRUCK HAS SRAPING /POPPING NOISE THAT GETS WORSE THE LONGER YOU DRIVE.ALSO AT DEAD STOP WHEN STANDING ON EITHER SIDE OF TRUCK BED PUSHING THE TRUCK SIODE TO SIDE BY HAND A BAD POPPING NOISE COMES FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL,TAKING TO DEALER 3-21-05. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10114340

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).

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.