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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

11 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2023
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

The FRAME rotten away

NHTSA ODI #11535455

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2022
Unknown Or Other

The driver side frame has rusted through in more than on location. Passenger side frame has rust but still solid. Dealership and private mechanic said this is a common problem with 2005 Colorado. Dealership will not buy vehicle for liability reasons. Frame could crack while driving and cause unsafe driving conditions. The bod…

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The driver side frame has rusted through in more than on location. Passenger side frame has rust but still solid. Dealership and private mechanic said this is a common problem with 2005 Colorado. Dealership will not buy vehicle for liability reasons. Frame could crack while driving and cause unsafe driving conditions. The body and engine is in good shape. 105000 miles on vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11457514

1,816,000 miles · Aug 12, 2020
SuspensionUnknown Or OtherWheels

I'M ON DISABILITY ,HARD OF HEARING, AND BAD SPINE,,,BUT I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK AT FIELDMANS IN LANSING MICH,,THE DEALER OR CARFAX DID NOT MENTION THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND BROKE ON DRIVER SIDE REAR LEAFSPINGS,,NOW WHAT DO I DO

NHTSA ODI #11348866

95,000 miles · Jan 1, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I'VE TRIED TO HAVE A GARAGE REPAIR/FIX MY HEATER/FAN MOTOR THREE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. HEATER WORKS ON HIGH ONLY...AND NOT ON ANY OTHER SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI #11292472

280,000 miles · Jul 26, 2019
Unknown Or Other

WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING AND HEARD A LOUD POP AS I WAS MOVING THROUGH MY RURAL TOWN, THE TRUCK STARTED TO HANDLE FUNNY. ONCE I GOT TO WORK I NOTICED THE BED DIDNT LOOK RIGHT. THE FRAME WAS CRACKED. BAD STEEL MADE IT RUST OUT BEFORE THE BODY. I DONT THINK THE FRAME WAS DESIGNED CORRECTLY OR MAYBE THE STEEL WAS POOR QUAL…

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WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING AND HEARD A LOUD POP AS I WAS MOVING THROUGH MY RURAL TOWN, THE TRUCK STARTED TO HANDLE FUNNY. ONCE I GOT TO WORK I NOTICED THE BED DIDNT LOOK RIGHT. THE FRAME WAS CRACKED. BAD STEEL MADE IT RUST OUT BEFORE THE BODY. I DONT THINK THE FRAME WAS DESIGNED CORRECTLY OR MAYBE THE STEEL WAS POOR QUALITY.

NHTSA ODI #11235138

74,000 miles · May 31, 2019
Unknown Or Other

BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE FRAME RAILS ARE SERIOUSLY DETERIORATED WITH LARGE AMOUNTS OF THE STEEL MISSING. THE REMAINING FRAME IS HEAVILY RUSTED. THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK BED IS BEGINNING TO SINK DUE TO THE MISSING FRAME STEEL. THERE IS A REAL POSSIBILITY OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FRAME WHICH WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL …

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BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE FRAME RAILS ARE SERIOUSLY DETERIORATED WITH LARGE AMOUNTS OF THE STEEL MISSING. THE REMAINING FRAME IS HEAVILY RUSTED. THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK BED IS BEGINNING TO SINK DUE TO THE MISSING FRAME STEEL. THERE IS A REAL POSSIBILITY OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FRAME WHICH WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11217123

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2017
Unknown Or Other

TRUCK FRAME FAILURE AT THE WELD POINT OF THE REAR LEAF SPRING (FRONT FRAME MOUNT), DUE TO CORROSION.

NHTSA ODI #10984418

157,233 miles · Dec 3, 2016
Unknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL MY 2005 CHEVY COLORADO THE FRAME ON PASSAGER SIDE FRAME HAS A HOLE IN IT AND DUE TO RUST IF NOT FIXED SOON THE FRAME WILL BE INTO BE VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON ANY ROAD FRAME. SOULD NOT BE BAD IN 11 YEARS I CAN SEND PICS TO JUST SAW THIS LAST OIL CHANGE.

NHTSA ODI #10929754

35,000 miles · Apr 15, 2016
Unknown Or Other

MY TRUCK HAS STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. EVERYTHING SEEMS TO SHUT DOWN AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE SYMBOL COMES ON. AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO, IT STARTS BUT DOES THE SAME THING AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10855710

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

NO SPEED REQUIRED. THE A/C & HEATER NOT WORKING. IT WAS FIXED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WORKED FOR A SERIES OF MONTHS AND THEN IT BEGAN ACTING UP AGAIN TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND IT HAD JUST GONE OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE ISSUE WAS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY REFUSED TO COMPLETE THEIR WORK. IN THE WINTER OR D…

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NO SPEED REQUIRED. THE A/C & HEATER NOT WORKING. IT WAS FIXED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WORKED FOR A SERIES OF MONTHS AND THEN IT BEGAN ACTING UP AGAIN TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND IT HAD JUST GONE OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE ISSUE WAS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY REFUSED TO COMPLETE THEIR WORK. IN THE WINTER OR DURING DAMP WEATHER IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE DUE TO WINDSHIELD FOGGING UP. IT PRESENTS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #10724590

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.