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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

What owners actually said

356 reports
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

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2005
Structure

THERE IS AN UNDISCOVERED LEAK THAT IS COMING THROUGH THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS SOAKING UP THE SEAT BELT AND SEAT DUE TO CORROSION. THIS COULD PREVENT THE SEAT BELT OR SEAT FROM WORKING AND PROVIDING PROPER SAFETY TO THE PASSENGER. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10115251

435 miles · Mar 1, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

A.B.S. FAILURE AT 450 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10112330

5,000 miles · Jan 24, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 CHEVY COLORADO IN NOVEMBER, 2004. I DID MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AT ABOUT 500 MILES. MY SECOND OIL CHANGE WAS DONE ABOUT 2,000 MILES. AT THAT TIME I NOTICED OIL DRIPPING FROM THE REAR PORTION OF THE ENGINE. I PULLED OFF A RUBBER COVER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION AND NOTICED DRIPS COMING FROM THE REAR MAIN…

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I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 CHEVY COLORADO IN NOVEMBER, 2004. I DID MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AT ABOUT 500 MILES. MY SECOND OIL CHANGE WAS DONE ABOUT 2,000 MILES. AT THAT TIME I NOTICED OIL DRIPPING FROM THE REAR PORTION OF THE ENGINE. I PULLED OFF A RUBBER COVER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION AND NOTICED DRIPS COMING FROM THE REAR MAIN SEAL AREA. I CALLED THE DEAL AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN, WHICH I DID. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I RECEIVED CALL TELLING ME THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS LEAKING AND THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE IT, SAYING IT WAS A FACTORY ASSEMBLY ERROR. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER I CHANGED THE OIL AGAIN AT ABOUT 3,500 MILES AND NOTICED OIL LEAKING AGAIN FROM THE SAME AREA. I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN AND WAS TOLD DOUBTFUL IT IS THE SEAL AGAIN, BUT TO BRING IT IN. AGAIN I GOT A CALL SAYING THE SEAL WAS IN FACT LEAKING AGAIN AND THEY WOULD AGAIN NEED TO REPLACE IT. NOW A FEW WEEKS LATER, I WENT TO CHANGE THE OIL AT ABOUT 4,800 MILES ON IT ( I DO CHANGE MY OIL FREQUENTLY) AND SURE ENOUGH, THERE WAS OIL DRIPPING FROM THE SAME AREA. THIS TIME I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY NEED TO CONTACT CHEVY TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR POSSIBLE ANSWERSS. I STILL HAVE AN OIL LEAK AT THE REAR MAIN SEAL... *NM

NHTSA ODI #10107780

7,036 miles · Jan 7, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT BRAKES SHOWED WEAR AT 7000 MILES OIL CHANGE, PARTS HAD TO BE SPECIAL ORDERED , TOLD TO DRIVE VEHICLE TIL THEY ARRIVED,, ON 1/4/2005 PART INSTALLED AND MECHANIC TEST DROVE, AND REAR DRUM DRUM BRAKES FAILED,(PISTONS "BLEW OUT" OF CYLINDERS) I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BRAKE SYSTEM THAT WAS DESIGNED SO IF THE SHOES WORE OUT AND "SC…

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FRONT BRAKES SHOWED WEAR AT 7000 MILES OIL CHANGE, PARTS HAD TO BE SPECIAL ORDERED , TOLD TO DRIVE VEHICLE TIL THEY ARRIVED,, ON 1/4/2005 PART INSTALLED AND MECHANIC TEST DROVE, AND REAR DRUM DRUM BRAKES FAILED,(PISTONS "BLEW OUT" OF CYLINDERS) I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BRAKE SYSTEM THAT WAS DESIGNED SO IF THE SHOES WORE OUT AND "SCORED" THE DRUMS THE PISTONS WOULD LEAVE THE CYLINDERS ,, CAUSING THE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVEN WITH ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM , CAUSE VERY POOR BRAKING, (THINK IF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED ON AN EXPRESSWAY,, WITH A FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE),.,.SUDDENLY NO REAR BRAKES,,,,,,,,AND IN MY OPIONON,, JUST A COUPLE OF MILIMETERS MORE LENGTH ON THE CYLINDERS AND PISTION COULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM,.. BUT CHEVY ALTHOUGH REPLACING THE PARTS , SAYS IT WAS DUE TO WEAR. (I AM A US POSTAL RURAL CARRIER) I SAY IT IS A DESIGN FAULT, MINE JUST HAPPENED SOONER , AND MAYBE IN TIME TO SAVE SOME LIVES IF THEY "FIX" THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10105918

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2004
SuspensionTires

VEHICLE EXHIBITS A ROUGH SHIMMY OR VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SOME VIBRATION EVIDENT AT ALL SPEEDS BUT WORSE AT 55 OR FASTER. INTENSITY OF VIBRATION VARIES, SOMETIMES NOT SO BAD, OTHER TIMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER SAYS NO PROBLEM DETECTED. VEHICLE IS NEW 2005 COLORADO WITH 850 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10102757

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.