Model year record

2005 Chevrolet Colorado recalls & problems

The 2005 Chevrolet Colorado has 3 safety recalls and 356 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (69 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints356filed by owners

Crashes · fires27 · 11reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths19 · 1reported in complaints

2005 Chevrolet Colorado in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Child seatNov 18, 2010

Child seat

Recall 10V575000192,676 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingJul 29, 2009

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 09V310000185,903 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingApr 27, 2006

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 06V139000404,733 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2005 Chevrolet Colorado Extended Cab

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	17.9%

2005 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	17.9%

2005 Chevrolet Colorado 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	17.9%

2005 Chevrolet Colorado NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2005 Chevrolet Colorado NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Colorado 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Colorado Crew Cab 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Colorado 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 5 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Colorado 4WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Colorado 4WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 5 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Colorado Crew Cab 4WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Colorado 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Colorado 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Colorado Crew Cab 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Colorado Crew Cab 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Colorado 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Colorado Crew Cab 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash	69	1	6	2	73,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Drum › Wheel cylinders	61	4	0	1	47,850 mi
Exterior lightingBrake lights › Switch; Brake lights	55	1	1	0	39,495 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	33	15	0	10	96,000 mi
Power trainTransfer case (4-wheel drive); Axle assembly	27	0	1	0	32,150 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Springs › Torsion bar	24	1	0	0	17,465 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	24	0	1	0	47,400 mi
Service brakes	20	0	0	0	67,500 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments	19	1	0	0	79,500 mi
TiresTread/belt; Temporary/emergency spare tire	14	0	0	0	13,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	14	0	0	0	40,995 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor	11	0	2	0	47,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Frame and members
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud banging sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the side frame of the vehicle was fractured. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000
Sep 9, 2025 · 130,000 miles
Structure › Body
The FRAME rotten away
Jul 19, 2023
Suspension
My truck bed is resting against my cab due to frame rot. There is big chunks missing from the frame.
Mar 1, 2023
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 body and engine is in good shape. 105000 miles on vehicle.
Nov 30, 2021
Exterior lighting
Vehicle 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.
Mar 19, 2022
Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHENEVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE CHASSIS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000.
Feb 25, 2021 · 169,000 miles
Engine
MOTOR COMPRESSION,
Mar 23, 2021
Exterior lighting
THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS QUIT AND I CANT FIGURE OUT WHY. I REPLACED THE BULBS.
Jan 20, 2021

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONClosedLed to recall 09V310000
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…
RQ09001 · opened Feb 25, 2009 · closed Jul 30, 2009
BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILUREClosedLed to recall 06V139000
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.
PE05065 · opened Dec 2, 2005 · closed May 1, 2006