2005 Chevrolet Colorado: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 356 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (17% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 356 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2025
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2022
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2021
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2020
“Quiet morning no traffic. I was driving east on 28th street in grand rapids, mi. Between 15-20 miles I was approaching a traffic light.no potholes, small dents on the road when suddenly out of no where the air bags exploited and deployed out. The air bag hit my right hand and also block my visibility. This incident cause to hit the car in front of me, it took me by surprise.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2020
“Had vehicle on lift for safety inspection found the frame of the vehicle rotted out behind the cab near the left leaf spring mount. The spring mount has since collapsed into the frame making the vehicle inoperable and a safety hazard. No parts are available from the manufacturer to repair. There are many documented instances of a problem with these frames rotting out in the same area or worse.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet colorado. The contact stated that the power steering fluid was leaking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who noticed that the frame was corroded through and was fractured between the bed and cab. The vehicle was repaired. The contact called spritzer chevrolet amherst (200 n leavitt rd, amherst, oh 44001, (440) 703-6350) and was referred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2019
“Ignitinion switch triggers anti-theft secure on truck so it would not start I wait for 10 minutes then it starts, dealership could not tell me a few years ago when I took it, and mechanics tell me its a defected ignition switch but only dealer can fix it, its a recall thing from what mechanics are telling me. Its a shame mechanics outside the dealership know more then dealership on what it is been recall.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2019
“Was driving my 2005 chevy colorado and very tired veered off the county road, hit a utility pole on left side front and truck rolled over air bags never deployed”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 27 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Colorado by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
NHTSA has 356 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Colorado problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 53,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning child seat. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.