Chevrolet Colorado 2004–2012 problems by year and mileage
1st generation · GMT355
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,354 complaints, 1,107 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
- 200456kmedian
- 200551kmedian
- 200653kmedian
- 200759kmedian
- 200853kmedian
- 200954kmedian
- 2010—too few
- 201154kmedian
- 201243kmedian
The 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
Close- Median failure report
- 56,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 361
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2004
- Electrical system88 reports · median 74,000 mi
- Body structure61 reports · median 115,000 mi
- Exterior lighting43 reports · median 48,000 mi
Recall areas Child seat · Exterior lighting — brake lights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
Close- Median failure report
- 51,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 356
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2005
- Electrical system69 reports · median 73,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit61 reports · median 48,000 mi
- Exterior lighting49 reports · median 39,000 mi
Recall areas Child seat · Exterior lighting — brake lights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
Close- Median failure report
- 53,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 236
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2006
- Electrical system69 reports · median 56,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system31 reports
- Exterior lighting30 reports
Recall areas Child seat · Exterior lighting — brake lights · Equipment — other
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
Close- Median failure report
- 59,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 140
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2007
- Electrical system45 reports · median 59,000 mi
- Exterior lighting19 reports
- Engine18 reports
Recall areas Child seat · Exterior lighting — brake lights · Wheels — rim
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
Close- Median failure report
- 53,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 81
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2008
- Electrical system32 reports
- Airbag system14 reports
- Engine8 reports
Recall areas Child seat · Exterior lighting — brake lights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Chevrolet Colorado
Close- Median failure report
- 54,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 67
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2009
- Electrical system36 reports
- Engine10 reports
- Fuel and propulsion system9 reports
Recall areas Child seat · Exterior lighting — brake lights · Fuel system, gasoline
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Chevrolet Colorado
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 29
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2010
- Electrical system12 reports
- Engine5 reports
- Airbag system4 reports
Recall areas Latches/locks/linkages — hood · Child seat
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Chevrolet Colorado
Close- Median failure report
- 54,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 42
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2011
- Electrical system14 reports
- Airbag system10 reports
- Exterior lighting4 reports
Recall areas Latches/locks/linkages — hood · Power train — automatic transmission · Visibility — windshield wiper/washer
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado
Close- Median failure report
- 43,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 42
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2012
- Airbag system9 reports
- Electrical system8 reports
- Engine8 reports
Recall areas Latches/locks/linkages — hood · Seat belts — front
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2007; earliest: the 2012, and the 2007 is 5 years older (part of the gap is age). 1 of these years carries fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and shows no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2004–2012 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 53,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 128,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,107
- Recalls
- 11
Most reported
- Electrical system27.5% of complaints · median 62,000 mi
- Exterior lighting11.7% of complaints · median 50,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit10.5% of complaints · median 43,000 mi
Documented problems
- Engine - Cylinder Head2004–2006
- Engine - Oil Consumption2004–2012
- Airbags2004–2012
- Hvac2004–2012
Owners filed 1,354 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004–2012 Chevrolet Colorado; the electrical system leads with 27.5% of them, and half of the 1,107 that record an odometer reading came by 53,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 27,000 to 90,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2004–2012 Chevrolet Colorado last?
On the 2004–2012 Chevrolet Colorado, half of the 1,107 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 53,000 miles and 90% by 128,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
68 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 12 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Colorado reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Chevrolet Colorado 2004–2012 · 1,107 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 142 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 12 complaints (1.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 6,000
- 25%
- 27,000
- Median
- 53,000
- 75%
- 90,000
- 90%
- 128,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 142 | 12.8% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 75 | 6.8% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 87 | 7.9% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 87 | 7.9% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 125 | 11.3% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 81 | 7.3% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 87 | 7.9% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 77 | 7.0% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 66 | 6.0% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 63 | 5.7% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 45 | 4.1% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 34 | 3.1% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 28 | 2.5% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 26 | 2.3% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 16 | 1.4% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 17 | 1.5% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 13 | 1.2% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 12 | 1.1% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 11 | 1.0% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 3 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 12 | 1.1% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Colorado problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Chevrolet Colorado 2004–2012
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Transmission and driveline93 reportsmedian 29,000middle half 7,000–72,000
- Engine and its cooling system96 reportsmedian 42,000middle half 20,000–72,000
- Hydraulic brake circuit142 reportsmedian 43,000middle half 19,000–60,000
- Exterior lighting159 reportsmedian 50,000middle half 35,000–80,000
- Electrical system373 reportsmedian 62,000middle half 36,000–90,000
- Airbag system134 reportsmedian 72,000middle half 43,000–116,000
- Body structure116 reportsmedian 95,000middle half 50,000–132,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 373 | 27.5% | 62,000 | 36,000–90,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 159 | 11.7% | 50,000 | 35,000–80,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 142 | 10.5% | 43,000 | 19,000–60,000 |
| Airbag system | 134 | 9.9% | 72,000 | 43,000–116,000 |
| Body structure | 116 | 8.6% | 95,000 | 50,000–132,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 96 | 7.1% | 42,000 | 20,000–72,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 93 | 6.9% | 29,000 | 7,000–72,000 |
| Engine | 85 | 6.3% | 85,000 | 43,000–105,000 |
| Brakes | 76 | 5.6% | 59,000 | 40,000–92,000 |
| Suspension | 76 | 5.6% | 38,000 | 13,000–100,000 |
Known problems with the 2004–2012 Colorado
Engine - Cylinder Head 2004–2006
Intake valve seat and valve guide wear on the Atlas I4/I5 engines. Worn guides destroy the valve stem seals, oil is drawn past the guides, and the valve seats then recess or leak, producing combustion leakage, misfire and a Service Engine Soon lamp. GM extended coverage to 7 years / 100,000 miles for the affected early trucks. 2004-2006 units are materially worse than 2007-2008.
Engine - Oil Consumption 2004–2012
Excessive oil consumption on the 3.5L/3.7L I5, linked to the valve guide/seal wear above plus high crankcase pressure and PCV system failure that pulls oil into the intake tract and airbox.
Airbags 2004–2012
Sensing and Diagnostic Module fault that can prevent frontal airbag and seat-belt pretensioner deployment; covered by a GM safety recall spanning the generation.
Hvac 2004–2012
Blend door actuator failure producing stuck temperature control and clicking behind the dash.
Before you buy a 2004–2012 Colorado: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,107 mileage-tagged complaints, 11 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 11 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine - cylinder head on 2004–2006 (2.8L/3.5L), reduced but present 2007–2008 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine - oil consumption on 2004–2012 cars.
- Check airbags on 2004–2012 cars.
- Years differ here: from 29 to 361 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Colorado problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi54% below | At 90k mi75% below | At 120k mi88% below | At 150k mi94% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 36,000–90,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 35,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 19,000–60,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 43,000–116,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 50,000–132,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 20,000–72,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 7,000–72,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Chevrolet Colorado 2004–2012 · 1,107 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 54% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 88% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 94% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2004–2012 Chevrolet Colorado recalls (11)
NHTSA records 11 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the exterior lighting (2), latches and locks (1), the seat belts (1) (why one area can repeat).
Dec 2012 · 2010–2012 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesIf the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly.
The defect. General Motors is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured from November 9, 2009, through August 28, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 113…
What can happen. If the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver and increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. General Motors will notify owners and instruct them to inspect their vehicle for the presence of a secondary hood latch. Dealers will replace the hood on any affected vehicles, free of charge. The…
Nov 2011 · 2012 · Seat BeltsThe loose connections may cause the driver to not receive a visual or audible warning that the driver seat…
The defect. General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC canyon vehicles, manufactured from september 9, 2011, through october 19, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number…
What can happen. The loose connections may cause the driver to not receive a visual or audible warning that the driver seat belt is not fastened, thereby increasing the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Gm will notify owners and dealers will replace the seat belt buckle electrical connector terminals free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before december 7, 2011. Owners may…
Jun 2011 · 2011 · Power TrainThe driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle could roll away as the driver or other…
The defect. General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC canyon passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.9 Or 3.7 Liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety…
What can happen. The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle could roll away as the driver or other occupants exit the vehicle or have exited, resulting in the possibility of the vehicle…
The free fix. Gm dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 19, 2011. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438…
May 2011 · 2011 · VisibilityDriver visibility could be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC canyon vehicles manufactured from september 22, 2010, through november 5, 2010. Some of these vehicles have the condition in which the windshield wiper motor crank arm nut may not…
What can happen. Driver visibility could be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will secure the wiper motor crank arm nut free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before may 11, 2011. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at…
Jan 2011 · 2011 · SuspensionThe driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without…
The defect. General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, Colorado, express, silverado, suburban, tahoe; and GMC canyon, sierra, savana, yukon and yukon xl vehicles. The rear axle cross pins were…
What can happen. The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
The free fix. Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at…
Nov 2010 · 2004–2011 · Child SeatBoth NHTSA and gm discourage placement of a child in a front seat.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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…
The free 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…
Jul 2009 · 2004–2009 · Exterior LightingThis condition could cause the simultaneous loss of all brake lamps or cause all of the brake lamps to stay…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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…
The free 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…
May 2009 · 2009 · Fuel System, GasolineWater in the module could cause a short or open circuit, illumination of the service engine soon lamp…
The defect. Gm is recalling 27,188 my 2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade hybrid, escalade esv, and escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, suburban, tahoe, tahoe hybrid, and Colorado; and GMC yukon, yukon hybrid, yukon xl, and canyon vehicles. The fuel system control modules…
What can happen. Water in the module could cause a short or open circuit, illumination of the service engine soon lamp, setting of diagnostic trouble codes or the engine may be hard to start, may not start or may…
The free fix. Dealers will install a new fuel system control module free of charge. The recall began on may 18, 2009. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC at…
Aug 2006 · 2007 · WheelsIf a customer replaces a wheel and only relies on the rim size designation that is indicated on the label, a…
The defect. Certain sport utility vehicles and trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles have an incomplete tire rim designation on the certification/tire label located on the…
What can happen. If a customer replaces a wheel and only relies on the rim size designation that is indicated on the label, a wheel that is of a different rim contour designation may be installed. It may be difficult…
The free fix. A label that will correct the label originally installed will be mailed to consumers along with installation instructions. The customer will have the option for dealers to install the label. The…
Apr 2006 · 2004–2006 · Exterior LightingA following driver may not know when the brakes have been applied, and a rear-end crash could occur without…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. A following driver may not know when the brakes have been applied, and a rear-end crash could occur without prior warning.
The free 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.
Dec 2005 · 2006 · EquipmentA misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result…
The defect. Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle…
What can happen. A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on march 31, 2006. Owners may contact…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,354 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 68 (5.0%)
- Fires
- 45
- Injury reports
- 46
- Fatality reports
- 5
Colorado problems by model year
The 2004 drew the most complaints of this generation, 361, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2010 the fewest, 29. A typical year drew about 81.
That makes the 2004 stand out at roughly 4.5 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 361 | 282 | 56,000 | Electrical system (88) | 3 |
| 2005 | 356 | 287 | 51,000 | Electrical system (69) | 3 |
| 2006 | 236 | 207 | 53,000 | Electrical system (69) | 4 |
| 2007 | 140 | 118 | 59,000 | Electrical system (45) | 3 |
| 2008 | 81 | 71 | 53,000 | Electrical system (32) | 2 |
| 2009 | 67 | 55 | 54,000 | Electrical system (36) | 3 |
| 2010 | 29 | 21 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (12) | 2 |
| 2011 | 42 | 35 | 54,000 | Electrical system (14) | 5 |
| 2012 | 42 | 31 | 43,000 | Airbag system (9) | 2 |
What Colorado owners reported
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. While the contact’s husband was driving into the driveway at the residence, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was parked, and the hood was opened to determine the cause of the failure. The contact’s husband discovered that the serpentine belt…
2012 · 106,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for a service appointment, the contact was informed that the sub frame underneath the vehicle was paper thin due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that…
2008 · 119,000 miles · Body structure
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…
2005 · 130,000 miles · Body structure
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while the vehicle was being serviced, the mechanic became aware that the entire subframe was extremely rusted and notified the contact. Additionally, the leaf spring on the driver’s side was also extremely rusted. The subframe was not replaced, and the…
2009 · 88,000 miles · Body structure
Built from 1,107 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Colorado generations
- Colorado 2015–2022 954 reports with mileage, most about the steering