Chevrolet Colorado 2004–2012
1st generation · GMT355
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,862 complaints, 1,508 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 26,000 and 90,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 17 complaints (1.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 6,486
- 25%
- 26,000
- Median
- 54,000
- 75%
- 90,000
- 90%
- 130,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 131 | 8.7% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 56 | 3.7% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 66 | 4.4% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 36 | 2.4% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 61 | 4.0% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 69 | 4.6% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 45 | 3.0% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 73 | 4.8% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 85 | 5.6% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 83 | 5.5% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 59 | 3.9% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 52 | 3.4% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 61 | 4.0% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 52 | 3.4% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 42 | 2.8% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 58 | 3.8% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 38 | 2.5% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 53 | 3.5% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 41 | 2.7% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 43 | 2.9% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 35 | 2.3% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 25 | 1.7% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 24 | 1.6% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 28 | 1.9% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 26 | 1.7% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 13 | 0.9% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 23 | 1.5% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 13 | 0.9% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 18 | 1.2% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 12 | 0.8% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 10 | 0.7% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 11 | 0.7% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 8 | 0.5% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 12 | 0.8% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 14 | 0.9% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 17 | 1.1% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,862 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004–2012 Chevrolet Colorado, and 1,508 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 26,000 and 90,000 miles. The median is 54,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (20.1% of complaints, typically around 62,000 miles), the exterior lighting (9.1% of complaints, typically around 48,000 miles), the hydraulic brake circuit (7.7% of complaints, typically around 43,000 miles).
6 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Electrical system62,000median 62,000 miles, middle half 36,000 to 90,000
- Exterior lighting48,000median 48,500 miles, middle half 35,000 to 77,000
- Hydraulic brake circuit43,000median 43,125 miles, middle half 19,000 to 60,000
- Airbag system72,000median 71,750 miles, middle half 43,000 to 116,000
- Body structure92,000median 92,000 miles, middle half 46,000 to 131,000
- Engine and its cooling system45,000median 45,000 miles, middle half 21,000 to 72,000
- Transmission and driveline29,000median 28,650 miles, middle half 7,000 to 72,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 374 | 20.1% | 62,000 | 36,000–90,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 169 | 9.1% | 48,000 | 35,000–77,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 143 | 7.7% | 43,000 | 19,000–60,000 |
| Airbag system | 134 | 7.2% | 72,000 | 43,000–116,000 |
| Body structure | 119 | 6.4% | 92,000 | 46,000–131,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 98 | 5.3% | 45,000 | 21,000–72,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 94 | 5.0% | 29,000 | 7,000–72,000 |
| Engine | 85 | 4.6% | 85,000 | 43,000–105,000 |
| Suspension | 77 | 4.1% | 35,000 | 13,000–100,000 |
| Brakes | 76 | 4.1% | 59,000 | 40,000–92,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 54,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 20.1% of complaints (374 reports, 314 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 62,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 36,000 and 90,400 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 9.1% of complaints (169 reports, 138 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 48,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,060 and 77,000 miles.
The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 7.7% of complaints (143 reports, 122 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 43,125 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 19,000 and 60,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 7.2% of complaints (134 reports, 112 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 71,750 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 43,000 and 116,347 miles.
Body structure accounts for 6.4% of complaints (119 reports, 91 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 92,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,000 and 130,805 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 5.3% of complaints (98 reports, 85 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 45,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 21,000 and 72,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2004 model year drew the most — 502 complaints — while 2010 drew the fewest at 48. The median year sits at 130.
That makes 2004 an outlier: roughly 3.9 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 6 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 1,862 complaints filed against this generation, 88 reported a crash; 66 reported a fire; 69 reported an injury; 6 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 4.7% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 26,000 and 90,000 miles, with a median of 54,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the exterior lighting are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The exterior lighting in particular shows a median failure mileage of 48,500, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine - Cylinder Head 2004–2006 (2.8L/3.5L), reduced but present 2007–2008
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 502 | 396 |
| 2005 | 459 | 361 |
| 2006 | 323 | 278 |
| 2007 | 199 | 157 |
| 2008 | 130 | 118 |
| 2009 | 87 | 72 |
| 2010 | 48 | 34 |
| 2011 | 54 | 47 |
| 2012 | 60 | 45 |
Recalls (6)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 12V594000 | 2013-01-24 | Latches/Locks/Linkages:hood:latch |
| 11V552000 | 2011-12-07 | Seat Belts:front |
| 11V337000 | 2011-07-19 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl) |
| 11V276000 | 2011-05-13 | Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor |
| 11V007000 | 2011-01-11 | Suspension:rear:axle:spindle |
| 10V575000 | 2010-12-14 | Child Seat |
What owners reported
Dt*: the contact stated that while waiting at the traffic light, the engine raced and accelerated as if it was engaging to 50 MPH. In an attempt to prohibit the vehicle from accelerating, the clutch was engaged while depressing the brake pedal. There was also a sulphur smell inside the vehicle. The vehicle was…
2004 · 7 miles · Engine and its cooling system
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact was driving approximately 45-65 MPH when a total loss of engine power occurred with the illumination of the engine warning indicator. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after waiting a few moments and resetting the codes. The vehicle was taken to an…
2004 · 12 miles · Engine and its cooling system
I bought a 2004 chevy Colorado feb. 11, 2006 With 47,262 miles on it from the local chevy dealer. It is now july 21, 2006 and i will be taking it in to the shop for the 10th time. So far this is what has gone wrong: head light seal leaking, front grill missing factory clips, ac fan housing has bad factory mold so…
2004 · 15 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
The first and ongoing problem grinding in front left, driver, side wheel area. Many attempts have been made to fix this problem, they started out changing the whole front end, along with alignments, after some adjusting the problem will seem to go away only to return with in 2 months second, tires worn from inside…
2004 · 15 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 1,508 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page