Total Complaints
459 filings
CHEVROLET COLORADO · model year
2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO
459 NHTSA complaints, 35 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005CHEVROLETCOLORADO carries 459 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 35 crashes, 13 fires, 22 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 COLORADO is electrical system with 68 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic (42) and air bags (27). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2005 COLORADO, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
459
Complaints
35
Crashes
13
Fires
22
Injuries
1
Deaths
Crashes Reported
35 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 68 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 42 |
| AIR BAGS | 27 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH | 24 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 22 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 20 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 13 |
| SUSPENSION | 12 |
| POWER TRAIN | 12 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 11 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 11 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 11 |
| TIRES | 9 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC | 8 |
Recalls (3)
09V31000029/07/2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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, MISSISSIP
06V13900027/04/2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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 AR
10V57500018/11/2010
CHILD SEAT
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
Recent Complaints
20250909STRUCTURE: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
Mileage: 130,000
20230731STRUCTURE:BODY
The FRAME rotten away
20230731UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The FRAME rotten away
20230731SUSPENSION
The FRAME rotten away
20230429SUSPENSION
My truck bed is resting against my cab due to frame rot. There is big chunks missing from the frame.
20230429STRUCTURE:BODY
My truck bed is resting against my cab due to frame rot. There is big chunks missing from the frame.
20220320EXTERIOR 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.
20220320ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
20220320UNKNOWN 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.
20210329POWER 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.
Mileage: 169,000
20210324ENGINE
MOTOR COMPRESSION,
20210206EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS QUIT AND I CANT FIGURE OUT WHY. I REPLACED THE BULBS.
20200812SUSPENSION
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
Mileage: 1,816,000
20200812WHEELS
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
Mileage: 1,816,000
20200812UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
Mileage: 1,816,000
20200526STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH, AND NOW UNABLE TO PASS INSPECTION. *TR
Mileage: 139,550
20200309CrashAIR BAGS
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.
20200122SUSPENSION
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.
Mileage: 125,226
20200106AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON MAKING IT UNCLEAR IF OCCUPANTS ARE PROTECTED OR IF AIR BAG WILL JUST GO OFF ON ITS OWN. PROBLEM IS WIRES IN BACK DOOR JAMB BECOME FATIGUED AND BREAK CAUSING FAILURE OF AIR BAGS. VEHICLE IS ALSO CONSIDERED AN INSPECTION FAILURE AS WELL IN MASSACHUSETTS.
Mileage: 98,000
20200106STRUCTURE:BODY
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON MAKING IT UNCLEAR IF OCCUPANTS ARE PROTECTED OR IF AIR BAG WILL JUST GO OFF ON ITS OWN. PROBLEM IS WIRES IN BACK DOOR JAMB BECOME FATIGUED AND BREAK CAUSING FAILURE OF AIR BAGS. VEHICLE IS ALSO CONSIDERED AN INSPECTION FAILURE AS WELL IN MASSACHUSETTS.
Mileage: 98,000
Compare 2005CHEVROLETCOLORADO to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO have?▼
The 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO has 459 NHTSA complaints, 35 crashes, 13 fires, 22 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO?▼
Yes, the 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO?▼
The most-complained component for the 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 68 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.