2005 Chevrolet Colorado

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2005 Chevrolet Colorado
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2005: 356 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2004	361
2005	356
2006	236
2007	140
2008	81
2009	67
2010	28
2011	42
2012	41
2013	1
2014	1
2015	483
2016	694
2017	213
2018	176
2019	144
2020	79
2021	67
2022	48
2023	129
2024	114
2025	26
2026	9

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: electrical system — 68 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WIRING FOR TURNSIGNALS MELTS DOWN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190718

FIRE FIRE FIRE AN AIR CONDITIONING RESISTOR PACK OVERHEATS AND CATCHES FIRE IN THE AIR CONDITIONING PLENUM. THIS IS THE FAN SPEED CONTROL RESISTOR. I FOUND MINE TO BE MELTED DOWN AND THE SOCKET THAT IT PLUGS INTO WAS ALSO SEVERELY DAMAGED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120705

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 42 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20191217

I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND IN MY NEW CHEV.COLORADO 2005 PICKUP. I WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE AT 40 MILES PER HOUR AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY DEALER SAID THERE ARE NO AIR BAG SENSORS ON THE BACK OF THIS VEHICLE. IS THIS TRUE?

NHTSA ODI report, 20050719

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7%

7% of complaints: exterior lighting — 24 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6%

6% of complaints: exterior lighting — 22 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

WIRING FOR TURNSIGNALS MELTS DOWN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190718

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2005 — complaint volume: 356

I 20051202 — PE (closed 20060501)

BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURE

R 20061205 — exterior lighting

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 INSTANCE

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.

Campaign 06V139000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090225 — RQ (closed 20090730)

BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION

R 20100802 — exterior lighting

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 CU

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

Campaign 09V310000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20101214 — 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

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 M

Campaign 10V575000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Chevrolet Colorado — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for electrical system issues (68 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (42 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for air bags issues (27 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 06V139000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 09V310000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 10V575000 (child seat) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2012 ▲ 2011 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2016 ■ 2015 ■ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.