2006 Chevrolet Colorado

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 236 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
52,600 milesMedian miles at failure

207 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System53
000
Engine and Engine Cooling19
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic16
000
Engine14
000
Exterior Lighting13
000
Air Bags12
101
Service Brakes9
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine8
000
Structure › Body7
010
Service Brakes, Electric7
101

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Child Seat10V575000
Filed Nov 18, 2010192,676 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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 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.

Risk. 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 POSITION OF THIS VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT OFFER A REAR SEAT. LACK OF ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR AND A LACK OF INSTRUCTIONS AS TO HOW TO USE IT, MAY RESULT IN IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE RESTRAINT'S PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD SEATED IN THE RESTRAINT.

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.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch09V310000
Filed Jul 29, 2009185,903 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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, 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.

Risk. 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 INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch06V139000
Filed Apr 27, 2006404,733 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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 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.

Risk. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

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.

Equipment › Other › Labels05V552000
Filed Dec 7, 200532,068 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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 CAPACITY WEIGHT.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. 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 BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 8, 2025AZ

The high mounted stop lights and the cruise control do not work. A recall for this was issued (NHTSA 06V13900 and NHTSA 09V310000) but when I enter my VIN it says I'm not included in the recall. Also, a dealer said my vehicle was not in the recall. If I have the problem stated in the recall why am I not included? I am the original owner. First noticed problem about six months ago. Did not know about the recall until yesterday.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 15, 2024FL

Rear brake lights flash or sometimes don't come on while pressing the brake pedal. while driving at night dash cluster goes black cant see speedometer, or anything on instrument cluster.

Suspension
Filed Mar 24, 2023PA

Rear leaf spring mounts and frame rusting through causing a safety hazard. Chevrolet doesn't offer a repair part nor does the aftermarket. The internet is ripe with other owners experiencing this or similar issues. The consumer stated there is frame corrosion specifically rear frame shackle mounts and lateral supports. The contact believes that the failure comes from the frame being made with the wrong metal thickness or metal that is not rust-proof. The vehicle was taken to a specialty shop to weld the frame, but the contact believes that is not the best way to fix the issue.

Engine
Filed Jun 24, 2022216,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started to shake. The contact was able to drive back to the residence. The contact stated that several independent mechanics diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer or the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 216,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 29, 202173,172 milesAR

The contact called on behalf of a customer looking to purchase a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that he is a certified mechanic. While performing a vehicle safety check, the contact noticed that the subframe was completely rusted and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repairable. The contact had not contacted the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,172.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 24, 202156,000 milesVI

WILL NOT START,TO HOT TO START!!!!!

Engine
Filed Dec 2, 202028,500 milesTN

I TRY TO CRANK THE TRUCK AND IT WON'T DO ANYTHING BUT I CAN WAIT ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND TRY IT AGAIN AND IT WILL CRANK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fire
Filed Oct 26, 202088,000 milesOR

FIRE IN THE ENGINE WIRING, FUSE BOX,BATTERY STORE PARKING LOT PARKED ENGINE OFF GMC TOOK TRUCK SAID IT WASN'T A FACTORY ISSUE NO INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO ME SAID IT WAS CONFIDENTUAL HAD TRUCK 6 WEEKS

Electrical System
Filed Oct 13, 2020103,000 milesSC

THIS CAR HAS AN INHERANT PROBLEM WITH IT IGNITION SAFTY MODULE.KNOW AS PASS LOCK SECURITY. THIS KEEP MY CAR FROM STARTING. IT AN ISSUE THAT 100,000 AND MORE HAVE SUFFERED. IT COULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ANYTIME MAKING IT LETHAL TO PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. IT IS FIXABLE BUT ONLY AT THE DEALER FOR HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Sep 21, 2020154,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUBFRAME AND BRACKETS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE CORROSION WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BAUMANN CHEVROLET BUICK GMC INC (2291 OH-18, TIFFIN, OH 44883) WHERE HE WAS PROVIDED THE NUMBER TO NHTSA AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BAUMANN OFFERED THE 888 NUMBER AND KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE OF $10,000 OR 3 TO 5 IF FRAME IS RUSTED. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Aug 12, 2020128,298 milesPA

ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 7TH MY HUSBAND PULLED THE TRUCK INTO THE DRIVEWAY GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND. CAME OUTSIDE AND THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED WHILE IT WAS JUST SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE COULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE HE INSIDE THE VEHICLE.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 4, 2019130,000 milesTX

TRUCK ELECTRICAL CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. INSTRUMENT PANEL AND RADIO. VEHICLE ENGINE AND HEADLIGHTS KEEP RUNNING

Air Bags
Filed Oct 2, 2019181,500 milesCA

AIR BAG LITE KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING IT STARTED 10/1/2019

Electrical System
Filed Sep 30, 2019221,746 milesFL

PASS LOCK SECURITY SYSTEM.WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE PASS LOCK SECURITY SYSTEM SHUT MY VEHICLE DOWN LATE AT NIGHT AROUND 11PM.I WAS STRANDED THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE LOCK WAS SHOWING ON THE DASH GAUGES.I RECENTLY HAD MAJOR OPEN HEART SURGERY AND I AM 62 YEARS OLD.I WAS STUCK ALL NIGHT LONG OUT IN THE COUNTRY HERE IN NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA AND THIS IS BEAR COUNTRY HERE.I HAD TO WALK ABOUT 8 MILES THE NEXT MORNING AS THERE ARENT MANY PEOPLE DRIVING OUT HERE THAT TIME OF DAY.I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE OUT THERE IN THE WOODS.I WAS SCARED TO DEATH.I DONT CARRY ALL MY HEART MEDECINE WITH ME AS I THOUGHT I WOULD BE GONE FROM HOME MAYBE AN HOUR OR TWO AT THE MOST.THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE STARTED FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS BECAUSE OF THIS SECURITY SYSTEM.IT COST ME A FORTUNE TO HAVE IT TOWED THE NEXT DAY $250 AND HAVE HAD 3 CHEVY MECHANICS WITH THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES TELL ME NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE EXCEPT PASS LOCK SYSTEM AND IT COULD NOT BE RESET BY THEM,AT A COST OF $125 EACH.NOW THE DEALER SAYS TOW IT TO THEM AND THEY WILL PUT THEIR COMPUTER ON IT TO FOR $125 BUT WONT GUARANTEE THEY CAN RESET IT EITHER.I WILL NEVER BUY A NOTHER CHEVY PRODUCT EVER AGAIN OR ANY VEHICLE WITH THIS TYPE OF SECURITY SYSTEM ON IT.I JUST THANK GOD I WAS ALRIGHT AFTER ALL THIS CRAP HAPPENED TO ME.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 22, 201970,900 milesLA

ABS FAULT LIGHT REMAINS ON. SENSOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE ERROR MESSAGE DID NOT GO AWAY.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 18, 2019102,000 milesOH

I TOOK MY 2006 COLORADO IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE SHOP CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT MY FRAME WAS CRACKED. COME TO FIND OUT IT WASN'T CRACKED BUT IT HAD A GIANT HOLE ALONG THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRAME RAIL. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A GUY THAT IS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND HE SAID IT LOOKED JUST LIKE A TOYOTA FRAME. SO NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TOTAL THIS TRUCK BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IT ONLY HAS 102000 MILES ON IT. GM NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THESE FRAMES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

Electrical System
Filed May 31, 2019180,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED THE NEXT DAY. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED EACH TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED TOM GIBBS CHEVROLET AT 386-206-8097 (LOCATED AT 5850 E, FL-100, PALM COAST, FL 32164) AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 15, 2019115,000 milesNJ

2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO EXTENDED CAB 4X4 WITH ONLY 115K MILES ON IT HAS A FRAME THAT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND SNAPPED ON THE DRIVER SIDE JUST BEFORE THE LEAF SPRING WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP ON A LOCAL MUNICIPAL ROADWAY.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Mar 1, 2019134,074 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS HAD BEEN REPLACED EIGHT TIMES BY PHIL SMITH CHEVROLET (1640 NORTH STATE ROAD 7, LAUDERHILL, FL 33313). THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ELSEWHERE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,074.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 27, 2019130,805 milesKY

THE ENTIRE FRAME HAS ROTTED OUT. IT HAS BROKEN AS A RESULT AND IS BEYOND REPAIR. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN PRIME CONDITION. THE REAR END OF THE TRUCK IS IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.

20 of 236 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2016
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202614100Routine
202527100Routine
2024121310Routine
2023134300Routine
202254100Routine
202175112Fatalities reported
202084030Routine
2019149041Fatalities reported
2018183150Routine
2017216100Above average
2016707410Above average
2015491740Above average
20141000Routine
20131000Routine
201242220Routine
201142500Routine
201028210Routine
200967340Routine
200881272Fatalities reported
2007140350Routine
2006 — this page236421Fatalities reported
20053563111Fatalities reported
20043613131Fatalities reported

Compare every Colorado year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 18, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.