Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chevrolet Colorado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
One day, after I turned my truck off, I noticed that my taillights and overhead cargo light remained on. Key was out, truck was off, but the lights stayed on. So for the time being, I disconnected the battery. I brought it to a mechanic, who ran the codes that came back that the rear driver turn signal was high, the rear passenger turn signal was high, and the overhead cargo light was high. He checked the entire truck for a short, replaced the taillights, replaced the fuse box, replaced the body control module, and numerous other attempts at a repair, with no success. I was without a vehicle for many months, since I can't afford the absurd prices of the current vehicle market and was hopeful it could be fixed. Reading through some other complaints/online threads, this seems like a fairly common problem with these vehicles. …
The brake light switch has failed multiple times. It was covered twice under a recall. Switches only last 1.5-2 years. There is no warning or dash light when they go out. I have almost been rear ended twice. Happened again April 13, 2015. I drove it straight to the dealer when I found out in traffic. I knew it was the brake switch again and the dealer confirmed. The dealer called GM to see if they would cover the replacement. They refused. The dealer gave me a discount as they know it is an issue and charged me $87 to change. This is the second time I have had to pay. He gave me this number to call but that was no use as they refused last time. [phone]. Most concerning to me is the lack of concern by GM to fix a know safety issue in the brake and light system. Someone probably has or will be seriously injured or killed. …
My cruise control and my rear driver's side top tail light went out a week or so ago. Today, my stop lights stopped working completely, including the 3rd brake light. I was almost rear ended and another driver informed me that my brake lights didn't work. After researching the issue, I discovered that the problems I'm experiencing are related to 2 switches above my brake pedal-the stop lamp switch and the brake cruise release switch.I called the Chevy recall hotline and provided my VIN #. The girl lacy informed me there wasn't a recall for my vehicle and that they would do nothing to help me get the problem resolved. I've seen numerous reports online of other people with the same issue being denied as well. The reference # to my call is [redacted]. …
The dashboard lights will stop working if your driving at night and turn the car off and then turn it back on. They will not work until the car sits for a long period of time. This started soon after buying the car brand new, but the dealership couldn't find anything wrong. Second complaint, the heater/air conditioner fan had an electrical fire at where the harness plugs into the fan motor. The fan will only work on high. When I looked online at other complaints about the same problem, I unplugged the fan and noticed the plug was burnt. I have photos that I can send. It appeared the electrical fire continued down the plastic plug to where the wires are exposed. This could have been a major incident if I didn't notice it. There are a lot of complaints about this with Colorado trucks online. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that the brake light switch was replaced numerous times for a recurring failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 09V310000 (exterior lighting: brake lights: switch). The dealer replaced the switch under the recall but every 20,000 miles, the switch would fail again. The ac resistor wires were melted, causing the air conditioner to only operate on low. The dealer replaced the wiring harness and the resistor but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado. While operating the vehicle, it was discovered that the brake lights would not illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 76,000.
Wires in the harness which pass from cab to left rear door break. The break disables the seat belt lock up mechanism. A broken wire causes the air bag readiness light to illuminate. The door open and close switch is inoperable. The left rear stereo speaker does not work.
This is exactly the problem I am experiencing with my vehicle, yet after contacting them by phone, GM denies that there is a recall addressing the problem. I have not received a recall notice about the problem from GM. 2004 Chevrolet Colorado ls z85 select different vehicle 1 recall notice these recall notices May not apply to all vehicles. Please contact your dealer for more details or contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot ([phone]). Campaign number: 06V139000 date: 2006-apr-27 component: exterior lighting: brake lights: switch defect summary: 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. …
I have a 2004 Chevy Colorado, and this past week the brake light switch went out and caused my brake lights and cruise control to not function. My mechanic informed me that there was recall 09V310000 to address this issue. When I called my local dealer, they said that the recall was already filled in 2007 by the previous owner, and they could not help me. When I called GM corporate office, they said that due to the high miles (125,000) on my truck and the recall already being filled that they could not help me. The woman on the phone said that if the miles were not so high they would help me out. Also, she then went on to say that even with high miles they would have fixed it if the recall wasn't taken care of in 2007. She said that GM will not take care of a recall a second time even if it is the same problem recurring. …
The electric system is knocking out the brake light and cruise control on all 2004 and up Chevrolet colorados. I was driving home from work just to be pulled over because the brake lights weren't working he told me the guy behind me almost nailed me because of it. I didn't know! But I did know of the colorados having a big problem with the electric system knocking out the brake lights and cruise control. So I got on line to see just how bad it was and found out it's no laughing matter all most every Chevrolet Colorado truck has this problem. Just thank of coming to a stop from 65 miles an hour and not having brake lights, I and some people on the road with me got lucky today. …
Related recalls
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, mississippi, nevada, new Mexico,…
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Brake lamp switch malfunction
On July 28,2009, GM initiated a regional recall campaign on certain model year (my) 2004-2009 Chevrolet colorado and GMC canyon vehicles and my2006-2008 Isuzu I-series vehicles.the states and U.S. Territories involved are al, az, fl, ga, hi, la, ms, nv, nm, pr, sc, tx, vi and ut.a total of 185,903 vehicles will be recalled with 92,272 vehicles within the scope of this investigation.in addition, a special…
Headlight complaints in other Colorado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the lights of the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado, 12% of the model year's 361 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights › switch (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Colorado headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-310 (switch, Jul 29, 2009); NHTSA recall 06V-139 (switch, Apr 27, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Colorado headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.