Most common 2005 Chevrolet Colorado problems
Share of the 356 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Colorado complaints by model year
Best Colorado years: 2011, 2012, 2020. Years to avoid: 2016, 2015, 2024, 2023, 2017. Compare all years →
2005 Chevrolet Colorado recalls (3)
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.
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.
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 defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado:
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…
Brake lamp switch failure
By letter dated April 26, 2006, GM notified the agency that it is conducting a safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 06V139) involving certain model year (my) 2004-06 Chevrolet colorado, GMC canyon and 2006 my Isuzu i280/i350 vehicles.GM's recall covers 404,733 vehicles.GM reports that loss of brake lamp illumination was caused by insufficient plating on the stationary contact in the brake lamp switch.GM will replace the…
What 2005 Chevrolet Colorado owners say
Brakes all 95 →
2005 Chevy Colorado, emergency brake cable is hanging 3 inches, below the frame rail, a clearance of 11 inches. I caught a piece of rebar steel sticking up from a cattle quard on a dirt road, and my vehicles slammed to a stop, throwing me out of the drivers seat, and against the door on the passenger side, dislocating my shoulder, a putting my vehicle in the ditch, with damage, to the wind=deflector, fog lamp, dent in bumper. My phd. Major is in construction equipment engineering, this routing of the emergency brake cable, in such a manner is an extremely poor design, a bad idea, and consistent with the use of intern level engineers that GM uses on lower priced production vehicles. …
On way to work, I started braking while slowly coming to a red light. My brakes did not stop me and I crashed into another truck. I had extensive front end damage,while the other vehicle had none. When I applied the brakes, they went to the floor.also noticed pulling to the right....had new tires and alignment at sears(well after the accident) and, they said brakes were fine and did an alignment. When I had the accident damage repaired, I asked the dealer ship to check the brakes. They said they pulled the wheels and checked the brakes and road checked the truck, the braking incident failed to happen for them. So they claimed. I have also had other incidences where the wheels will spin upon acceleration from a stop on wet roads and also locking up on wet roads, and a grinding noise. Des someone have to get killed in order for GM to send out a recall notice for this defect? …
Electrical system all 69 →
Wiring for turnsignals melts down. There is a wire harness with a connector at the turn front signals, the wire gauge is in adeqaute and causea excessive heat build-up this causes the wires and connectors to the front turn signals to melt down and the turn signals become inoperable. I have replaced these components twice due to thia issue. The resistor pack for air conditioning blower fan speed control melts and catches fire. I have replaced this part twice and ultimately have bypassed the resistor pack leaving the ac blower with only the choice of high speed or off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. While the vehicle was stationary, burning fumes emitted inside the vehicle. After an inspection, it was confirmed that there were burned wires in the vehicle. The contact replaced the wire harness and a temperature control regulator. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Lights all 49 →
Wiring for turnsignals melts down. There is a wire harness with a connector at the turn front signals, the wire gauge is in adeqaute and causea excessive heat build-up this causes the wires and connectors to the front turn signals to melt down and the turn signals become inoperable. I have replaced these components twice due to thia issue. The resistor pack for air conditioning blower fan speed control melts and catches fire. I have replaced this part twice and ultimately have bypassed the resistor pack leaving the ac blower with only the choice of high speed or off.
Sept of 2014 our Chevrolet Colorado had issues with not starting. The dealer diagnosed it as "code issues" and replaced a safety sensor. The issue was never resolved as check engine light stayed on. Oct of 2015 while driving, the airbag light came on and never went off. Also oct 2015, about the time the airbag light came on, we received a letter stating that a wire harness in this make, model and year of vehicle could cause code problems and or the airbag light to illuminate, and that GM would fix it at no cost to us, if the vehicle was within 10 yrs old or had 120,000 or less miles. Last year when this started our vehicle was 9 yrs old, yet GM will not pay for it saying it's not a safety hazard. I completely disagree as the light stays on all the time, how am I suppose to know if it's really not airbag failure as opposed to the faulty wire and harness? …
2005 Chevrolet Colorado engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 24 / 21 |
| 3.5L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 2.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 3.5L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 2.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 23 / 18 |
| 3.5L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 3.5L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 2.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado a good car?
Based on 356 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Colorado rates avoid: 2.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the Colorado at the same age. It is one of the Colorado years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado?
The brakes — 95 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the electrical system (69) and lights (49).
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado, the most recent from November 18, 2010 (child seat). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Colorado?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2012 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016, 2015, 2024, 2023 and 2017. See the full Chevrolet Colorado years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Colorado problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 51,000 miles; 49% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.