Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Chevrolet Colorado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a ditch. The entire front end of the vehicle was damaged. The air bags failed to deploy. As a result, to the air bags not deploying the contact sustained nose and legs injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Takata inflators , driving down highway 9 looking at driver side mirror when I heard 2 load bangs turned my head back to front windsheild all I could see was looked to me clouds I thought I was in heaven , it happened so quick, I hit guard rail, then telephone wire, went up in the air, still seeing clouds, that I thought I was finaily in heaven. Until I came down and landed on all 4 wheels. I looked up and seen trees , thats when I knew I came back to earth.
Airbag failed to deploy and seatbelt restraint failed in head-on collision with telephone pole. Data event recorder/airbag controller p/n 15106281, service #12249529, s/n as6281k150131nen was inspected and found to be non-functional by bill rehm traffic accident investigator. Several attempts were made by mr. Rehm and representatives of Bosch, manufacturer of the data retrieval software and hardware. They were unable to get any output from the unit and determined that the unit was defective from the manufacturer deltron. [redacted] credentials include: member of the albuquerque police department fatal traffic crash unit, auto theft, narcotics unit and internal affairs. 1995 graduate fbi national academy nm state representative- district 31 January 2006 present (8 years 7 months) traffic crash reconstructionist b. R. And associates 1994 present (20 years) p. O. …
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? …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. While driving 40 MPH he attempted to slow down while making a slight turn and the brakes locked as soon as they were engaged. Due to the locking of the brakes the contact was forced to crash into a ditch when the brakes locked; however, he was not injured. The contact has experienced the same failure on 5 different occasions. The vehicle had been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 33000. Updated 11/17/09 the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was totaled.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 45 MPH the vehicle was in a frontal accident. Upon impact, the driver's side nor passenger's side air bags deployed. The driver's seat belt was in use. However, minor injuries were sustained. There was no indicator lights on prior to the accident, and pre braking did occur. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop and the condition of the vehicle was unknown. The manufacturer has not been contacted. T a police report was taken .
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the camshaft sensor and the crankshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. While driving 70 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear air bag sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact suffered a seizure and passed out. She crashed into a tree and the air bags failed to deploy. She sustained knee, chest, head, and facial injuries. A police report was filed. The Chevrolet dealer referred the contact to GM, where she filed a claim. The failure mileage was 31,000.
At different times turn signals, brights, brake lights will quit working and dash light indicator that air bag is not working will illuminate. This can happen while driving or when first starting up. At times you can push stalk up for a right hand turn and left turn signal indicator will light up and blink. If you push the stalk down for a left turn signal nothing will happen.
Airbag complaints in other Colorado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado, 9% of the model year's 356 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Colorado airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Colorado airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries and 1 death to air bags 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.