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 2005 Chevrolet Colorado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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? …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. While the vehicle was being operated, the rear brake lights would not illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake lamp switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously repaired in 2007 per NHTSA campaign number: 06V139000 (exterior lighting), but the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 14,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the contact observed that the brake lamps did not illuminate. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was already repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 09V310000 (exterior lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 164,000.
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.
My cruise control stopped working and then my break lights. Put in new break bulbs and they still do not work! I was dri ing when cruise control went out and my husband noticed my breaks while I was driving.
Vehicle taillights failed to function when lights come on at night. I became aware of this when another motorist stopped beside me to tell me. Fuse and lightbulbs work when tested.
Brake lights intermittently did not work. I personally checked the bulbs and they were operative. I checked the brake light switch and noted that the plunger remained "in" although the brake pedal was depressed. I had to push on the plunger several times to get the plunger to push out. The brake lights then worked when the pedal was depressed. I took the vehicle to ferman Chevrolet, tampa fl, after discovering the recall notice on the NHTSA site on 09/17/08. I was informed that this recall (pe05065) had been performed on this vehicle in the past. I had the part replaced and kept the replaced part which is available to you. The part is labeled with the number 25796381 6318b. This is a definite safety hazard and May indicate the "fix" that GM did in this case May need to be fixed again. This was on a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado 5 cylinder. …
I have owned my 2005 Colorado since March 2005. Since then, my brake light switch has failed 8 times, the last occurring August 2007. Even after having repairs done per the recall, the brake light switch failed only 3 months after. I have made my complaint known to GM as to the dangers of my vehicle and they do not want to do anything to help. It is a shame that someone will get hurt and/or killed due to this safety hazard. Email update (10/7/08): I will retrieve all invoices I can find and fax to you. Also, the brake light switch has failed on 2 more occasions since I filed this latest complaint. It is constant every 2-6 months. I usually find out that the brakes are out by another driver alerting me. On one occasion I actually got hit from behind at a stop light. Luckily, we were moving less than 10mph and no significant damage, or injury occurred. …
Currently I own a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado crew cab 4wd purchased in October 2004. The Colorado was a new body style for Chevrolet in 2005 and replaced the Chevy s-10 pick-up. Approximately 1 year ago, I began noticing condensation inside my front headlamp assemblies. Moss began accumulating and the moisture inside has began to affect the projection capability of my headlamps. The headlamp assemblies are constructed of all plastic parts. It is unfortunate, to say the least, that I will have to spend several hundred dollars to replace my headlamp system after the truck is only 4 years old. For individuals who do not pay attention to this, it May become a safety hazard. My vehicle has never been wrecked from the front and has all original manufactures equipment. The seals are failing on my headlamps system.
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…
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…
Headlight complaints in other Colorado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the lights of the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado, 14% of the model year's 356 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights › switch (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 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 2005 Chevrolet Colorado headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire 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.