Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Colorado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
On July 1, 2018, my son was driving his 2006 Chevy Colorado on the freeway when it combusted in the front driver's side engine area. Thankfully, he was able to exit the vehicle before it became fully engulfed! The pickup burned entirely, very hot and very quick. See attached photos. I did contact GM, as I see there have been many claims of fire in these vehicles. However, GM was unwilling to put effort into trying to determine the cause of this fire that endangered my sons life!! I have received no answers, no compassion, no follow through. It is beyond disappointing for a company such as general motors to not be doing a better job for their consumers.
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated, sputtered, and the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the exhaust valve to the cylinder heads and the cylinder head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 109,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. While driving 22 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was not able to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. While the vehicle was parked, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the valve seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled and the check engine and power reduced lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
While in motion, anti-theft light flashes on dashboard and vehicle engine cuts off. Must shift to neutral and restart engine. Very dangerous. Same issue that affected other GM cars, that were recalled.
Truck misfiring on all cylinders since around June 2007. Check engine light on some, off some. June 19 dealer said misfiring on all cylinders and they were stumped. They first guessed bad gasoline then said computer needed reconfiguring. Still misfiring when I left shop. On July 19 returned to dealer. They said it was a GM problem that GM was aware of...possibly crankshaft sensor and for me to come back in two weeks. On aug 18 I took truck back to dealer after engine quit in a rolling turn in middle of intersection. Dealer replaced fuel pump and spark plugs and said they thought water was in fuel. Don't go back to same gas stations they said. I haven't. Truck still was misfiring when I left. On 9-26 I went back to dealer. Truck engine shut off while I was doing 70mph down busy interstate. Made it to side of road, restarted and continued on my way. …
Truck will go into reduced power mode while driving. When it does this it will chime a few times and then drop the speed you are driving at to whatever it wants usually it's 40 to 20 MPH, you cannot go any faster, and there is no warning to this at all, and no pattern as to when it will do this. But it has always done it while I have been driving. This is not the first time that this has happened and luckily no one hit me that was behind me. I have had my truck into a dealership five times, the first two times was to mills in richwood, which they had no idea what to do with the truck as the engine wasn't throwing a code, and they thought it was a bad sensor but didn't know which one so they sent me on my way. The third and fourth time I took it to roby's. …
Engine complaints in other Colorado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado, 21% of the model year's 236 complaints. The component named most often is engine (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Colorado engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado, though it has 4 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 2006 Chevrolet Colorado engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.