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 2006 Chevrolet Colorado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The high mounted stop lights and the cruise control do not work. A recall for this was issued (NHTSA 06V13900 and NHTSA 09V310000) but when I enter my VIN it says I'm not included in the recall. Also, a dealer said my vehicle was not in the recall. If I have the problem stated in the recall why am I not included? I am the original owner. First noticed problem about six months ago. Did not know about the recall until yesterday.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. While driving and depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that both brake lights failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 06V139000 (exterior lighting) and 09V310000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 05/10/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that the rear brake lights failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that the rear brake lights had been replaced eight times by phil smith Chevrolet (1640 north state road 7, lauderhill, fl 33313). The dealer refused to repair the vehicle again. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired elsewhere. The approximate failure mileage was 134,074.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. While the vehicle was undergoing an inspection by an independent mechanic, the brake light failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. In addition, the four wheel drive light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000.
I own a 2006 Chevy Colorado I had the brake light switch replace due to recall on March 2006 three years later the same problem happen again the brake switch went out. Chevy corp said since the repair/recall was already performed I would have to take it back to the dealer ship to get it look at again and the same part that failed was going to be an out of pocket expense. I don't think I or anyone else having the same problem should have to pay for a defective part. This poses a serious problem because it caused me to loose my brake lights and almost got rear ended four times. This poses a very high danger because when you are driving you do not even know when you loose your brake lights there is no indications or messages from the dash board that your lights are out. This is just an accident waiting to happen hopefully there are no deaths involved. …
Driving home on date indicated... Slowing down for traffic and was almost rear-ended... The car behind me moved up to the side to inform me that he almost hit me due to my brake lights not working. Pulled over to confirm to find that none of my brake lights were working when pressing the brake pedal. Got home safely, located the recall information on safercar.gov and found 3 recalls regarding the type of vehicle we have. Took it to the dealer first thing in the morning of 10/5/09. The dealer stated there is no such recall and stated we would need to fix it. Call Chevrolet at the number listed on the recall summary [phone] to be told that its not their issue, told me that it is VIN # specific. Asked to speak to a manager to discuss, a supervisor came on the line with no resolution. She did offer assistance, but would not define the assistance Chevrolet would be able to provide.
No brake lights on 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. Was notified in traffic by a third party. Determined bulbs and fuses were all functional. Researched problem online and found NHTSA campaign number: 09v-310 regarding exterior lighting: brake lights: switch. I live in missouri which is not specifically noted in the campaign. However, campaign states "coverage for vehicles registered in all other states will be implemented in the same time frame." called local Chevrolet dealer to have brake switch replaced regarding this campaign. They stated they were un-aware of the campaign and refused to fix the problem. I am left with a vehicle that has brake light illumination failure and it will not alert other motorists of the vehicle slowing and stopping and could lead to a vehicle crash.
I was driving home from work during the night-time hours and both headlights quit working. Now, the left headlight continues to go out but I can touch it and it will come on. I have replaced the light several times and nothing works. Also, 1 week ago, the ABS failure message appeared. There are multiple complaints with this problem and frankly, both of my issues are safety concerns. GM has installed defective parts as usual and now the customers are bearing the cost of repairing their failures. These are safety concerns that need to be recalled. I have recently had the intake valve seats replaced because of a GM defective part. This ABS failure concern is my number 1 concern as I have very small children.
2006 Chevy Colorado crew cab. I am the original and current owner of this vehicle. According to the NHTSA complaint number 06V139000, there is a brake light switch malfunction with this type of GM vehicle. I have had this item replaced 6 times during my ownership of the vehicle purchased in February 2006. GM has failed to fix the issue. This is a major safety issue. I have been pulled over by local and state police informing me my brake lights are inoperable. On two occasions I had a police escort to the allen samuels dealership in corpus christi, texas. GM needs to fix the issue as soon as possible. I have sent letters regarding this issue on several dates with no response.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated the brake light switch had failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated the vehicle was previously repaired under the NHTSA campaign id number: 09V310000 (exterior lighting: brake lights: switch) and would not take the liability for a second repair. The contact stated there was an amended unknown recall issued in which the dealers were to install a newly designed brake lamp switch. The manufacturer advised there was no such recall and would not provide any further assistance. The failure has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 84,000.
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 2006 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the lights of the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado, 13% of the model year's 236 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights › switch (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 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 2006 Chevrolet Colorado headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 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.