Chevrolet Colorado 2004–2012
1st generation · GMT355
NHTSA data through 13 August 20261,862 complaints, 1,508 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 1,508
- Median of reported failures
- 54,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Electrical system (20.1%)
- Recalls
- 6
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 26,000 and 90,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Chevrolet Colorado 2004–2012 · 1,508 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 131 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 17 complaints (1.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 6,486
- 25%
- 26,000
- Median
- 54,000
- 75%
- 90,000
- 90%
- 130,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 131 | 8.7% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 56 | 3.7% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 66 | 4.4% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 36 | 2.4% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 61 | 4.0% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 69 | 4.6% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 45 | 3.0% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 73 | 4.8% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 85 | 5.6% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 83 | 5.5% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 59 | 3.9% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 52 | 3.4% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 61 | 4.0% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 52 | 3.4% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 42 | 2.8% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 58 | 3.8% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 38 | 2.5% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 53 | 3.5% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 41 | 2.7% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 43 | 2.9% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 35 | 2.3% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 25 | 1.7% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 24 | 1.6% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 28 | 1.9% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 26 | 1.7% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 13 | 0.9% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 23 | 1.5% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 13 | 0.9% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 18 | 1.2% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 12 | 0.8% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 10 | 0.7% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 11 | 0.7% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 8 | 0.5% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 12 | 0.8% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 14 | 0.9% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 17 | 1.1% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,862 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004–2012 Chevrolet Colorado, and 1,508 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 26,000 and 90,000 miles. The median is 54,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (20.1% of complaints, typically around 62,000 miles), the exterior lighting (9.1% of complaints, typically around 48,000 miles), the hydraulic brake circuit (7.7% of complaints, typically around 43,000 miles).
6 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2004–2012 Chevrolet Colorado last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2004–2012 Chevrolet Colorado were filed by 54,000 miles and 90% by 130,000 miles — figures drawn from 1,508 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
17 reports (1.1%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Colorado reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2004–2012 Colorado: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,508 mileage-tagged complaints, 6 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine - cylinder head on 2004–2006 (2.8L/3.5L), reduced but present 2007–2008 cars. Intake valve seat and valve guide wear on the Atlas I4/I5 engines. Worn guides destroy the valve stem seals, oil is drawn past the guides, and the valve seats then recess or leak, producing combustion leakage, misfire…
- Check engine - oil consumption on 2004–2012 cars. Excessive oil consumption on the 3.5L/3.7L I5, linked to the valve guide/seal wear above plus high crankcase pressure and PCV system failure that pulls oil into the intake tract and airbox.
- Check airbags on 2004–2012 cars. Sensing and Diagnostic Module fault that can prevent frontal airbag and seat-belt pretensioner deployment; covered by a GM safety recall spanning the generation.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 26,000 and 90,000 miles, with a median of 54,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the exterior lighting are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The exterior lighting in particular shows a median failure mileage of 48,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Chevrolet Colorado 2004–2012
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Transmission and driveline94 reports29,0007,000–72,000Transmission and driveline: 94 reports, median 29,000 miles, middle half 7,000 to 72,000 miles.
- Hydraulic brake circuit143 reports43,00019,000–60,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 143 reports, median 43,000 miles, middle half 19,000 to 60,000 miles.
- Engine and its cooling system98 reports45,00021,000–72,000Engine and its cooling system: 98 reports, median 45,000 miles, middle half 21,000 to 72,000 miles.
- Exterior lighting169 reports48,00035,000–77,000Exterior lighting: 169 reports, median 48,000 miles, middle half 35,000 to 77,000 miles.
- Electrical system374 reports62,00036,000–90,000Electrical system: 374 reports, median 62,000 miles, middle half 36,000 to 90,000 miles.
- Airbag system134 reports72,00043,000–116,000Airbag system: 134 reports, median 72,000 miles, middle half 43,000 to 116,000 miles.
- Body structure119 reports92,00046,000–131,000Body structure: 119 reports, median 92,000 miles, middle half 46,000 to 131,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 374 | 20.1% | 62,000 | 36,000–90,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 169 | 9.1% | 48,000 | 35,000–77,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 143 | 7.7% | 43,000 | 19,000–60,000 |
| Airbag system | 134 | 7.2% | 72,000 | 43,000–116,000 |
| Body structure | 119 | 6.4% | 92,000 | 46,000–131,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 98 | 5.3% | 45,000 | 21,000–72,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 94 | 5.0% | 29,000 | 7,000–72,000 |
| Engine | 85 | 4.6% | 85,000 | 43,000–105,000 |
| Suspension | 77 | 4.1% | 35,000 | 13,000–100,000 |
| Brakes | 76 | 4.1% | 59,000 | 40,000–92,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Chevrolet Colorado 2004–2012 · 1,508 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 54% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 74% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 87% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.1% of reports (17) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
54% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Hydraulic brake circuit — median 43,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 36,000–90,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — middle half 35,000–77,000 mi
- Airbag system — middle half 43,000–116,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 46,000–131,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — middle half 21,000–72,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 7,000–72,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
74% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Exterior lighting — median 48,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — median 43,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — median 45,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 29,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 36,000–90,000 mi
- Airbag system — middle half 43,000–116,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 46,000–131,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
87% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Electrical system — median 62,000 mi
- Exterior lighting — median 48,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — median 43,000 mi
- Airbag system — median 72,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — median 45,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 29,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Body structure — middle half 46,000–131,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 54,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 20.1% of complaints (374 reports, 314 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 62,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 36,000 and 90,000 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 9.1% of complaints (169 reports, 138 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 48,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,000 and 77,000 miles.
The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 7.7% of complaints (143 reports, 122 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 43,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 19,000 and 60,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 7.2% of complaints (134 reports, 112 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 43,000 and 116,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 6.4% of complaints (119 reports, 91 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 92,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,000 and 131,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 5.3% of complaints (98 reports, 85 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 45,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 21,000 and 72,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2004 model year drew the most — 502 complaints — while 2010 drew the fewest at 48. The median year sits at 130.
That makes 2004 an outlier: roughly 3.9 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 6 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,862 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 88 (4.7%)
- Fires
- 66
- Injury reports
- 59
- Fatality reports
- 6
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Engine - Cylinder Head 2004–2006 (2.8L/3.5L), reduced but present 2007–2008
Intake valve seat and valve guide wear on the Atlas I4/I5 engines. Worn guides destroy the valve stem seals, oil is drawn past the guides, and the valve seats then recess or leak, producing combustion leakage, misfire and a Service Engine Soon lamp. GM extended coverage to 7 years / 100,000 miles for the affected early trucks. 2004-2006 units are materially worse than 2007-2008.
Engine - Oil Consumption 2004–2012
Excessive oil consumption on the 3.5L/3.7L I5, linked to the valve guide/seal wear above plus high crankcase pressure and PCV system failure that pulls oil into the intake tract and airbox.
Airbags 2004–2012
Sensing and Diagnostic Module fault that can prevent frontal airbag and seat-belt pretensioner deployment; covered by a GM safety recall spanning the generation.
Hvac 2004–2012
Blend door actuator failure producing stuck temperature control and clicking behind the dash.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 502 | 396 |
| 2005 | 459 | 361 |
| 2006 | 323 | 278 |
| 2007 | 199 | 157 |
| 2008 | 130 | 118 |
| 2009 | 87 | 72 |
| 2010 | 48 | 34 |
| 2011 | 54 | 47 |
| 2012 | 60 | 45 |
Recalls (6) — is your car included?
Jan 2013 · 2010–2012 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesIf the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly.
The defect. General Motors is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured from November 9, 2009, through August 28, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 113, "Hood Latch System." The hood may be missing the secondary hood latch.
What can happen. If the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver and increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. General Motors will notify owners and instruct them to inspect their vehicle for the presence of a secondary hood latch. Dealers will replace the hood on any affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Dec 2011 · 2012 · Seat BeltsThe loose connections may cause the driver to not receive a visual or audible warning that the driver seat…
The defect. General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC canyon vehicles, manufactured from september 9, 2011, through october 19, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 208, "occupant crash protection." These vehicles may have been produced with driver safety belt buckle electrical connector terminals that do not fit snugly with the connector pins, causing the connection to be intermittent.
What can happen. The loose connections may cause the driver to not receive a visual or audible warning that the driver seat belt is not fastened, thereby increasing the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Gm will notify owners and dealers will replace the seat belt buckle electrical connector terminals free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before december 7, 2011. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Jul 2011 · 2011 · Power TrainThe driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle could roll away as the driver or other…
The defect. General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC canyon passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.9 Or 3.7 Liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect," and federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "Theft protection." These vehicles may have been built with an automatic transmission adjustment clip that may not retain the shift cable in the correct position. If the shift cable
What can happen. The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle could roll away as the driver or other occupants exit the vehicle or have exited, resulting in the possibility of the vehicle striking them or someone around the vehicle, or could result in a crash without prior warning.
The free fix. Gm dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 19, 2011. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
May 2011 · 2011 · VisibilityDriver visibility could be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC canyon vehicles manufactured from september 22, 2010, through november 5, 2010. Some of these vehicles have the condition in which the windshield wiper motor crank arm nut may not be tightened to specification. When the wipers are operated with a build-up of snow or ice, or if the wipers are operated on a dry windshield, the nut could loosen. If there is sufficient loosening of the nut, the wipers could become inoperative.
What can happen. Driver visibility could be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will secure the wiper motor crank arm nut free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before may 11, 2011. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463 or www.Gmownercenter.Com.
Jan 2011 · 2011 · SuspensionThe driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without…
The defect. General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, Colorado, express, silverado, suburban, tahoe; and GMC canyon, sierra, savana, yukon and yukon xl vehicles. The rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle. Should the pin shift out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock.
What can happen. The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
The free fix. Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463 and at the owner center at www.Gmownercenter.Com.
Dec 2010 · 2004–2011 · Child SeatBoth NHTSA and gm discourage placement of a child in a front seat.
The defect. 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. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems." The top tether anchor for the front center seat is not accessible and the owner manual does not include instructions regarding how to use the top tether.
What can happen. Both NHTSA and gm discourage placement of a child in a front seat. Nevertheless, there are individual circumstances that may require placement of a child in a restraint in the front center seating position of this vehicle that does not offer a rear seat. Lack of access to the top tether anchor and a lack of instructions as to how to use it, may result in improper installation of a child restraint. Improper installation of a child restraint can result in a reduction in the restraint's performance in the event of a crash and an increased risk of injury or death to the child seated in the res
The free fix. 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. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727 or visit gm's website at www.Gmownercenter.Com.
What owners reported
Dt*: the contact stated that while waiting at the traffic light, the engine raced and accelerated as if it was engaging to 50 MPH. In an attempt to prohibit the vehicle from accelerating, the clutch was engaged while depressing the brake pedal. There was also a sulphur smell inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken…
2004 · 7 miles · Engine and its cooling system
the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact was driving approximately 45-65 MPH when a total loss of engine power occurred with the illumination of the engine warning indicator. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after waiting a few moments and resetting the codes. The vehicle was taken to an…
2004 · 12 miles · Engine and its cooling system
I bought a 2004 chevy Colorado feb. 11, 2006 With 47,262 miles on it from the local chevy dealer. It is now july 21, 2006 and i will be taking it in to the shop for the 10th time. So far this is what has gone wrong: head light seal leaking, front grill missing factory clips, ac fan housing has bad factory mold so…
2004 · 15 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
The first and ongoing problem grinding in front left, driver, side wheel area. Many attempts have been made to fix this problem, they started out changing the whole front end, along with alignments, after some adjusting the problem will seem to go away only to return with in 2 months second, tires worn from inside out…
2004 · 15 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 1,508 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page