YearToAvoid

2005 Chevrolet Colorado Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#5 most-complained of 21 Colorado years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2005 Chevrolet Colorado ranks 5th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 356 complaints, 3 recalls, and top problem areas in the electrical system (109 complaints) and brakes (97 complaints).

Complaints
356
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
27 / 11
Injuries / deaths
19 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
16 city / 22 hwy

Top 2005 Chevy Colorado problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System109 (31%)
  2. Brakes97 (27%)
  3. Engine43 (12%)
  4. Airbags33 (9%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires33 (9%)
  6. Structure & Body30 (8%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain27 (8%)
  8. Other19 (5%)
  9. Fuel System11 (3%)
  10. Seat Belts9 (3%)

What owners report

  • Brakes reportedly fail to slow the truck or grab and release intermittently at 30-35 mph, in some cases leading to a rear-end collision.
  • Airbags did not deploy in multiple frontal and rear-impact crashes at speeds between 40 and 55 mph, with owners reporting no working sensors in the rear of the vehicle.
  • Brake light switches reportedly failed repeatedly, with one owner reporting the switch failed eight times even after a recall repair.
  • A fuel filter under the cab reportedly caught fire while driving at 30 mph on a rural road.
  • A front passenger tire reportedly snapped off the spindle while the truck was changing lanes, causing loss of control.
2005 Chevrolet Colorado complaints: complaints filed per quarter292004 Q42007 Q12009 Q22011 Q32013 Q42016 Q12018 Q32022 Q1
427 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2004 Q4 to 2025 Q3; peak 2010 Q3 (29).

2005 Chevrolet Colorado recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 10V575000Nov 18, 2010Other192,676 vehicles

    Child seat

    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.

    Risk: 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 restraint.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 09V310000Jul 29, 2009Electrical System185,903 vehicles

    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, puerto rico, south carolina, texas, u.s. Virgin islands and utah. Some of these vehicles have a brake lamp switch that may not work as designed due to contamination in the switch.

    Risk: This condition could cause the simultaneous loss of all brake lamps or cause all of the brake lamps to stay on continuously. Both of these conditions could fail to warn others of the driver's intentions and could lead to a vehicle crash.

    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. A special coverage for vehicles registered in all other states will be implemented in the same time frame. In the interim, owners who experience the failure can obtain a free repair, however they will be required to return when the new design part becomes available. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727 or at www.gmownercenter.com.

  3. NHTSA 06V139000Apr 27, 2006Electrical System404,733 vehicles

    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. Any trailer brake lamps which are connected to the vehicle's brake lamp wiring will mimic the vehicle's brake lamps when either condition occurs.

    Risk: A following driver may not know when the brakes have been applied, and a rear-end crash could occur without prior warning.

    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.

2005 Chevrolet Colorado fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
22 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other Colorado years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid80356318
2006Caution50236418
2007Good45140318

All Chevrolet Colorado years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
Compared to other Colorado model years, the 2005 ranks poorly. It has a complaint index of 80, the 5th worst of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado?
NHTSA data shows electrical system issues make up 31% of complaints (109 complaints), followed by brakes at 27% (97 complaints) and engine issues at 12% (43 complaints).
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Colorado, covering electrical system issues including brake lamp switch failure and a rear seat tether anchor modification. None are do-not-drive recalls.
What year Chevrolet Colorado should I avoid?
Based on complaint index, the 2005, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2023, and 2024 model years are all rated Avoid. The 2005 has a complaint index of 80, while 2016 is the worst at 100.
At what mileage do 2005 Colorado brake problems occur?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 52,115 miles for brake-related failures on the 2005 Colorado.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.