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2005 Chevrolet Colorado problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado is brakes, typically around 51,230 miles. It has 2.5 times the complaints of a typical Colorado model year.

Year to avoid2.5x the typical complaints
Year score
36/100
Owner complaints
356
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
654
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
17-21mpg
Typical repair
$650

The worst 2005 Chevrolet Colorado problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado

ABS 53Grinding brakes 18Adaptive cruise 16Airbag light 15Check engine light 15No deployment 12Stalling 12Won't start 11Door locks 9Seat belt 8Fire or smoke 6Misfire 6Loss of power 5Overheating 5Tire blowout 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado mention

C0035 3C0040 2C0220 2

Recalls 3

Child seatReported November 18, 2010 · 192,676 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 the federal safety agency 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.

Recall number 10V575000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported July 29, 2009 · 185,903 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 09V310000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported April 27, 2006 · 404,733 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 06V139000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado

Defect investigations

Brake lamp switch malfunctionOpened February 25, 2009, closed July 30, 2009

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 coverage/extended warranty program will be initiated forvehicles registered in all other states. Gm determined that brake lamp switch failures are more likely to occur in vehicles in which customers used interior cleaners containing silicon and that reside in hot geographical locations.brake lamp switch contamination failure can cause loss of the brake lamps or the brake lamps to stay on continuously, increasing the risk of rear-end crashes.gm has reported no crashes or injuries due to the failure of the brake lamp switch.odi initially reported one crash incident, but later downgraded the report due to the absence of actual property damage or cost incurred when the vehicle was lightly tapped from behind at low speed.this investigation is closed (see recall campaign 09v0310).

RQ09001

Brake lamp switch failureOpened December 2, 2005, closed May 1, 2006

By letter dated april 26, 2006, gm notified the agency that it is conducting a safety recall (the federal safety agency 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 brake lamp switch assembly on all involved vehicles with the new switch that has the increased plating on the stationary contact.based on gm's safety recall action, this investigation is closed.

PE05065

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado 654

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 654 bulletins for the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado

2005 Chevrolet Colorado fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.8L 4‑cylRWD16-1823-2418-21
3.5L 5‑cylRWD16-1722-2318-19
2.8L 4‑cyl4WD15-1721-2217-19
3.5L 5‑cyl4WD16-1721-2218-19

What 2005 Chevrolet Colorado owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 9, 2025 · Body · 130,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud banging sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the side frame of the vehicle was fractured. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000

Filed Jul 31, 2023 · Body, Suspension · PA

The FRAME rotten away

Filed Apr 29, 2023 · Body, Suspension · KY

My truck bed is resting against my cab due to frame rot. There is big chunks missing from the frame.

Filed Mar 20, 2022 · MI

The driver side frame has rusted through in more than on location. Passenger side frame has rust but still solid. Dealership and private mechanic said this is a common problem with 2005 Colorado. Dealership will not buy vehicle for liability reasons. Frame could crack while driving and cause unsafe driving conditions. The body and engine is in good shape. 105000 miles on vehicle.

Filed Mar 20, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · KY

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.

Filed Mar 29, 2021 · Transmission · 169,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet colorado. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated whenever the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the chassis needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and referred the contact to a local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000.

Filed Mar 24, 2021 · Engine · CO

Motor compression,

Filed Feb 6, 2021 · Lights · AZ

The brake and tail lights quit and I cant figure out why. I replaced the bulbs.

Filed Aug 12, 2020 · Suspension, Wheels · MI

I'm on disability ,hard of hearing, and bad spine,,,but I bought this truck at fieldmans in lansing mich,,the dealer or carfax did not mention that the frame was rusted and broke on driver side rear leafspings,,now what do I do

Filed May 26, 2020 · Body · 139,550 miles · NY

Frame is rotted through, and now unable to pass inspection.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado before you buy

Compare the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado

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Other model years

20042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?

Owners have filed 356 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado, 2.5 times a typical Colorado model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado year score?

The 2005 Chevrolet Colorado scores 36 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Colorado: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado?

Brakes, with 95 complaints, typically around 51,230 miles. Next is electrical (69).

How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado have?

3 recalls, covering child seat and exterior lighting.

What year does the Chevrolet Colorado have bad brakes?

The Chevrolet Colorado model years with the most brakes complaints are 2005 (95 complaints), 2004 (52 complaints) and 2006 (41 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado get?

Official estimates for the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado range from 17 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.8L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 16-18 city and 23-24 highway.

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