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2006 Chevrolet Colorado problems

The most common problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado is electrical system, typically around 58,033 miles. It has 1.7 times the complaints of a typical Colorado model year.

Typical year1.7x the typical complaints
Year score
54/100
Owner complaints
236
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
736
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
17-21mpg
Typical repair
$1,000

The worst 2006 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 2006 Chevrolet Colorado

Won't start 26ABS 21Stalling 21Check engine light 19Misfire 12Airbag light 10Adaptive cruise 6Grinding brakes 6Loss of power 6Headlights 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado mention

P0017 3

Recalls 4

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

Equipment: other: labelsReported December 7, 2005 · 32,068 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle capacity weight.
Risk
A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on march 31, 2006. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493, pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668, saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876, or isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727.

Recall number 05V552000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2006 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

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado 736

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

See all 736 bulletins for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado

2006 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‑cylRWD15-1822-2517-21
3.5L 5‑cylRWD15-1720-2317-19
3.5L 5‑cyl4WD16-1720-2217-19
2.8L 4‑cyl4WD15-162117-18

What 2006 Chevrolet Colorado owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Acceleration, Lights · AZ

The high mounted stop lights and the cruise control do not work. A recall for this was issued (the federal safety agency 06V13900 and the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Aug 15, 2024 · Electrical · FL

rear brake lights flash or sometimes don't come on while pressing the brake pedal. while driving at night dash cluster goes black cant see speedometer, or anything on instrument cluster.

Filed Mar 24, 2023 · Body, Suspension · PA

Rear leaf spring mounts and frame rusting through causing a safety hazard. Chevrolet doesn't offer a repair part nor does the aftermarket. The internet is ripe with other owners experiencing this or similar issues. The consumer stated there is frame corrosion specifically rear frame shackle mounts and lateral supports. The contact believes that the failure comes from the frame being made with the wrong metal thickness or metal that is not rust-proof. The vehicle was taken to a specialty shop to weld the frame, but the contact believes that is not the best way to fix the issue.

Filed Jun 24, 2022 · Engine · 216,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Sep 29, 2021 · Body · 73,172 miles · AR

The contact called on behalf of a customer looking to purchase a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that he is a certified mechanic. While performing a vehicle safety check, the contact noticed that the subframe was completely rusted and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repairable. The contact had not contacted the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,172.

Filed Apr 24, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · 56,000 miles · VI

Will not start,to hot to start!!!!!

Filed Dec 2, 2020 · Engine · 28,500 miles · TN

I try to crank the truck and it won't do anything but I can wait about 15 minutes and try it again and it will crank. This has been going on for about 5 years. Vehicle was stationary.

Filed Oct 26, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 88,000 miles · OR · fire

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

Filed Oct 13, 2020 · Electrical · 103,000 miles · SC

This car has an inherant problem with it ignition safty module.know as pass lock security. This keep my car from starting. It an issue that 100,000 and more have suffered. It could happen while driving anytime making it lethal to passengers in the car. It is fixable but only at the dealer for hundreds and hundreds of dollars

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · Body, Suspension · 154,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet colorado. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and he was informed that the driver's side subframe and brackets were severely corroded. The mechanic informed him that the corrosion was so severe that the vehicle could not be repaired. Additionally, the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact took the vehicle to baumann chevrolet buick gmc inc (2291 oh-18, tiffin, oh 44883) where he was provided the number to the federal safety agency and offered no further assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000. *bf the consumer stated baumann offered the 888 number and kelly blue book value of $10,000 or 3 to 5 if frame is rusted.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado before you buy

Compare the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado

Colorado vs Toyota TacomaColorado vs Ford RangerColorado vs Nissan FrontierColorado vs Honda RidgelineColorado vs GMC CanyonColorado vs Jeep Gladiator

Other model years

20042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado

Is the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?

Owners have filed 236 complaints about the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado, 1.7 times a typical Colorado model year.

What is the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado year score?

The 2006 Chevrolet Colorado scores 54 out of 100 (below average). 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 2006 Chevrolet Colorado?

Electrical system, with 69 complaints, typically around 58,033 miles. Next is engine (50).

How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado have?

4 recalls, covering child seat, exterior lighting and equipment.

What year does the Chevrolet Colorado have the most electrical problems?

The Chevrolet Colorado model years with the most electrical complaints are 2016 (120 complaints), 2004 (88 complaints) and 2005 (69 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado get?

Official estimates for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado range from 17 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.8L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 15-18 city and 22-25 highway.

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