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2004 Chevrolet Colorado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Colorado years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado are substantially higher than the model-year median of 84.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

283 reports with mileage · 78 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports13 fire reports14 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

6 reports
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200,000 miles · Jul 9, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND NOTICED A HUGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ON THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC FOR THE FUEL TANK WAS SEPARATED FROM THE CAPPING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE BUT THE FAILURE WAS RECU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND NOTICED A HUGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ON THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC FOR THE FUEL TANK WAS SEPARATED FROM THE CAPPING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE BUT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000

NHTSA ODI #10609189

36,750 miles · Dec 5, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY COLORADO CREW CAB 4X4 WITH THE Z71 OFF ROAD PACKAGE. I RAN OVER A STICK ABOUT 3/4" TO 1-1/2" IN DIA. AND IT BROKE THE FUEL LINE (THAT IS PVC NOT METAL). I THINK GM SHOULD LOOK AT THIS MORE CLOSELY AS IT IS A MAJOR HAZARD ON THE ROAD. I NOTIFIED GM ON MONDAY 12-01-2008 AND THEY SAID THAT, COULD NOT HAVE HAPP…

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I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY COLORADO CREW CAB 4X4 WITH THE Z71 OFF ROAD PACKAGE. I RAN OVER A STICK ABOUT 3/4" TO 1-1/2" IN DIA. AND IT BROKE THE FUEL LINE (THAT IS PVC NOT METAL). I THINK GM SHOULD LOOK AT THIS MORE CLOSELY AS IT IS A MAJOR HAZARD ON THE ROAD. I NOTIFIED GM ON MONDAY 12-01-2008 AND THEY SAID THAT, COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. WELL IT DID HAPPEN AND IF IT HAPPENED TO ME I AM SURE IT HAS BEFORE AND WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I SHOULD PROCEED WITH THIS MAJOR ROAD SAFETY HAZARD. THANK YOU, RANDY SCHMIDT *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250873

22,300 miles · Nov 30, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

2004 COLORADO FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED AT 22,300. THE FUEL CONNECTOR CAME LOOSE CAUSE FUEL TO SPILL OUT. *TS A YEAR AND SOME MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING PROFUSELY FROM THE FUEL FILTER CONNECTOR (BETWEEN THE FILTER AND THE ENGINE). THE CONSUMER SNAPPED THE CONNECTOR BACK IN TO PLACE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10176444

46,000 miles · Jun 19, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT MOVE DUE TO THE ENGINE FLOODING WITH GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE NUMBER 5 FUEL INJECTOR FAILED, DUMPING FUEL INT…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT MOVE DUE TO THE ENGINE FLOODING WITH GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE NUMBER 5 FUEL INJECTOR FAILED, DUMPING FUEL INTO THE OIL. AFTER THE INJECTOR WAS REPLACED THERE WAS A ROD KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10160164

1,500 miles · May 6, 2005
Fuel System, GasolineFire

DT: THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FABRICATION. THE CHOKE CONTROL IS BROKEN. CHEVROLET IS NOT OFFERING ANY HELP. I N THE MORNING, WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE, CAME BACK, AND THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING. CONTACT BELIEVES THE PROBLEM STARTED IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10120054

860 miles · Jul 8, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

1. ROAD DEBRIS CRACKED THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR WHERE THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE COMES OUT OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK. . BRAND NEW, 2004 CHEVY COLORADO (860 MI.) STOPPED RUNNING. AFTER 3 DAYS, TRADED IN FOR A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA.*AK 3. NO PARTS AVAILABLE EVEN FROM THE FACTORY IN DETROIT.

NHTSA ODI #10080602

Official recalls

3

10V575000 · Child Seat

Nov 18, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

09V310000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Jul 29, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

06V139000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 27, 2006

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

RQ09001 · Brake Lamp Switch Malfunction

Opened Feb 25, 2009 · Closed Jul 30, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

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).

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

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).

Exterior Lighting

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).

PE04076 · Inadvertent Front Airbag Deployment

Opened Nov 10, 2004 · Closed Mar 14, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal

ALL REPORTS INDICATE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT DURING IGNITION START-UP (KEY-ON) AND WITH THE VEHICLE NOT IN MOTION.REPORTED INJURIES WERE MINOR AND CONSIST OF SKIN ABRASION AND BRUISES.THE INCIDENT DATES RANGED FROM JULY THROUGH NOVEMBER 2004.ODI HAS RECEIVED NO ADDITIONAL REPORTS SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal

ALL REPORTS INDICATE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT DURING IGNITION START-UP (KEY-ON) AND WITH THE VEHICLE NOT IN MOTION.REPORTED INJURIES WERE MINOR AND CONSIST OF SKIN ABRASION AND BRUISES.THE INCIDENT DATES RANGED FROM JULY THROUGH NOVEMBER 2004.ODI HAS RECEIVED NO ADDITIONAL REPORTS SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Air Bags

ALL REPORTS INDICATE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT DURING IGNITION START-UP (KEY-ON) AND WITH THE VEHICLE NOT IN MOTION.REPORTED INJURIES WERE MINOR AND CONSIST OF SKIN ABRASION AND BRUISES.THE INCIDENT DATES RANGED FROM JULY THROUGH NOVEMBER 2004.ODI HAS RECEIVED NO ADDITIONAL REPORTS SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.