VehicleVerdict

2004 Chevrolet Colorado problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 502 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.9 times the median Colorado year — the 2004 model ranks #3 of 23 Colorado years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 21 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (92), body & structure (62), and brakes (52), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

502

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

16

Fires reported

21

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Colorado years?

Colorado NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted936 complaints2004: 502 complaints2005: 459 complaints2006: 323 complaints2007: 199 complaints2008: 130 complaints2009: 87 complaints2010: 48 complaints2011: 54 complaints2012: 59 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 1 complaints2015: 635 complaints2016: 936 complaints2017: 282 complaints2018: 238 complaints2019: 190 complaints2020: 98 complaints2021: 94 complaints2022: 62 complaints2023: 206 complaints2024: 182 complaints2025: 45 complaints2026: 15 complaints
Colorado NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Colorado years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Colorado problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System9218%
Body & Structure6212%
Brakes5210%
Lighting459%
Suspension357%
Engine306%
Airbags296%
Visibility & Wipers286%
Transmission286%
Other235%
Tires & Wheels224%
Latches & Locks153%
Speed Control153%
Fuel System122%
Steering61%
Seats20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%
Seat Belts20%
Child Seat10%
Trailer Hitch10%

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V575000Child SeatNovember 18, 2010 · 192,676 units

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.

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.

09V310000LightingJuly 29, 2009 · 185,903 units

Defect

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

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.

06V139000LightingApril 27, 2006 · 404,733 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“COULD CAUSE FIRE!!! AC SPEED REGULATOR OF MY 2004 CREW-CAB COLORADO OVERHEATED SO MUCH THAT THE ADAPTER BURNT IN THE INSIDE AND CABLES OVERHEATED TO THE POINT THAT IT COULDN'T BE TOUCHED AND STARTED TO SMOKE. THIS IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE GLOVEBOX COMPARTMENT. IF THIS IS LEFT UNATTENDED COULD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 1, 2011 · fire

“LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THE 2004 GM COLORADO PICKUP TRUCK THE TAILGATE OPEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THE CABINET I WAS HAULING FELL OFF THE TRUCK INTO THE ROAD CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I WAS SURE THE DOOR WAS SHUT SECURELY BUT SOMEHOW IT JUST OPENED UP.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 1, 2004 · crash

“PERIODIC ABS SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURRING WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. HAS BEEN A FAILURE FOR FOUR YEARS MADE EFFORTS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BY CALLING THEM AND NO SATISFACTION. I'VE ASKED OTHER COLORADO OWNERS AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN THE 05, 06.. I HIT INTO A SCHOOL BUS. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 19, 2012 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES FOR A RECURRING FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V310000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH). THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH UNDER THE RECALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 8, 2006 · fire

“DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 2004, CHEVROLET COLORADO Z71 WAS HAVING FRONT END PROBLEMS. THE FRONT END WAS RUBBING THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE INSIDE TREAD WAS WEARING. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT WAS THE WAY IT WAS. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 .…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 25, 2005

2004 Chevrolet Colorado — common questions

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 502 complaints put the 2004 model at #3 of 23 Colorado years. It is one of the Colorado years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Colorado problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (92 complaints), body & structure (62 complaints), brakes (52 complaints).

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Colorado years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Colorado years to avoid are 2016, 2015, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2017, 2018, 2023, 2007. The cleanest record among Colorado years belongs to 2014.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.