VehicleVerdict

2006 Chevrolet Colorado problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 323 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.5 times the median Colorado year — the 2006 model ranks #5 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 4 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (75), engine (51), and brakes (44), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

323

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

4

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Colorado years?

See all Colorado years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Colorado problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System7523%
Engine5116%
Brakes4414%
Lighting3210%
Fuel System186%
Airbags175%
Body & Structure155%
Transmission155%
Steering103%
Tires & Wheels82%
Suspension82%
Visibility & Wipers72%
Other52%
Speed Control52%
Seat Belts41%
Latches & Locks41%
Seats31%
Child Seat10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado have recalls?

4 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.

05V552000OtherDecember 7, 2005 · 32,068 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 6, 2020 · 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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 6, 2020 · fire

STOPPED AT RIGHT TURN YIELD SIGN BEHIND OTHER VEHICLES; CARS STARTED TO MOVE THE CAR AHEAD OF ME STOPPED AGAIN I PUT ON MY BRAKES AND SLOWLY HIT THE VEHICLE IN THE REAR. AFTER THE INCIDENT I NOTICE THAT MY BRAKE PEDAL WOULD SLOWLY GO TO THE FLOOR. WHEN I HIT THE VEHICLE MY PEDAL WAS HITTING THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 1, 2013 · crash

BRAKE LAMPS BLOW OUR REGULARLY EVERY WEEK OR TWO; BLOWER MOTOR QUITS INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO RUSTED CORRODED CONNECTOR; INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILS INTERMITTENTLY, NOTHING WORKS (GAUGES, LAMPS, ODOMETER) BUT ENGINE RUNS. BRAKE ISSUE HAS PERSISTED NOW FOR TWO YEARS. BLOWER STARTED IN EARLY 09 AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 26, 2009

MY 2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO HAS BEEN AT THE TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING. PROBLEM, IS THAT THE MOTOR WILL TURN OVER BUT WILL NOT START. AFTER 10 MINUTES THE VEHICLE WILL TURN OVER AND THEN START. SINCE THE DEALER CAN'T REPLICATE NO ERROR CODES ARE REPORTED WHEN CONNECTED TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 4, 2010

2006 Chevrolet Colorado — common questions

Is the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 323 complaints put the 2006 model at #5 of 23 Colorado years. It is one of the Colorado years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Colorado problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (75 complaints), engine (51 complaints), brakes (44 complaints).

Does the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.