2004 Chevrolet Colorado recalls and problems

The 2004 Chevrolet Colorado has 3 safety recalls and 361 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
361
Crashes / fires
11 / 13
Injuries / deaths
14 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Chevrolet Colorado recalls

Recall 10V-575: Child Seat

Reported Nov 18, 2010 · 192,676 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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 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.

Fix: 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 09V-310: Exterior Lighting

Reported Jul 29, 2009 · 185,903 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 06V-139: Exterior Lighting

Reported Apr 27, 2006 · 404,733 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

2004 Chevrolet Colorado problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System88
Structure62
Exterior Lighting45
Suspension35
Service Brakes, Hydraulic34
Air Bags29
Visibility28
Power Train28
Engine and Engine Cooling23
Unknown or Other22
Tires19
Vehicle Speed Control15

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 40
  • Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch — 25
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 12
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 11
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 8
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 8
  • Suspension › Front — 8
  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 8

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 58,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 Chevrolet Colorado complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Tires · reported May 27, 2025
Tire size 245/45R20 I purchased a set a 4 Cooper Discoverer H/T Plus tires for my truck in 2022. I haven't driven a lot of miles on them due to the fact that I live on the Island of Oahu, in Honolulu, Hawaii and have a lot of thread life left. I noticed that the sidewalls on 2 of 4 tires are cracking and separating. I removed them from the vehicle due to the risk of tire blowout and injury in the event of an accident. I've emailed Cooper tires for information and warranty resolution and have yet had a reply.
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Oct 13, 2023
There apparently was fuel dripping onto the starter and soaking the starter so when we went to start the truck. It caught on fire 🔥🔥 And my truck is a total loss
Electrical System · reported Aug 29, 2023
One day, after I turned my truck off, I noticed that my taillights and overhead cargo light remained on. Key was out, truck was off, but the lights stayed on. So for the time being, I disconnected the battery. I brought it to a mechanic, who ran the codes that came back that the rear driver turn signal was high, the rear passenger turn signal was high, and the overhead cargo light was high. He checked the entire truck for a short, replaced the taillights, replaced the fuse box, replaced the body control module, and numerous other attempts at a repair, with no success. I was without a vehicle…
Unknown or Other · reported Jul 21, 2023
The frame on my 2004 Chevy Colorado has rusted/rotted to the point that it snapped, causing the bed to rub against the cab. Mechanic said it is not fixable.
Unknown or Other · reported Jun 6, 2023
Frame of my vehicle is rotting away causing to fail inspection. Just finding out that Toyota did a recall on one of there pick up models replacing their frame due rotting frames that may be a safety factor if it gets into an accident. Does Chevy Colorado have a recall as such? Just had my frame recently welded on a piece of heavy metal to reinforce my frame in order to pass a safety inspection

Other Chevrolet Colorado years

Compare all Chevrolet Colorado years · All Chevrolet models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado: 10V-575 (child seat), 09V-310 (exterior lighting), 06V-139 (exterior lighting). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (88 reports), followed by structure (62). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 58,000 miles.

Are Chevrolet recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Chevrolet dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.