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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2004 Chevrolet ColoradoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 361 owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado. Most complaints involve electrical system (88) and structure (61). The EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–21mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
361
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Child seat

Free remedy

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.

Child seatReported Nov 18, 2010NHTSA 10V575000

Exterior lighting: switch

Remedy pending

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.

Exterior lightingReported Jul 29, 2009NHTSA 09V310000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 27, 2006NHTSA 06V139000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

361 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2004 – May 2025
  1. Electrical system88
  2. Structure61
  3. Exterior lighting43
  4. Suspension35
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic34
  6. Air bags29
  7. Power train27
  8. Visibility26
  9. Engine and engine cooling23

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Colorado model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004361
2005356
2006236
2007140
200881
200967
201029
201142
201242
2015498
2016716
2017216
2018183
2019150
202088
202180
202256
2023138
2024126
202528
202620
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
13
Injuries reported
14
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

88 reports7 fires
“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 for many months, since I can't afford the absurd prices of the current vehicle market and was hopeful it could be fixed. Reading through some other complaints/online threads, this seems like a fairly common problem with these vehicles. Electrical issues that affect my ability to use a turn signal are a huge safety concern and this needs to be addressed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2023Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11541503

Structure

61 reports1 crash
“Mechanic had the truck on the lift raised up to check the brakes for squeaking and while under the truck the mechanic inspected the frame because he noticed a lot of rust and called me to come look at it and pointed out that the frame has rotted to the point that he should not be driven and could break in half and cause major problems for the safety of the occupants and other drivers on the road. I looked up online if other Colorado owners had the same issue and others have the same problem. I’m am forced to junk this vehicle even though the rest of the truck is in very good condition”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2022Suspension, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11460332

Exterior lighting

43 reports2 fires
“WIRES IN THE HARNESS WHICH PASS FROM CAB TO LEFT REAR DOOR BREAK. THE BREAK DISABLES THE SEAT BELT LOCK UP MECHANISM. A BROKEN WIRE CAUSES THE AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DOOR OPEN AND CLOSE SWITCH IS INOPERABLE. THE LEFT REAR STEREO SPEAKER DOES NOT WORK.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2016Exterior lighting, Air bags, Seat beltsODI 10865742
All 2004 Colorado problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

12 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.8L 4-cyl · 3.5L 5-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Colorado 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182421$3,050423
Colorado Crew Cab 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Colorado 2WD
Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
Colorado 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400468
Colorado 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162318$3,550494
Colorado 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Colorado 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Colorado 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Colorado 4WD
Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Colorado Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162318$3,550494
Colorado Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Colorado Crew Cab 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
  • Colorado 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado Crew Cab 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado Crew Cab 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado Crew Cab 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado Crew Cab 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado as of Nov 4, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 4, 2026Vehicle 1059
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Colorado questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Colorado problems?

Owners filed 361 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (88), structure (61), exterior lighting (43). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado at 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 4, 2026