Problems · by component

2004 Chevrolet Colorado exterior lighting problems

43 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado cite exterior lighting, 12% of all 361 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
43
12% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the exterior lighting

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2016Exterior lightingODI 10854450
“MY CRUISE CONTROL AND MY REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TOP TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT A WEEK OR SO AGO. TODAY, MY STOP LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY, INCLUDING THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AND ANOTHER DRIVER INFORMED ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS DIDN'T WORK. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEMS I'M EXPERIENCING ARE RELATED TO 2 SWITCHES ABOVE MY BRAKE PEDAL-THE STOP LAMP SWITCH AND THE BRAKE CRUISE RELEASE SWITCH.I CALLED THE CHEVY RECALL HOTLINE AND PROVIDED MY VIN #. THE GIRL LACY INFORMED ME THERE WASN'T A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE AND THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING TO HELP ME GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE BEING DENIED AS WELL. THE REFERENCE # TO MY CALL IS [XXX]. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AND WOULD LIKE CHEVY TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR AND ANY ACCIDENTS I MAY GET INTO AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM.THANK YOU. [XXX] *TR*JB*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 21, 2015Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 10717730
“THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES. IT WAS COVERED TWICE UNDER A RECALL. SWITCHES ONLY LAST 1.5-2 YEARS. THERE IS NO WARNING OR DASH LIGHT WHEN THEY GO OUT. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED TWICE. HAPPENED AGAIN APRIL 13, 2015. I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER WHEN I FOUND OUT IN TRAFFIC. I KNEW IT WAS THE BRAKE SWITCH AGAIN AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED. THE DEALER CALLED GM TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE REPLACEMENT. THEY REFUSED. THE DEALER GAVE ME A DISCOUNT AS THEY KNOW IT IS AN ISSUE AND CHARGED ME $87 TO CHANGE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO PAY. HE GAVE ME THIS NUMBER TO CALL BUT THAT WAS NO USE AS THEY REFUSED LAST TIME. 800-222-1020. MOST CONCERNING TO ME IS THE LACK OF CONCERN BY GM TO FIX A KNOW SAFETY ISSUE IN THE BRAKE AND LIGHT SYSTEM. SOMEONE PROBABLY HAS OR WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. THEY NEED TO COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE FIX AND AT A MINIMUM CONTINUE COVERING FAILURES UNDER WARRANTY. NOT FIXING THE DESIGN PROBLEM THEN MAKING MONEY CHARGING PEOPLE IS NOT RIGHT. THE DEALER WHO DID THE WORK LAST TIME IS FIVE STAR CHEVY IN DALLAS, TX. CRAIG GREENE WAS THE REPRESENTATIVE WHO TRIED TO HELP ME WITH GM IF YOU NEED TO…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 14, 2015Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 10705749
“AS I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED MY SPEED CONTROL WASN'T WORKING. ONCE I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND THAT OTHERS ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. SO, I WENT OUT TO CHECK MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND THEY ARE NON RESPONSIVE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 12, 2014Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed controlODI 10654529

Showing 6 of 43 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

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

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