Problems · NHTSA complaints
2006 Chevrolet Colorado problems
Owners filed 236 complaints about the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado with NHTSA between Jan 2006 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (69).
Complaints
236
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system69
- Engine and engine cooling31
- Exterior lighting30
- Service brakes, hydraulic24
- Engine19
- Air bags17
- Structure15
- Power train15
- Fuel system, gasoline11
- Service brakes10
- Steering10
- Suspension8
- Fuel/propulsion system7
- Service brakes, electric7
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
16
21
9
19
37
27
15
12
29
14
7
6
3
10
5
2
1
1
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 16 |
| 2007 | 21 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 37 |
| 2011 | 27 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 29 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
69 reports1 fire
“rear brake lights flash or sometimes don't come on while pressing the brake pedal. while driving at night dash cluster goes black cant see speedometer, or anything on instrument cluster.”
Engine and engine cooling
31 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE PASS LOCK AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AFTER THE PASS LOCK RESET, IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.”
Exterior lighting
30 reports2 related recalls
“The high mounted stop lights and the cruise control do not work. A recall for this was issued (NHTSA 06V13900 and NHTSA 09V310000) but when I enter my VIN it says I'm not included in the recall. Also, a dealer said my vehicle was not in the recall. If I have the problem stated in the recall why am I not included? I am the original owner. First noticed problem about six months ago. Did not know about the recall until yesterday.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
24 reports
“DESCRIPTION: ABS FAILURE, TRANSMISSION, LEAKS (SELECT ABOVE WON'T WORK) ABS WARNING LIGHTS GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND BRAKES FAIL TO FUNCTION. TRANY STICKS IN 4 WD & WON'T GO INTO 2WD, DRIVER FLOORGETS ABOUT 1/2 INCH WATER ON FLOOR FROM RAIN. *TR”
Engine
19 reports2 fires
“The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started to shake. The contact was able to drive back to the residence. The contact stated that several independent mechanics diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer or the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 216,000.”
Air bags
17 reports1 crash
“ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 7TH MY HUSBAND PULLED THE TRUCK INTO THE DRIVEWAY GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND. CAME OUTSIDE AND THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED WHILE IT WAS JUST SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE COULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE HE INSIDE THE VEHICLE.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.