Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 356 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 51 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 38 | 11% |
| Exterior lighting | 33 | 9% |
| Power train | 21 | 6% |
| Air bags | 21 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 16 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 15 | 4% |
| Structure | 11 | 3% |
| Suspension | 10 | 3% |
| Tires | 9 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud banging sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that
NHTSA complaint: Structure
My truck bed is resting against my cab due to frame rot. There is big chunks missing from the frame.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Vehicle taillights failed to function when lights come on at night. I became aware of this when another motorist stopped beside me to tell me. Fuse and lightbulbs work when tested.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The driver side frame has rusted through in more than on location. Passenger side frame has rust but still solid. Dealership and private mechanic said this is a common problem with 2005 Colorado. Dealership will not bu
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHENEVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICL
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS QUIT AND I CANT FIGURE OUT WHY. I REPLACED THE BULBS.
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
I'M ON DISABILITY ,HARD OF HEARING, AND BAD SPINE,,,BUT I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK AT FIELDMANS IN LANSING MICH,,THE DEALER OR CARFAX DID NOT MENTION THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND BROKE ON DRIVER SIDE REAR LEAFSPINGS,,NOW WHA
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH, AND NOW UNABLE TO PASS INSPECTION. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
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 P
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 M
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 AR
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.
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, MISSISSIP
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 INTENTIO
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
| Reliability raw | 61 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 73 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 356 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 51 of them (14%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 61/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.