The Lemon Index2004 Chevrolet Colorado.
The 2004 Chevrolet Colorado is worse than average by owner complaints: 137 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 136, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about lights, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Colorado year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 361 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Colorado year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 98K miles on the car (282 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 36K–98K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 76K–142K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 25K–73K miles
Recalls 3
- child seat 2010
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 …
- lights 2009
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 I…
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS MAY EXPERIENCE THE PERMANENT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 614 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Multiple driveability symptoms of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or…
- The service engine soon lamp is illuminated, no 3rd and 4th gear, the transmission does not…
- Vacuum type hissing noise from engine
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake lamp switch malfunction2009
- ClosedInadvertent front airbag deployment2004–2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.8L 4-cyl, 3.5L 5-cyl.
In owners' words
2004 Chevrolet Colorado does not have acceleration when pulling out into traffic from a stop.
2004 Chevrolet Colorado owner · NHTSA complaint 10137744
More owner reports
While shifting a loud grinding noise came from front. The steering wheel failed to turn on its own. Driver took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the problem could not be duplicated.
NHTSA complaint 10110911
-transmission will go out while driving the vehicle -bad smell coming from the a/c unit -water leaks.
NHTSA complaint 10086933
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 136; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Colorado year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Colorado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (16%), transmission & drivetrain (15%) and engine (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado have?
3 safety recalls (latest: child seat). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Colorado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,800 and 98,900 miles. The middle report was at 56,500 miles, from 282 complaints.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado have?
2.8L 4-cyl, 3.5L 5-cyl.
What Chevrolet Colorado year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2020 and 2022.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works