The Lemon Index2005 Chevrolet Colorado.
The 2005 Chevrolet Colorado is worse than average by owner complaints: 135 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 152, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 17 to 21 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Colorado year is 2010.
Worse than average. 1.5× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2010
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 356 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Colorado year. 2005 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 22K to 86K miles on the car (287 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 35K–95K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 26K–65K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 19K–79K 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 654 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Squeak or crunch noise from front suspension over bumps
- Vibration highway speed
- Vibration highway speed z71 and z85 suspension
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake lamp switch malfunction2009
- ClosedBrake lamp switch failure2005–2006
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 $3050–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.8L 4-cyl, 3.5L 5-cyl.
In owners' words
All brake lights failed, they are no longer working.
2005 Chevrolet Colorado owner · NHTSA complaint 10160268
More owner reports
When installing new brake pads I noticed the drivers side slider Bolt hangs up and was actually frozen. Bought a new pin and wheel bracket. This unit was still too tight and had to ream it alittle to get it to function properly.
NHTSA complaint 10207929
The braking system in Colorado try to stop and the brakes grab and seem to let go and grab again to stop speed about 30 to 35mph there is problem with the brakes I hit someone.
NHTSA complaint 10139086
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 152; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Colorado year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2005 Chevrolet Colorado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (19%), lights (17%) and suspension (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 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 2005 Chevrolet Colorado get?
17 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Colorado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 22,000 and 86,000 miles. The middle report was at 51,000 miles, from 287 complaints.
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Chevrolet Colorado have?
2.8L 4-cyl, 3.5L 5-cyl.
What Chevrolet Colorado year is better than the 2005?
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