The Lemon Index2006 Chevrolet Colorado.
The 2006 Chevrolet Colorado is about average by owner complaints: 65 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 90, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 17 to 21 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Colorado year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 236 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Colorado year. 2006 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 30K to 85K miles on the car (207 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 33K–81K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 23K–79K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 44K–82K miles
Recalls 4
- 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.
Show all 4 recalls
- equipment 2005
CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LAB…
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 736 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Buick/saab/chevrolet/hummer/gmc: some vehicles are experiencing, at a cold start for engines,…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake lamp switch malfunction2009
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
At about 12,000 miles, owning truck for less than a year, the brakes started to squeak, and then grind. Service department said that there was a high metal content in front pads. Front brake pads were replaced at 15,000 miles.
2006 Chevrolet Colorado owner · NHTSA complaint 10156740
More owner reports
Rear brakes have failed four times since purchase; almost caused two crashes. Cruise control doesn't always work. Brake lights only work sometimes.
NHTSA complaint 10184233
Brakes squeak and grab after rain or when wet. Problem occurs mostly upon first couple of stops. I have referred to the dealer they said rust buildup on rotors normal condition.
NHTSA complaint 10242092
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 90; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Colorado year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Colorado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (22%), brakes (17%) and lights (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado have?
4 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 2006 Chevrolet Colorado get?
17 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Colorado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 85,000 miles. The middle report was at 52,600 miles, from 207 complaints.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado have?
2.8L 4-cyl, 3.5L 5-cyl.
What Chevrolet Colorado year is better than the 2006?
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