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2006 Chevrolet Colorado Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Chevrolet Colorado has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “ABS fault light with brake pulsation.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado.

Reported to NHTSA

ABS fault light with brake pulsation

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

28 NHTSA complaints · 2008-08 → 2019-08

“HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COLORADO I AM THE ONLY OWNER AND AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES THE ABS FAULT LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON AND OFF .TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AT 37,000 MILES LIGHT STAYS ON AND BRAKEING FEELS INTERUPTED AT TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10355635
“AFTER HAVING MY FRONT BRAKES REPLACED, THE ABS SENSOR ON MY BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY FAILS WHEN DRIVING THIS TRUCK. WHEN THE SENSOR FAILS, MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE IMPAIRING MY ABILITY TO STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10424694
“FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY AS IF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE ACTIVATING. AFTER A SHORT TIME DRIVING, AN ABS WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATES INDICATING A FAULT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10592071

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Frame and subframe rust corrosion

STRUCTURE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2016-03 → 2023-03

“2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO EXTENDED CAB 4X4 WITH ONLY 115K MILES ON IT HAS A FRAME THAT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND SNAPPED ON THE DRIVER SIDE JUST BEFORE THE LEAF SPRING WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP ON A LOCAL MUNICIPAL ROADWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11196218
“I TOOK MY 2006 COLORADO IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE SHOP CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT MY FRAME WAS CRACKED. COME TO FIND OUT IT WASN'T CRACKED BUT IT HAD A GIANT HOLE ALONG THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRAME RAIL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11244842
“The contact called on behalf of a customer looking to purchase a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that he is a certified mechanic. While performing a vehicle safety check, the contact noticed that the subframe was completely rusted and needed to be replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11434879

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel line and tank leaks

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

9 NHTSA complaints · 2011-03 → 2016-11

“THE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING AT THE TOP OF TANK. I HAD A STRONG SMELL OF GAS OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. 2006 CHEVY COLORADO HAS 80582 MILES ON IT AND THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING HAS RUSTED A HOLE IN IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10469426
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC LINE THAT WENT FROM THE FUEL TANK TO THE ENGINE WAS CRACKED AND CAUSING A LEAK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT FUEL WAS BEING SPRAYED NEAR THE EXHAUST PIPE, WHICH THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED COULD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10455427
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL MODULE HAD RUSTED AND WOULD NEED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10387004

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passlock anti-theft system preventing engine start

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

49 NHTSA complaints · 2010-03 → 2021-04

“AS I SEE I AM ONE OF MAY PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE, I AM HAVING ALMOST DAILY PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK/NO START FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS. THIS HAPPENED ONE OTHER TIME BACK IN JUNE 2012 BUT HAS NOT DONE SO SINCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10499372
“PASSLOCK FEATURE ENGAGES AND THE ENGINE WILL NOT START. ENGINE TURNS OVER BUT THIS FEATURE BLOCKS FUEL FROM ALLOWING ENGINE TO FIRE. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OUT OF THE BLUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10353041
“PASS LOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGES, PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM RESTARTING FOR A PERIOD OF 10 MINUTES. THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE VEHICLE WERE TO STALL WHILE OPERATING ON A FREEWAY OR MAJOR HIGHWAY AND CAN NOT BE RESTARTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10475214

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake light switch failure

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

26 NHTSA complaints · 2008-06 → 2025-07

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V310000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH) AND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10336877
“2006 CHEVY COLORADO CREW CAB. I AM THE ORIGINAL AND CURRENT OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA COMPLAINT NUMBER 06V139000, THERE IS A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION WITH THIS TYPE OF GM VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THIS ITEM REPLACED 6 TIMES DURING MY OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10230748
“PROBLEM STARTED WITH BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT TOP BRAKE LIGHT BULB SOCKETS MELTING FROM HEAT. THEN I REPLACED BOTH BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES TO THE TUNE OF $198.00. NOW WHEN I APPLY BRAKES IT BLOWS THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE AND I NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO HAPPEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10284443

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cylinder head misfire and camshaft actuator failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

27 NHTSA complaints · 2008-01 → 2022-06

“2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO PURCHASED NEW ON 11/30/05. ON MAY 27,2013 SERVICE ENGINE SOON(SES) CAME ON AND STAYED ON. TOOK TRUCK TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND DIAGNOSTIC CODE REVEALED AN ENGINE MISFIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10524223
“2006 CHEVY COLORADO 4 CYL. 2.3L CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR WENT BAD AT 68,000 MILES CAUSING ROUGH IDLE, SOME STALLING, AND LOSS OF POWER. ORIGINALLY CHANGED CAMSHAFT SOLENOID DUE TO MISSING SCREEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10394316
“AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF I DECIDED TO HAVE THE TRUCK CHECKED OUT. AFTER DEALER RAN HISTORY, STATED THAT I NEEDED TO BRING TRUCK IN FOR A HEAD ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10219397

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light and rear-door wiring harness failure

AIR BAGS

15 NHTSA complaints · 2011-03 → 2020-08

“UPON STARTUP THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL GO THROUGH A CHECK AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL STAY ON IF A FAULT IS FOUND. THE OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE EXTENDED CAB DOORS WILL OVER TIME CAUSE THE AIRBAG WIRES TO SNAP INTO OR BREAK CAUSING THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO STAY ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10985619
“I OWN A 2006 CHEVY COLORADO EXTENDED CAB. THE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS THE AIR BAGS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND STEREO SPEAKERS KEEPS BREAKING. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY. THE WIRES RUN BETWEEN THE CAB AND REAR DOORS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10430384
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE THAT TURNED IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10547614

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

HVAC blower motor working only on high speed

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

11 NHTSA complaints · 2009-07 → 2014-07

“WENT TO TURN ON THE CABIN FAN ON SPEEDS 1-3 AND THE FAN WOULD NOT TURN ON. SPEED 4 (THE FAN HAS 4 SPEEDS), THE FAN WOULD COME ON. AFTER GIVING THE TRUCK TIME TO WARM UP, SOMETIMES THE FAN WOULD THEN TURN RUN ON THE LOWER SPEEDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10286838
“FAN CONTROL ONLY WORKS ON FAN SPEED 4. POSITIONS 1 THRU 3 DO NOT WORK. AFTER RESEARCH ON INTERNET FOUND THE INFORMATION ON THE GROUNDING BLOCK FOR THE FAN CONTROL CIRCUIT. CHECKED THE CONNECTOR FOR THIS AND FOUND CORROSION AND SLIGHTLY DARKENED CONNECTOR DUE TO HEAT BUILDUP DUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10353290
“THE A/C HEATING FAN BLOWER DOES NOT WORK ON SPEEDS 1,2, OR 3, ONLY ON SPEED 4. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND IT IS RELATED TO THE FAN RESISTOR BURNING UP. I INSPECTED MY TRUCK AND FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PLASTIC IS BURNT AND HAS STARTED TO MELT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10413924

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles — sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

188 crashes 1990–2024

How the 188 occupant deaths break down

151

driver deaths

37

passenger deaths

188

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

6

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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