Chevrolet Colorado Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 203 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the Chevrolet Colorado across 21 model years. The 2005 model year has the most (49). The words owners use most often: “brake switch” (31% of reports).
- 203exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 43%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brake switch: mentioned in 63 of 203 complaints (31%)
- Cruise control: mentioned in 40 of 203 complaints (20%)
- Turn signal: mentioned in 21 of 203 complaints (10%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 139 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 203 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 3 a fire.
Chevrolet Colorado exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Colorado | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2025 Colorado | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2024 Colorado | 11 | 9% | 8,000 |
| 2023 Colorado | 9 | 7% | — |
| 2022 Colorado | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2021 Colorado | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Colorado | 3 | 4% | 4,100 |
| 2019 Colorado | 3 | 2% | 43 |
| 2018 Colorado | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2017 Colorado | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2016 Colorado | 4 | 1% | 6,900 |
| 2015 Colorado | 4 | 1% | 8,750 |
| 2012 Colorado | 2 | 5% | 56,000 |
| 2011 Colorado | 4 | 10% | 42,062 |
| 2010 Colorado | 2 | 7% | 57,597 |
| 2009 Colorado | 3 | 4% | 80,500 |
| 2008 Colorado | 7 | 9% | 89,000 |
| 2007 Colorado | 19 | 14% | 65,028 |
| 2006 Colorado | 30 | 13% | 60,000 |
| 2005 Colorado | 49 | 14% | 39,495 |
| 2004 Colorado | 43 | 12% | 47,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Problem: 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, mississippi, nevada, new mexico, puerto rico, south carolina, texas, u.s. Virgin islands and utah. Some of these vehicles have a brake lamp switch that may not work as designed due to contamination in the switch.
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 intentions and could lead to a vehicle crash.
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 registered in all other states will be implemented in the same time frame. In the interim, owners who experience the failure can obtain a free repair, however they will be required to return when the new design part becomes available. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727 or at www.gmownercenter.com.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006
Problem: 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 are connected to the vehicle's brake lamp wiring will mimic the vehicle's brake lamps when either condition occurs.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Exterior headlamp surface coating/finish is delaminating/peeling from the OEM headlamp assembly. Dull headlamps pose safety risk as visibility is dimished. GM does not want to warranty defect, no reason given.
There are these "New" headlights that are LED and White and they are far to bright for oncoming traffic to the point that I see black spots that block the view of the road. To be clear they are not on my vehicle specifically, but a ton of the newer vehicles.
The turn signal system intermittently malfunctions. When using the turn signal, the auto-cancel function sometimes activates the opposite signal, and at times the stalk does not stay engaged when attempting to signal. This creates a safety risk because surrounding drivers may receive the wrong…
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the right turn signal, the left turn signal was displayed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with an overcorrection and…
Front passenger headlight assembly is defective with less than 200 miles on vehicle. The defect is allowing excessive condensation in assembly and fogging up headlight brightness and assuming will eventually cause bulbs to prematurely burn out. This in my opinion is a safety concern and issue…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Colorados have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 203 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the Chevrolet Colorado. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Colorado exterior lighting?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the Chevrolet Colorado?
The most frequent phrase is “brake switch”, in 63 of 203 complaints, followed by “cruise control” (40).
Other Chevrolet Colorado problems
- Steering problems (962)
- Electrical System problems (773)
- Power Train problems (562)
- Engine problems (326)
- Service Brakes problems (251)
- Air Bags problems (185)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (159)
- Structure problems (157)
See all Chevrolet Colorado problems.