MotorDeets

2006 Chevrolet Colorado: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado: 4 recalls, 236 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.

4vehicle recalls
236owner complaints
6mention a crash
21best combined mpg
2006 Chevrolet Colorado
Photo: RL GNZLZ from Chile · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Equipment Vehicle recall #05V552000 · 2005 · 32,068 vehicles

What's wrong: 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 labels listing an inacccurate vehicle capacity weight.

Why it matters: A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on March 31, 2006.

Exterior lights Vehicle recall #06V139000 · 2006 · 404,733 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: A following driver May not know when the brakes have been applied, and a rear-end crash could occur without prior warning.

The fix: Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch assembly. The recall began on December 5, 2006.

Exterior lights Vehicle recall #09V310000 · 2009 · 185,903 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

The 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…

Child seat Vehicle recall #10V575000 · 2010 · 192,676 vehicles

What's wrong: These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the top tether anchor for the front center seat is not accessible and the owner manual does not include instructions regarding how to use the top tether.

Why it matters: Both NHTSA and gm discourage placement of a child in a front seat. Nevertheless, there are individual circumstances that May require placement of a child in a restraint in the front center seating position of this vehicle that does not offer a rear seat. Lack of access to the top tether anchor and…

The fix: Dealers will cut a hole into the back panel trim cover to allow access to the top tether anchor for the front center seat position and will provide supplemental information as to use in the owner's manual. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.

Electrical69
Engine & cooling31
Exterior lights30
Brakes (hydraulic)24
Engine19
Airbags17
Transmission & drivetrain15
Body & structure15

What owners describe

The 2006 Chevrolet Colorado has 236 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 23 Colorado model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 158). Complaints peaked in 2010 (37 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 52,600 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (356 complaints, 3 recalls), 2007 (140 complaints, 3 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.8 L 4-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive182521Regular
3.5 L 5-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive172219Regular
3.5 L 5-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive172319Regular
3.5 L 5-cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive172219Regular
2.8 L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive152218Regular
2.8 L 4-cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive162118Regular
3.5 L 5-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive162018Regular
2.8 L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive152117Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2006 Chevrolet Colorado manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2006 Chevrolet Colorado manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2006 Chevrolet Colorado manual

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FAQ

Does the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Colorado problems?

Owners have filed 236 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (69), engine & cooling (31), exterior lights (30).

What gas mileage does the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado get?

EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.8 L, Manual 5-spd), across 8 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Colorado years

20042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026