2004 Chevrolet Colorado Electrical Problems

One day, after I turned my truck off, I noticed that my taillights and overhead cargo light remained on. Key was out, truck was off, but the lights stayed on. So for the time being, I disconnected the battery. I brought it to a mechanic, who ran the codes that came back that the rear driver turn signal was high, the rear passenger turn signal was high, and the overhead cargo light was high. He checked the entire truck for a short, replaced the taillights, replaced the fuse box, replaced the body control module, and numerous other attempts at a repair, with no success. I was without a vehicle for many months, since I can't afford the absurd prices of the current vehicle market and was hopeful it could be fixed. Reading through some other complaints/online threads, this seems like a fairly common problem with these vehicles. Electrical issues that affect my ability to use a turn signal are a huge safety concern and this needs to be addressed.

NHTSA ID

11541503

Incident

Sep 15, 2022

Ignition safety module known as pass lock security. This causes my vehicle not to start and give a code and a light on the dash for the Pass Lock security. The vehicle was fine then I went into a store came out and put the key in the ignition, the lights on the dash came on but it would not crank. This is very hazardous cause It could happen while you’re driving anytime, which could cause the vehicle to go into security mode and turn vehicle off making it very dangerous for passengers in vehicle. This is a problem with other Chevy Colorado's when I research this problem.

NHTSA ID

11496968

Incident

Dec 10, 2022

Body Control Module, BCM. Controls everything. Air bag can deploy, breaks can lock up. Mine, the hazards were staying on. Chevy Dealer says they are on National Back Order and GM is canceling those orders after so long placed. “We can get you one from a junk yard for $350 but GM won’t let us properly program them with correct codes, and so many times they won’t take, and I can’t return the part”. My response to GM already and to Congressman Westerman, BBB, and the WH. A part such as the on board computer, SAFETY first, should never come from a junk yard and if GM doesn’t want to supply the part AS we all know they need them for newer cars right now….. You, the NHTSB and all of us are in danger. There is an expiration date on our cars, but we’re not being told. A computer that controls EVERYTHING in a vehicle is more important than a safety belt. Me not wearing it kills me. Me being told by the dealer I could leave my fuses out and put my arm out the window. Boy I hate being a retired SGM, cause I ain’t allowed to put my boot in a six.

NHTSA ID

11479749

Incident

Aug 17, 2022

I'VE HAD TO REPLACE 2 HEATER BLOWER RESISTORS DUE TO A MELTDOWN, THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AND SHOULD BE PUT ON A RECALL NOTICE. I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH AT THE TIME .

NHTSA ID

11355441

Incident

Sep 16, 2020

Mileage

85,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTING, DOOR CHIME, AND RADIO DID NOT TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAYSE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (2032 S ELLIOTT AVE, AURORA, MO 65605) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WIRES RUNNING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID

11291347

Incident

Dec 20, 2019

Mileage

190,000 mi

IDLE CONTROL VIA ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY RAISES RPM VERY HIGH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED, CAUSING UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE DURING COASTING OR WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF WITH THE KEY IS THE ONLY ACTION THAT HAS RESULTED IN A CESSATION OF EXTREMELY HIGH IDLE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SYMPTOM IS GONE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATES NORMALLY. THIS BEHAVIOR IS ERRATIC AND INCONSISTENT, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO DUPLICATE DURING DIAGNOSIS. ALL TESTING AND INSPECTION OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY, WIRING HARNESS, CONNECTORS, AND FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPUTER HAS SHOWN NO DEFECT OR INDICATION THAT A WIRING FAULT, DIRTY THROTTLE BODY, OR OTHER "WEAR AND TEAR" ITEM IS THE CAUSE OF THIS INTERMITTENT REVVING AT IDLE. THE MOST RECENT EVENT OCCURRED ON AUGUST 9TH 2017. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS, ON AVERAGE ONCE A MONTH IN FREQUENCY.

NHTSA ID

11030226

Incident

Aug 9, 2017

Mileage

182,500 mi

VEHICLES BCM-BODY CONTROL MODULE IS DEFECTIVE OR THE SYSTEM IN ITS SELF IS DEFECTIVE. VEHICLES WILL NOT START OR MAY SHUT OFF AT RANDOM FROM TIME TO TIME. SCAN TOOLS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AS THE BCM. SO REPAIRS MADE MAY MAKE IT SEEM LIKE IT FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT A COUPLE HOURS/DAYS/WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM WILL DISGUISE IT SELF AS SOMETHING ELSE OR EVEN COME BACK AS THE SAME PROBLEM. I MYSELF WAS TOLD IT WAS THE STARTER AND HEY IT WORKED, UNTIL 3 HOURS LATER. THEN TOLD THE IGNITION PASSLOCK WAS DEFECTIVE, GOT IT FIXED UNTIL 1 HOUR LATER. NOW I HAVE NARROWED IT DOWN TO WHAT CONTROLS THE WHOLE SYSTEM, THE BCM. MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ALL OVER THE WEB FORUMS, I DONT KNOW IF ANY HAS BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA. SO I FIGURED I WOULD START. I HAVE THIS SYSTEM EFFECTS 2004-2012 MODELS OF CHEVY COLORADO, GMC CANYON AND HUMMER H3.

NHTSA ID

11024752

Incident

Sep 9, 2017

Mileage

217,000 mi

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2014 WITH ONLY 86000 MILES ON IT. I HAD TO HAVE BRAND NEW KEY CUT AND PROGRAMMED WHEN I PURCHASED IT. STARTING IN JULY OF 2016 I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH IT NOT STARTING AND CUTTING OUT. NOW IT WON'T START AT ALL. IT IS THE THEFT SYSTEM NOT ALLOWING IT TO START. I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE OVER MANY DIFFERENT GM VEHICLES. SOME NEARLY CAUSING WRECKS, STRANDING PEOPLE WITH KIDS , ETC. WHY HAS THIS ISSUE BEEN LET GO FOR SO LONG. DOES GM NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS. I BOUGHT ANOTHER CHEVY RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK. WE GOT RID OF IT BECAUSE IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING.

NHTSA ID

11005139

Incident

Jul 11, 2016

Mileage

95,000 mi

DASHBOARD LIGHTS NOT ALWAYS COMING ON AT NIGHT ONLY ODOMETER LIGHTS UP.

NHTSA ID

10994271

Incident

Feb 2, 2012

Mileage

22 mi

MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. I THINK IT IS A BROKEN WIRE IN THE REAR DOOR.

NHTSA ID

10981358

Incident

Jun 10, 2011

Mileage

85,000 mi

PROBLEM # 1: HAD TO REPLACE THE HVAC RESISTOR AND ITS WIRING HARNESS. RESISTOR PLUG AND THE HARNESS PLUG WAS BURNED AND MELTED...FIRE HAZARD! THIS SAFETY HAZARD COULD HAVE BURNED UP MY VEHICLE. PROBLEM #2: THE ABS WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS (EVERY DAY OR SO) THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT PARKED ON A LEVEL SURFACE. THE FAULT OCCURS ONCE THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD FROM THE PARKED POSITION.

NHTSA ID

10940409

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

Mileage

182,000 mi

THE IGNITION KEY HAS TWICE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS THE KEY ITSELF SEEMS TO LOSE THE ABILITY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. I ASSUME THAT THE KEY WEARS OUT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED. I HAVE HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH BOTH TIMES AND HAVE A NEW KEY MADE IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. BOTH TIMES I WAS IN A PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ID

10885968

Incident

Oct 13, 2010

Mileage

98,000 mi

I TOO HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE HVAC SYSTEM OF THIS TRUCK. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE NO LESS THAN 4 RESISTORS AND CONNECTORS DUE TO MELTING AND BURNED CONNECTIONS. I HAVE NOT HAD TO REPLACE A SINGLE FUSE. MY HVAC IS ONCE AGAIN INOPERABLE AND I HAVE OPENED AND INSPECTED EACH CONNECTION POINT TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE CONNECTORS TO BE BURNED OR MELTED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FLAGGED BY THE NHSTA IN THE HUMMER H3 VEHICLES WHICH USE THE SAME HVAC SYSTEM. THE CHEVROLET/GMC/ISUZU COLORADO/CANYON (GMT355) SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THERE IS NO REASON THESE CONNECTIONS SHOULD GET HOT ENOUGH TO BUBBLE AND BURN PLASTIC BEFORE BURNING OUT A FUSE. I CAN PROVIDE IMAGES UPON REQUEST. I CAN ALSO PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE OF A FAILED CONNECTOR IN THE HVAC SPEED CONTROL SWITCH FOR PHYSICAL INSPECTION. I HAVE SET THE "FIRE" FLAG ON THIS REPORT AS THERE HAS BEEN EVIDENCE OF MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL FIRES ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN THE HVAC SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA ID

10816920

Incident

Jun 10, 2015

Mileage

130,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10725332

Incident

Oct 31, 2007

Mileage

22,000 mi

VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT BACON CHEVROLET IN MILLEDGEVILLE, GA. I AM STILL GETTING LETTERS TO THE EFFECT THAT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. I PERSONALLY SAW NEW PART ON VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10721323

Incident

Apr 8, 2005

Mileage

141,025 mi

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES. IT WAS COVERED TWICE UNDER A RECALL. SWITCHES ONLY LAST 1.5-2 YEARS. THERE IS NO WARNING OR DASH LIGHT WHEN THEY GO OUT. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED TWICE. HAPPENED AGAIN APRIL 13, 2015. I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER WHEN I FOUND OUT IN TRAFFIC. I KNEW IT WAS THE BRAKE SWITCH AGAIN AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED. THE DEALER CALLED GM TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE REPLACEMENT. THEY REFUSED. THE DEALER GAVE ME A DISCOUNT AS THEY KNOW IT IS AN ISSUE AND CHARGED ME $87 TO CHANGE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO PAY. HE GAVE ME THIS NUMBER TO CALL BUT THAT WAS NO USE AS THEY REFUSED LAST TIME. 800-222-1020. MOST CONCERNING TO ME IS THE LACK OF CONCERN BY GM TO FIX A KNOW SAFETY ISSUE IN THE BRAKE AND LIGHT SYSTEM. SOMEONE PROBABLY HAS OR WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. THEY NEED TO COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE FIX AND AT A MINIMUM CONTINUE COVERING FAILURES UNDER WARRANTY. NOT FIXING THE DESIGN PROBLEM THEN MAKING MONEY CHARGING PEOPLE IS NOT RIGHT. THE DEALER WHO DID THE WORK LAST TIME IS FIVE STAR CHEVY IN DALLAS, TX. CRAIG GREENE WAS THE REPRESENTATIVE WHO TRIED TO HELP ME WITH GM IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT HIM. DEALER TRIED BUT GM DID NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10705749

Incident

Mar 19, 2008

Mileage

39,994 mi

EVERYDAY NOW WHEN I TRY TO START THE TRUCK IT TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START, WAIT 15 MINUTES THEN IT WILL START. TODAY WHEN I TRIED IT THE FIRST TIME IT TURNED OVER BUT WOULD NOT START SO WHEN I TURNED IT OFF AT THE KEY IT STOPPED THEN TRIED TO START AGAIN ON ITS OWN FOR ABOUT 8 TO 10 SECS. THE STARTER TURNED THE ENGINE OVER WITHOUT TOUCHING THE IGNITION SWITCH IT THEN STOPPED FOR ABOUT 3 OR 4 SECS THEN TRIED TO START ON ITS OWN AGAIN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE KEY, IT DID THIS START SEQUENCE 3 TIMES IN A ROW. THE GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS TERRIBLY DEFECTIVE AS REPORTED BY ALL THE REPORTS ONLINE AND I BELIEVE MY PROBLEMS ARE A RESULT OF THIS SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10700963

Incident

Jan 2, 2013

Mileage

85,000 mi

THE SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS THE FAN SPEED FOR THE HEAT AND A/C QUIT WORKING. THE FAN ONLY WORKS WHEN THE IT IS SET ON HIGH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10654526

Incident

Dec 3, 2013

Mileage

82,000 mi

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. MY TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THROUGH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THE WIRING IN THE DOOR BREAKS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10649683

Incident

Oct 13, 2014

Mileage

136,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL STOP WORKING IF YOUR DRIVING AT NIGHT AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON. THEY WILL NOT WORK UNTIL THE CAR SITS FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THIS STARTED SOON AFTER BUYING THE CAR BRAND NEW, BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SECOND COMPLAINT, THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER FAN HAD AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AT WHERE THE HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE FAN MOTOR. THE FAN WILL ONLY WORK ON HIGH. WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE AT OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, I UNPLUGGED THE FAN AND NOTICED THE PLUG WAS BURNT. I HAVE PHOTOS THAT I CAN SEND. IT APPEARED THE ELECTRICAL FIRE CONTINUED DOWN THE PLASTIC PLUG TO WHERE THE WIRES ARE EXPOSED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR INCIDENT IF I DIDN'T NOTICE IT. THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS WITH COLORADO TRUCKS ONLINE. ALSO WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, MY DASH LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS FLICKER AS IF THERE IS ANOTHER ELECTRICAL SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE WIRING HARNESS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10640178

Incident

Jul 25, 2008

Mileage

73,060 mi

THE IGNITION WILL NOT START AT FIRST. IT TAKES MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER TO GET THE ENGINE TO TURN OVER. ONCE THE IGNITION DOES CAUSE THE ENGINE TO TURN OVER, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING AS THE VEHICLE SHUTS ITSELF OFF (AS IF THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF ALTHOUGH IT HAS NOT BEEN). THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN THE COURSE OF NORMAL DRIVING ACTIVITIES, SEVERAL TIMES WHILE CROSSING BUSY INTERSECTIONS WHICH LUCKILY HAS NOT RESULTED IN ANY CRASHES TO DATE, BUT MAY VERY WELL RESULT IN A POTENTIALLY FATAL ONE SHOULD IT CONTINUE TO OCCUR. ENGINE HAS BEEN TESTED AND ALL SYSTEMS CHECK OUT, EXCEPT FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH -WILL- HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10638276

Incident

May 6, 2013

A/C HEATER RESISTOR AND PLASTIC CONNECTOR FOR BOTH RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR ARCED AND MELTED. ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10632919

Incident

Jul 22, 2014

Mileage

40,000 mi

TURN IGNITION TO OFF POSITION AND PARK INDICATOR LIGHT AND RADIO STAYS ON. HAVE TO JIGGLE KEY TO GET TO GO OFF. COME OUT SEVERAL HOURS LATER AND PARK INDICATOR LIGHT AND RADIO ARE BACK ON./ ALSO, HEAT AND AIR CONTROL FAN ONLY WORKS ON HIGH SPEED. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A RESISTOR ,I REPLACED RESISTOR AND IT STILL CONTINUES TO DO THIS. I CAN REACH DOWN AND JIGGLE THE RESISTOR AND IT WORKS ON ALL SPEEDS FOR A SHORT WHILE ONLY. HAVE A FRIEND WITH GMC CANYON THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE HIS WAS NEW ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10627685

Incident

May 21, 2014

Mileage

122,652 mi

2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE AND IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON APRIL 12, 2014, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD TO PUSH AND THE DASHBOARD READ REDUCED POWER. AFTER WAITING THREE MINUTES, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN, AFTER DRIVING TWO MILES. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE INVOICE, THE PCM COMPUTER WAS BAD.

NHTSA ID

10609385

Incident

Apr 12, 2014

2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED, HE PAID TO HAVE HIS IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, AND IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. HE STATED THERE WERE TIMES, WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, AND IT WOULD TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 20-30 MINUTES. OVER SEVERAL YEARS, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, EXPLAINING THE PROBLEMS, WITH TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE. EACH TIME HE WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSE. EVENTUALLY, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THE PROBLEM WAS FINALLY DIAGNOSED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. HE NO LONGER EXPERIENCED STARTING PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, IN SEPTEMBER 2013, HE DECIDED TO TRADE THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10606312

Incident

Aug 1, 2012