2004 Chevrolet Colorado Suspension Problems

Mechanic had the truck on the lift raised up to check the brakes for squeaking and while under the truck the mechanic inspected the frame because he noticed a lot of rust and called me to come look at it and pointed out that the frame has rotted to the point that he should not be driven and could break in half and cause major problems for the safety of the occupants and other drivers on the road. I looked up online if other Colorado owners had the same issue and others have the same problem. I’m am forced to junk this vehicle even though the rest of the truck is in very good condition

NHTSA ID

11460332

Incident

Apr 6, 2022

THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK ROTTED AND IS NO LONGER DRIVEABLE WITHOUT A CHANCE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE PA INSPECTION IS ABOUT TO RUN OUT ALSO AND WILL NOT PASS INPECTION. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED AND JUST PAID IT OFF AND WAS HOPING I WAS CLEAR OF ANY VEHICLE PAYMENTS. AT THIS POINT THERE IS NO WAY I WILL EVEN GET CLOSE TO WHAT I PAID FOR IT AS IT IS ONLY GOOD FOR SCRAP. I AGREE WITH ANOTHER POST I SAW ON HERE THAT SAID IF TOYOTA HAD TO RECALL THEIR VEHICLES FOR THE SAME REASON THEN WHY DOES GM NOT HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING? IT ONLY SEEMS RIGHT. I KNOW THEY HAVE HEARD OF THIS ISSUE BUT ARE JUST TRYING TO BRUSH IT UNDER THE RUG HOPING IT DOESN'T COME UP. HOPING YOU HAVE OUR BACK ON THIS WITH TRYING TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA ID

11405597

Incident

Mar 27, 2021

VEHICLE HAS 96,800 MILES, AND THE FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE REAR SUSPENSION TO DETACH FROM THE FRAME, AS WELL AS THE BED TO DETACH FROM THE FRAME. VEHICLE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE PUT ON LIFT TO HAVE TIRES ROTATED AS THE FRAME DISINTEGRATES UPON CONTACT. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, AND I AM CURIOUS WHY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NOT FORCED GM TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES LIKE TOYOTA WAS FORCED TO DO WITH THEIR IDENTICAL SITUATION. DO YOUR JOBS, AND HOLD THESE CORPORATIONS ACCOUNTABLE FOR CHEAP WORKMANSHIP.

NHTSA ID

11397449

Incident

Feb 19, 2021

Mileage

96,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE CORROSION CENTERED AROUND THE SUSPENSION AND SUBFRAME SPRING MOUNTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA ID

11322958

Incident

Mar 20, 2019

Mileage

134,000 mi

THE FRAME HAS ALOT OF RUST PLUS THE FRAME IS CRACKED AND THE BACK,THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON YOU CAN NOT GET A RESPONSE FROM THE PLUGING UNIT. WHE YOU TO CHECK THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11244269

Incident

Apr 2, 2019

SEVERE RUST / ROT ON THE FRAME BOTH ON THE MAIN FRAME AS WELL AS THE FRONT FRAME WORK TO THE POINT THAT A SALVAGE YARD DECLARED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DISCOVERED WHEN I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHICH ALSO SNAPPED DUE TO RUST.

NHTSA ID

11219696

Incident

Jun 7, 2017

Mileage

127,000 mi

FRAME IS BROKEN ON BOTH RAILS BETWEEN CAB AND BOX,ALSO CRACKED ABOVE REAR LEAF SPRING PURCH,WHEREVER WELDS ARE PRESENT FRAME RUSTED INTO

NHTSA ID

11219635

Incident

Jun 2, 2019

Mileage

135,000 mi

THE FRAME IS ROTTING OUT--I'VE HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED--WELDED--EACH OF THE LAST THREE YEARS AFTER FAILING INSPECTION OR BEING TOLD IT WOULD. SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT AREAS, UNDER AND AROUND SHACKLES, CAB MOUNTS, LONG SECTIONS OF PRIMARY FRAME FROM FRONT TO REAR.

NHTSA ID

11205031

Incident

Apr 29, 2017

Mileage

76,000 mi

INOTICED FRAME AT LEAF SPRINGS COMPLETELY ROTTED. 100000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11110101

Incident

Jul 8, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO MILES ARE 107,650. MY TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD TO EXCELLENT SHAPE, I TAKE PRIDE IN MY VEHICLES. THE ISSUE I HAVE IS MY FRAME IS ROTTEN AND CRACKED AT THE LEAF SPRING HANGERS, MUCH TO MY SURPRISE WHEN I JACKED MY TRUCK UP TO CHANGE OVER TIRES AND THE REAR AXLE STAYED ON THE GROUND. IM VERY GRATEFUL WE CAUGHT THIS BEFORE THE RIGHT SIDE BROKE AWAY LIKE THE LEFT SIDE DID. I DO LIVE IN MAINE AND THEY USE PRODUCTS ON THE ROADS FOR ICE, BUT MY FUEL AND BRAKE LINES ARE IN VERY GOOD SERVICEABLE CONDITION, AS IS MOST EVERYTHING UNDER THE TRUCK INCLUDING THE BED. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR GUIDANCE AND STUMBLED ONTO SOME "FORUMS" THAT STATE FIRST GEN COLORADO THIS IS COMMON. I AM NOT A FORUM MEMBER, NOR DO I BELIEVE IN "INTERNET SHAMING" I AM LOYAL GM CUSTOMER, BUT I IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT I HAVE A RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE TRUCK WITH A GREAT DRIVE TRAIN, AND NO EXTERIOR RUST THAT IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE AND UNUSABLE.IT SOUNDS LIKE A SIMILAR ISSUE THAT TOYOTA HAD IVE HAD AND DO CURRENTLY HAVE OLDER GM VEHICLES WITH MORE MILES AND THE FRAMES ARE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. IS GM/CHEVROLET DOING ANYTHING TO HELP CONSUMERS?

NHTSA ID

11064210

Incident

Jan 15, 2018

Mileage

107,650 mi

THE TRUCK HAS A VERY ROTTED FRAME ON IT. SEEMS TO BE OF POOR QUALITY AND WITH ONLY120,000 MILES AND THE BODY IS IN SUPER CONDITION THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING.. IS THERE ANY THING TO BE DONE,WILL CHEVROLET DO ANYTHING AT ALL TO HELP? ARE WE ALL STUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM AS OTHERS ON LINE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS. THANKS.

NHTSA ID

11055790

Incident

Dec 19, 2017

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR AXLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MC CLINTON CHEVROLET (1325 7TH ST, PARKERSBURG, WV 26101, (304) 422-6501) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

NHTSA ID

11055437

Incident

Dec 13, 2017

Mileage

183,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A CRUNCH NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE NOISE GREW LOUDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME HAD CORRODED THROUGH AND THE SUSPENSION WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,300.

NHTSA ID

11030136

Incident

Jan 22, 2017

Mileage

124,300 mi

I WENT TO INSTALL BRAKES WHEN THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE JOUNCE BUMBER MISSING, BUT WHEN HE LOOKED CLOSER HE NOTICED IT WAS ROTTED. THE JOUNCE BUPER BRACKET IS PART OF THE FRAME AND IT COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. I CALLED GM AND THEY INSPECTED IT AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I SAID TOYOTA REPLACED ALL THE CHASIS ROTTING OUT IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, THIS WOULD BE THE SAME THE SALT BRINE IS ROOTING OUT FRAMES AND THIS VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE. THEY WILL NOT EVEN BUY IT BACK. I NEED YOUR HELP.

NHTSA ID

10747736

Incident

Aug 10, 2015

Mileage

170,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPX 50 MPH, VEHICLES SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC SEIZURE OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND SPINNING THE VEHICLE APPX 180 DEGREES IN THE HIGHWAY. NO COLLISION RESULTED, AND THERE WAS NO DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10614726

Incident

Jun 21, 2014

Mileage

121,000 mi

TODAYS DATE IS 04/20/2013 #1- WHEEL ALIGNMENT FRONT TO BACK, WHERE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE STICKS OUT FROM BODY. #2- THIS IS MY FORTH SET OF TIRES BECAUSE OF ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. #3- REAR TAIL LIGHTS SEEM TO BE BURNED OUT, THEY ARE NOT IT A POOR SOCKET PROBLEM, I LUBE WITH ELECTRICAL GREASE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE INTRODUCING THE MARKET WITH MAKING MORE OF THE PROBLEMS FOR THE NEW LINE 2014 AND BEYOND. THIS IS THE WORST CHEVROLET I EVER OWNED THE 2004 COLORADO. I HAVE OWNED 14 CHEVYS, WILL CHEVYS BE IN MY FUTURE? *TR

NHTSA ID

10508897

Incident

Aug 3, 2004

Mileage

520 mi

ABS TRIGGERED UNEXPECTEDLY, ABS AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. NO LOSS OF CONTROL. REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP 10/14/11 REPLACING RF WHEEL BEARING HUB AND SPEED SENSOR. SUBSEQUENTLY INCIDENT REPEATED ON TWO OCCASIONS, CA. 11/15/11 AND CA. 12/16/11 AFTER STARTING INTO A TURN AT LOW SPEED, PERHAPS WITH SLIGHT BRAKING. NO LOSS OF CONTROL. CHECKED AT DEALERSHIP 2/14/2012 WITH NO CAUSE DETERMINED. LATER SAME DAY, FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN, WITH SAME SYMPTOMS: LOW SPEED WITH TURN AND PERHAPS SLIGHT BRAKING. NO LOSS OF CONTROL. DIAGNOSIS SUGGESTED FAULTY HUBS AGAIN. RESOLUTION PENDING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10448001

Incident

Sep 8, 2011

Mileage

54,470 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS DID NOT RESPOND. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT RANDOM, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO RANDOMLY PULSATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED FRONT HUBS, BEARINGS, AND WHEEL SPEED SENSORS ON BOTH SIDES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CANNOT AFFORD THE $1,400-$1,600 REPAIR COST. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 07/01/09 *BF UPDATED 07/06/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10274099

Incident

May 16, 2009

Mileage

43,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THE FRONT TIRES OF HIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THEY DISPLAYED A LOT OF WEAR. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE UNDER RECALL. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE WEARING AGAIN AND HE FELT VIBRATIONS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE ROTATED AND THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS CHECKED. A YEAR LATER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS FAILING. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A SERVICE MANAGER WOULD CALL HIM BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,400.

NHTSA ID

10261418

Incident

Aug 14, 2007

Mileage

5,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GROWLING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE TRAVELING OVER 30 MPH. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE GROWLING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HUB FAILED AND WOULD COST OVER $700 TO REPAIR. HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V139000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 40,880. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE BRAKE SENSORS WERE BAD. UPDATED 02/05/09. *JB

NHTSA ID

10256338

Incident

Oct 23, 2008

Mileage

40,880 mi

I HAVE A 2004 COLORADO, 4 WHEEL DRIVE, 4 DOOR. 32,000 MILES. DEC 2005 I NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE OF MY FRONT TIRES WERE WORN. I CHECKED THE BACK AND THEY WERE WORN TOO. I HAD JUST HAD THE TRUCK INSPECTED IN SEPT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE GAVE ME A SPEECH ON HOW TO DRIVE MY TRUCK. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES IN MAY 2006. THEN AGAIN IN SEPT 2007 AND I NEED NEW AGAIN JAN 2009. SAME PROBLEM AND THE FRONT END WON'T STAY IN ALIGNMENT. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. WHEN YOUR FRONT END GOES OUT OF ALIGNMENT A MONTH AFTER IT'S PUT IN THERE'S A PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ID

10253528

Incident

Dec 20, 2005

THE FIRST AND ONGOING PROBLEM GRINDING IN FRONT LEFT, DRIVER, SIDE WHEEL AREA. MANY ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, THEY STARTED OUT CHANGING THE WHOLE FRONT END, ALONG WITH ALIGNMENTS, AFTER SOME ADJUSTING THE PROBLEM WILL SEEM TO GO AWAY ONLY TO RETURN WITH IN 2 MONTHS SECOND, TIRES WORN FROM INSIDE OUT ALIGNMENT, NEW TIRES, I WAS TOLD ONE REASON WAS THE TRUCK WAS DIRTY. I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS A REASON FOR TIRE WEAR. NEW TIRES SAME PROBLEM. THIRD, TRUCK NOT ENGAGING WHEN SHIFTED INTO GEAR. THIS IS ON GOING, WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN MANY TIMES, THE MODULAR FOR THE 2-4H-4L DRIVE WAS CHANGED, STILL HAVE PROBLEM, THEY CLAIM CAN NOT FIX IF IT DOES NOT HAPPEN WITH THEM,, I VIDEO TAPED IT, THEY WILL NOT LOOK AT VIDEO. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENTLY, AND HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DO DIFFERENT THINGS TO THE TRUCK WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GROWING. AND STILL NO ANSWER TO THIS OR OTHER PROBLEMS, THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE TOOK BACK THE TRUCK AND REPLACED IT, IF THEY CAN NOT BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10238681

Incident

Aug 18, 2008

Mileage

15 mi

I NOTICED UNEVEN WEAR ON MY TIRES. SO, I STOPPED AT A GARAGE AND I WAS TOLD THE TIRES WERE UNDER INFLATED EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE TIRES AT THE RECOMMENDING PSI. I PUT THE PSI IN THAT THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GO AWAY. I WENT IN TO HAVE A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE DONE AT A LOCAL SHOP A YEAR AFTER THIS, AND I NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES. THEY HAD WORN DOWN ON THE INSIDE TREAD TO THE STEEL WITHIN ONLY 26K MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN CONSERVATIVELY, AND MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES BY MY WIFE. SO I PUT FOUR NEW TIRES AND HAD AN ALIGNMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10217643

Incident

Jan 25, 2008

Mileage

26,000 mi

VEHICLE CAUSING EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR ON INSIDE OF TIRE, EXISTS ON MULTIPLE SETS OF TIRES. TREAD WORN COMPLETELY THROUGH, EXPOSING INNER LAYERS OF TIRE. IF NOT NOTICED WHEN IT WAS THERE WAS A RISK OF COMPLETE FAILURE FOR ALL 4 TIRES. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO VEHICLE AFTER FIRST 4 TIRES FAILED (30K MILES), CONTINUES TO REFUSE SERVICE AFTER NEXT 4 SHOWING SAME PROBLEM (15K MILES). *TR

NHTSA ID

10216006

Incident

Jun 13, 2006

Mileage

28,000 mi

(1) INTERMITTENT NOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION: MAY BE RELEVANT (2) WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED ON I-15 SOUTH, NORTH OF SAN DIEGO, CA, HEARD NOISE; MANAGED TO DRIVE TRUCK (2004 CHEVY COLORADO) TO NEAREST EXIT, COASTED TO A STOP. ALL THE WHILE, THE TRUCK VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AND I BARELY AVOIDED CRASHING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. A CHEVY DEALERSHIP LOCATED NEARBY INSPECTED THE TRUCK, DETERMINED THAT REAR RIGHT SIDE LEAF-SPRING BROKE AT EYE AND ENTIRE DRIVETRAIN SUFFERED SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE AS THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL MILES WITH THE LEAF SPRING BROKEN (3) GM AREA SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, STATING THAT "USUAL CAUSE IS IMPACT RELATED". GM AND DEALERSHIP CATEGORICALLY REFUSED TO ADVISE THE OWNER IN WRITING REASON FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE DENIAL. OWNER REQUESTED IN WRITING, BEFORE AUTHORIZING REPAIR, THAT OLD PARTS BE RETURNED FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF FAILURE ANALYSIS AS OWNER SUSPECTED MANUFACTURER OR INSTALLATION DEFECT. DEALER PROMISED TO SAVE OLD PARTS BUT WHEN OWNER WAS ADVISED THAT REPAIR WAS COMPLETED ON 5/31/06, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT OLD PARTS WERE LOST. OWNER SUSPECTS FOUL PLAY, INTENTIONAL DESTRUCTION OF EVIDENCE. LATER, DEALER'S EMPLOYEE MISLEAD SMALL CLAIMS COURT JUDGE ABOUT DESTRUCTION OF OLD PARTS. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS CITED DEALERSHIP FOR FAILURE TO RETURN OLD PARTS, CASE MR-2006015137, PHONE: 951-782-4263. *NM UPDATED 03/13/07. *JB

NHTSA ID

10177987

Incident

May 11, 2006

Mileage

31,413 mi