This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Chevrolet Colorado body problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 12 body complaints filed for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 8 model years of Chevrolet Colorado we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 12.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Colorado body complaints center heavily on frame deterioration. Owners report frames with giant holes in the rails, complete rust-out, and structural failure occurring between 73,000 and 115,000 miles. One owner's frame snapped while driving over a speed bump; another notes the rear end in danger of falling off. A certified mechanic performing a pre-purchase inspection found the subframe so corroded it needed full replacement. GM has not issued a recall despite multiple owner requests and claims that similar fires and frame failures are widespread.
Vibration at highway speeds (40–75 mph) affects at least three owners. Dealers have rotated tires, replaced them, and pressurized them without fixing the problem. One dealer eventually said nothing could be done.
Water intrusion during rain is reported with no identifiable source, and owners note this appears to be a common problem with no known fix. Additional body issues include thin fenders and bed sides that bend easily, tailgate hinges so misaligned that one side carries all pressure, a loose window trim causing air noise at speed, roof cave-in near the sunroof, and missing keyless entry on the passenger side. One vehicle caught fire in the engine bay without warning and burned completely; GM declined to investigate the cause.
Same Chevrolet Colorado body reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Frame rust and structural failure
Frame exhibits accelerated corrosion, with holes, cracks, and complete rust-out reported. Multiple owners report frame failure including snapped frame rails and structural degradation that makes vehicles unsafe and unrepairable.
When: 102,000 miles; 73,172 miles; 115,000 miles; timing not specified in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Giant hole along bottom of driver side frame rail; Completely rusted subframe requiring replacement; Frame completely rusted out and snapped on driver side before leaf spring; Entire frame rotted out and broken; Rear end in danger of falling off
Repairs/costs cited: One owner states truck must be totaled due to unsafe condition; subframe replacement required in another case; frame welding/restoration attempted by some but deemed unsafe by knowledgeable mechanics
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; GM unresponsive to frame failure complaints
Vibration at highway speeds
Persistent vibration occurs in mid-range highway speeds (40-75 mph). Dealer attempts to resolve through tire service without success, leaving root cause undiagnosed and unresolved.
When: Low mileage reported in at least one case (14,000 miles); complaint timing varies
Symptoms owners cite: Horrible vibration between 40-55 mph; Bad vibration between 52-55 mph; Vibration at 65-75 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced front tires, rotated tires, replaced air in tires; dealer stated nothing else could be done
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; dealer unable to correct
Vehicle fire
Vehicle combusted in engine bay area without reported prior symptoms. Fire was rapid and intense, forcing emergency exit and resulting in total loss.
When: July 1, 2018
Symptoms owners cite: Combustion in front driver side engine area; Fire fully engulfed vehicle quickly
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle burned entirely; total loss
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM declined to investigate cause despite owner contact and claims of similar incidents in other vehicles
Loose window trim and air noise
Rubber trim on driver side window is loose, causing loud air noise at highway speeds. Dealer replaced trim but noise persisted, and dealer later claimed noise was normal.
When: Early in ownership during road trip
Symptoms owners cite: Loud air sound from driver side window at 65-75 mph; Noise worsened after dealer service
Repairs/costs cited: Rubber trim identified as loose; trim replaced; noise persisted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed noise was normal operation
Thin body panels and poor panel alignment
Body panels, especially front fenders and bed sides, are thin-gauge metal that deforms easily. Alignment issues present from factory including misaligned bumper and bed offset.
When: Present at delivery and first month of ownership (33 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Very thin metal body panels move toward hood when waxing; Lower bed sides paper thin and bend easily; Front bumper misaligned from factory with paint chip on lower fenders; Bed misaligned too far toward driver side
Repairs/costs cited: Paint touchup performed at factory on one side of bumper
Interior squeaks and rattles
Interior trim components, particularly plastic panels behind seats in regular cab, squeak and rattle due to poor assembly or fit.
When: Evident within first month of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Plastic panel behind seats squeaks and rattles
Tailgate hinge misalignment and asymmetric load
Tailgate hinges not equally tensioned; one side extremely tight while opposite side loose, causing uneven load distribution that may lead to accelerated failure on one hinge.
When: 15,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: One tailgate hinge completely tight, other side loose; Uneven pressure distribution between hinge sides
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet advised owner not to repair, claiming asymmetric hinge tension was normal
Water intrusion and interior leaking
Water accumulates inside vehicle during rain storms with no identifiable source. Owner reports this is a widespread problem affecting multiple trucks with no known solution.
When: During rain events
Symptoms owners cite: Water puddles inside vehicle during rain; Source of leak not locatable
Repairs/costs cited: No solution identified
Roof structural failure at sunroof
Roof has caved in adjacent to sunroof opening, suggesting insufficient structural support for sunroof installation.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Roof caved in next to sunroof; Apparent lack of structural support
Missing passenger door keyless entry
Passenger side door lacks keyless entry capability and has no mechanical keyhole for manual entry, limiting access to passenger side.
When: Present at purchase (25,000 miles at first report)
Symptoms owners cite: Only driver side keyless entry fob provided; No keyhole on passenger side door
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I own a 2006 Chevrolet colorado with 14,000 miles on it. I have taken my truck to the dealer on at least 5 occasions complaining of a terrible vibration. The vibration is horrible from 40-55+ miles per hour. The dealer has so far replaced the 2 front tires, replaced the air inside the tires, rotated the tires and most recently stated there is nothing else they can do. After the last visit, I said…
1. Very thin metal, body panels, especially front fenders, move toward hood while waxing fenders, lower bed sides paper thin, bend very easily. 2. Bad vibration between 52-55 miles per hour. 3. Front bumper misaligned from factory, has a chip in paint in lower front fenders where and when bumper was installed at factory, one side was touched up at factory.4. Bed misaligned, too far toward drivers…
Had body trouble with your 2006 Chevrolet Colorado?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 15,000 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 115,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chevrolet/Colorado.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.