This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Chevrolet Colorado brakes problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 20 brakes complaints filed for the 2007 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
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 17 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 brakes 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 communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides technicians with a brake lathe calibration procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides technicians with a brake lathe calibration procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe brake system failures starting early in the vehicle's life. Rotors pit and warp under 35,000 miles on vehicles driven normally, and Chevy dealers acknowledge the wheel hub and speed sensor design is flawed, requiring full hub replacement rather than sensor-only service—costing $700–$1,300 per side. The ABS system malfunctions chronically: the fault light comes on and stays on, ABS engages at low speeds or on dry pavement, and sensors fail repeatedly even after replacement. Owners report the left front sensor failing after right front repair, suggesting a systemic design issue.
Brake engagement feels dangerous. Early-morning stops produce a high-pitched squeal and sudden hard grab that throws drivers forward and causes loss of control. Braking action is inconsistent—sometimes the truck won't fully stop. One shop told an owner the design is terrible and can't be fixed within Chevy's parts structure.
Two owners report accidentally hitting other vehicles because the brake and accelerator pedals sit too close together—foot slides from one to the other during panic braking. The dealer refused to adjust spacing.
Brake lights failed on at least one truck, and after a 2011 recall repair to the brake switch, the same light still malfunctions with Chevy refusing further warranty work. Dealers have repeatedly failed to diagnose root causes or provide lasting repairs.
Same Chevrolet Colorado brakes reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Premature rotor and hub damage
Rotors pit, warp, and become damaged well below expected service life. Hubs require replacement alongside rotors. Occurs at very low mileage (under 35,000 miles) on vehicles not driven hard.
When: Under 35,000 miles; some reports at 33,917 miles and 35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: squealing noise at low speeds; grinding noise during braking; pitted and damaged rotors visible on inspection; warped rotors; glazed brake pads
Repairs/costs cited: Midas charged ~$1,300 for rotor and hub replacement; other reports cite $827–$930 for hub bearing and wheel speed sensor replacement when sensor is integrated into hub assembly
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevy dealer reportedly told Midas this is a known issue on the Colorado model requiring both rotors and hubs to be replaced; Chevrolet engineers designed the wheel hub/speed sensor integration wrong and made a kit to repair it
ABS system faults and persistent warning light
ABS fault light illuminates and will not turn off. ABS activates inappropriately at low speeds or on dry pavement. Causes include defective wheel speed sensors, bad hub assemblies, and faulty ABS wiring harness. Faults persist even after brake service or sensor replacement.
When: Symptoms reported from near startup to 46,708 miles; some recur after initial repair
Symptoms owners cite: ABS fault light comes on and stays on; ABS engages unexpectedly at low speeds or on dry pavement; ABS fault message on display; clicking or grinding noise from front driver side before ABS fault appears; ABS pulsates and seizes; emergency brake light illuminates alongside ABS light; audible motor or pump activation from engine compartment during ABS engagement
Repairs/costs cited: Right front wheel speed sensor replacement ~$400; hub bearing and speed sensor replacement ~$930; ABS wiring harness replacement ~$741; owner reports left front speed sensor later failed with same symptom; initial repairs did not resolve problem in multiple vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet dealers have diagnosed defective wheel hubs and speed sensors; one dealer noted over 16 sensors connect brake and ignition systems and stated inability to replace all; service advisors stated engineers designed the hub/sensor integration wrong
Brake grab and harsh engagement
Brakes grab suddenly and hard, causing loss of control or forward lurch. Occurs especially on first stop in morning. Pulsating and pulsating sensation present. Problem persists from first month of ownership despite dealer brake adjustment.
When: From approximately first month of ownership; reported at various mileages including 41,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: high-pitched noise on brake engagement; sudden hard grab or seizure during braking; loss of vehicle control from brake grab; pulsating sensation in brakes; brakes fail to fully stop vehicle; grabbing and releasing action when braking; driver thrown toward steering wheel from brake grab
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed brake adjustment but problem recurred; one owner reports mechanic advised design was terrible
Brake and accelerator pedal proximity hazard
Brake and accelerator pedals located too close together. Driver's foot inadvertently depresses both pedals when intending to brake only, resulting in uncontrolled acceleration and collisions. Multiple owners report striking parked vehicles and other cars.
When: Occurred multiple times during ownership; at least one crash at 15,000 miles; multiple incidents reported over years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: foot simultaneously presses brake and accelerator pedal; unintended acceleration while attempting to brake; loss of braking authority due to pedal conflict; collision with parked vehicle; collision with another vehicle due to failed braking
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated nothing could be done to adjust the pedal spacing
Brake lights non-functional
Brake lights fail to illuminate when brakes are applied, creating a safety hazard for vehicles behind. Owner reports calling dealership and learning vehicle was not included in recall despite similar recall existing for this issue.
When: Not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: brake lights do not illuminate; vehicle behind driver almost collides due to lack of brake light signal; cruise control does not work (possibly unrelated)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner checked fuses and found them in working order
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated vehicle VIN was not included in recall for brake light issue despite recall existing for this problem on Colorado
Brake switch recall repair failure
Brake switch replaced under 2011 recall, but same brake light on driver's rear left continues to malfunction. Dealer has made multiple repair attempts with no resolution.
When: Multiple trips to dealer after recall repair
Symptoms owners cite: driver's rear left brake light malfunction persists after switch replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Brake switch replaced under recall; problem unresolved after multiple dealer visits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2011 recall for brake switch; Chevrolet dealer/company refuses to fix under originating recall issue
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet colorado. The contact stated that his vehicle was experiencing ongoing failures with the vehicle. There was a hard vibration in the engine and brake failure. As a result, the vehicle was placed in the repair shop for 18 days. There was also uneven tread on both front tires. At that time, the vehicle was aligned and the tires were rotated. The vehicle has…
On 10/10/2012 I was driving at 30 MPH and went to brake for a car in front of me and the brakes just grabbed and released and I thought I was going to hit the car in front of me. I noticed the brakes grabbing and pulsating after that didn't know if I was going o stop without hitting someone in another car or something also the ABS fault light came on and off. I took my vehicle to the dealer on…
ABS light comes on and doesn't shut off. There is a "rubbing/pulsating" noise when I push the brakes and I can hear something activating in the engine compartment (maybe the ABS computer?). I checked the brake fluid and its good. Nothing was damaged when the brakes were changed earlier. When I turn it on after having it off for a little while, there are no fault indications. When I start…
Had brakes trouble with your 2007 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 brakes problem on the 2007 Chevrolet Colorado?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 27,700 and 49,950 miles, with the median around 35,640. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,700; a quarter make it past 49,950. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2007/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.