Chevy Colorado Frame Lawsuit: Here's What You Should Know

The Chevy Colorado is one of the most popular mid-size trucks in the USA, trailing only behind the Toyota Tacoma in sales. It has always been a capable machine with excellent performance, good off-road abilities, and strong practicality.

Still, in the past few years, many owners of the first-gen Colorado (and its GMC twin, the Canyon), manufactured from 2004 to 2011, started complaining on online forums about rusted frames. And if you know a thing or two about trucks, you must be aware that the frame is its essential part, as it supports all other pieces, including the engine, transmission, and shell.

A rusted frame can be a serious issue, as it could completely incapacitate the truck. However, until today, Chevy only tackled some models that were still under warranty over a decade ago. Meanwhile, all other owners are left fixing it themselves. There has been talk on online forums about a class action lawsuit, but it was to no avail.

So, what should you do if you own a Colorado/Canyon and have the same issue? Here is everything you should know about a potential lawsuit and how you can mitigate the issue.

Where it All Started

First-gen Colorado and Canyon pickup truck owners started voicing concerns about frame rust in 2016. Photos of significantly rusted frames started flooding online forums in 2018. In 2020, frame rust was one of the biggest talking points in Chevy, Colorado, GMC, or Canyon forums.

Until today, hundreds of Colorado/Canyon owners have been reporting a serious frame rust issue. Sadly, though, the trucks were past their 8-year warranty period in most cases. As such, owners usually rely on DIY repairs, like using epoxy sprays, welding, and applying rust inhibitors. These band-aid fixes could prolong the frame's lifespan, but they certainly don't completely solve the issue.

However, it is important to note that rusting mostly appeared on trucks driven in areas with harsh winters. That is because road salt corrodes steel and can accelerate the rust issue significantly. On top of that, most truck owners that live in such areas don't maintain the frame regularly, like cleaning it from accumulated salt.

That is not to say that Chevrolet's frame is faultless - other mid-size trucks from the same era roll down the same roads and don't have the same problem.

Affected Models

According to most complaints on online forums, the frame rust issue covers the first-gen Chevrolet Colorado (2004-2011) and GMC Canyon (2004-2011), regardless of the engine, transmission, trim, or configuration. These trucks were manufactured in the USA and sold primarily in North America.

Description of the Issue and Why it Happens

Frame rust is an issue that plagues all trucks to a degree. That is especially true on under-engineered trucks or when owners don't take proper care of the vehicle.

Frame Material and Quality

Truck frames are mostly made from carbon steel alloy, which has excellent mechanical properties but suffers from rust. That is particularly true in corrosive environments, like driving on a salted road in the winter. Some newer trucks have aluminum alloys in the frames, but carbon steel constitutes the majority of the used materials.

With that said, the quality and surface finish of the carbon steel alloy plays a significant role in the longevity and corrosion resistance of the frame. Because carbon steel is so corrosive, manufacturers apply various coatings to shield it from the environment, thus significantly prolonging its lifespan.

It is important to note that the first-gen Colorado has enough coating on the frame to keep it rust-free for at least a decade. However, that coating will wear down eventually. Thus, I would strongly recommend reapplying high-quality coating on your truck a decade after it was manufactured or even sooner if you live in areas with harsh wintry conditions.

If you aren't sure, ask your mechanic whether the frame needs another coating layer before it's too late. It's a relatively cheap process, yet one that could save you a lot of money down the road.

The Design of the Chevrolet Colorado Frame

The design of the frame itself also plays a considerable role in corrosion resistance. Namely, each frame has multiple drainage points and crevices, ensuring no water accumulates inside, which could accelerate rusting.

The Colorado/Canyon trucks have various drainage points in the frame, but in areas with harsh winters, snow, and road salt can still accumulate in the frame and cause rust. Notably, the points often suffering from rust are the beams behind the body mounts, especially on the driver's side.

However, accumulation of snow and salt also rusts the areas near the leaf spring shackle mounts. This issue is not as common but much more problematic, as it could significantly compromise the structural integrity and make the Colorado inoperable.

Therefore, I would suggest that truck owners wash the underside often through the winter. Today, most car washes offer such services at very competitive prices, so there is no reason not to do it regularly. It is undoubtedly better than replacing the whole frame down the line, right?

Like in most trucks, many first-gen Colorados/Canyons suffer from rust in the lower section of the frame. Still, this is not surprising, as most trucks that weren't appropriately maintained will have issues with frame rust in these areas.

Does it Affect Your Truck's Safety?

Frame rust is an issue that needs to be tackled as soon as possible, as it could seriously affect your truck's drivability and safety. That is because the ladder frame is a critical component of any body-on-frame vehicle, and every other part attaches to it.

A Colorado truck with rusted frames won't have the same load-carrying capacity, so towing a large trailer or putting a heavy load in the bed could lead to the frame twisting or breaking in some parts. Off-roading on uneven terrains and driving on a twisty road also puts a lot of stress on the frame and could cause the same issues. And trust me, you don't want this happening to you, especially if you are driving at higher velocities.

Moreover, a Colorado with a rusted frame won't be as effective in protecting the occupants inside, as it could snap more easily during a collision. And safety should always be the number one priority, right?

Chevy's/GMC's Response to the Matter

General Motors, the parent company of Chevrolet and GMC, still hasn't responded officially to the matter. That said, the manufacturer addressed rust on the first-gen Colorado and Canyon trucks in 2010 by repairing the frame or replacing it entirely. Unfortunately, GM did that only for trucks within the warranty period, and if you encountered rust later, you are sadly out of luck.

Exploring a Potential Class Action Lawsuit

Although Colorado and Canyon owners with frame rust issues might think that a class action lawsuit is possible, in my eyes, it wouldn't happen.

For starters, the issue doesn't seem as widespread as online forums suggest, and in most cases, the rust doesn't significantly affect the truck's safety.

For instance, Toyota replaced frames on affected Tacoma trucks from the same period, but in that case, the rust was more significant and in worse places (like near the steering column). Not to mention, Toyota stopped replacing frames on these trucks, deeming them too old. In other words, the first-gen Colorado is an older truck, meaning rust is expected after 15 years of use, and the manufacturer would be under no liability.

That said, a class action lawsuit can go through if there is enough evidence that GM knew about the issue and didn't have an adequate response. Again, this is highly unlikely since Chevrolet and GMC repaired frames (under warranty) in the 2010s.

It is also important to note that class action lawsuits are often lengthy and exhausting, and the outcome is not always positive. Not to mention, it will take a lot of your time and effort for a truck that costs only a few thousand dollars. In the end, it might not be worth it. If you insist on it, I would strongly suggest legal advice.

Conclusion

You probably expected a more positive tone in this article, but customers don't always get what they rightfully deserve. You might think you deserve a new frame, but the legal system might not see it that way.

Besides, although the Colorado frame rust is a serious issue, it can be mitigated by regular maintenance, like applying a new coating and washing the truck's underside regularly. Take care of your trucks, as preventative maintenance ensures long-term drivability and less money spent on repairs!

Do you own a first-gen Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon with frame rust issues? Please let us know in the comments below!