This is absolutely absurd. I have a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado. I don't Tow more than a row boat. I keep it Immaculate. The Truck has some flaws and minor repairs here and there but nothing I can't handle until this. I get under my car to see that I have a fist size rust hole straight through my frame. This isn't a little problem. If I had not caught this problem would have more than likely severely injured or killed myself and any driver around me if my frame were to crack. This seems like a common problem for Chevy and this needs to be fixed!!! Immediately!!! To repair this correctly I would require an entire new frame for the car and I have received quotes between 7 and 9 thousand.

If you were to look at my 2004 Chevy Colorado--it looks almost new. Hardly any rust--hardly any dents. I take really good care of my truck and have been proud to drive it.

Recently I took my truck in to my local Chevy dealership to have it checked because my "Check Engine" light was on. It's important to note, I have had my truck in twice in this same year to have my shocks and tires replace. I was told that a sensor on my gas tank was totally rotted out and would need to be replaced. The cost, $800 for parts and labor--which I reluctantly agreed to pay. They ordered the parts and I took my Colorado in a couple of days later and dropped it off to have the work completed. A few hours later I was called and asked to come to the dealership because another problem with my truck was found. Upon my arrival I was ushered into the service area under my truck which was up on a lift. The service manager then proceeded to show me that the frame on my Colorado was totally rotted out. He probed the frame with a screw driver and large chunks of rust fell off exposing holes that went into the inside of the frame. He also showed me a crack in the frame right under the gas tank. The reason for the rotted frame they explained to me; salt brine that is poured on the roads of Maine during the winter months. I asked why Chevrolet didn't make the frames to withstand the salt brine--they had no response. I asked why they were just finding the problem considering I had had the truck in for service three times in the same year where the truck had to be up on a lift--they had no response. I asked what I could do--they suggested scrapping the truck or replacing the frame all together to the tune of between $10,000 to $15,000. The truck will not pass an inspection until I replace the frame.

If you were to see the bottom of my truck you would see the rotted frame but the rest of the under carriage with very little rust and clean.

I have asked a few car mechanics to look at my Colorado and they all agreed that with only 111,000 miles and the obvious care I have taken in my truck the frame should not have rotted out. The all went on to say they have seen other Chevrolet Trucks with the same problem.

Unfortunately, I now am the proud owner of a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado that cannot be driven. I don't have the money to purchase a new frame for my truck. I am planning to hold onto the truck to see if anything will be done by Chevrolet about this problem. Toyota recalled their Tokoma trucks that had the same issue. A friend of mine had a Tokoma and said that he had to drop it off and was provided a car for eight weeks while his new frame was ordered and installed.

I would recommend any and all Colorado owners in states where salt brine or salt is used to have their frames checked for rot. Make sure you report to the NHTSA if you do find that it does and post to this site as well. I can't imagine my truck is an anomaly--and feel confident other unsuspecting drivers are out there driving great looking trucks with the same rotting frame problem.