Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Colorado vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet Colorado and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Chevrolet Colorado vs FORD F 150: The Colorado averages about 108 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages about 1,162. The F-150 also has 151 recalls versus 12 for the Colorado. Both have power train and electrical issues, but the F-150's are more frequent. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Colorado or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado is a mid-size pickup that owners often rely on for daily driving and light work. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 108 complaints per year, with the most common issues in the power train, electrical system, and engine. Owners report problems like keys stuck in the ignition, cooling fans that stay on after shutdown, and infotainment glitches. While less frequent than some rivals, these issues can be frustrating and costly if they recur.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a huge owner base, and it shows in the data: about 1,162 complaints per year over the same period. Power train and electrical problems dominate, with many reports of transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window defroster shorts. The sheer volume of complaints and recalls means buyers should be extra diligent about maintenance history and recall completion.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Colorado | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,079 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 31 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 107.9 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 42 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Chevrolet Colorado
- 01POWER TRAIN324
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM231
- 03ENGINE160
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER156
- 05SERVICE BRAKES133
Owners report keys getting stuck in the ignition and, in some cases, sudden transmission failure. These can leave you stranded or create dangerous driving situations, so a thorough test drive and transmission check are essential.
Complaints include the cooling fan running after the engine is off and infotainment screens going blank. These electrical gremlins can drain the battery or distract the driver, and they may be intermittent and hard to diagnose.
The same cooling fan issue is also filed under engine complaints, often pointing to fan relay, coolant sensor, or ECM problems. If the fan stays on, it can drain the battery and potentially lead to overheating if the system isn't working correctly.
Owners describe sudden loud audio spikes from the Bose system and infotainment system failures. These annoyances may not strand you, but they can be expensive to fix and suggest broader electronic quality issues.
“Unknown on first appear - key gets stuck in the ignition. This happened for the first time shortly after we bought it. It was still under warranty and the Chevrolet dealership in Washington PA fixed it. We paid to have it fixed and now it’s out again and we c…”
“On [XXX] at approximately [XXX{}, my new 2025 Chevy Colorado Trail Boss which I purchased from the dealer brand new on [XXX], experienced a sudden catastrophic transmission failure which led to myself nearly being severely injured/possibly killed while drivin…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The lead frame issue is a long-standing problem that can cause harsh shifting or limp mode, and some owners report near-collisions. Transmission failures, like getting stuck in 5th gear, are also common and can require costly repairs.
The lead frame problem also appears under electrical complaints, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. These issues can leave you with reduced power and may require software updates or part replacements.
A startling complaint involves the rear window defroster shorting and causing the back window to shatter. This is a safety concern and can be expensive to repair, so check for any signs of electrical arcing or prior window replacement.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting issues are frequent, though specific symptoms aren't detailed in the sample. Buyers should test all lights and look for recalls related to lighting to ensure visibility and safety.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Chevrolet Colorado — 12 recalls
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado vehicles equipped with a manual passenger seat. The front passenger seat may have a hook attachment that was not properly welded, allowing it to separate from the inboard track of the seat frame.
The risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat and replace the cushion frame, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer…
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts m…
The risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet cust…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet Colorado or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Colorado has far fewer complaints per year (about 108) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162). In practice, this means you're less likely to encounter frequent problems with the Colorado, but the F-150's issues are well-documented and may have more available fixes. Both have recalls, so checking recall history is crucial.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 10 times more complaints per year than the Chevrolet Colorado, with power train and electrical issues being the most common.
- Ford F-150 owners frequently report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, while Colorado owners mention stuck ignition keys and cooling fan problems.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 12 for the Colorado, meaning more potential safety fixes to track.
- The Colorado has 3 deaths reported in complaints, while the F-150 has 1, but the F-150 has far more injuries (297 vs 42).
- Test the ignition key thoroughly—if it sticks or is hard to turn, it could be a recurring power train/electrical issue.
- After a test drive, listen for the cooling fan running after shutdown; if it stays on, it may indicate a faulty relay or sensor.
- During a test drive, watch for harsh shifting or limp mode; this could signal the notorious lead frame or transmission problem.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of replacement; a short in the defroster can cause the glass to shatter.
Before you buy
- Ask for the vehicle's recall history and confirm all open recalls are fixed.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model.
- Test all electrical features: infotainment, lights, windows, and cooling fan operation.
- For the F-150, specifically check transmission behavior and ask about lead frame replacement.
- For the Colorado, check for key sticking and ensure the cooling fan shuts off properly.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Chevrolet Colorado | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28 | 35 |
| 2025 | 27 | 345 |
| 2024 | 123 | 638 |
| 2023 | 136 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 56 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 76 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 84 | 44 |
| 2019 | 150 | 52 |
| 2018 | 183 | 79 |
| 2017 | 216 | 59 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Chevrolet Colorado or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Colorado vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet Colorado total complaints
- 1,079
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chevrolet Colorado total recalls
- 12
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chevrolet Colorado avg complaints/year
- 107.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Colorado
- Chevrolet Colorado top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN