Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Colorado vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Camry 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 Toyota Camry: The Colorado averages 107.9 complaints per year and has 12 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year and has 31 recalls. The Camry also has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 31). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Colorado or Toyota Camry 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 rely on for work and daily driving. 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, sudden transmission failure, and cooling fans that stay on after shutdown. These are not just minor annoyances—some can leave you stranded or lead to costly repairs.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular family sedan known for comfort and efficiency. It averages about 206 complaints per year, with frequent reports about the power train, unknown or other systems, engine, and brakes. Owners describe issues such as ignition keys that won't come out, hesitation and shuddering while driving, and electronic parking brakes that won't disengage. While many complaints are less severe, some can affect drivability and safety.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Colorado | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,079 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 31 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 107.9 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 42 Better | 158 |
| 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, sometimes requiring battery disconnection to remove, and in at least one case a sudden catastrophic transmission failure on a new truck. These issues can leave you unable to start or move the vehicle, leading to expensive repairs.
Complaints include the cooling fan running after the engine is off, which can drain the battery, and infotainment screens going blank or reloading. Such glitches are frustrating and may point to deeper wiring or module problems.
The same cooling fan issue is also filed under engine, and some owners link it to overheating risk. A fan that stays on can mask a failing relay or sensor, potentially leading to engine damage if ignored.
With 133 complaints, brake problems are notable, though specific patterns aren't detailed in the sample. Any brake issue is serious, so a pre-purchase inspection should include a thorough brake check.
“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…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report ignition keys that become stuck and cannot be removed even when the car is in Park, often requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, which can indicate transmission or engine management faults.
Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once, as one owner reported. These failures can compromise safety features and make the car unpredictable to drive.
A delayed throttle response of several seconds after pressing the accelerator is reported, creating a dangerous lag when merging or pulling out. This can be scary in traffic and may signal a software or sensor problem.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area due to the ABS system. These issues can prevent the car from moving or indicate brake system faults.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet Colorado or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Colorado has fewer complaints per year (about 108) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206). However, the Camry has more recalls (31 vs. 12) and more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 31). In practice, the Colorado may have fewer reported problems overall, but the Camry's higher crash and injury counts suggest that when issues occur, they may be more severe.
Key differences
- The Chevrolet Colorado averages about 108 complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry averages about 206, meaning the Camry has nearly double the complaint rate.
- The Camry has 31 recalls versus 12 for the Colorado, so you'll need to check for more outstanding safety fixes on the Camry.
- Crash-related complaints are much higher for the Camry (171) than the Colorado (31), and injuries are also higher (158 vs. 42), indicating potentially more serious incidents in the Camry.
- Both vehicles share similar top problem areas—power train, engine, and brakes—but the specific failures differ: Colorado owners report stuck keys and cooling fan issues, while Camry owners report stuck keys, hesitation, and electronic parking brake failures.
- Check for a key that sticks in the ignition—try removing it multiple times during a test drive and after parking.
- Listen for the cooling fan running after the engine is shut off; if it stays on, it could drain the battery or indicate a relay or sensor problem.
- Test the ignition key removal—ensure it comes out smoothly when in Park, as stuck keys are a common complaint.
- Check the electronic parking brake; make sure it disengages properly and listen for any clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the Camry's air bag and seat sensors.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission shifting and throttle response; hesitation or shuddering could signal expensive repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brakes, including the ABS system and electronic parking brake on the Camry, and the brake components on the Colorado.
- Test all electrical features: infotainment, cooling fan operation after shutdown, and any warning lights on the dashboard.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and check for any repeated repairs related to the power train or electrical system.
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 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28 | 0 |
| 2025 | 27 | 163 |
| 2024 | 123 | 50 |
| 2023 | 136 | 64 |
| 2022 | 56 | 61 |
| 2021 | 76 | 157 |
| 2020 | 84 | 274 |
| 2019 | 150 | 395 |
| 2018 | 183 | 744 |
| 2017 | 216 | 148 |
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 Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Colorado vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Colorado total complaints
- 1,079
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Chevrolet Colorado total recalls
- 12
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet Colorado avg complaints/year
- 107.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Colorado
- Chevrolet Colorado top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN