Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Equinox vs Chevrolet Colorado
How the Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Colorado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Chevrolet Equinox vs Chevrolet Colorado: The Equinox has nearly double the annual complaints (193.3 vs 102.3) and more recalls (33 vs 12). Owners report engine stalls and brake failures in the Equinox, while the Colorado has transmission and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Equinox or Chevrolet Colorado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is a compact SUV that, over the past decade, has generated a high volume of owner complaints—nearly double the Colorado's annual rate. The pattern centers on sudden engine stalls and loss of power, brake failures, and electrical gremlins, which can be alarming and potentially dangerous in traffic. Owners also report water leaks into the cabin, affecting electronics. While not every vehicle will experience these issues, the frequency and severity of reported failures suggest a buyer should be cautious and thorough in their inspection.
Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado is a mid-size pickup with a lower complaint rate, but its issues are still significant. The most common complaints involve the powertrain, particularly transmission failures and ignition problems, along with electrical system glitches like the cooling fan staying on. Owners also report infotainment system crashes and unexpected audio spikes. These issues can be frustrating and, in the case of transmission failure, potentially dangerous, but the overall volume is lower than the Equinox.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Equinox | Chevrolet Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,933 | 1,023 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 | 12 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 116 | 31 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 193.3 | 102.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 86 | 42 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 3 |
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 Equinox
- 01ENGINE540
- 02SERVICE BRAKES402
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM301
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM297
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER277
Owners report sudden engine stalls and loss of power, often without warning, which can leave the vehicle immobilized in traffic. Fuel pump failures are also mentioned, causing jerking and shutdowns.
Brake pedal going to the floor with little resistance, accompanied by error messages like 'Brake System Failure' and 'Service ESC', indicates potential brake system failures that could lead to crashes.
Electrical issues include infotainment screen reboots, camera system failures, and water leaks into the rear passenger area that can damage the fuse panel and power outlets, causing further electrical problems.
Sudden engine stall and loss of motive power in high-traffic areas are reported, often without warning, creating a serious safety hazard.
“The fuel pump on my 2023 Chevrolet Equinox began malfunctioning on [XXX] when the check engine light came on. Less than 24 hours later, the light went out. On [XXX], while leaving a CVS pharmacy, the vehicle jerked, then the engine shut off. After putting the…”
“My 2023 Equinox RS losses power during quick acceleration for lane changes or passing. It will also lose power during some turns at normal speed. It will also accelerate and deaccelerate at a low speed making it feel like the gears are slipping. Auto stop on…”
Chevrolet Colorado
- 01POWER TRAIN317
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM219
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER152
- 04ENGINE149
- 05SERVICE BRAKES116
Transmission failures, including catastrophic ones, are reported, along with keys getting stuck in the ignition, which can be a sign of steering column or ignition switch issues.
Electrical problems include the cooling fan remaining on after shutdown, which could drain the battery, and infotainment system crashes that can affect navigation and vehicle settings.
Engine-related complaints overlap with powertrain, such as cooling fan issues and transmission problems that may be perceived as engine performance issues.
Owners report sudden loud audio spikes from the sound system and infotainment system failures, which can be distracting and potentially dangerous if they occur while driving.
“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…”
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 Equinox — 33 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The driver's seat may have a stripped or loose bolt at the seat frame height-adjust pivot.
The risk: A seat with a missing or loose bolt may not properly restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the seat cushion frame, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 4, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC cus…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with ventilated front passenger seats. The Occupant Classification System may not properly disable the front passenger air bag when there is a small child or child restraint detected in the seat.
The risk: In the event of a crash, a front passenger air bag that deploys with a child or infant in the front passenger seat can increase their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger presence system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's nu…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail…
The risk: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The door strikers may fracture, resulting in the door opening unexpectedly.
The risk: A door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace all four door strikers and attaching bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462…
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 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, 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…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet Equinox or Chevrolet Colorado: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Colorado has fewer complaints per year (102.3 vs 193.3) and fewer recalls (12 vs 33), suggesting a lower likelihood of encountering major issues. However, both vehicles have serious reported failures, so a thorough inspection is essential regardless of choice.
Key differences
- The Equinox has nearly double the annual complaint rate of the Colorado, with a much higher number of engine and brake complaints.
- The Equinox has 33 recalls over 10 years, while the Colorado has 12, indicating more widespread safety-related issues.
- The Equinox's engine stalls and brake failures are more frequent and severe, while the Colorado's main issues are transmission and electrical glitches.
- The Colorado's complaints are more concentrated in the powertrain, while the Equinox's are spread across engine, brakes, and electrical systems.
- Inspect the fuel pump and engine for signs of stalling or power loss, as these are common complaints.
- Check the brake system thoroughly, including pedal feel and any warning messages, as brake failures have been reported.
- Test the transmission for smooth shifting and check for any signs of failure, as catastrophic transmission issues have been reported.
- Verify the ignition key operation and ensure it doesn't get stuck, as this is a known issue.
Before you buy
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, brakes, and electrical systems for the Equinox, and transmission and ignition for the Colorado.
- Check for any open recalls and ensure they have been addressed.
- Test drive at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic to feel for any hesitation, stalling, or brake issues.
- Inspect the rear passenger floor and spare tire well for water leaks in the Equinox.
- For the Colorado, test the infotainment system and audio to ensure no glitches or loud spikes.
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 Equinox | Chevrolet Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 58 | 12 |
| 2025 | 210 | 27 |
| 2024 | 69 | 114 |
| 2023 | 90 | 130 |
| 2022 | 158 | 49 |
| 2021 | 88 | 71 |
| 2020 | 299 | 79 |
| 2019 | 294 | 146 |
| 2018 | 396 | 180 |
| 2017 | 271 | 215 |
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 Equinox or Chevrolet Colorado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Equinox vs Chevrolet Colorado
- Chevrolet Equinox total complaints
- 1,933
- Chevrolet Colorado total complaints
- 1,023
- Chevrolet Equinox total recalls
- 33
- Chevrolet Colorado total recalls
- 12
- Chevrolet Equinox avg complaints/year
- 193.3
- Chevrolet Colorado avg complaints/year
- 102.3
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Colorado
- Chevrolet Equinox top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Colorado top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN