Last updated: 2026-03-28

Chevrolet Colorado vs Jeep Gladiator: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Chevrolet Colorado and the Jeep Gladiator? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize trucks.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Colorado currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 54/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Colorado is more reliable than the Jeep Gladiator, scoring 78/100 vs 54/100.

Key Differences

  1. 1Chevrolet Colorado scores 24 points higher in reliability
  2. 2Chevrolet Colorado has 18 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

2Chevrolet Colorado
0Jeep Gladiator
Reliability ScoreTotal Recalls

Chevrolet Colorado vs Jeep Gladiator: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Colorado vs Jeep Gladiator at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricChevrolet ColoradoJeep Gladiator
Reliability Score78/10054/100
Years Tracked97
Total Recalls927
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume695890
Year Wins60

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Colorado and Jeep Gladiator?

Chevrolet Colorado vs Jeep Gladiator common problem areas comparison
ComponentChevrolet ColoradoJeep Gladiator
STEERING77308
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM115207
POWER TRAIN185121
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6638
ENGINE3841
SERVICE BRAKES5915
SUSPENSION937
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE25
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1013
VISIBILITY/WIPER218
STRUCTURE117
AIR BAGS125
FUEL SYSTEM15
EXTERIOR LIGHTING14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL29
LANE DEPARTURE7
EQUIPMENT2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
SEAT BELTS2

Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.

How Does Chevrolet Colorado vs Jeep Gladiator Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Colorado vs Jeep Gladiator year-by-year reliability scores
YearChevrolet ColoradoJeep GladiatorEdge
202583/1000R / 19C64/1000R / 7CChevrolet Colorado
202476/1003R / 82C59/1001R / 11CChevrolet Colorado
202373/1003R / 113C51/1005R / 46CChevrolet Colorado
202281/1001R / 39C49/1007R / 104CChevrolet Colorado
202178/1001R / 59C49/1007R / 261CChevrolet Colorado
202081/1000R / 71C49/1007R / 461CChevrolet Colorado
2026(predicted)77/100(predicted)58/100(predicted)Chevrolet Colorado

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado scored 83/100 and the 2025 Jeep Gladiator scored 64/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Chevrolet Colorado vs Jeep Gladiator: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Colorado more reliable than the Jeep Gladiator?
Based on our data, the Chevrolet Colorado is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 54/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Colorado or the Jeep Gladiator?
The Jeep Gladiator has more recalls (27) compared to the Chevrolet Colorado (9). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Colorado or the Jeep Gladiator?
The Chevrolet Colorado has fewer owner complaints (695) versus 890 for the Jeep Gladiator. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

See incorrect data? Report an issue