Is the Chevrolet Colorado more reliable than the Honda Ridgeline?

Based on our data, the Chevrolet Colorado is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Colorado or the Honda Ridgeline?

The Honda Ridgeline has more recalls (35) 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 Honda Ridgeline?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Colorado has a lower complaint rate at 8.8 per 10,000 sold versus 14.2 for the Honda Ridgeline. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Chevrolet Colorado or Honda Ridgeline safer?

Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Honda Ridgeline has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Chevrolet Colorado. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Chevrolet Colorado vs Honda Ridgeline: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Chevrolet Colorado

Good

Honda Ridgeline

Good

Choosing between the Chevrolet Colorado and the Honda Ridgeline? 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 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Chevrolet Colorado and Honda Ridgeline Generations Compare?

The Chevrolet Colorado is currently in its third generation, having been last redesigned in 2023. Being early in its generation cycle, potential buyers should be aware that newer platforms often encounter first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial bugs. In contrast, the Honda Ridgeline is in its second generation, which began in 2017, with a notable facelift in 2021. This places the Ridgeline in a mature phase of its lifecycle, generally indicating a well-sorted and reliable platform as most initial issues have likely been resolved. Buyers prioritizing reliability might find the Ridgeline's established platform reassuring compared to the newly redesigned Colorado.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Colorado is more reliable than the Honda Ridgeline, scoring 78/100 vs 76/100.

The Chevrolet Colorado boasts a higher average reliability score of 82 out of 100 compared to the Honda Ridgeline's 74. Despite having fewer recalls, the Ridgeline has a higher owner complaint rate at 14.2 per 10,000 sold, indicating potential reliability concerns. The Colorado also presents a lower estimated annual repair cost of $599, making it the more reliable choice overall in the midsize truck segment. Key differentiators include the Ridgeline's significant recall history and higher complaint rate.

Key Differences

1Chevrolet Colorado has 26 fewer total recalls
2Chevrolet Colorado has 5.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Chevrolet Colorado scores 2 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Chevrolet Colorado

—

1Honda Ridgeline

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Chevrolet Colorado vs Honda Ridgeline: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Colorado vs Honda Ridgeline at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chevrolet Colorado	Honda Ridgeline
Reliability Score	78/100	76/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	9	35
Complaints per 10k Sold	8.8	14.2
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	5	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Colorado and Honda Ridgeline?

The Chevrolet Colorado and Honda Ridgeline exhibit distinct problem profiles despite both having significant complaint volumes. The Colorado notably has a high number of power train issues, with 185 complaints, including 3 crash-linked incidents, indicating a potential area of concern. In contrast, the Ridgeline experiences more electrical system problems, recording 170 complaints, though only one is crash-linked, suggesting less severe outcomes. Additionally, the Ridgeline reports a higher number of exterior lighting issues at 117 complaints, whereas the Colorado's service brakes and forward collision avoidance systems are more frequently linked to crashes, highlighting different safety-related vulnerabilities between the two models.

Chevrolet Colorado vs Honda Ridgeline common problem areas comparison
Component	Chevrolet Colorado	Honda Ridgeline
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.5Low	2.6Low
POWER TRAIN	2.3Low	1.3Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.8Very Low	1.4Low
ENGINE	0.5Very Low	1.6Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.2Very Low	1.8Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.7Very Low	0.5Very Low
STEERING	1Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.8Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.7Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.3Very Low	0.4Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.5Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.5Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.2Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.1Very Low
EQUIPMENT	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Colorado or Honda Ridgeline?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Chevrolet Colorado has an estimated annual repair cost of $599, with an average of 0.2 repair visits per year and a 13% risk of major repairs. While specific figures for the Honda Ridgeline are unavailable, industry estimates typically suggest that Honda vehicles often have lower repair frequencies and major repair risks compared to their American counterparts. For cost-conscious buyers, the Chevrolet Colorado's potential for higher repair costs and risks might be concerning. However, without explicit data for the Honda Ridgeline, it's challenging to make a definitive comparison. Generally, Hondas are known for their reliability, which could imply a better value in terms of long-term maintenance and repair costs.

How Does Chevrolet Colorado vs Honda Ridgeline Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Colorado vs Honda Ridgeline year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chevrolet Colorado	Honda Ridgeline	Edge
2025	83/1000R / 19C	85/1001R / 42C	Honda Ridgeline
2024	76/1003R / 82C	85/1001R / 41C	Honda Ridgeline
2023	73/1003R / 113C	78/1003R / 105C	Honda Ridgeline
2022	81/1001R / 39C	78/1002R / 106C	Chevrolet Colorado
2021	78/1001R / 59C	75/1005R / 90C	Chevrolet Colorado
2020	81/1000R / 71C	70/1007R / 158C	Chevrolet Colorado
2019	78/1000R / 139C	65/10010R / 222C	Chevrolet Colorado
2018	75/1001R / 173C	70/1006R / 153C	Chevrolet Colorado
2026(predicted)	77/100(predicted)	83/100(predicted)	Honda Ridgeline

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado scored 83/100 and the 2025 Honda Ridgeline scored 85/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Colorado vs the Honda Ridgeline?

If you prioritize reliability and lower repair costs, the Chevrolet Colorado is a strong choice. With a reliability score of 82/100, it outperforms the Honda Ridgeline’s score of 74/100. The Colorado also has fewer recalls, with 9 compared to the Ridgeline’s 35. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates suggest an annual cost of $599 for the Colorado, making it a more budget-friendly option in terms of maintenance. On the other hand, if you are less concerned about recall frequency and seek a vehicle with potentially fewer complaints relative to sales, the Honda Ridgeline could be appealing. It reports 14.2 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, which might indicate a generally satisfactory ownership experience despite its higher recall count. However, without specific data on repair frequency and costs, the Ridgeline may present more uncertainty in long-term ownership.

Chevrolet Colorado vs Honda Ridgeline: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Colorado more reliable than the Honda Ridgeline?: Based on our data, the Chevrolet Colorado is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Colorado or the Honda Ridgeline?: The Honda Ridgeline has more recalls (35) 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 Honda Ridgeline?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Colorado has a lower complaint rate at 8.8 per 10,000 sold versus 14.2 for the Honda Ridgeline. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Chevrolet Colorado or Honda Ridgeline safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Honda Ridgeline has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Chevrolet Colorado. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

More Chevrolet Colorado comparisons

Chevrolet Colorado vs Ford Ranger reliability Chevrolet Colorado vs Toyota Tacoma reliability Chevrolet Colorado vs Ford Maverick reliability Chevrolet Colorado reliability by year Chevrolet Colorado years to avoid

More Honda Ridgeline comparisons

Honda Ridgeline vs Toyota Tacoma reliability Honda Ridgeline vs Ford Ranger reliability Honda Ridgeline reliability by year Honda Ridgeline years to avoid

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

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.

Repair Costs

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

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.

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.

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