Toyota Tacoma vs. Chevrolet Colorado
Both trucks side by side for the years they were both sold (2004–2012, 2015–2026): owner complaints filed with NHTSA, what each generation is known for, and years with a well-known costly problem.
How to use this: complaint counts are reports owners filed with NHTSA, not a reliability score. Best-selling trucks collect more reports simply because more are on the road. Use the numbers to spot years worth a closer look, then check the specific truck you're considering.
Complaints by year
Each count is compared with the typical (middle) count of the midsize trucks we cover from the same model year. Counts as of October 5, 2026; a year's own page uses the latest count, so it can be slightly higher. Tap a count for that year's recalls, complaints and safety ratings.
| Year | Toyota Tacoma | Chevrolet Colorado | Typical that year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 14 | — |
| 2025 | 100 | 27 | — |
| 2024 | 151More than typical | 123More than typical | 84 |
| 2023 | 54About typical | 136More than typical | 62 |
| 2022 | 59About typical | 55About typical | 59 |
| 2021 | 80About typical | 76About typical | 80 |
| 2020 | 87About typical | 84About typical | 87 |
| 2019 | 218About typical | 150About typical | 184 |
| 2018 | 206More than typical | 182About typical | 162 |
| 2017 | 239About typical | 216About typical | 216 |
| 2016 | 323About typical | 709⚠ Known problem: About 580 complaints about losing power steering, and unlike some 2015 trucks, 2016 wasn't recalled. Ask if the steering gear has been repaired.More than typical | 296 |
| 2015 | 101Fewer than typical | 491⚠ Known problem: About 530 complaints about losing power steering. Two recalls cover many 2015 trucks; check the VIN to see if this one is included and whether the repair was done.More than typical | 202 |
| 2012 | 295 | 42 | — |
| 2011 | 186More than typical | 42About typical | 53 |
| 2010 | 294⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 29Fewer than typical | 50 |
| 2009 | 519⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 67More than typical | 52 |
| 2008 | 445⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 81Fewer than typical | 139 |
| 2007 | 541⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 140Fewer than typical | 215 |
| 2006 | 780⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 236⚠ Known problem: Early trucks have the most complaints: brake light switch recalls, ABS problems and misfires from valve wear. Check recalls and ask about misfire repairs.About typical | 256 |
| 2005 | 707⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 355⚠ Known problem: Early trucks have the most complaints: brake light switch recalls, ABS problems and misfires from valve wear. Check recalls and ask about misfire repairs.About typical | 355 |
| 2004 | 414⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.About typical | 361⚠ Known problem: Early trucks have the most complaints: brake light switch recalls, ABS problems and misfires from valve wear. Check recalls and ask about misfire repairs.About typical | 361 |
Recent years aren't compared until the typical truck that year has at least 50 complaints. “Not separable” means NHTSA files that year together with other trucks. Recall counts aren't shown here; open any year to see its recalls. ⚠ marks a well-known costly problem that complaint counts alone don't show.
Generations side by side
Toyota Tacoma
- 1999–2004 common problems →3.4L V6, 2.7L and 2.4L four
Frame rust is nearly half of all complaints; Toyota bought back or reframed many trucks. Lower ball joints and spare tire carriers in salt states were also recalled.
- 2005–2015 common problems →4.0L V6, 2.7L four
Frame rust on 2005–2010 trucks led to a huge settlement with frame replacements and buybacks. Rear leaf springs that can break and puncture the fuel tank were recalled on certain trucks, and 2012 trucks are known for air injection pump failures.
- 2016–2023 common problems →3.5L V6, 2.7L four
Owners complain most about the automatic transmission hunting for gears, rear differential leaks on 2016–2017 trucks, fuel pump recalls that can cause stalling, and the third brake light leaking water into the cab.
- 2024–2026 common problems →2.4L turbo four (i-FORCE), 2.4L turbo hybrid (i-FORCE MAX)
Interior door handles that break and trap you inside are the top complaint on 2025 trucks; transmission jerks and early recalls for brake lines, CV joints and shocks round it out.
Chevrolet Colorado
- 2004–2012 common problems →2.8L / 2.9L four, 3.5L / 3.7L five, 5.3L V8
Owners report brake lights that stop working or stay on (recalled), ABS that kicks in at low speed, and misfires from burned exhaust valves on the five-cylinder engines, especially 2004–2006 trucks.
- 2015–2022 common problems →2.5L four, 3.6L V6, 2.8L Duramax diesel
2015–2016 trucks have huge numbers of complaints about suddenly losing power steering (only 2015 trucks were recalled). 2017-and-later V6 trucks with the 8-speed are known for torque converter shudder, and 2.5L trucks for brake vacuum pump failures.
- 2023–2026 common problems →2.7L turbo four
2024 GMC Canyons were recalled for flickering headlights, 2023 trucks for automatic emergency braking that can brake for no reason, and many owners report coolant leaks at the upper radiator hose.
Years with a known costly problem
From our owner notes. Some affect only one engine, so trucks with other engines those years aren't affected: check which engine the truck you're looking at has.
Toyota Tacoma
- 1999–2010 All enginesKnown for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.
Chevrolet Colorado
- 2004–2006 All enginesEarly trucks have the most complaints: brake light switch recalls, ABS problems and misfires from valve wear. Check recalls and ask about misfire repairs.
- 2015 All enginesAbout 530 complaints about losing power steering. Two recalls cover many 2015 trucks; check the VIN to see if this one is included and whether the repair was done.
- 2016 All enginesAbout 580 complaints about losing power steering, and unlike some 2015 trucks, 2016 wasn't recalled. Ask if the steering gear has been repaired.