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2016 chevrolet Colorado vs 2016 hyundai Sonata

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-04-29 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado edges ahead — narrowly
More reliable

2016 chevrolet Colorado

3.3/5
Reliability score
685 complaints
1 recalls (0 critical)
$13,900 repair exposure
vs

2016 hyundai Sonata

3.0/5
Reliability score
704 complaints
4 recalls (0 critical)
$12,800 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

The 2016 chevrolet Colorado edges this one, but it's tight. We're talking 3.3 versus 3.0 on the reliability index. Close enough that the right answer for you might be the other truck — depends what you're using it for and what you can afford to fix when something does go.

If you're leaning 2016 chevrolet Colorado, know what you're getting into on steering and powertrain. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than what the 2016 hyundai Sonata sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2016 hyundai Sonata? Watch the engine and electrical. The 2016 chevrolet Colorado has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2016 chevrolet Colorado
2016 hyundai Sonata
steering
439 reports
moderate · ~$700
33 reports
severe · ~$700
engine
12 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
338 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
powertrain
83 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
54 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
electrical
47 reports
moderate · ~$850
72 reports
severe · ~$850
brakes
25 reports
severe · ~$450
29 reports
severe · ~$450
body
6 reports
severe · ~$1,500
27 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
airbags
7 reports
severe · ~$1,100
17 reports
critical · ~$1,100
lighting
No reports
23 reports
severe · ~$250
cruise control
10 reports
moderate · ~$600
No reports

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado or the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.3 versus 3.0. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado?

Compared to the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado sees more reported issues in steering and powertrain. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?

Compared to the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata has more complaints in engine and electrical. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

The 2016 Hyundai Sonata has more active recalls (4 vs 1). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $13,900 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary auto-generated from the data and reviewed by ASE-certified contributors. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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