Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the Dodge Durango?

Based on our data, the Dodge Durango is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Dodge Durango?

The Dodge Durango has more recalls (27) compared to the Chevrolet Traverse (19). 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 Traverse or the Dodge Durango?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Durango has a lower complaint rate at 5.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 7.2 for the Chevrolet Traverse. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Dodge Durango?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Chevrolet Traverse is cheaper to maintain at $656/year versus $675/year for the Dodge Durango.

Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Dodge Durango safer?

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

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Chevrolet Traverse vs Dodge Durango: Reliability Compared

Chevrolet Traverse

Good

More Reliable

Dodge Durango

Good

Choosing between the Chevrolet Traverse and the Dodge Durango? 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 suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Dodge Durango currently leads with an average score of 71/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Chevrolet Traverse and Dodge Durango Generations Compare?

The Chevrolet Traverse is currently in its third generation, introduced in 2024, making it early in its generation cycle. This could mean potential teething issues as new platforms often experience first-year problems. The second generation, which ran from 2018 to 2024, received a notable facelift in 2022, suggesting improved reliability as issues were likely ironed out over time. In contrast, the Dodge Durango is in its third generation since 2011, with significant facelifts in 2014 and 2021. This mature platform is late in its cycle, indicating that most reliability concerns have been addressed, offering a more stable and well-sorted experience for buyers.

Verdict

The Dodge Durango is more reliable than the Chevrolet Traverse, scoring 71/100 vs 69/100.

The Dodge Durango edges out the Chevrolet Traverse in reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 74/100 compared to the Traverse's 68/100. Despite having more total recalls, the Durango has a lower owner complaint rate at 5.4 per 10,000 sold versus the Traverse's 7.2. Both vehicles have similar estimated annual repair costs, with the Traverse slightly lower at $656 compared to the Durango's $675. Key differentiators include the lower complaint rate for the Durango and its slightly better reliability score, despite its higher recall count.

Key Differences

1Chevrolet Traverse costs $19 less per year to repair
2Chevrolet Traverse has 8 fewer total recalls
3Dodge Durango has 5% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

3Chevrolet Traverse

—

4Dodge Durango

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Chevrolet Traverse vs Dodge Durango: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Traverse vs Dodge Durango at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chevrolet Traverse	Dodge Durango
Reliability Score	69/100	71/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	19	27
Complaints per 10k Sold	7.2	5.4
Annual Repair Cost	$656/yr	$675/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.2/yr
Major Repair Risk	18%	13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2	6

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Traverse and Dodge Durango?

The Chevrolet Traverse shows a higher total number of complaints at 1,417, with significant issues in the power train (431 complaints) and electrical system (222 complaints), both of which have multiple crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Dodge Durango, with 653 total complaints, primarily struggles with its electrical system and exterior lighting, each accounting for 160 and 159 complaints respectively, although crash-linked incidents are fewer in these categories. Notably, the Traverse has more crash-linked complaints in service brakes (7) and power train (6) than the Durango, which has higher crash-linked incidents in air bags (8). Both models exhibit issues across several components, but the Traverse’s power train and service brake problems pose a more prominent safety concern compared to the Durango’s electrical and lighting issues.

Chevrolet Traverse vs Dodge Durango common problem areas comparison
Component	Chevrolet Traverse	Dodge Durango
POWER TRAIN	2.2Low	0.5Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.1Low	1.3Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	1.3Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.7Very Low	0.3Very Low
ENGINE	0.6Very Low	0.3Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.6Very Low	0.2Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.2Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Traverse or Dodge Durango?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Chevrolet Traverse and Dodge Durango have comparable annual repair costs, with the Traverse at $656 and the Durango slightly higher at $675. Over five years, this difference amounts to just $95, making it a minor factor for cost-conscious buyers. However, the Traverse has a higher repair frequency at 0.4 visits per year compared to the Durango's 0.2 visits. This means Traverse owners can expect twice as many trips to the repair shop annually. Additionally, the major repair risk is higher for the Traverse at 18% versus 13% for the Durango. These factors suggest that the Dodge Durango may offer better value for those focused on minimizing maintenance disruptions and potential costly repairs.

How Does Chevrolet Traverse vs Dodge Durango Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Traverse vs Dodge Durango year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chevrolet Traverse	Dodge Durango	Edge
2025	75/1000R / 132C	78/1000R / 5C	Dodge Durango
2024	73/1000R / 107C	78/1000R / 6C	Dodge Durango
2023	72/1002R / 62C	75/1002R / 27C	Dodge Durango
2022	73/1001R / 76C	71/1006R / 47C	Chevrolet Traverse
2021	71/1003R / 72C	65/1007R / 159C	Chevrolet Traverse
2020	62/1008R / 188C	72/1003R / 62C	Dodge Durango
2019	62/1003R / 358C	67/1004R / 128C	Dodge Durango
2018	62/1002R / 416C	64/1005R / 219C	Dodge Durango
2026(predicted)	73/100(predicted)	77/100(predicted)	Dodge Durango

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse scored 75/100 and the 2025 Dodge Durango scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Traverse vs the Dodge Durango?

If you prioritize a lower risk of major repairs and fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Durango might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 74/100, it surpasses the Chevrolet Traverse and has a lower major repair risk at 13%. Additionally, the Durango has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold, standing at 5.4 compared to the Traverse's 7.2. While the Durango has more recalls (27), its lower repair frequency of 0.2 times per year suggests fewer issues over time. On the other hand, if you are more concerned with keeping repair costs slightly lower, the Chevrolet Traverse could be more appealing. Its estimated annual repair cost is $656, which is marginally less than the Durango's $675. However, it's important to consider that the Traverse has a higher major repair risk at 18% and faces more issues with its powertrain and electrical systems. Choose the Traverse if minimizing upfront repair costs is your primary concern, but be prepared for potentially more frequent visits to the mechanic.

Chevrolet Traverse vs Dodge Durango: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the Dodge Durango?: Based on our data, the Dodge Durango is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Dodge Durango?: The Dodge Durango has more recalls (27) compared to the Chevrolet Traverse (19). 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 Traverse or the Dodge Durango?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Durango has a lower complaint rate at 5.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 7.2 for the Chevrolet Traverse. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Dodge Durango?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Chevrolet Traverse is cheaper to maintain at $656/year versus $675/year for the Dodge Durango.
Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Dodge Durango safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Chevrolet Traverse has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Dodge Durango. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

More Chevrolet Traverse comparisons

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More Dodge Durango comparisons

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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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