Last updated: 2026-07-17

Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Passport: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Chevrolet Traverse and the Honda Passport? 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 Honda Passport currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 70/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Passport Generations Compare?

The Chevrolet Traverse is currently in its third generation, introduced in 2024. This means it is relatively early in its generation cycle, where first-year models can sometimes experience teething issues as manufacturers work out initial bugs. The previous second generation, lasting from 2018 to 2024 with a facelift in 2022, was more mature and likely benefited from improved reliability as a result of its longer production run. On the other hand, the Honda Passport is in its third generation since 2019, with several updates, including facelifts in 2022 and model year changes in 2023 and 2024. Being later in its cycle, the Passport is likely to have a more refined platform, which typically translates to better reliability as manufacturers have had time to address earlier issues.

Verdict

The Honda Passport is more reliable than the Chevrolet Traverse, scoring 74/100 vs 70/100.

The Honda Passport edges out the Chevrolet Traverse in reliability with a higher average reliability score of 83/100 compared to 68/100 for the Traverse. While the Passport has a higher recall count of 29 compared to the Traverse's 19, it compensates with lower estimated annual repair costs at $521 versus $656 for the Traverse. The Traverse has a lower owner complaint rate of 7.2 per 10,000 sold compared to the Passport's 11.6, but the Passport's stronger reliability score and lower repair costs make it the more reliable choice overall. Key differentiators include the Passport's lower repair costs and higher overall reliability score.

Key Differences

  1. 1Honda Passport costs $135 less per year to repair
  2. 2Chevrolet Traverse has 10 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Chevrolet Traverse has 4.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Chevrolet Traverse
3Honda Passport
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair Frequency

Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Passport: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Passport at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricChevrolet TraverseHonda Passport
Reliability Score70/10074/100
Years Tracked98
Total Recalls1929
Complaints per 10k Sold7.211.6
Annual Repair Cost$656/yr$521/yr
Repair Frequency0.4/yr0.3/yr
Year Wins26

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Passport?

The Chevrolet Traverse exhibits a higher incidence of power train complaints, totaling 431, with 6 linked to crashes, indicating a significant area of concern compared to the Honda Passport, which reports only 59 power train issues and 1 crash-linked. The Traverse also shows a notable number of electrical system complaints at 222, whereas the Passport has 123 in the same category, though both have a similar number of crash-linked incidents. The Honda Passport, however, has a unique problem profile with forward collision avoidance issues, recording 64 complaints and 2 crash-linked, a category not prominently featured in the Traverse's data. Overall, the Traverse's higher overall complaint and crash-linked figures suggest a broader range of reliability issues compared to the Passport.

Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Passport common problem areas comparison
ComponentChevrolet TraverseHonda Passport
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1.1Low2.6Low
POWER TRAIN2.2Low1.2Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER0.6Very Low1.3Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.7Very Low1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCENone1.4Low
ENGINE0.6Very Low0.7Very Low
FUEL SYSTEMNone0.5Very Low
STEERING0.2Very Low0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS0.1Very Low0.2Very Low
STRUCTURE0.1Very Low0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING0.2Very LowNone
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM0.1Very Low0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS0.1Very LowNone
SUSPENSION0.1Very LowNone
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLNone0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURENone0.1Very Low
VISIBILITYNone0.1Very Low
SEATSNoneNone
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGNoneNone
BACK OVER PREVENTIONNoneNone

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Traverse or Honda Passport?

Industry estimates indicate that the Chevrolet Traverse incurs an annual repair cost of $656, while the Honda Passport is more economical at $521 per year. Over five years, this results in a $675 difference in favor of the Passport. The Traverse requires 0.4 repair visits annually compared to 0.3 for the Passport, suggesting the Traverse may spend more time in the shop. Additionally, the Traverse has an 18% risk of major repairs, a significant consideration for buyers concerned about unexpected expenses. For cost-conscious consumers, the Honda Passport emerges as the better value, offering lower annual repair costs and reduced shop visits.

How Does Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Passport Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Passport year-by-year reliability scores
YearChevrolet TraverseHonda PassportEdge
202676/1000R / 6C84/1000R / 0CHonda Passport
202575/1000R / 132C82/1000R / 11CHonda Passport
202473/1000R / 107C79/1001R / 12CHonda Passport
202372/1002R / 62C75/1004R / 24CHonda Passport
202273/1001R / 76C74/1003R / 45CHonda Passport
202171/1003R / 72C68/1005R / 119CChevrolet Traverse
202062/1008R / 188C68/1008R / 84CHonda Passport
201962/1003R / 358C59/1008R / 253CChevrolet Traverse

Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse scored 76/100 and the 2026 Honda Passport scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Traverse vs the Honda Passport?

If you prioritize reliability and lower repair costs, the Honda Passport is your best bet. With a reliability score of 83/100, this model stands out for its dependability. It has an estimated annual repair cost of $521 and a lower repair frequency of 0.3 times per year, making it a more cost-effective choice in the long run. Although it has 29 total recalls, the major repair risk is not specified, suggesting a more stable performance overall. On the other hand, if you are more concerned about minimizing owner complaints, the Chevrolet Traverse might appeal to you. Despite its lower reliability score of 68/100, it has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 7.2 compared to the Passport's 11.6. However, be prepared for a higher estimated annual repair cost of $656 and a higher major repair risk of 18%. Consider this model if you're willing to manage potential repair needs for a quieter ownership experience.

Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Passport: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the Honda Passport?
Based on our data, the Honda Passport is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 70/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Honda Passport?
The Honda Passport has more recalls (29) 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 Honda Passport?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Traverse has a lower complaint rate at 7.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 11.6 for the Honda Passport. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Honda Passport?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Passport is cheaper to maintain at $521/year versus $656/year for the Chevrolet Traverse.

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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

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.

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