Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the Honda Pilot?

Based on our data, the Chevrolet Traverse is more reliable with an average score of 69/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Honda Pilot?

The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) 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 Pilot?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Traverse has a lower complaint rate at 7.2 per 10,000 sold versus 9.1 for the Honda Pilot. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Honda Pilot?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Pilot is cheaper to maintain at $542/year versus $656/year for the Chevrolet Traverse.

Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Honda Pilot safer?

Both the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Pilot received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Pilot: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Chevrolet Traverse

Good

Honda Pilot

Good

Choosing between the Chevrolet Traverse and the Honda Pilot? 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 Chevrolet Traverse currently leads with an average score of 69/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Pilot Generations Compare?

The Chevrolet Traverse is currently in its third generation, introduced in 2024. Being early in its cycle, it might experience first-year issues typical of new platforms as manufacturers address unforeseen bugs. The previous second-generation Traverse received a facelift in 2022, suggesting a more mature and refined model toward the end of its run. In contrast, the Honda Pilot is in its fourth generation, launched in 2023. Also relatively new, it shares the same potential for early-cycle teething problems. However, its third generation, refreshed in 2019, likely offered improved reliability as it matured. Generally, mature platforms like these tend to be well-sorted, offering more reliability than their newer counterparts.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Traverse is more reliable than the Honda Pilot, scoring 69/100 vs 66/100.

The Honda Pilot edges out the Chevrolet Traverse in reliability with an average reliability score of 74/100 compared to the Traverse's 68/100. Despite having more recalls (51 vs. 19), the Pilot's lower estimated annual repair cost of $542 and its slightly higher owner complaints rate of 9.1 per 10,000 sold do not overshadow its overall reliability advantage. While both vehicles share common issues such as electrical system and power train problems, the Traverse's broader range of issues, including service brakes, may contribute to its higher repair costs of $656 annually. Overall, the Honda Pilot presents a slightly more reliable option in the midsize SUV segment.

Key Differences

1Honda Pilot costs $114 less per year to repair
2Chevrolet Traverse has 32 fewer total recalls
3Honda Pilot has 5% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

4Chevrolet Traverse

—

2Honda Pilot

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Pilot: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Pilot at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chevrolet Traverse	Honda Pilot
Reliability Score	69/100	66/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	19	51
Complaints per 10k Sold	7.2	9.1
Annual Repair Cost	$656/yr	$542/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.5/yr
Major Repair Risk	18%	13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	6 (1 tied)	1 (1 tied)

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

The Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Pilot exhibit distinct problem profiles based on the aggregated complaint data. The Chevrolet Traverse shows a significant concentration of issues in the power train, with 431 complaints and 6 crash-linked incidents, indicating a potential area of concern in terms of safety and reliability. In contrast, the Honda Pilot has a higher number of complaints in the electrical system, totaling 632 with 7 linked to crashes, suggesting potential electrical vulnerabilities. Additionally, while both models have notable service brake complaints, the Pilot has a higher crash-linked count (9) compared to the Traverse's 7, indicating a greater risk associated with braking issues in the Pilot.

Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Pilot common problem areas comparison
Component	Chevrolet Traverse	Honda Pilot
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.1Low	2.4Low
POWER TRAIN	2.2Low	0.9Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.6Very Low	1Very Low
ENGINE	0.6Very Low	1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.7Very Low	0.3Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.6Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.6Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.2Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—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 Honda Pilot?

According to industry estimates, the Chevrolet Traverse incurs an annual repair cost of $656, while the Honda Pilot costs $542 per year. Over a five-year period, this translates to an additional $570 for Traverse owners. Although the Traverse has a slightly lower repair frequency at 0.4 visits per year compared to the Pilot's 0.5, it carries a higher major repair risk of 18% versus the Pilot's 13%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda Pilot offers better value not only in lower annual maintenance expenses but also in reduced likelihood of major repairs, making it a more economical choice in the long run.

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

Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Pilot year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chevrolet Traverse	Honda Pilot	Edge
2025	75/1000R / 132C	71/1004R / 111C	Chevrolet Traverse
2024	73/1000R / 107C	72/1006R / 82C	Chevrolet Traverse
2023	72/1002R / 62C	72/1005R / 93C	Tie
2022	73/1001R / 76C	72/1003R / 105C	Chevrolet Traverse
2021	71/1003R / 72C	63/1008R / 358C	Chevrolet Traverse
2020	62/1008R / 188C	60/1009R / 431C	Chevrolet Traverse
2019	62/1003R / 358C	56/10011R / 794C	Chevrolet Traverse
2018	62/1002R / 416C	63/1005R / 408C	Honda Pilot
2026(predicted)	73/100(predicted)	72/100(predicted)	Chevrolet Traverse

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse scored 75/100 and the 2024 Honda Pilot scored 72/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Traverse vs the Honda Pilot?

If you prioritize lower running costs and a reduced risk of major repairs, the Honda Pilot might be the better choice for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $542 and a major repair risk of 13%, the Pilot offers a more budget-friendly ownership experience. Despite having more recalls, the Pilot's higher reliability score of 74/100 suggests it may provide a more dependable ride overall. For those who prefer fewer recalls and a slightly less frequent repair schedule, the Chevrolet Traverse could be more appealing. With only 19 recalls and a repair frequency of 0.4 times per year, the Traverse presents an option for those who value fewer trips to the service center. However, be aware of its slightly higher repair costs and major repair risk. If these factors align with your preferences, the Traverse might suit your needs.

Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Pilot: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the Honda Pilot?: Based on our data, the Chevrolet Traverse is more reliable with an average score of 69/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Honda Pilot?: The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) 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 Pilot?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Traverse has a lower complaint rate at 7.2 per 10,000 sold versus 9.1 for the Honda Pilot. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Honda Pilot?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Pilot is cheaper to maintain at $542/year versus $656/year for the Chevrolet Traverse.
Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Honda Pilot safer?: Both the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Pilot received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Chevrolet Traverse comparisons

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More Honda Pilot 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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