Last updated: 2026-03-04
Chevrolet Traverse vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Traverse
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Choosing between the Chevrolet Traverse and the Jeep Grand Cherokee? 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Chevrolet Traverse is more reliable than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, scoring 69/100 vs 66/100.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chevrolet Traverse are closely matched in terms of reliability, with the Traverse slightly edging out with a reliability score of 68/100 compared to the Grand Cherokee's 67/100. A significant differentiator is their recall history; the Grand Cherokee has had 97 recalls over nine years, substantially higher than the Traverse's 19. While the owner complaint rate is slightly lower for the Grand Cherokee at 6.8 per 10,000 sold versus the Traverse's 7.2, the repair costs are nearly identical, with the Grand Cherokee at $666 annually and the Traverse at $656. Overall, the Chevrolet Traverse offers a marginally more reliable option, primarily due to its lower recall count.
Key Differences
- 1Chevrolet Traverse has 78 fewer total recalls
- 2Chevrolet Traverse costs $10 less per year to repair
- 3Jeep Grand Cherokee has 5% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Traverse vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Traverse | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 66/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 19 | 97 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 7.2 | 6.8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $656/yr | $666/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.4/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 18% | 13% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 5 (1 tied) | 2 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Traverse and Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee exhibits a higher overall complaint volume compared to the Chevrolet Traverse, particularly in its electrical system, which accounts for 846 complaints and is linked to 15 crashes. The Traverse, while having fewer total complaints, shows a significant concentration in power train issues with 431 complaints, though only 6 are crash-linked. Notably, the Grand Cherokee's air bag system has a substantial safety concern, with 63 complaints resulting in 37 crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Traverse's issues are more evenly distributed across categories, with no single area showing as severe a safety risk as the Grand Cherokee's air bags.
| Component | Chevrolet Traverse | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.1Low | 2.2Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 2.2Low | 0.7Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.6Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.7Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.6Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —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 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
How Does Chevrolet Traverse vs Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Traverse | Jeep Grand Cherokee | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1000R / 132C | 75/1003R / 59C | Tie |
| 2024 | 73/1000R / 107C | 66/10020R / 204C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2023 | 72/1002R / 62C | 63/10022R / 363C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2022 | 73/1001R / 76C | 62/10014R / 192C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2021 | 71/1003R / 72C | 63/10015R / 427C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2020 | 62/1008R / 188C | 72/1003R / 207C | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
| 2019 | 62/1003R / 358C | 67/1007R / 336C | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
| 2018 | 62/1002R / 416C | 60/10011R / 804C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2026(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | 68/100(predicted) | Chevrolet Traverse |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse scored 75/100 and the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Traverse vs the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Chevrolet Traverse vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- The Jeep Grand Cherokee has more recalls (97) 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 sold versus 7.2 for the Chevrolet Traverse. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Chevrolet Traverse is cheaper to maintain at $656/year versus $666/year for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
- Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Jeep Grand Cherokee safer?
- Both the Chevrolet Traverse and Jeep Grand Cherokee 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.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Chevrolet Traverse comparisons
More Jeep Grand Cherokee comparisons
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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