Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the KIA Telluride?

Based on our data, the Chevrolet Traverse is more reliable with an average score of 70/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the KIA Telluride?

The KIA Telluride 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 KIA Telluride?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Traverse has a lower complaint rate at 7.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 23.3 for the KIA Telluride. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Traverse or the KIA Telluride?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the KIA Telluride is cheaper to maintain at $573/year versus $656/year for the Chevrolet Traverse.

Is the Chevrolet Traverse or KIA Telluride safer?

Both the Chevrolet Traverse and KIA Telluride 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: 2026-07-17

Chevrolet Traverse vs KIA Telluride: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Chevrolet Traverse

Good

KIA Telluride

Good

Choosing between the Chevrolet Traverse and the KIA Telluride? 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 70/100 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 KIA Telluride Generations Compare?

The Chevrolet Traverse is currently in its third generation, which began in 2024. With the transition to a new platform, potential buyers should be aware that newer models often experience first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial kinks. The second-generation Traverse, which ran from 2018 to 2023, received a facelift in 2022, typically indicating a mature and well-sorted platform by the end of its cycle. In contrast, the Kia Telluride is still in its first generation, introduced in 2020 and refreshed in 2023. As it approaches the later stages of its cycle, the Telluride benefits from refinements and improvements over time, which can enhance reliability. The recent refresh suggests Kia's commitment to keeping the model competitive and resolving earlier issues.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Traverse is more reliable than the KIA Telluride, scoring 70/100 vs 66/100.

The Chevrolet Traverse scores slightly lower in reliability with a 68/100 compared to the Kia Telluride's 71/100. Despite having fewer recalls over a longer period, the Traverse benefits from a lower owner complaint rate of 7.2 per 10,000 sold versus the Telluride's 23.3. However, the Telluride offers a lower estimated annual repair cost at $573 compared to the Traverse's $656. While both models have recurring issues with the electrical system and engine, the Traverse's lower complaint rate may make it a more reliable choice for some buyers.

Key Differences

1KIA Telluride costs $83 less per year to repair
2Chevrolet Traverse has 16.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Chevrolet Traverse has 8 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

3Chevrolet Traverse

—

1KIA Telluride

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Chevrolet Traverse vs KIA Telluride: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Traverse vs KIA Telluride at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chevrolet Traverse	KIA Telluride
Reliability Score	70/100	66/100
Years Tracked	9	6
Total Recalls	19	27
Complaints per 10k Sold	7.2	23.3
Annual Repair Cost	$656/yr	$573/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.4/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	5	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Traverse and KIA Telluride?

The Chevrolet Traverse and Kia Telluride both exhibit a range of reliability issues, but their problem profiles differ significantly. The Traverse shows a notable concentration of complaints in the power train and electrical system categories, with 431 and 222 complaints respectively, and a higher incidence of crash-linked issues, particularly in service brakes, with seven crashes reported. In contrast, the Telluride's most frequent issues arise in the unknown or other and visibility/wiper categories, accounting for 301 and 288 complaints, respectively, though these are less crash-prone. While both models have some concerns with their electrical systems, the Traverse's power train issues appear more severe compared to the Telluride's more dispersed problem profile, which includes significant visibility and structural concerns.

Chevrolet Traverse vs KIA Telluride common problem areas comparison
Component	Chevrolet Traverse	KIA Telluride
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.6Very Low	4.4Average
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	4.2Average
POWER TRAIN	2.2Low	1.7Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.1Low	2.8Low
ENGINE	0.6Very Low	1.9Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	2.5Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.7Very Low	0.5Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.9Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.3Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.3Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.2Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
SEATS	—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 KIA Telluride?

The Chevrolet Traverse incurs an annual repair cost of $656, compared to the Kia Telluride's $573, translating to a $415 difference over five years. Both vehicles share a similar repair frequency at 0.4 visits per year. However, the Traverse poses a higher major repair risk at 18%, while data for the Telluride is unavailable, suggesting potentially lower risk or less reported data. For cost-conscious buyers, the Kia Telluride offers better value with lower annual costs and potentially lower risk, assuming average industry standards. The slight savings and implied reliability make the Telluride a more appealing choice for those prioritizing affordability and peace of mind.

How Does Chevrolet Traverse vs KIA Telluride Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Traverse vs KIA Telluride year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chevrolet Traverse	KIA Telluride	Edge
2025	75/1000R / 132C	78/1002R / 32C	KIA Telluride
2024	73/1000R / 107C	69/1004R / 180C	Chevrolet Traverse
2023	72/1002R / 62C	68/1005R / 161C	Chevrolet Traverse
2022	73/1001R / 76C	63/1006R / 280C	Chevrolet Traverse
2021	71/1003R / 72C	63/1004R / 280C	Chevrolet Traverse
2020	62/1008R / 188C	55/1006R / 667C	Chevrolet Traverse

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

Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Traverse vs the KIA Telluride?

If you prioritize lower running costs and fewer owner complaints, the Kia Telluride might be the better option for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $573 and a slightly higher reliability score of 71/100, it presents a cost-effective choice. However, keep in mind that it has a higher number of total recalls at 27 and more owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 23.3, which may indicate potential issues to monitor. On the other hand, if having fewer recalls and lower owner complaints is more important, the Chevrolet Traverse could be suitable. Although it has a slightly lower reliability score of 68/100, it boasts only 19 recalls and fewer complaints per 10,000 sold at 7.2. The annual repair costs are slightly higher at $656, but the major repair risk is quantifiable at 18%, offering some transparency in risk assessment. Ultimately, if you seek a vehicle with fewer immediate issues and are willing to accept slightly higher repair costs, the Traverse is your choice. If minimizing running costs is your priority, consider the Telluride.

Chevrolet Traverse vs KIA Telluride: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the KIA Telluride?: Based on our data, the Chevrolet Traverse is more reliable with an average score of 70/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the KIA Telluride?: The KIA Telluride 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 KIA Telluride?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Traverse has a lower complaint rate at 7.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 23.3 for the KIA Telluride. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Traverse or the KIA Telluride?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the KIA Telluride is cheaper to maintain at $573/year versus $656/year for the Chevrolet Traverse.
Is the Chevrolet Traverse or KIA Telluride safer?: Both the Chevrolet Traverse and KIA Telluride 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 KIA Telluride comparisons

KIA Telluride vs Hyundai Palisade reliability KIA Telluride vs Toyota Grand Highlander reliability KIA Telluride vs Mazda CX-90 reliability KIA Telluride vs Nissan Pathfinder reliability KIA Telluride reliability by year KIA Telluride years to avoid

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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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