Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the Mazda CX-9?

Based on our data, the Mazda CX-9 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 70/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Mazda CX-9?

The Chevrolet Traverse has more recalls (19) compared to the Mazda CX-9 (6). 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 Mazda CX-9?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Traverse has a lower complaint rate at 7.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15 for the Mazda CX-9. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Mazda CX-9?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda CX-9 is cheaper to maintain at $539/year versus $656/year for the Chevrolet Traverse.

Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Mazda CX-9 safer?

Both the Chevrolet Traverse and Mazda CX-9 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: 2026-07-26

Chevrolet Traverse vs Mazda CX-9: Reliability Compared

Chevrolet Traverse

Good

More Reliable

Mazda CX-9

Good

Choosing between the Chevrolet Traverse and the Mazda CX-9? 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 Mazda CX-9 currently leads with an average score of 76/100 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 Mazda CX-9 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Chevrolet Traverse is in its third generation, which was introduced in 2024. This makes it early in its generation cycle, where vehicles often experience common first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial production kinks. The second generation, spanning from 2018 to 2024 with a facelift in 2022, benefited from being a mature platform, generally offering improved reliability and fewer issues over time. The Mazda CX-9, on the other hand, is in its second generation, which began in 2016 and ran until 2024. This generation had ample time to refine its design and engineering, suggesting a well-sorted and reliable platform. The CX-9's extended production cycle without significant redesigns indicates a stable vehicle with resolved early-generation issues.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-9 is more reliable than the Chevrolet Traverse, scoring 76/100 vs 70/100.

The Mazda CX-9 demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Chevrolet Traverse with a higher average reliability score of 76/100 versus 70/100. It also has a significantly lower recall count, with just 6 recalls over 6 years compared to the Traverse's 19 over 9 years. While the CX-9 has more owner complaints per 10,000 vehicles sold, its estimated annual repair cost is notably lower at $539, compared to the Traverse's $656. The key differentiator is the CX-9's more favorable recall history and lower repair costs, making it a more reliable choice overall.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-9 costs $117 less per year to repair
2Mazda CX-9 has 13 fewer total recalls
3Mazda CX-9 has 8% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

2Chevrolet Traverse

—

4Mazda CX-9

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Chevrolet Traverse vs Mazda CX-9: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Traverse vs Mazda CX-9 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chevrolet Traverse	Mazda CX-9
Reliability Score	70/100	76/100
Years Tracked	9	6
Total Recalls	19	6
Complaints per 10k Sold	7.2	15
Annual Repair Cost	$656/yr	$539/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.6/yr
Major Repair Risk	18%	10%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2023 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	6

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Traverse and Mazda CX-9?

The Chevrolet Traverse exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the power train and electrical system, with 431 and 222 complaints respectively, and a notable number of crash-linked incidents in these areas. In contrast, the Mazda CX-9 has significantly fewer total complaints, with the engine category being the most prevalent at 95 complaints but without any crash-linked issues. Both models report issues with service brakes, but the Traverse has a higher severity with seven crash-linked complaints compared to the CX-9's two. Additionally, the Traverse shows more diversity in problem areas, whereas the CX-9's complaints are more concentrated in fewer categories.

Chevrolet Traverse vs Mazda CX-9 common problem areas comparison
Component	Chevrolet Traverse	Mazda CX-9
ENGINE	0.6Very Low	5.7Average
POWER TRAIN	2.2Low	1.2Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.1Low	1.5Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.6Very Low	2Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.7Very Low	0.7Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.4Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.3Very 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
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.2Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
Chest Clip	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—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 Mazda CX-9?

Based on industry estimates, the Chevrolet Traverse incurs an annual repair cost of $656, which is $117 more than the Mazda CX-9's $539 annual cost. Over five years, this results in a $585 difference. The Traverse also has a lower repair frequency at 0.4 visits per year compared to the CX-9's 0.6 visits, but the major repair risk is higher at 18% versus the CX-9's 10%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Mazda CX-9 presents a better value due to its lower overall repair costs and reduced risk of major repairs, despite more frequent minor repairs.

How Does Chevrolet Traverse vs Mazda CX-9 Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Traverse vs Mazda CX-9 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chevrolet Traverse	Mazda CX-9	Edge
2023	72/1002R / 62C	81/1000R / 12C	Mazda CX-9
2022	73/1001R / 76C	81/1000R / 9C	Mazda CX-9
2021	71/1003R / 72C	77/1001R / 35C	Mazda CX-9
2020	62/1008R / 188C	78/1001R / 19C	Mazda CX-9
2019	62/1003R / 358C	73/1002R / 52C	Mazda CX-9
2018	62/1002R / 416C	66/1002R / 125C	Mazda CX-9

Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse scored 73/100 and the 2023 Mazda CX-9 scored 81/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Traverse vs the Mazda CX-9?

If you prioritize lower running costs and fewer repair surprises, the Mazda CX-9 might be your best bet. With a reliability score of 76/100, it edges out the Chevrolet Traverse and boasts fewer recalls—only 6 compared to the Traverse's 19. The CX-9 also presents a lower major repair risk at 10%, and its estimated annual repair cost is lower at $539. While it has a higher rate of owner complaints per 10,000 sold, the overall reliability indicators suggest it might be a more economical choice over time. However, if you value a lower frequency of repairs and can manage slightly higher repair costs, consider the Chevrolet Traverse. With a repair frequency of 0.4 per year and fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold, it may offer a more stable ownership experience despite its slightly lower reliability score of 70/100. Just be aware of its top issues, notably in the power train and electrical system, which may require attention.

Chevrolet Traverse vs Mazda CX-9: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the Mazda CX-9?: Based on our data, the Mazda CX-9 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 70/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Mazda CX-9?: The Chevrolet Traverse has more recalls (19) compared to the Mazda CX-9 (6). 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 Mazda CX-9?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Traverse has a lower complaint rate at 7.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15 for the Mazda CX-9. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Mazda CX-9?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda CX-9 is cheaper to maintain at $539/year versus $656/year for the Chevrolet Traverse.
Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Mazda CX-9 safer?: Both the Chevrolet Traverse and Mazda CX-9 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 Mazda CX-9 comparisons

Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander reliability Mazda CX-9 vs Hyundai Palisade reliability Mazda CX-9 vs Honda Pilot reliability Mazda CX-9 vs KIA Telluride reliability Mazda CX-9 reliability by year Mazda CX-9 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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