Last updated: 2026-03-04
Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Traverse
Toyota Grand Highlander
Choosing between the Chevrolet Traverse and the Toyota Grand Highlander? 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 Toyota Grand Highlander currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Chevrolet Traverse and Toyota Grand Highlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable than the Chevrolet Traverse, scoring 75/100 vs 69/100.
The Toyota Grand Highlander stands out with a higher average reliability score of 85/100 compared to the Chevrolet Traverse's 68/100. Despite having a slightly higher owner complaint rate of 8.2 per 10,000 sold, the Grand Highlander shows fewer serious issues and a lower recall count over a shorter timeframe. The Traverse has a higher recall incidence with 19 recalls over nine years and a higher estimated annual repair cost of $656, indicating potential long-term maintenance concerns. Overall, the Grand Highlander's superior reliability score and recall performance make it a more dependable choice in the midsize SUV segment.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Grand Highlander has 9 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota Grand Highlander scores 6 points higher in reliability
- 3Chevrolet Traverse has 1.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Traverse | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 75/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 3 |
| Total Recalls | 19 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 7.2 | 8.2 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 1 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Traverse and Toyota Grand Highlander?
The Chevrolet Traverse exhibits significant reliability concerns in its power train, with 431 complaints, including 6 crash-linked incidents, and its electrical system, with 222 complaints and 5 crash-linked, highlighting potential safety risks. In contrast, the Toyota Grand Highlander has a notably lower overall complaint volume, with its highest being 42 complaints in the "unknown or other" category, and only 1 crash-linked incident related to airbags. The Traverse also faces issues in service brakes with 138 complaints and 7 crash-linked cases, suggesting a critical area of concern that the Grand Highlander does not share. Both models experience complaints in their power trains and electrical systems, but the severity and frequency are markedly higher in the Traverse, indicating a more problematic profile in these areas.
| Component | Chevrolet Traverse | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 2.2Low | 1.4Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.6Very Low | 1.7Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.1Low | 0.6Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 1.1Low |
| ENGINE | 0.6Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.7Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —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 Toyota Grand Highlander?
How Does Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota Grand Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Traverse | Toyota Grand Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1000R / 132C | 80/1003R / 33C | Toyota Grand Highlander |
| 2024 | 73/1000R / 107C | 69/1007R / 171C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2026(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | 75/100(predicted) | Toyota Grand Highlander |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse scored 75/100 and the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Traverse vs the Toyota Grand Highlander?
Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- The Chevrolet Traverse has more recalls (19) compared to the Toyota Grand Highlander (10). 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 Toyota Grand Highlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Traverse has a lower complaint rate at 7.2 per 10,000 sold versus 8.2 for the Toyota Grand Highlander. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Toyota Grand Highlander safer?
- Both the Chevrolet Traverse and Toyota Grand Highlander 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 Toyota Grand Highlander 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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