Last updated: 2026-08-24

Chevrolet Trax vs Dodge Hornet: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Chevrolet Trax and the Dodge Hornet? 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 subcompact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Trax currently leads with an average score of 81/100 compared to 59/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Trax is more reliable than the Dodge Hornet, scoring 81/100 vs 59/100.

Key Differences

  1. 1Chevrolet Trax scores 22 points higher in reliability
  2. 2Chevrolet Trax has 17.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
  3. 3Chevrolet Trax has 8 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

3Chevrolet Trax
0Dodge Hornet
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Chevrolet Trax vs Dodge Hornet: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Trax vs Dodge Hornet at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricChevrolet TraxDodge Hornet
Reliability Score81/10059/100
Years Tracked83
Total Recalls513
Complaints per 10k Sold4.621.7
Year Wins20

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Trax and Dodge Hornet?

Chevrolet Trax vs Dodge Hornet common problem areas comparison
ComponentChevrolet TraxDodge Hornet
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1Very LowNone
ENGINE0.6Very LowNone
UNKNOWN OR OTHER0.5Very LowNone
SUSPENSION0.5Very LowNone
POWER TRAIN0.4Very LowNone
STEERING0.3Very LowNone
SERVICE BRAKES0.2Very LowNone
AIR BAGS0.2Very LowNone
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.1Very LowNone
VISIBILITY/WIPER0.1Very LowNone
WHEELS0.1Very LowNone
STRUCTURENoneNone
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMNoneNone
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCENoneNone
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGNoneNone
SEAT BELTSNoneNone

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Chevrolet Trax vs Dodge Hornet Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Trax vs Dodge Hornet year-by-year reliability scores
YearChevrolet TraxDodge HornetEdge
202585/1000R / 61C64/1002R / 1CChevrolet Trax
202480/1001R / 125C54/1007R / 60CChevrolet Trax

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Trax scored 85/100 and the 2025 Dodge Hornet scored 64/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Chevrolet Trax vs Dodge Hornet: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Trax more reliable than the Dodge Hornet?
Based on our data, the Chevrolet Trax is more reliable with an average score of 81/100 compared to 59/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Trax or the Dodge Hornet?
The Dodge Hornet has more recalls (13) compared to the Chevrolet Trax (5). 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 Trax or the Dodge Hornet?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Trax has a lower complaint rate at 4.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 21.7 for the Dodge Hornet. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Decided between Chevrolet Trax and Dodge Hornet? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

Look Up a VIN →

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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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 via vehicles.dev. 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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