Last updated: 2026-10-10
Chevrolet Trax vs Hyundai Kona: Reliability Compared

Chevrolet Trax

Hyundai Kona
Choosing between the Chevrolet Trax and the Hyundai Kona? 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 65/100. 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 Hyundai Kona, scoring 81/100 vs 65/100.
Key Differences
- 1Chevrolet Trax scores 16 points higher in reliability
- 2Chevrolet Trax has 11 fewer total recalls
- 3Chevrolet Trax has 8.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Trax vs Hyundai Kona: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Trax | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 81/100 | 65/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 5 | 16 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 4.6 | 13.4 |
| Year Wins | 8 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Trax and Hyundai Kona?
| Component | Chevrolet Trax | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 0.6Very Low | 4.5Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1Very Low | 3.3Average |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 1.8Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 1.6Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.5Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| WHEELS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Chevrolet Trax vs Hyundai Kona Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Trax | Hyundai Kona | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 88/1000R / 0C | 67/1002R / 4C | Chevrolet Trax |
| 2025 | 85/1000R / 61C | 74/1000R / 21C | Chevrolet Trax |
| 2024 | 80/1001R / 125C | 68/1003R / 50C | Chevrolet Trax |
| 2022 | 81/1000R / 9C | 64/1002R / 115C | Chevrolet Trax |
| 2021 | 81/1000R / 18C | 63/1001R / 102C | Chevrolet Trax |
| 2020 | 81/1000R / 80C | 57/1002R / 140C | Chevrolet Trax |
| 2019 | 75/1002R / 123C | 55/1004R / 224C | Chevrolet Trax |
| 2018 | 75/1002R / 93C | 69/1000R / 66C | Chevrolet Trax |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Chevrolet Trax scored 81/100 and the 2018 Hyundai Kona scored 69/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Chevrolet Trax vs Hyundai Kona: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Trax more reliable than the Hyundai Kona?
- Based on our data, the Chevrolet Trax is more reliable with an average score of 81/100 compared to 65/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Trax or the Hyundai Kona?
- The Hyundai Kona has more recalls (16) 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 Hyundai Kona?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Trax has a lower complaint rate at 4.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Chevrolet Trax and Hyundai Kona? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Chevrolet Trax and Hyundai Kona
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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