Last updated: 2026-03-28
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 80/100 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 80/100 vs 65/100.
Key Differences
- 1Chevrolet Trax scores 15 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 | 80/100 | 65/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 5 | 16 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 4.6 | 13.4 |
| Year Wins | 7 | 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 | 0.5Very Low | 1.8Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 1.6Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.5Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| WHEELS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | —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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2026(predicted) | 82/100(predicted) | 69/100(predicted) | Chevrolet Trax |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Trax scored 85/100 and the 2025 Hyundai Kona scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
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 80/100 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 sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Chevrolet Trax 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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