Last updated: 2026-10-10

Chevrolet Trax vs Hyundai Kona: Reliability Compared

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

  1. 1Chevrolet Trax scores 16 points higher in reliability
  2. 2Chevrolet Trax has 11 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Chevrolet Trax has 8.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

3Chevrolet Trax
—
0Hyundai Kona
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Chevrolet Trax vs Hyundai Kona: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Trax vs Hyundai Kona at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricChevrolet TraxHyundai Kona
Reliability Score81/10065/100
Years Tracked89
Total Recalls516
Complaints per 10k Sold4.613.4
Year Wins80

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Trax and Hyundai Kona?

Chevrolet Trax vs Hyundai Kona common problem areas comparison
ComponentChevrolet TraxHyundai Kona
ENGINE0.6Very Low4.5Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1Very Low3.3Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER0.4Very Low1.8Low
POWER TRAIN0.4Very Low1.6Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.2Very Low0.4Very Low
SUSPENSION0.5Very Low—None
STEERING0.2Very Low0.3Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL—None0.5Very Low
AIR BAGS0.2Very Low0.2Very Low
STRUCTURE0.1Very Low0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING0.1Very Low0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE—None0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM—None0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING—None0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER0.1Very Low—None
WHEELS0.1Very 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?

Chevrolet Trax vs Hyundai Kona year-by-year reliability scores
YearChevrolet TraxHyundai KonaEdge
202688/1000R / 0C67/1002R / 4CChevrolet Trax
202585/1000R / 61C74/1000R / 21CChevrolet Trax
202480/1001R / 125C68/1003R / 50CChevrolet Trax
202281/1000R / 9C64/1002R / 115CChevrolet Trax
202181/1000R / 18C63/1001R / 102CChevrolet Trax
202081/1000R / 80C57/1002R / 140CChevrolet Trax
201975/1002R / 123C55/1004R / 224CChevrolet Trax
201875/1002R / 93C69/1000R / 66CChevrolet 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.

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

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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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