Last updated: 2026-05-15

Chevrolet vs Dodge: Reliability Compared

Comparing Chevrolet and Dodge on reliability? This page compares their scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs across every model we track.

Both makes currently share an average reliability score of 72/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.

Is Chevrolet More Reliable Than Dodge?

MetricChevroletDodge
Avg Reliability Score72/10072/100
Models Tracked135
Avg Recalls per Model2318
Avg Complaints per Model1004368
Avg Annual Repair Cost$634/yr$663/yr

Chevrolet Models

13 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Dodge Models

5 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Chevrolet vs Dodge: The Verdict

There's no meaningful reliability gap between Chevrolet and Dodge. We scored 18 models between the two makes: Chevrolet at 72/100 and Dodge at 72/100, based on recalls, complaint severity, repair costs, and issue diversity.

On the cost front, Chevrolet is cheaper to maintain at $634/year versus $663/year.

Where Chevrolet and Dodge Differ Most

Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:

ComponentWeightChevroletDodge
Complaint Severity

Owner complaints weighted by component severity

35%
64/100Good
68/100Good
Repair Costs

Annual maintenance and repair expenses

30%
71/100Good
68/100Good
Recall Impact

Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside)

20%
79/100Good
76/100Good
Issue Diversity

How many different systems have reported problems

15%
84/100Excellent
81/100Excellent

Chevrolet vs Dodge: Strengths and Weaknesses

Chevrolet

Strengths

  • Strong overall reliability (72/100 average)
  • Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • Reasonable maintenance costs ($634/year avg)
  • Reliability trending upward in recent model years
  • 12 of 13 models rated Good or Excellent
  • Below-average repair frequency

Weaknesses

  • 134 fire-related complaints across lineup
  • Above-average repair severity when issues occur

Dodge

Strengths

  • Strong overall reliability (72/100 average)
  • Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • 4 of 5 models rated Good or Excellent
  • Below-average repair frequency

Weaknesses

  • Above-average repair severity when issues occur

How Reliable Are Chevrolet and Dodge Lineups?

Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:

Chevrolet

Excellent (80+)1 model
Good (60–79)11 models
Mixed (40–59)1 model
Poor (0–39)0 models

Dodge

Excellent (80+)0 models
Good (60–79)4 models
Mixed (40–59)1 model
Poor (0–39)0 models

Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet or Dodge?

Based on independent repair cost data, Chevrolet is cheaper to maintain at an average of $634/year compared to $663/year for Dodge. The difference is relatively small, so maintenance costs shouldn't be a major deciding factor between these makes.

Chevrolet Repair Cost Range

$488 – $944/yr

Average: $634/yr

Dodge Repair Cost Range

$650 – $675/yr

Average: $663/yr

Chevrolet vs Dodge Reliability by Vehicle Type

How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:

CategoryChevroletDodgeWinner
SUVs(8 vs 2 models)70/10065/100Chevrolet
Sedans(2 vs 2 models)75/10074/100Chevrolet

Chevrolet wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.

Common Problems: Chevrolet vs Dodge

Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:

ComponentChevroletDodge
POWER TRAIN24%2,80911%167
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18%2,06328%429
ENGINE15%1,7586%99
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9%1,00111%173
SERVICE BRAKES8%9874%66
STEERING7%8053%50
AIR BAGS2%24110%149
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3%3571%12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3%3040%3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1%6611%170

Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.

Chevrolet vs Dodge Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries

Across all tracked models, Chevrolet owners reported 408 crash-related, 134 fire-related, and 375 injury-related complaints to NHTSA. Dodge owners reported 84 crash-related, 20 fire-related, and 88 injury-related complaints. Dodge has fewer severe incident reports overall. These counts reflect owner-reported incidents and don't establish causation — but they're a useful signal for comparing safety profiles.

Chevrolet

408

Crash reports

134

Fire reports

375

Injury reports

Dodge

84

Crash reports

20

Fire reports

88

Injury reports

Every Chevrolet and Dodge Model Ranked

All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.

Chevrolet vs Dodge Reliability Trend by Year

Average reliability score for each model year, showing how quality has trended over time:

Chevrolet's reliability is improving — recent model years average 76/100, up from earlier years. Dodge's reliability has been stable.

Model YearChevroletDodgeEdge
202578/100(11)71/100(3)Chevrolet
202474/100(12)68/100(3)Chevrolet
202373/100(11)71/100(4)Chevrolet
202273/100(11)73/100(3)Tie
202170/100(11)72/100(3)Dodge
202071/100(11)77/100(4)Dodge
201969/100(12)72/100(4)Dodge
201868/100(11)70/100(4)Dodge

Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.

Chevrolet vs Dodge: Head-to-Head Model Matchups

These are direct competitor models between Chevrolet and Dodge. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:

The Bottom Line: Chevrolet or Dodge?

With these two makes essentially tied, your decision should come down to the specific model, not the badge on the hood.

If you want the single most reliable option: the Chevrolet Trax leads both lineups with a score of 80/100.

Budget-conscious buyers should note that Chevrolet costs less to maintain — $634/year vs $663/year.

All scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data combined with independent repair cost databases. Check individual model pages for year-specific reliability data before making a final decision.

Chevrolet vs Dodge: Common Questions

Is Chevrolet more reliable than Dodge?
They're very close — both average 72/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and model-specific reliability may tip the decision.
Which is cheaper to maintain, Chevrolet or Dodge?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, Chevrolet is cheaper to maintain at an average of $634/year compared to $663/year for Dodge.
Which make has more recalls, Chevrolet or Dodge?
On a per-model average, Chevrolet has more recalls (~23 per model) compared to Dodge (~18 per model). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — many are minor or preventative.
What are the most reliable models from Chevrolet and Dodge?
The most reliable Chevrolet model is the Trax (avg score: 80/100), while the most reliable Dodge model is the Grand-Caravan (avg score: 78/100).
What are the least reliable models from Chevrolet and Dodge?
The least reliable Chevrolet model is the Bolt (avg score: 59/100), while the least reliable Dodge model is the Hornet (avg score: 59/100). Check individual model pages for year-specific data before ruling these out.
What are the most common problems with Chevrolet and Dodge vehicles?
The most frequently reported issue for Chevrolet is power train (24% of complaints), while for Dodge it's electrical system (28% of complaints). These are based on NHTSA owner complaint data across all tracked models.
Which make has more reliable models overall, Chevrolet or Dodge?
Chevrolet has a higher proportion of models scoring "good" or "excellent." Chevrolet has 1 excellent and 11 good-rated models out of 13, while Dodge has 0 excellent and 4 good-rated models out of 5.
How many Chevrolet and Dodge models does Auto Reliability Index track?
We track 13 Chevrolet models across 8 model years and 5 Dodge models across 8 model years. Scores are based on NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and independent repair cost data.
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Chevrolet or Dodge?
On a per-model average, Dodge has fewer owner complaints (~368 per model) compared to Chevrolet (~1004 per model). Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Are Chevrolet and Dodge getting more or less reliable?
Based on recent model year data, Chevrolet reliability is improving while Dodge reliability is stable. We compare average scores across the most recent 3 model years to determine the trend direction.
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Chevrolet or Dodge?
For first-time buyers prioritizing reliability, Chevrolet has a slight edge with its higher average score. However, specific model choice matters more than make — check individual model pages for the best options in your budget and vehicle type.
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Chevrolet or Dodge?
Dodge has fewer owner-reported crashes, fires, and injuries in our database. Chevrolet has 408 crash reports, 134 fire reports, and 375 injury reports. Dodge has 84 crash, 20 fire, and 88 injury reports. Note that complaint volume correlates with sales volume.

Comparing Chevrolet vs Dodge? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

Related Make 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

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. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.