Last updated: 2026-03-04
Chevrolet Traverse vs Ford Explorer: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Traverse
Ford Explorer
Choosing between the Chevrolet Traverse and the Ford Explorer? 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 midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Traverse currently leads with an average score of 69/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Explorer Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Chevrolet Traverse is more reliable than the Ford Explorer, scoring 69/100 vs 66/100.
Both the Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Traverse have an identical average reliability score of 68 out of 100, indicating comparable reliability. However, the Chevrolet Traverse stands out with significantly fewer recalls—19 compared to the Ford Explorer's 117 over the same period. While the Explorer has a slightly lower owner complaint rate of 6.8 per 10,000 sold, the Traverse offers a lower estimated annual repair cost at $656 versus the Explorer's $732. Overall, the Traverse's lower recall count and repair costs make it a slightly more reliable choice for prospective buyers.
Key Differences
- 1Chevrolet Traverse has 98 fewer total recalls
- 2Chevrolet Traverse costs $76 less per year to repair
- 3Ford Explorer has 4% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Traverse vs Ford Explorer: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Traverse | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 66/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 19 | 117 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 7.2 | 6.8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $656/yr | $732/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.4/yr | 0.2/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 18% | 14% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 5 (1 tied) | 2 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer exhibits a higher overall complaint volume than the Chevrolet Traverse, particularly in the power train and structure categories, where it has 618 and 413 complaints, respectively, compared to the Traverse's 431 and negligible structure-related issues. Notably, the Explorer's power train complaints include 12 crash-linked incidents, indicating a more severe risk in this area compared to the Traverse's 6 crash-linked power train complaints. Both vehicles show significant issues with their electrical systems, but the Explorer also has a substantial number of complaints related to unknown or other issues, with 10 crash-linked incidents, suggesting potential safety concerns. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Traverse has a higher proportion of complaints related to service brakes and engine cooling, although it does not reach the severity level observed in the Ford Explorer's problem profile.
| Component | Chevrolet Traverse | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 2.2Low | 1.6Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.1Low | 0.7Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.6Very Low | 1.1Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.6Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.7Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEATS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Traverse or Ford Explorer?
How Does Chevrolet Traverse vs Ford Explorer Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Traverse | Ford Explorer | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1000R / 132C | 72/10014R / 65C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2024 | 73/1000R / 107C | 73/1006R / 14C | Tie |
| 2023 | 72/1002R / 62C | 71/10012R / 84C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2022 | 73/1001R / 76C | 65/10021R / 208C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2021 | 71/1003R / 72C | 62/10022R / 354C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2020 | 62/1008R / 188C | 54/10029R / 1066C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2019 | 62/1003R / 358C | 69/1004R / 252C | Ford Explorer |
| 2018 | 62/1002R / 416C | 64/1005R / 651C | Ford Explorer |
| 2026(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | Chevrolet Traverse |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse scored 75/100 and the 2024 Ford Explorer scored 73/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Traverse vs the Ford Explorer?
Chevrolet Traverse vs Ford Explorer: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the Ford Explorer?
- Based on our data, the Chevrolet Traverse is more reliable with an average score of 69/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Ford Explorer?
- The Ford Explorer has more recalls (117) compared to the Chevrolet Traverse (19). 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 Traverse or the Ford Explorer?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Explorer has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 sold versus 7.2 for the Chevrolet Traverse. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Ford Explorer?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Chevrolet Traverse is cheaper to maintain at $656/year versus $732/year for the Ford Explorer.
- Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Ford Explorer safer?
- Both the Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Explorer received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Chevrolet Traverse 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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue