Last updated: 2026-08-24
Chevrolet Traverse vs GMC Acadia: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Traverse
GMC Acadia
Choosing between the Chevrolet Traverse and the GMC Acadia? 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. Both models currently share an average reliability score of 70/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia are evenly matched with a reliability score of 70/100.
Key Differences
- 1Chevrolet Traverse costs $78 less per year to repair
- 2GMC Acadia has 2 fewer total recalls
- 3Chevrolet Traverse has 1% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Traverse vs GMC Acadia: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Traverse | GMC Acadia |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 70/100 | 70/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 19 | 17 |
| Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume | 1417 | 770 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $656/yr | $734/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.4/yr | 0.4/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 18% | 19% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 3 (2 tied) | 3 (2 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia?
| Component | Chevrolet Traverse | GMC Acadia |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 431 | 200 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 222 | 139 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 121 | 106 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 138 | 70 |
| ENGINE | 114 | 37 |
| STEERING | 42 | 55 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 46 | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 24 | 9 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 10 | 23 |
| AIR BAGS | 20 | 12 |
| SUSPENSION | 22 | 4 |
| STRUCTURE | 17 | 2 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 8 | 8 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 7 | 6 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 | 7 |
| SEATS | 7 | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | — | 4 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | — | 4 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | — | 2 |
| LANE DEPARTURE | — | 2 |
Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.
How Does Chevrolet Traverse vs GMC Acadia Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Traverse | GMC Acadia | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 76/1000R / 6C | 76/1000R / 0C | Tie |
| 2025 | 75/1000R / 132C | 76/1000R / 51C | GMC Acadia |
| 2024 | 73/1000R / 107C | 76/1000R / 51C | GMC Acadia |
| 2023 | 72/1002R / 62C | 64/1004R / 37C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2022 | 73/1001R / 76C | 66/1003R / 44C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2021 | 71/1003R / 72C | 68/1002R / 134C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2020 | 62/1008R / 188C | 62/1006R / 84C | Tie |
| 2018 | 62/1002R / 416C | 68/1002R / 369C | GMC Acadia |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse scored 76/100 and the 2026 GMC Acadia scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Chevrolet Traverse vs GMC Acadia: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the GMC Acadia?
- They're very close — both average 70/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the GMC Acadia?
- The Chevrolet Traverse has more recalls (19) compared to the GMC Acadia (17). 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 GMC Acadia?
- The GMC Acadia has fewer owner complaints (770) versus 1417 for the Chevrolet Traverse. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Traverse or the GMC Acadia?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Chevrolet Traverse is cheaper to maintain at $656/year versus $734/year for the GMC Acadia.
- Is the Chevrolet Traverse or GMC Acadia safer?
- Both the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia 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
Decided between Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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 via vehicles.dev. 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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