Last updated: 2026-03-04
Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota 4RUNNER: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Traverse
Toyota 4RUNNER
Choosing between the Chevrolet Traverse and the Toyota 4RUNNER? 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 Toyota 4RUNNER currently leads with an average score of 80/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Chevrolet Traverse and Toyota 4RUNNER Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota 4RUNNER is more reliable than the Chevrolet Traverse, scoring 80/100 vs 69/100.
The Toyota 4RUNNER significantly outperforms the Chevrolet Traverse in terms of reliability, boasting an average reliability score of 90/100 compared to the Traverse's 68/100. The 4RUNNER also has a lower owner complaint rate of 1.5 per 10,000 sold versus 7.2 for the Traverse, alongside a slightly lower total recall count. Additionally, the 4RUNNER benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $514 compared to the Traverse's $656. While both vehicles share some common issues, the data clearly favors the 4RUNNER for reliability-conscious buyers.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota 4RUNNER costs $142 less per year to repair
- 2Toyota 4RUNNER scores 11 points higher in reliability
- 3Toyota 4RUNNER has 5.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota 4RUNNER: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Traverse | Toyota 4RUNNER |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 80/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 19 | 17 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 7.2 | 1.5 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $656/yr | $514/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.4/yr | 0.4/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 18% | 13% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 8 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Traverse and Toyota 4RUNNER?
The Chevrolet Traverse exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the power train and electrical system categories, with 431 and 222 complaints respectively, including a notable number of crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Toyota 4RUNNER, with significantly fewer overall complaints, shows a high concentration of issues in the air bags category, which is also linked to a substantial portion of crash-related complaints. While the Traverse has more widespread issues across various systems, the 4RUNNER's primary concern focuses on air bag reliability, a critical safety component. Both models have service brakes complaints, but the Traverse's crash-linked incidents in this area are higher, indicating potential safety implications.
| Component | Chevrolet Traverse | Toyota 4RUNNER |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 2.2Low | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.1Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.7Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.6Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.6Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —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 Toyota 4RUNNER?
How Does Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota 4RUNNER Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Traverse | Toyota 4RUNNER | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1000R / 132C | 81/1001R / 36C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2024 | 73/1000R / 107C | 79/1001R / 8C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2023 | 72/1002R / 62C | 82/1001R / 28C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2022 | 73/1001R / 76C | 79/1003R / 36C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2021 | 71/1003R / 72C | 82/1001R / 31C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2020 | 62/1008R / 188C | 82/1001R / 30C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2019 | 62/1003R / 358C | 77/1004R / 61C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2018 | 62/1002R / 416C | 77/1005R / 56C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2026(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | 81/100(predicted) | Toyota 4RUNNER |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse scored 75/100 and the 2023 Toyota 4RUNNER scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Traverse vs the Toyota 4RUNNER?
Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota 4RUNNER: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the Toyota 4RUNNER?
- Based on our data, the Toyota 4RUNNER is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Toyota 4RUNNER?
- The Chevrolet Traverse has more recalls (19) compared to the Toyota 4RUNNER (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 Toyota 4RUNNER?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota 4RUNNER has a lower complaint rate at 1.5 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 Toyota 4RUNNER?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota 4RUNNER is cheaper to maintain at $514/year versus $656/year for the Chevrolet Traverse.
- Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Toyota 4RUNNER safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Chevrolet Traverse has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Toyota 4RUNNER. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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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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