What is the best year for a Chevrolet Traverse?

The 2021 (85 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) and 2023 (75 complaints, 8/10 safety, 7 severe) Traverse are the cleanest years on record. Avoid the pre-2021 era, where complaint counts exceeded 200 every year from 2010 through 2020. Note that 2024-2025 ticked back up to 121 and 164 complaints — the improvement wasn't fully sustained. The 2021-2023 window is the safest range for used buying.

How much does Chevrolet Traverse insurance cost?

Traverse insurance averages around $2,393/year — roughly $199/month.

Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Ford Explorer cheaper to maintain?

The Traverse is cheaper to maintain by $76/year — $656 versus $732 for the Ford Explorer. However, the Explorer has a higher reliability score (7 vs. 6), lower major repair probability (14% vs. 18%), and significantly lower repair frequency (24% vs. 43%). On total maintenance value beyond annual dollar cost, the Explorer holds a meaningful edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Traverse?

Major repair probability of 18% is the second-highest in the three-row segment, and reliability score of 6 is below the class average. Extended warranty is worth considering for most used Traverse models, particularly any purchased from the 2010-2020 era of consistently elevated complaints.

Is the Chevrolet Trax expensive to maintain?

The Trax costs $488/year to maintain — $22 above the subcompact segment average of $466. Its major repair probability of 12% runs above the class average of 9%, meaning there's a somewhat higher chance of an unscheduled repair in any given year. Repair frequency of 18% is close to the segment average of 20%. It's a near-average ownership cost with slightly elevated repair risk.

What is the best year for a Chevrolet Trax?

The redesigned Trax only has data from 2024 onward, so there isn't enough history to make a definitive call. What the data shows: 2025 improved meaningfully on the 2024 launch year — complaints dropped from 151 to 73, a typical pattern as first-year production issues get resolved. More model years are needed before a strong year-specific recommendation is possible.

How much does Chevrolet Trax insurance cost?

The Trax averages around $2,013/year to insure, or about $168/month. As an entry-level subcompact with solid safety scores, it tends to quote favorably compared to larger vehicles. Rates will vary by trim, location, and driver profile.

Is the Chevrolet Trax or [competitor] cheaper to maintain?

No gas-model competitor with maintenance cost data maps directly to the Trax. Within the subcompact class, the Trax's $488/year is above the HR-V ($301) and near the Crosstrek ($492) — though the $4 difference with the Crosstrek is negligible. Its 12% major repair probability is the more meaningful differentiator compared to those two.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Trax?

Worth considering for 2024 used buyers. The Trax's 12% major repair probability is above the subcompact class average of 9%, and a first-year model purchased outside factory warranty coverage carries real early-issue risk — the 2024's 151 complaints reflect that. For 2025 and newer models still under factory warranty, there's less urgency.

Chevrolet Traverse vs Chevrolet Trax

Two three-row SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Chevrolet Traverse if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Chevrolet Trax — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Traverse	Chevrolet Trax
Annual maintenance	$656	$488winner
5-year total cost	$3,280	$2,440winner
Reliability score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	18%	12%winner
Cargo space	97.6 cu ftwinner	54.1 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$42,300	$23,000winner
Best years to buy	2013, 2021	2026

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Traverse	Chevrolet Trax
RepairPal score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	257.3	51.9winner
Years to avoid	2018, 2019, 2025	2024, 2025
Value retained · 3 yr	73.5%	78.8%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	51.7%	56.6%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	37.6%	44.6%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Traverse	Chevrolet Trax
Engine	19.9%winner	23.8%
Electrical	8.1%winner	25.8%
ADAS	8.3%winner	12.5%
Brakes	4.5%	3.8%winner
Steering	11.9%	—winner
Fuel system	2.0%winner	2.9%
Tires/Wheels	1.4%	0.8%winner
Glass/Windows	1.1%winner	6.3%
Airbags	20.3%	3.3%winner
Lighting	—winner	3.8%
Seatbelt	2.4%	1.7%winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Chevrolet Traverse	Chevrolet Trax
Avg annual premium	$2,393	$2,013winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Traverse

$656/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Chevrolet Trax

$488/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Traverse costs $656/year to maintain — $83 above the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 43% is slightly above the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 6 is below the segment average of 7, and major repair probability of 18% is well above the 13% norm. It trails the three-row class average on most ownership-cost metrics.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →