Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Accord
How the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Accord: The Traverse averages 203.7 complaints per year, while the Accord averages 443.8. Traverse owners report transmission jerking and steering assist failures, while Accord owners face ADAS glitches and engine issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Traverse or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse, a three-row family SUV, shows a reliability pattern centered on drivetrain and electrical gremlins. Owners report sudden jerking during acceleration, transmission malfunctions, and repeated warnings for steering assist and brake assist. These issues often appear in newer models and can make the vehicle feel unsafe to drive, requiring multiple dealer visits.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, a midsize sedan, has a higher complaint volume but a different character: many complaints involve advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, plus engine and electrical issues. Owners describe intermittent warning messages and occasional loss of power, but the failures are less consistently tied to a single component.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Traverse | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,037 Better | 4,438 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 23 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 65 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 203.7 Better | 443.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 66 Better | 144 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Chevrolet Traverse
- 01POWER TRAIN529
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM388
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER351
- 04ENGINE331
- 05AIR BAGS293
Owners report hard jerking during acceleration and shifting, with the check engine light on and the transmission not operating normally. This can make the vehicle unsafe to drive and often requires transmission repair or replacement.
Recurring warnings for 'Service Brake Assist' and 'Steering Assist Reduced – Drive with Care' appear while driving. These warnings are accompanied by hard brake pedal feel and reduced steering assist, which can compromise control.
Complaints include exhaust leaks in the front exhaust pipe and repeated issues with the engine/cooling system and fuel injectors, leading to misfires. These problems can cause performance issues and potential safety hazards.
“I own a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse RS, VIN [XXX]. This vehicle has repeated safety-related failures involving the engine/cooling system, fuel-injector/misfire system, steering-assist warning system, and electronic parking brake system. The vehicle is currently a…”
“The contact's husband leases a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that after the vehicle had been parked for approximately 10 minutes, the contact who was occupying the front passenger's side seat turned off the vehicle while the driver's seat was un…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Owners report unusual noises and, in some cases, sudden loss of power with multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS) at highway speeds. This can be alarming and may indicate a serious engine or electronic control issue.
Issues include tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warnings that lead to tire failure, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses, which can cause electrical malfunctions. These problems may require costly repairs.
The adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and automatic high beams intermittently show errors, sometimes at highway speeds. This can disable safety features and cause driver distraction.
“I purchased this vehicle at 0 miles in July 2025 from Honda Accord in Pensacola Florida. I reported in July 2025 that there was a noise and I was unhappy with the vehicle and would like to exchange the vehicle within the 30 days months later, the noise got lo…”
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Chevrolet Traverse — 23 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Blazer and Traverse vehicles. The left-side half-shaft assemblies may be missing a retaining ring.
The risk: A missing retaining ring on the half-shaft can cause half-shaft inner joint separation, resulting in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left-side half-shaft assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N222390180.
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission.
The risk: A half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the sun gears, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2023. The remedy is expected to become available August 31, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevro…
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible vehicles with Power In-floor Ramp conversion. The screw and clip that hold the inner wheel-well plastic shroud in place may chafe against the transmission case, possibly resulting in a transmission flu…
The risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the screw and clip, and inspect for signs of contact with the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an…
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet Traverse or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Traverse has fewer complaints per year (203.7) compared to the Honda Accord (443.8), but its issues are more concentrated in drivetrain and electrical systems that can affect drivability. The Accord's higher volume is partly due to ADAS-related complaints, which may be less critical but still annoying. In practice, the Traverse may have more severe failures, while the Accord has more frequent but less dangerous electronic glitches.
Key differences
- The Traverse has more complaints about transmission jerking and steering assist loss, which can be safety-critical.
- The Accord has more complaints about ADAS features like adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, which are less likely to leave you stranded.
- The Traverse has a higher proportion of engine and power train complaints (529 vs 985 for Accord, but Traverse total is lower).
- The Accord has a notable number of complaints about forward collision avoidance (821), which is not a top issue for the Traverse.
- Test drive at various speeds and watch for jerking or hesitation during acceleration, which could indicate transmission problems.
- Check for any warning messages about steering assist or brake assist, and have the system scanned for codes.
- Ask about any intermittent warning messages for adaptive cruise control or lane keeping, and verify they have been addressed.
- Inspect the wiring harness for signs of rodent damage, especially if the vehicle is parked outdoors.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission and electrical systems for the Traverse, and the ADAS sensors and wiring for the Accord.
- Test all driver assistance features on the Accord to ensure they work without errors.
- For the Traverse, listen for unusual exhaust noises and check for leaks under the vehicle.
- Review service records to see if any of the common complaints have already been addressed.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Chevrolet Traverse | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 | 5 |
| 2025 | 173 | 101 |
| 2024 | 132 | 214 |
| 2023 | 85 | 224 |
| 2022 | 95 | 238 |
| 2021 | 88 | 226 |
| 2020 | 222 | 355 |
| 2019 | 403 | 677 |
| 2018 | 457 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 361 | 534 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Chevrolet Traverse or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Traverse vs Honda Accord
- Chevrolet Traverse total complaints
- 2,037
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Chevrolet Traverse total recalls
- 23
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Chevrolet Traverse avg complaints/year
- 203.7
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Traverse
- Chevrolet Traverse top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE