MODEL
Chevrolet Traverse
NHTSA safety across every Chevrolet Traverse model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Chevrolet Traverse we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2026 at 94 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2020 at 73. 18 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Chevrolet Traverse is a three-row midsize SUV aimed squarely at families who need real passenger and cargo capacity without stepping up to a full-size rig. Competing against the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot, the Traverse has been one of GM's volume sellers in this segment since its second generation launched for 2018. It seats up to eight and leans on a practical, value-forward identity.
The Chevrolet Traverse puts together a mixed but generally respectable safety record across the 2019 to 2025 model years we cover at MotorCaliber. Its best NHTSA Safety Index score lands at 93 out of 100 for the 2022 model year, which earns an Exceptional band rating - a genuine high-water mark for the nameplate. The range across covered years spans from Exceptional down to Average, so the year you buy matters. In its best crash-test showing, the Traverse earns a full five stars in both frontal and side impact testing, with a four-star rollover rating - a reasonable result for a tall, heavy three-row SUV where rollover dynamics are always a trade-off. The concern worth flagging is the recall count. Seventeen recalls across a six-year span is a notably elevated number for a single model line, and shoppers should verify any used or new Traverse against the NHTSA recall database before purchase. Owner complaints across covered years total 1,144, including 39 reported crashes and 43 reported injuries - all unverified allegations, but a volume that signals real-world friction worth monitoring. Bottom line: the Traverse can be a solid safety choice, particularly around the 2022 model year, but the recall history demands due diligence. Confirm your specific VIN is clear before signing.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Traverse as a family-friendly, spacious midsize SUV that delivers competitive practicality and a comfortable ride for its segment. Most praise its interior room and ease of use, while noting that it does not feel like a driver-focused vehicle. Some reviewers flag that newer competitors have raised the bar on refinement and technology.
- The 2022 Traverse earned the strongest NHTSA Safety Index score in the covered range at 93 out of 100 with an Exceptional rating - making model year selection a meaningful safety decision, since other years in the 2019 to 2025 range score as low as Average.
- Seventeen recalls across six model years is a high recall volume for this segment. Always run the specific VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup tool and confirm all open recalls have been remedied before buying new or used.
- The Traverse scores five out of five stars in frontal and side crash testing in its best year, but carries a four-star rollover rating - a common limitation of tall, three-row SUVs that buyers should weigh if rollover risk is a priority concern.
- Owner complaints across 2019 to 2025 total 1,144, with 39 reported crashes and 43 reported injuries among those unverified allegations. While these are not confirmed findings, the complaint volume is worth tracking through the NHTSA complaints database as ownership experience data accumulates on newer model years.
Most-recalled year on record: 2020 Chevrolet Traverse with 8 recalls.