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 Jeep Compass expensive to maintain?

The Compass costs $526/year to maintain — $5 above the compact segment average of $521, a negligible difference. Repair frequency of 25% is below the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 8 and major repair probability of 11% both sit at segment averages. A squarely average ownership cost with slightly better-than-average repair frequency.

What is the best year for a Jeep Compass?

The 2023-2025 window is the cleanest in the Compass's history — 2023 (45 complaints), 2024 (47), 2025 (18, 8/10 safety, 4 severe). Avoid 2014 (306 complaints, 25 severe) and 2019 (319 complaints, 12 severe), which coincide with documented early-generation issues. For used buying, 2023 or 2025 is the safest pick.

How much does Jeep Compass insurance cost?

Compass insurance averages around $2,011/year, or about $168/month.

Is the Jeep Compass or Ford Bronco Sport cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance cost data isn't available for the Ford Bronco Sport, so a direct comparison isn't possible. The Compass's $526/year and 25% repair frequency are solid benchmarks within the compact class.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Jeep Compass?

Major repair probability at the class average and repair frequency below it — no strong case for extended warranty on 2023+ models. For 2014 and 2019 models purchased used, documented complaint spikes in those years make coverage worth considering.

Chevrolet Traverse vs Jeep Compass

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 Jeep Compass — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Traverse	Jeep Compass
Annual maintenance	$656	$526winner
5-year total cost	$3,280	$2,630winner
Reliability score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	18%	11%winner
Cargo space	97.6 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$42,300	$29,550winner
Best years to buy	2013, 2021	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Traverse	Jeep Compass
RepairPal score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	257.3	182.8winner
Years to avoid	2018, 2019, 2025	2019, 2022, 2025
Value retained · 3 yr	73.5%winner	68%
Value retained · 5 yr	51.7%	56.9%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	37.6%	50.4%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Traverse	Jeep Compass
Engine	19.9%winner	26.2%
Electrical	8.1%winner	11.8%
ADAS	8.3%winner	12.8%
Brakes	4.5%	3.1%winner
Suspension	—winner	2.7%
Steering	11.9%	2.9%winner
Fuel system	2.0%winner	4.2%
Tires/Wheels	1.4%winner	1.4%
Glass/Windows	1.1%	—winner
Airbags	20.3%	11.7%winner
Lighting	—winner	2.3%
Seatbelt	2.4%	—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	Jeep Compass
Avg annual premium	$2,393	$2,011winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Traverse

$656/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Jeep Compass

$526/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 →