2012 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2012 Ford Explorer
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Chevrolet Traverse | 2012 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 354 | 822 |
| Recall campaigns | 5 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,555 | 88 |
| Investigations | 2 | 4 |
| Crash reports | 10 | 10 |
| Fire reports | 2 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19 | 19–23 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 85,577 mi | 70,050 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Traverse | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 62 | 357 |
| Engine | 115 | 79 |
| Structure | 11 | 142 |
| Electrical System | 48 | 63 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 84 | 19 |
| Power Train | 46 | 55 |
| Air Bags | 48 | 27 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 37 | 17 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 57 | 16 |
| Loss of power | 39 | 53 |
| Airbag warning light | 25 | 22 |
| Stalling | 21 | 41 |
| Vibration / shaking | 14 | 15 |
| Steering problems | 10 | 74 |
| Clunking / rattling | 9 | 0 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 6 | 0 |
2012 Chevrolet Traverse
2012 Ford Explorer
Compare all Chevrolet Traverse vs Ford Explorer years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.