2015 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2015 Ford Explorer
Two midsize SUVs, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2015 Chevrolet
Traverse
5/10
Great space and ride for the money, but budget for timing chain and transmission surprises by 100k.
VS
2015 Ford
Explorer
5/10
The 2015 Explorer is fine transportation until it isn't — and when it isn't, it's the electric power steering or the transfer unit, and both hurt.
Dead heat: both score 5/10. The tiebreaker is which specific car you find.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Chevrolet Traverse |
Ford Explorer |
| Known failure points | 6 | 9 |
| NHTSA complaints | 313 | 1768 |
| Safety recalls | 5 | 9 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 48 | 55 |
| Cheap to own | 42 | 45 |
| Fun factor | 35 | 50 |
| Holds value | 40 | 55 |
| Enthusiast cred | 15 | 35 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2015 Chevrolet Traverse
6T75 transmission slipping/harsh shifts, often tied to a factory recall/extended warranty for the transmission control module and internal wear
$2,500–$4,00080k–130k mi
2015 Ford Explorer
6F55 6-speed automatic harsh shifts / solenoid pack issues
$300–$5,00090k–150k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2015 Chevrolet Traverse
A 2015 Traverse LT with the 2nd-row bench, front-wheel drive (skip AWD's added complexity/weight), full documented maintenance records, and — critically — a completed airbag recall on record. FWD is lighter, cheaper to maintain, and avoids AWD transfer case wear.
✅ 2015 Ford Explorer
2015 Explorer Sport with the 401A package, 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo, panoramic roof, and — critically — documented PTU fluid changes and completed toe-link recall work. Second choice: XLT 4WD with the 3.5L NA V6 (no turbos, no intercooler drama) and the tow package (adds trans cooler).
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.