HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
Ford Explorer vs Jeep Grand Cherokee
OUR VERDICT
It's essentially a draw — 1–1 across categories.
OPTION A
Ford Explorer
1996–2026 · suv
59/100 · Fair
5.3
Recalls / yr
532.5
Complaints / yr
143
Lifetime recalls
19,478
Lifetime complaints
OPTION B
Jeep Grand Cherokee
1999–2026 · suv
56/100 · Fair
5.5
Recalls / yr
408.2
Complaints / yr
137
Lifetime recalls
16,484
Lifetime complaints
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Every metric is normalized per model year so a long-running nameplate isn't unfairly penalized against a newer rival. The greener cell wins each row.
| Metric | Explorer | Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
Reliability Index Higher is better | 59/100 | 56/100 |
Best Year Buyer Score Higher is better | 76/100 (2019) | 74/100 (2020) |
Recalls per Year Lower is better | 5.3 | 5.5 |
Complaints per Year Lower is better | 532.5 | 408.2✓ |
Injuries + Deaths / Year Lower is better | 20.3 | 20.4 |
Crash-Involved Complaints Lower is better | 2.6%✓ | 7.3% |
| Categories won | 1 | 1 |
Best Year to Buy — Each Model
Jeep Grand Cherokee
TOP PICK
2020
Buyer Score 74/100
3 recalls · 166 complaints
Most-Reported Problems
Explorer
STEERING
1830
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1475
POWER TRAIN
1218
ENGINE
1069
STRUCTURE
1044
Grand Cherokee
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3300
ENGINE
1369
POWER TRAIN
1087
AIR BAGS
958
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
927
Complaint counts across all model years, from NHTSA owner filings. Frequency indicates how often an area is reported, not severity.
The Bottom Line
The Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee are remarkably evenly matched — splitting the 6 categories 1–1. Your decision should come down to price, body style, and the specific VIN's history rather than the model's overall track record.
Narrowed it down? Verify the actual car.
This compares models. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.