Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee expensive to maintain?

The Grand Cherokee costs $666/year to maintain — $93 above the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 30% is below the class average of 40% — a relative positive. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both sit at segment averages. Above-average cost for an average reliability profile.

What is the best year for a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The Grand Cherokee has one of the most volatile complaint histories in its class. Avoid 2011-2012 (1,638 and 1,634 complaints), 2014 (2,362 complaints, 218 severe — the worst year on record), 2015 (1,333, 183 severe), and 2018 (832 complaints, 56 severe). The 2025 model (54 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) is the best year in the model's modern history, with 2024 (221 complaints) showing meaningful improvement. If buying used, 2024 or newer is the safest range.

How much does Jeep Grand Cherokee insurance cost?

Grand Cherokee insurance averages around $2,370/year — roughly $198/month. Below average for the midsize class given its above-average maintenance cost.

Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee or Ford Explorer cheaper to maintain?

The Grand Cherokee is cheaper to maintain by $66/year — $666 versus $732 for the Ford Explorer. Both carry a reliability score of 7. Note the Explorer is a three-row SUV vs. the two-row Grand Cherokee — the comparison is cross-configuration. On pure maintenance cost, the Grand Cherokee has a slight edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Despite sitting at the class average on major repair probability and below average on repair frequency, the Grand Cherokee's documented complaint history — with multiple severe spikes across 2011-2015 and 2018 — makes extended warranty strongly recommended for used models from those years. For 2024 and newer, the risk profile has improved substantially and warranty is less critical.

GMC Terrain vs Jeep Grand Cherokee

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the GMC Terrain based on your priorities for this class.

Buy the Jeep Grand Cherokee based on your priorities for this class.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	GMC Terrain	Jeep Grand Cherokee
Annual maintenance	—	$666
5-year total cost	—	$3,330
Reliability score	—	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	—	13%
Cargo space	—	70.8 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$32,200winner	$39,700
Best years to buy	2023, 2025	2010, 2017, 2018

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	GMC Terrain	Jeep Grand Cherokee
RepairPal score	—	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	217.3winner	347.8
Years to avoid	2011, 2012, 2013	2011, 2012, 2014
Value retained · 3 yr	—	64.6%
Value retained · 5 yr	—	50%
Value retained · 7 yr	—	40.1%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	GMC Terrain	Jeep Grand Cherokee
Engine	37.8%	18.3%winner
Electrical	6.0%winner	22.5%
ADAS	4.9%winner	6.4%
Brakes	5.7%winner	10.1%
Suspension	—winner	1.8%
Steering	1.8%winner	3.2%
Fuel system	3.7%winner	5.1%
Tires/Wheels	0.7%	—winner
Glass/Windows	14.5%	—winner
Airbags	5.6%	4.8%winner
Lighting	2.8%	1.4%winner
Seatbelt	—winner	2.0%

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?

	GMC Terrain	Jeep Grand Cherokee
Avg annual premium	—	$2,370

// FULL MODEL PAGES

$666/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

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 →