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.

Is the Ford Explorer expensive to maintain?

The Explorer costs $732/year to maintain — $159 above the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 24% is well below the class average of 40% — the lowest in the three-row segment. Reliability score of 7 matches the segment average, and major repair probability of 14% is slightly above the 13% norm. Well above-average cost, but notably fewer unscheduled shop visits than class rivals.

What is the best year for a Ford Explorer?

The Explorer's complaint history is one of the most volatile in the three-row class. Avoid 2013-2015 (2,214, 1,666, and 1,728 complaints respectively — the exhaust fume intrusion era), 2017 (1,648 complaints), and 2020 (1,136 complaints at the sixth-generation launch). The 2024 Explorer (16 complaints, 10/10 safety, 0 severe) is the best year on record by a wide margin. The 2023 (94, 10/10, 7 severe) is also strong.

How much does Ford Explorer insurance cost?

Explorer insurance averages around $2,461/year — roughly $205/month.

Is the Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Traverse cheaper to maintain?

The Traverse is cheaper to maintain by $76/year — $656 versus $732 for the Explorer. But the Explorer has a higher reliability score (7 vs. 6), lower major repair probability (14% vs. 18%), and much lower repair frequency (24% vs. 43%). More expensive annually, but a meaningfully lower risk and visit-frequency profile.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Ford Explorer?

Repair frequency of 24% is the lowest in the three-row segment — a significant positive. For 2023 and newer models, the Explorer's dramatically improved complaint trajectory makes extended warranty unnecessary. However, the severe documented complaint spikes across 2013-2015, 2017, and 2020 make coverage essential for used models from those years.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Ford Explorer

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Jeep Grand Cherokee to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Ford Explorer if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Ford Explorer
Annual maintenance	$666winner	$732
5-year total cost	$3,330winner	$3,660
Reliability score	7 / 10	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%winner	14%
Cargo space	70.8 cu ft	85.3 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$39,700winner	$41,300
Best years to buy	2010, 2017, 2018	2010, 2023, 2024

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Ford Explorer
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	353.4winner	452.2
Years to avoid	2011, 2012, 2014	2011, 2013, 2014
Value retained · 3 yr	64.6%	72.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	50%winner	49.9%
Value retained · 7 yr	40.1%winner	39.6%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Ford Explorer
Engine	18.3%	14.1%winner
Electrical	22.5%	4.1%winner
ADAS	6.4%	3.3%winner
Brakes	10.1%	1.7%winner
Suspension	1.8%winner	2.5%
Steering	3.2%winner	22.1%
Fuel system	5.1%	2.8%winner
Tires/Wheels	—winner	1.6%
Glass/Windows	—winner	3.0%
Airbags	4.8%	2.6%winner
Lighting	1.4%	—winner
Seatbelt	2.0%	—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?

	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Ford Explorer
Avg annual premium	$2,370winner	$2,461

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Jeep Grand Cherokee

$666/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Ford Explorer

$732/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

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.

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 →