Which years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 as the Grand Cherokee years to avoid, with 2014 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 18 recall campaigns.

Which years of the Ford Explorer should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2020 as the Explorer years to avoid, with 2016 at the top with a complaint index of 100 and 2,451 complaints.

Which model has more complaints overall?

The Ford Explorer has 15,150 total complaints across 16 model years (947 per year on average) versus 11,432 for the Grand Cherokee (715 per year). These totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

How do the two compare on fuel economy?

The Grand Cherokee averages 19.1 mpg combined across its lineup while the Explorer averages 20.3 mpg combined, based on EPA figures.

What are the top problem areas for each model?

For the Grand Cherokee, Electrical System complaints lead at 35% of all complaints, followed by Engine at 23%. For the Explorer, Steering leads at 23%, followed by Structure & Body at 22%.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Ford Explorer: Which Years to Avoid

Jeep Grand Cherokee owners should avoid 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015; Ford Explorer owners should avoid 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2020. The Grand Cherokee logged 11,432 complaints and 77 recalls across 16 years versus the Explorer's 15,150 complaints and 93 recalls; totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 11,432
Per model year: 715
Recall campaigns: 77
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015
Best years: 2010, 2016, 2017, 2020
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 19.1
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Ford Explorer

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 15,150
Per model year: 947
Recall campaigns: 93
Years to avoid: 2013, 2015, 2016, 2020
Best years: 2010, 2019, 2023, 2024
Top problem area: Steering
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Grand Cherokee				Explorer
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Best	118	4	16	Best	113	1	16
2011	Avoid	1,640	6	18	Caution	1,197	6	19.5
2012	Avoid	1,642	10	16	Good	827	5	20
2013	Caution	802	9	16	Avoid	2,234	11	19.5
2014	Avoid	2,375	18	19	Caution	1,678	6	19.5
2015	Avoid	1,359	9	19	Avoid	1,791	8	19.5
2016	Best	310	8	21	Avoid	2,451	14	20
2017	Best	364	5	19	Caution	1,691	13	20
2018	Caution	853	10	21	Caution	731	7	20
2019	Good	367	7	19	Best	296	6	20
2020	Best	238	3	17	Avoid	1,218	33	23.5
2021	Good	403	12	17	Good	426	26	23
2022	Good	260	13	21	Good	267	24	22
2023	Caution	386	21	22	Best	109	15	21
2024	Caution	241	16	22	Best	21	10	20.5
2025	Good	74	4	22	Good	100	20	21

Complaint Index by year

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Ford Explorer

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 as the Grand Cherokee years to avoid, with 2014 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 18 recall campaigns.
Which years of the Ford Explorer should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2020 as the Explorer years to avoid, with 2016 at the top with a complaint index of 100 and 2,451 complaints.
Which model has more complaints overall?: The Ford Explorer has 15,150 total complaints across 16 model years (947 per year on average) versus 11,432 for the Grand Cherokee (715 per year). These totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
How do the two compare on fuel economy?: The Grand Cherokee averages 19.1 mpg combined across its lineup while the Explorer averages 20.3 mpg combined, based on EPA figures.
What are the top problem areas for each model?: For the Grand Cherokee, Electrical System complaints lead at 35% of all complaints, followed by Engine at 23%. For the Explorer, Steering leads at 23%, followed by Structure & Body at 22%.