Last updated: 2026-10-10
Chrysler vs Ford: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Chrysler
3 models tracked
Ford
16 models tracked
Chrysler comes out ahead of Ford on reliability, with a clear edge. It draws fewer complaints per car sold and costs less to repair each year. Ford's much larger lineup holds many solid choices, but also more recalls and more serious complaints.
Is Chrysler More Reliable Than Ford?
| Metric | Chrysler | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 70/100 | 65/100 |
| Models Tracked | 3 | 16 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 33 | 60 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 888 | 2124 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $642/yr | $701/yr |
Chrysler vs Ford: The Verdict
A clear edge goes to Chrysler. Both brands rate good and both are improving, but Chrysler is stronger on complaint severity, repair costs, recall impact, and how widely problems spread across systems. Owners also file fewer complaints per car sold.
Ford's weak spot is the power train, which accounts for about a third of its complaints. Chrysler's trouble is more electrical, with power train second. Ford has far more recalls, though it sells many more models, so size explains part of that gap. Chrysler tracks only three models, so your choice of vehicle is narrower.
Where Chrysler and Ford Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Chrysler | Ford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 59/100Mixed | 57/100Mixed |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 70/100Good | 68/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 73/100Good | 63/100Good |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 81/100Excellent | 79/100Good |
Where they diverge most: recall impact. Chrysler has a 10-point edge in that component, which accounts for much of the reliability gap.
Chrysler vs Ford: Strengths and Weaknesses
Chrysler
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (70/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($642/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 3 of 3 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 33 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Ford
Strengths
- Above-average reliability (65/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 13 of 16 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 257 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Chrysler and Ford Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Chrysler
Ford
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chrysler or Ford?
Based on independent repair cost data, Chrysler is cheaper to maintain at an average of $642/year compared to $701/year for Ford. The difference is relatively small, so maintenance costs shouldn't be a major deciding factor between these makes.
Chrysler Repair Cost Range
$631 – $647/yr
Average: $642/yr
Ford Repair Cost Range
$569 – $861/yr
Average: $701/yr
Chrysler vs Ford Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Chrysler | Ford | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedans(1 vs 2 models) | 72/100 | 63/100 | Chrysler |
Chrysler wins 1 out of 1 shared categories.
Common Problems: Chrysler vs Ford
| Component | Chrysler | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 25%597 | 35%10,835 |
| ENGINE | 13%316 | 14%4,262 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 27%648 | 11%3,325 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9%221 | 8%2,600 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | — | 7%2,067 |
| STRUCTURE | 1%28 | 5%1,638 |
| STEERING | 9%226 | 4%1,195 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3%78 | 3%1,015 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%96 | 1%361 |
| HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2%57 | — |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Chrysler vs Ford Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Chrysler
80
Crash reports
33
Fire reports
60
Injury reports
Ford
859
Crash reports
257
Fire reports
793
Injury reports
Every Chrysler and Ford Model Ranked
Chrysler Models
Ford Models
Chrysler vs Ford Reliability Trend by Year
Chrysler's reliability is improving — recent model years average 78/100, up from earlier years. Ford's reliability is improving — recent model years average 73/100.
Interestingly, both Chrysler and Ford show improving reliability trends recently.
| Model Year | Chrysler | Ford | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 82/100(2) | 74/100(11) | Chrysler |
| 2025 | 73/100(2) | 71/100(11) | Chrysler |
| 2024 | 73/100(2) | 70/100(12) | Chrysler |
| 2023 | 69/100(3) | 66/100(13) | Chrysler |
| 2022 | 68/100(3) | 61/100(13) | Chrysler |
| 2021 | 68/100(3) | 60/100(10) | Chrysler |
| 2020 | 72/100(3) | 62/100(10) | Chrysler |
| 2019 | 66/100(2) | 64/100(10) | Chrysler |
| 2018 | 59/100(2) | 61/100(10) | Ford |
| 2017 | — | 58/100 | — |
| 2016 | — | 56/100 | — |
| 2015 | — | 59/100 | — |
| 2014 | — | 52/100 | — |
| 2013 | — | 54/100 | — |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Chrysler vs Ford: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Chrysler and Ford. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Chrysler vs Ford?
If you want a minivan, lean Chrysler. Look for a 2020 Voyager and avoid the 2023, which collected six recalls. The Pacifica is good but ranks below average among minivans. Skip the 2018 for electrical fires and head gasket failures on the 3.6L V6, and consider the 2024. The 300 is the sedan to pick over Ford's Focus, which rates mixed.
If you need a pickup or a wider choice of SUVs, Ford makes more sense. A 2022 Ranger is the better buy, with far fewer complaints than the 2019, which has a transmission that shifts hard or slips. Fusion, Escape, and Mustang Mach-E all rate good. Be careful with the Bronco. The 2021 and 2022 lead in sudden power loss and automatic transmission failure, so the 2024 is steadier. The F-150 Lightning also rates mixed.
The Bottom Line: Chrysler or Ford?
Choose Chrysler if a Voyager, Pacifica, or 300 fits your needs, since it is the more reliable brand and cheaper to keep running. Over five years, the gap in estimated repair costs comes to about $295. The strongest single model across both lineups is the Voyager, best bought as a 2020. Choose Ford for trucks and SUVs, but target the Ranger and avoid the Bronco's early years.
Chrysler vs Ford: Common Questions
Is Chrysler more reliable than Ford?
Which brand has more recalls, Chrysler or Ford?
Which is cheaper to repair, Chrysler or Ford?
What goes wrong most often on Ford vehicles?
What are the most common Chrysler problems?
Comparing Chrysler vs Ford? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
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How we score Chrysler and Ford models
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.