Last updated: 2026-03-04
Dodge Durango vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Reliability Compared
Dodge Durango
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Choosing between the Dodge Durango and the Jeep Grand Cherokee? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Dodge Durango currently leads with an average score of 71/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Dodge Durango is more reliable than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, scoring 71/100 vs 66/100.
The Dodge Durango demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, with a higher average reliability score of 74/100 versus 67/100. The Durango also has a significantly lower recall count of 27 compared to the Grand Cherokee's 97, indicating fewer major issues over time. While both models have similar estimated annual repair costs ($675 for the Durango and $666 for the Grand Cherokee), the Durango's lower owner complaint rate of 5.4 per 10,000 sold, compared to 6.8 for the Grand Cherokee, further underscores its reliability advantage. Both vehicles share common issues with their electrical systems and power trains, but the Durango's overall performance in reliability metrics makes it the more dependable choice.
Key Differences
- 1Dodge Durango has 70 fewer total recalls
- 2Jeep Grand Cherokee costs $9 less per year to repair
- 3Dodge Durango scores 5 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Dodge Durango vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Dodge Durango | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 71/100 | 66/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 27 | 97 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 5.4 | 6.8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $675/yr | $666/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 13% | 13% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 6 (2 tied) | 0 (2 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee exhibits a higher volume of complaints across most categories compared to the Dodge Durango, with the electrical system being the most problematic, accounting for 846 complaints and 15 crash-linked incidents. Notably, the Grand Cherokee's air bags category has a significant safety concern with 37 crash-linked complaints, despite only 63 total complaints in that area. In contrast, the Dodge Durango's most reported issues are in the electrical system and exterior lighting, with 160 and 159 complaints respectively, though these categories have fewer crash-linked incidents. While the Durango has fewer overall complaints, its air bags issue, with 8 crash-linked cases, indicates a critical area for attention, albeit on a smaller scale than the Grand Cherokee.
| Component | Dodge Durango | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.3Low | 2.2Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1.3Low | —None |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.5Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.2Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge Durango or Jeep Grand Cherokee?
How Does Dodge Durango vs Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Dodge Durango | Jeep Grand Cherokee | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 78/1000R / 5C | 75/1003R / 59C | Dodge Durango |
| 2024 | 78/1000R / 6C | 66/10020R / 204C | Dodge Durango |
| 2023 | 75/1002R / 27C | 63/10022R / 363C | Dodge Durango |
| 2022 | 71/1006R / 47C | 62/10014R / 192C | Dodge Durango |
| 2021 | 65/1007R / 159C | 63/10015R / 427C | Dodge Durango |
| 2020 | 72/1003R / 62C | 72/1003R / 207C | Tie |
| 2019 | 67/1004R / 128C | 67/1007R / 336C | Tie |
| 2018 | 64/1005R / 219C | 60/10011R / 804C | Dodge Durango |
| 2026(predicted) | 77/100(predicted) | 68/100(predicted) | Dodge Durango |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Dodge Durango scored 78/100 and the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Dodge Durango vs the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Dodge Durango vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Common Questions
- Is the Dodge Durango more reliable than the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Based on our data, the Dodge Durango is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Dodge Durango or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- The Jeep Grand Cherokee has more recalls (97) compared to the Dodge Durango (27). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Durango or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Durango has a lower complaint rate at 5.4 per 10,000 sold versus 6.8 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Durango or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is cheaper to maintain at $666/year versus $675/year for the Dodge Durango.
- Is the Dodge Durango or Jeep Grand Cherokee safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Dodge Durango. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Dodge Durango comparisons
More Jeep Grand Cherokee comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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