Last updated: 2026-05-15
Ford Bronco-Sport vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Reliability Compared
Ford Bronco-Sport
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Choosing between the Ford Bronco-Sport 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 midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Jeep Grand Cherokee currently leads with an average score of 66/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Bronco-Sport and Jeep Grand Cherokee Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is more reliable than the Ford Bronco-Sport, scoring 66/100 vs 65/100.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Bronco-Sport both exhibit average reliability scores, with the Grand Cherokee slightly edging out at 66/100 compared to the Bronco-Sport's 65/100. However, the Grand Cherokee's extensive recall history with 97 cases over nine years contrasts with the Bronco-Sport's 57 recalls within six years, suggesting a more frequent recall rate for the Jeep. Despite this, the Bronco-Sport has a significantly higher owner complaint rate at 17.3 per 10,000 vehicles, compared to the Grand Cherokee's 6.8. Repair cost estimates favor the Grand Cherokee with a known annual figure of $666, making it a slightly more reliable choice overall.
Key Differences
- 1Ford Bronco-Sport has 40 fewer total recalls
- 2Jeep Grand Cherokee has 10.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Jeep Grand Cherokee scores 1 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Bronco-Sport vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Bronco-Sport | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 65/100 | 66/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 57 | 97 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 17.3 | 6.8 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 | 3 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Bronco-Sport and Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the electrical system, with 846 issues and 15 crash-linked incidents, suggesting a significant area of concern. It also shows a notable number of crash-related complaints associated with air bags, totaling 37 out of 63 incidents. In contrast, the Ford Bronco-Sport has fewer overall complaints, with its primary issues being in the electrical system and power train, both having 4 crash-linked complaints each. While the Bronco-Sport has a lower incidence of crash-linked complaints across all categories, the Grand Cherokee's air bag issues stand out as a critical safety concern.
| Component | Ford Bronco-Sport | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3.6Average | 2.2Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 3.3Average | 0.7Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2.1Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE | 1.3Low | 0.4Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.8Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 1.7Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.4Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.4Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —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: Ford Bronco-Sport or Jeep Grand Cherokee?
How Does Ford Bronco-Sport vs Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Bronco-Sport | Jeep Grand Cherokee | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 73/1006R / 14C | 75/1003R / 59C | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
| 2024 | 72/1007R / 66C | 66/10020R / 204C | Ford Bronco-Sport |
| 2023 | 67/10013R / 114C | 63/10022R / 363C | Ford Bronco-Sport |
| 2022 | 59/10014R / 303C | 62/10014R / 192C | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
| 2021 | 54/10015R / 622C | 63/10015R / 427C | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
| 2026(predicted) | 71/100(predicted) | 68/100(predicted) | Ford Bronco-Sport |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Ford Bronco-Sport scored 73/100 and the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Bronco-Sport vs the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Ford Bronco-Sport vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Bronco-Sport more reliable than the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Based on our data, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is more reliable with an average score of 66/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Bronco-Sport or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- The Jeep Grand Cherokee has more recalls (97) compared to the Ford Bronco-Sport (57). 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 Ford Bronco-Sport or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 17.3 for the Ford Bronco-Sport. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Ford Bronco-Sport or Jeep Grand Cherokee safer?
- Both the Ford Bronco-Sport and Jeep Grand Cherokee received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Ford Bronco-Sport comparisons
More Jeep Grand Cherokee comparisons
Decided between Ford Bronco-Sport and Jeep Grand Cherokee? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue