Last updated: 2026-07-26
Ford Ecosport vs Jeep Renegade: Reliability Compared
Ford Ecosport
Jeep Renegade
Choosing between the Ford Ecosport and the Jeep Renegade? 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 compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Jeep Renegade currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 61/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Ecosport and Jeep Renegade Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Jeep Renegade is more reliable than the Ford Ecosport, scoring 74/100 vs 61/100.
The Jeep Renegade outperforms the Ford Ecosport in terms of reliability, with an average reliability score of 74/100 compared to the Ecosport's 61/100. Despite having more recalls, the Renegade has significantly fewer owner complaints per 10,000 units at 20.4 versus the Ecosport's 73.7. Additionally, the Renegade benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $498, while the Ecosport's costs are notably higher at $775. These factors make the Renegade the more reliable choice among compact SUVs.
Key Differences
- 1Jeep Renegade costs $277 less per year to repair
- 2Jeep Renegade has 53.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Jeep Renegade scores 13 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Ecosport vs Jeep Renegade: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Ecosport | Jeep Renegade |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 61/100 | 74/100 |
| Years Tracked | 5 | 6 |
| Total Recalls | 12 | 15 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 73.7 | 20.4 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $775/yr | $498/yr |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2022 NHTSA | 2023 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 5 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Ecosport and Jeep Renegade?
The Jeep Renegade and Ford Ecosport exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Renegade having fewer total complaints but a significant number in the electrical system and air bags categories, the latter having a high crash-linkage rate of 21 out of 29 complaints. In contrast, the Ford Ecosport shows a notably higher volume of complaints, predominantly in engine and engine cooling, accounting for over 45% of its total issues, with crash-linked concerns also present in the power train and service brakes. While both vehicles face air bag issues, the Renegade's crash-linked rate is exceptionally high, whereas the Ecosport's most pressing concern lies in its engine and engine cooling systems. Overall, the Ecosport's engine-related problems are more numerous, but the Renegade's air bag complaints pose a significant safety concern.
| Component | Ford Ecosport | Jeep Renegade |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 33.1High | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 20.2High | 3.8Average |
| POWER TRAIN | 7.2Above Avg | 2.5Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2.1Low | 5.5Average |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3.6Average | 2.8Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.9Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1.3Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.6Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| TIRES | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Ecosport or Jeep Renegade?
How Does Ford Ecosport vs Jeep Renegade Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Ecosport | Jeep Renegade | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 74/1002R / 10C | 76/1002R / 24C | Jeep Renegade |
| 2021 | 60/1003R / 255C | 75/1002R / 64C | Jeep Renegade |
| 2020 | 58/1003R / 390C | 75/1003R / 62C | Jeep Renegade |
| 2019 | 58/1002R / 451C | 75/1004R / 77C | Jeep Renegade |
| 2018 | 56/1002R / 720C | 65/1002R / 440C | Jeep Renegade |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Ford Ecosport scored 74/100 and the 2022 Jeep Renegade scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Ecosport vs the Jeep Renegade?
Ford Ecosport vs Jeep Renegade: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Ecosport more reliable than the Jeep Renegade?
- Based on our data, the Jeep Renegade is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 61/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Ecosport or the Jeep Renegade?
- The Jeep Renegade has more recalls (15) compared to the Ford Ecosport (12). 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 Ecosport or the Jeep Renegade?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Jeep Renegade has a lower complaint rate at 20.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 73.7 for the Ford Ecosport. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Ecosport or the Jeep Renegade?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Jeep Renegade is cheaper to maintain at $498/year versus $775/year for the Ford Ecosport.
- Is the Ford Ecosport or Jeep Renegade safer?
- Both the Ford Ecosport and Jeep Renegade received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 4/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford Ecosport and Jeep Renegade? 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