Last updated: 2026-10-10
Ford Explorer vs GMC Acadia: Reliability Compared
Ford Explorer
GMC Acadia
Choosing between the Ford Explorer and the GMC Acadia? 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 GMC Acadia currently leads with an average score of 70/100 compared to 67/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The GMC Acadia is more reliable than the Ford Explorer, scoring 70/100 vs 67/100.
Key Differences
- 1GMC Acadia has 100 fewer total recalls
- 2Ford Explorer has 5% lower major repair risk
- 3GMC Acadia scores 3 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Explorer vs GMC Acadia: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Explorer | GMC Acadia |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 67/100 | 70/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 117 | 17 |
| Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume | 2694 | 770 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $732/yr | $734/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.4/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 14% | 19% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 7 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Explorer and GMC Acadia?
| Component | Ford Explorer | GMC Acadia |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 618 | 200 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 417 | 106 |
| STRUCTURE | 431 | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 261 | 139 |
| ENGINE | 142 | 37 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 70 | 70 |
| STEERING | 72 | 55 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 97 | — |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 37 | 6 |
| SEATS | 35 | 6 |
| AIR BAGS | 20 | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 29 | — |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 5 | 23 |
| SUSPENSION | 20 | 4 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 13 | 8 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 | 5 |
| SEAT BELTS | 4 | 6 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 6 | 2 |
| VISIBILITY | 7 | — |
| FUEL SYSTEM | — | 4 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | — | 4 |
| WHEELS | — | 3 |
| LANE DEPARTURE | — | 2 |
Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.
How Does Ford Explorer vs GMC Acadia Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Explorer | GMC Acadia | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 70/1004R / 0C | 76/1000R / 0C | GMC Acadia |
| 2025 | 72/10014R / 65C | 76/1000R / 51C | GMC Acadia |
| 2024 | 73/1006R / 14C | 76/1000R / 51C | GMC Acadia |
| 2023 | 71/10012R / 84C | 64/1004R / 37C | Ford Explorer |
| 2022 | 65/10021R / 208C | 66/1003R / 44C | GMC Acadia |
| 2021 | 62/10022R / 354C | 68/1002R / 134C | GMC Acadia |
| 2020 | 54/10029R / 1066C | 62/1006R / 84C | GMC Acadia |
| 2018 | 64/1005R / 651C | 68/1002R / 369C | GMC Acadia |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Explorer scored 73/100 and the 2024 GMC Acadia scored 76/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Ford Explorer vs GMC Acadia: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Explorer more reliable than the GMC Acadia?
- Based on our data, the GMC Acadia is more reliable with an average score of 70/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Explorer or the GMC Acadia?
- The Ford Explorer has more recalls (117) compared to the GMC Acadia (17). 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 Explorer or the GMC Acadia?
- The GMC Acadia has fewer owner complaints (770) versus 2694 for the Ford Explorer. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Explorer or the GMC Acadia?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Ford Explorer is cheaper to maintain at $732/year versus $734/year for the GMC Acadia.
- Is the Ford Explorer or GMC Acadia safer?
- Both the Ford Explorer and GMC Acadia 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 Explorer comparisons
Decided between Ford Explorer and GMC Acadia? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Ford Explorer and GMC Acadia
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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue