Last updated: 2026-08-24
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 | 413 | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 261 | 139 |
| ENGINE | 144 | 37 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 73 | 70 |
| STEERING | 78 | 55 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 70 | — |
| SUSPENSION | 49 | 4 |
| SEATS | 35 | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 20 | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 29 | 2 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 7 | 23 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 14 | 7 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 9 | 8 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 7 | 4 |
| SEAT BELTS | — | 9 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 6 | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | — | 6 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | — | 4 |
| 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 2026 GMC Acadia scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
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 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 via vehicles.dev. 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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