Is the Honda Pilot more reliable than the Jeep Grand Cherokee?

They're very close — both average 66/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.

Which has more recalls, the Honda Pilot or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has more recalls (97) compared to the Honda Pilot (51). 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 Honda Pilot or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 sold versus 9.1 for the Honda Pilot. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Pilot or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Pilot is cheaper to maintain at $542/year versus $666/year for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Is the Honda Pilot or Jeep Grand Cherokee safer?

Both the Honda Pilot 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.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Honda Pilot vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Reliability Compared

Honda Pilot

Good

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Good

Choosing between the Honda Pilot 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. Both models currently share an average reliability score of 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda Pilot and Jeep Grand Cherokee Generations Compare?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is currently in its fifth generation (WL), introduced in 2021. Being early in its generation cycle, buyers might experience typical first-year issues as the platform matures. Conversely, the Honda Pilot is in its fourth generation (YG1/2), launched in 2023. As a new platform, it may also face initial reliability challenges. Historically, the Grand Cherokee's fourth generation (WK2) was long-lived from 2011 to 2022, suggesting well-sorted reliability over time. The Pilot's third generation (YF5/6) had a facelift in 2019, indicating improved refinement through its lifecycle. Mature platforms like these often offer more consistent reliability.

Verdict

The Honda Pilot and Jeep Grand Cherokee are evenly matched with a reliability score of 66/100.

The Honda Pilot edges out the Jeep Grand Cherokee in terms of reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 74/100 compared to the Grand Cherokee's 67/100. The Pilot also has fewer recalls over nine years, totaling 51 versus the Grand Cherokee's 97, indicating a more stable production history. Although the Honda Pilot has a slightly higher owner complaint rate per 10,000 sold (9.1 vs. 6.8), its lower estimated annual repair cost of $542 compared to the Grand Cherokee's $666 makes it a more economical choice for long-term ownership. Both vehicles share common issues related to the electrical system and power train, but the Pilot's lower recall history and repair costs make it the more reliable option overall.

Key Differences

1Honda Pilot costs $124 less per year to repair
2Honda Pilot has 46 fewer total recalls
3Jeep Grand Cherokee has 2.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Honda Pilot

—

2Jeep Grand Cherokee

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Honda Pilot vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda Pilot vs Jeep Grand Cherokee at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda Pilot	Jeep Grand Cherokee
Reliability Score	66/100	66/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	51	97
Complaints per 10k Sold	9.1	6.8
Annual Repair Cost	$542/yr	$666/yr
Repair Frequency	0.5/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	13%	13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	4 (1 tied)	3 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Pilot and Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee exhibits a significant number of complaints in its electrical system, with 846 reports and 15 linked to crashes, which is notably higher compared to the Honda Pilot's 632 electrical complaints and 7 crash-linked incidents. The Grand Cherokee also faces issues with its air bags, having 63 complaints with 37 linked to crashes, highlighting a critical safety concern not mirrored by the Pilot. Conversely, the Honda Pilot shows a higher frequency of engine-related issues with 255 complaints, though only 1 is crash-linked, indicating less severe implications compared to the Grand Cherokee's 165 engine complaints but with 2 crash-linked. Overall, while both vehicles have notable issues in their electrical systems, the Grand Cherokee presents a more severe safety profile due to its air bag and brake-related complaints.

Honda Pilot vs Jeep Grand Cherokee common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda Pilot	Jeep Grand Cherokee
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.4Low	2.2Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1Very Low	0.9Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.9Very Low	0.7Very Low
ENGINE	1Very Low	0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.5Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.6Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.6Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.1Very Low
TIRES	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—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: Honda Pilot or Jeep Grand Cherokee?

According to industry estimates, the Jeep Grand Cherokee incurs an annual repair cost of $666, while the Honda Pilot is more economical at $542 per year. This $124 yearly difference translates to a $620 saving over five years for the Honda Pilot. Despite the Pilot's lower costs, it requires more frequent repairs, with an average of 0.5 visits per year compared to the Grand Cherokee's 0.3 visits. Both vehicles share a 13% risk of major repairs, indicating similar reliability in that regard. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda Pilot offers better value due to its lower annual repair costs, despite the slightly higher frequency of visits.

How Does Honda Pilot vs Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda Pilot vs Jeep Grand Cherokee year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda Pilot	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Edge
2025	71/1004R / 111C	75/1003R / 59C	Jeep Grand Cherokee
2024	72/1006R / 82C	66/10020R / 204C	Honda Pilot
2023	72/1005R / 93C	63/10022R / 363C	Honda Pilot
2022	72/1003R / 105C	62/10014R / 192C	Honda Pilot
2021	63/1008R / 358C	63/10015R / 427C	Tie
2020	60/1009R / 431C	72/1003R / 207C	Jeep Grand Cherokee
2019	56/10011R / 794C	67/1007R / 336C	Jeep Grand Cherokee
2018	63/1005R / 408C	60/10011R / 804C	Honda Pilot
2026(predicted)	72/100(predicted)	68/100(predicted)	Honda Pilot

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Honda Pilot scored 72/100 and the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda Pilot vs the Jeep Grand Cherokee?

If you prioritize lower running costs and fewer recalls, the Honda Pilot might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 74/100, it surpasses the Grand Cherokee's 67/100. The Pilot has fewer recalls at 51 compared to the Grand Cherokee's 97, which could mean fewer trips for recall fixes. Plus, the estimated annual repair cost for the Pilot is $542, lower than the Grand Cherokee's $666, making it more economical to maintain. However, if you value fewer owner complaints and a lower repair frequency, consider the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It boasts fewer complaints per 10,000 sold at 6.8 compared to the Pilot's 9.1, and it requires repairs less frequently at 0.3 times per year versus the Pilot’s 0.5. For those who are willing to accept a higher number of recalls for potentially fewer day-to-day issues, the Grand Cherokee could be appealing.

Honda Pilot vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Common Questions

Is the Honda Pilot more reliable than the Jeep Grand Cherokee?: They're very close — both average 66/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.
Which has more recalls, the Honda Pilot or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?: The Jeep Grand Cherokee has more recalls (97) compared to the Honda Pilot (51). 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 Honda Pilot or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 sold versus 9.1 for the Honda Pilot. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Pilot or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Pilot is cheaper to maintain at $542/year versus $666/year for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Is the Honda Pilot or Jeep Grand Cherokee safer?: Both the Honda Pilot 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.

More Honda Pilot comparisons

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More Jeep Grand Cherokee comparisons

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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.

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