Last updated: 2026-03-28

Honda Ridgeline vs Jeep Gladiator: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Honda Ridgeline and the Jeep Gladiator? 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 trucks.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Honda Ridgeline currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 54/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

Verdict

The Honda Ridgeline is more reliable than the Jeep Gladiator, scoring 76/100 vs 54/100.

Key Differences

  1. 1Honda Ridgeline scores 22 points higher in reliability
  2. 2Jeep Gladiator has 8 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

1Honda Ridgeline
1Jeep Gladiator
Reliability ScoreTotal Recalls

Honda Ridgeline vs Jeep Gladiator: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda Ridgeline vs Jeep Gladiator at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricHonda RidgelineJeep Gladiator
Reliability Score76/10054/100
Years Tracked97
Total Recalls3527
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume919890
Year Wins60

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Ridgeline and Jeep Gladiator?

Honda Ridgeline vs Jeep Gladiator common problem areas comparison
ComponentHonda RidgelineJeep Gladiator
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM170207
STEERING6308
POWER TRAIN82121
ENGINE10141
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9038
EXTERIOR LIGHTING117
FUEL SYSTEM4915
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4813
SERVICE BRAKES3015
STRUCTURE327
SUSPENSION37
BACK OVER PREVENTION34
VISIBILITY/WIPER818
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE24
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL109
AIR BAGS135
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5

Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.

How Does Honda Ridgeline vs Jeep Gladiator Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda Ridgeline vs Jeep Gladiator year-by-year reliability scores
YearHonda RidgelineJeep GladiatorEdge
202585/1001R / 42C64/1000R / 7CHonda Ridgeline
202485/1001R / 41C59/1001R / 11CHonda Ridgeline
202378/1003R / 105C51/1005R / 46CHonda Ridgeline
202278/1002R / 106C49/1007R / 104CHonda Ridgeline
202175/1005R / 90C49/1007R / 261CHonda Ridgeline
202070/1007R / 158C49/1007R / 461CHonda Ridgeline
2026(predicted)83/100(predicted)58/100(predicted)Honda Ridgeline

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda Ridgeline scored 85/100 and the 2025 Jeep Gladiator scored 64/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Honda Ridgeline vs Jeep Gladiator: Common Questions

Is the Honda Ridgeline more reliable than the Jeep Gladiator?
Based on our data, the Honda Ridgeline is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 54/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Honda Ridgeline or the Jeep Gladiator?
The Honda Ridgeline has more recalls (35) compared to the Jeep Gladiator (27). 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 Ridgeline or the Jeep Gladiator?
The Jeep Gladiator has fewer owner complaints (890) versus 919 for the Honda Ridgeline. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.

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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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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