Last updated: 2026-03-28
Jeep Cherokee vs Lexus UX: Reliability Compared
Jeep Cherokee
Lexus UX
Choosing between the Jeep Cherokee and the Lexus UX? 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 Lexus UX currently leads with an average score of 80/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Jeep Cherokee and Lexus UX Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Lexus UX is more reliable than the Jeep Cherokee, scoring 80/100 vs 69/100.
The Lexus UX demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Jeep Cherokee, with an average reliability score of 80/100 versus the Cherokee's 69/100. The UX has had only 2 recalls in 8 years and a complaint rate of 1.2 per 10,000 units, reflecting a strong track record in dependability. In contrast, the Cherokee has faced 105 recalls and 4,984 owner complaints, with issues frequently reported in power train and electrical systems. While the Cherokee's annual repair costs are estimated at $520, the absence of common issues and lower complaint rates make the Lexus UX a more reliable choice.
Key Differences
- 1Lexus UX has 103 fewer total recalls
- 2Lexus UX scores 11 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Jeep Cherokee vs Lexus UX: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Jeep Cherokee | Lexus UX |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 80/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 105 | 2 |
| Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume | 4984 | 11 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 6 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Cherokee and Lexus UX?
The Lexus UX exhibits a remarkably low number of complaints with only 11 total issues reported, though detailed problem data is unavailable. In contrast, the Jeep Cherokee has a significantly higher volume of complaints, totaling 4,984, with a notable concentration in the power train and electrical system categories, comprising 1,330 and 1,161 complaints respectively. The Cherokee also shows a substantial number of crash-linked complaints, particularly in air bags with 65 incidents, which suggests potential safety concerns not evident in the Lexus UX's profile. The Cherokee's broad range of issues, including engine, steering, and service brakes, highlights diverse reliability challenges absent from the Lexus UX data.
| Component | Jeep Cherokee | Lexus UX |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1330 | — |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1161 | — |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 579 | — |
| ENGINE | 415 | — |
| STEERING | 370 | — |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 252 | — |
| AIR BAGS | 107 | — |
| SUSPENSION | 101 | — |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 85 | — |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 52 | — |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 33 | — |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 28 | — |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 3 | — |
Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Jeep Cherokee or Lexus UX?
How Does Jeep Cherokee vs Lexus UX Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Jeep Cherokee | Lexus UX | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1003R / 64C | 77/1001R / 2C | Lexus UX |
| 2024 | 67/10020R / 232C | 80/1000R / 1C | Lexus UX |
| 2023 | 66/10022R / 396C | 80/1000R / 1C | Lexus UX |
| 2021 | 67/10018R / 554C | 80/1000R / 2C | Lexus UX |
| 2020 | 76/1005R / 436C | 84/1000R / 0C | Lexus UX |
| 2019 | 67/10017R / 1833C | 77/1001R / 3C | Lexus UX |
| 2026(predicted) | 69/100(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | Lexus UX |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Jeep Cherokee scored 76/100 and the 2020 Lexus UX scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Jeep Cherokee vs the Lexus UX?
Jeep Cherokee vs Lexus UX: Common Questions
- Is the Jeep Cherokee more reliable than the Lexus UX?
- Based on our data, the Lexus UX is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Jeep Cherokee or the Lexus UX?
- The Jeep Cherokee has more recalls (105) compared to the Lexus UX (2). 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 Jeep Cherokee or the Lexus UX?
- The Lexus UX has fewer owner complaints (11) versus 4984 for the Jeep Cherokee. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
- Is the Jeep Cherokee or Lexus UX safer?
- Both the Jeep Cherokee and Lexus UX 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 Jeep Cherokee comparisons
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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