Last updated: 2026-10-10

Jeep Cherokee vs Lexus UX: Reliability Compared

Jeep Cherokee reliability comparison

Jeep Cherokee

70
GoodReliability score: 70 out of 100, rated Good
VS
More ReliableLexus UX reliability comparison

Lexus UX

80
ExcellentReliability score: 80 out of 100, rated Excellent

Reliability favors the Lexus UX over the Jeep Cherokee by a wide margin. The Cherokee has 105 recalls across eight model years against 2 for the UX. Owner complaints follow the same pattern, with the Cherokee reporting stalling, transmission and steering failures.

How Do the Jeep Cherokee and Lexus UX Generations Compare?

One generation covers nearly every year you are likely to consider: the first generation (ZA10), sold in the US from the 2019 model year through 2024. A facelift arrived for 2023, so earlier years carry the original design and 2023 and 2024 carry the updated one. Because a single design spans those years, the very low complaint record applies across nearly all of them. The 2025 and 2026 model years fall outside the listed generation span, and 2026 is too new to judge from complaint counts alone.

Verdict

The Lexus UX is more reliable than the Jeep Cherokee, scoring 80/100 vs 70/100.

The more reliable car is the Lexus UX, and the gap is large. Federal recall records show 2 recalls for the UX against 105 for the Cherokee across the same eight model years. Owners filed only 11 complaints on the UX. The Cherokee drew thousands, covering transmissions, stalling, steering and fires. Some Cherokee filings describe a Grand Cherokee, so the pile is inflated. Even so, the difference is too wide to explain away.

Key Differences

  1. 1Lexus UX has 103 fewer total recalls
  2. 2Lexus UX scores 10 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

0Jeep Cherokee
—
2Lexus UX
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsSafety Rating

Jeep Cherokee vs Lexus UX: Which Is More Reliable?

Jeep Cherokee vs Lexus UX at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricJeep CherokeeLexus UX
Reliability Score70/10080/100
Years Tracked88
Total Recalls1052
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume498411
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2026 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins07

What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Cherokee and Lexus UX?

Serious failures in several systems define the Cherokee. Transmissions slip, shift harshly or drop into neutral while moving. Cars shut off at lights and will not restart. Power steering cuts out mid-turn, and dealers replace the whole steering gear. The electronic parking brake engages on its own at highway speeds. Six filings describe engine compartment fires. Crash-linked reports exist in power train, electrical, steering, brakes and engine, with steering the highest. The data lists no problem areas and no crash-linked reports for the UX, only a very small complaint count.

Jeep Cherokee vs Lexus UX common problem areas comparison
ComponentJeep CherokeeLexus UX
POWER TRAIN1330—
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1161—
UNKNOWN OR OTHER618—
ENGINE415—
STEERING370—
SERVICE BRAKES252—
AIR BAGS107—
SUSPENSION101—
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL85—
EXTERIOR LIGHTING49—
SEATS22—
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE18—
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING16—
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM11—
SEAT BELTS11—
LANE DEPARTURE3—
BACK OVER PREVENTION3—

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

How Does Jeep Cherokee vs Lexus UX Reliability Compare by Year?

Jeep Cherokee vs Lexus UX year-by-year reliability scores
YearJeep CherokeeLexus UXEdge
202676/1002R / 1C84/1000R / 0CLexus UX
202575/1003R / 64C77/1001R / 2CLexus UX
202467/10020R / 232C80/1000R / 1CLexus UX
202366/10022R / 396C80/1000R / 1CLexus UX
202167/10018R / 554C80/1000R / 2CLexus UX
202076/1005R / 436C84/1000R / 0CLexus UX
201967/10017R / 1833C77/1001R / 3CLexus UX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Jeep Cherokee scored 76/100 and the 2020 Lexus UX scored 84/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Jeep Cherokee vs the Lexus UX?

If you want the lowest chance of a surprise, buy the Lexus UX. It has almost no recalls and very few owner complaints. Target 2020, one of its strongest years. Check 2019 and 2025 more closely, since those are its weakest years. It suits a commuter who cannot afford a car that stalls, loses steering assist or needs a new transmission. Treat 2026 as unproven, because a new year has had little time to collect complaints. The Jeep Cherokee makes sense only if the price is right and you accept the risk. Its standing is still good, and its repair costs are modest. Target 2020, its strongest year, and avoid 2023 and 2024, its weakest. Before buying, ask for service records covering the transmission, steering gear and any recall work. On the test drive, watch for harsh shifts, hesitation at stops and warning lights. Walk away from a car with unresolved transmission or power steering symptoms.

Jeep Cherokee vs Lexus UX: Common Questions

Is the Jeep Cherokee more reliable than the Lexus UX?
No. The Lexus UX is clearly more reliable, and the gap is large. It has 2 recalls over eight model years, compared with 105 for the Cherokee. Owners filed only 11 complaints on the UX. The Cherokee still rates good, but the UX rates excellent.
Which has more recalls, the Cherokee or the UX?
The Jeep Cherokee has far more. Federal recall records show 105 recalls across its eight model years, while the Lexus UX has 2 across the same number of years. That difference is one of the main reasons the UX comes out ahead.
What are the most common Jeep Cherokee problems?
Power train problems lead the complaints, mainly transmissions that shift harshly, slip or drop into neutral. Next come electrical faults such as the car shutting off while driving, then engine, steering and brake issues. Some reports in these groups describe a Grand Cherokee, not the Cherokee.
Are there crash-linked problems on the Cherokee that the UX lacks?
Yes. The Cherokee has crash-linked complaints in power train, electrical, steering, brakes and engine. Steering has the most, including a wheel that turned heavy suddenly and a fractured steering rack. The data lists no crash-linked problem areas for the Lexus UX.
Which model years of the Cherokee and UX should I look at?
The year 2020 is among the strongest for both models, so it is a sensible target. Avoid the 2023 and 2024 Cherokee, which are its weakest years. On the UX, 2019 and 2025 are the weakest, so check those more closely.

Related Reliability Comparisons

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How we score the Jeep Cherokee and Lexus UX

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.

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