Last updated: 2026-03-28
Ford Ranger vs Jeep Gladiator: Reliability Compared
Ford Ranger
Jeep Gladiator
Choosing between the Ford Ranger 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 Ford Ranger currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 54/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Ford Ranger is more reliable than the Jeep Gladiator, scoring 72/100 vs 54/100.
Key Differences
- 1Jeep Gladiator has 25 fewer total recalls
- 2Ford Ranger scores 18 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Ranger vs Jeep Gladiator: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Ranger | Jeep Gladiator |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 72/100 | 54/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 7 |
| Total Recalls | 52 | 27 |
| Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume | 539 | 890 |
| Year Wins | 6 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator?
| Component | Ford Ranger | Jeep Gladiator |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 12 | 308 |
| POWER TRAIN | 181 | 121 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 60 | 207 |
| ENGINE | 26 | 41 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 23 | 38 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 45 | 15 |
| SUSPENSION | 14 | 37 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 17 | 9 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | — | 18 |
| STRUCTURE | 8 | 7 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 | 13 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | — | 15 |
| AIR BAGS | 8 | 5 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 11 | — |
| SEATS | 8 | — |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 5 | — |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4 | — |
| VISIBILITY | 2 | — |
Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.
How Does Ford Ranger vs Jeep Gladiator Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Ranger | Jeep Gladiator | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 74/1008R / 11C | 64/1000R / 7C | Ford Ranger |
| 2024 | 72/10010R / 44C | 59/1001R / 11C | Ford Ranger |
| 2023 | 73/1004R / 16C | 51/1005R / 46C | Ford Ranger |
| 2022 | 75/1005R / 34C | 49/1007R / 104C | Ford Ranger |
| 2021 | 72/1006R / 88C | 49/1007R / 261C | Ford Ranger |
| 2020 | 71/1007R / 109C | 49/1007R / 461C | Ford Ranger |
| 2026(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | 58/100(predicted) | Ford Ranger |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Ford Ranger scored 75/100 and the 2025 Jeep Gladiator scored 64/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Ford Ranger vs Jeep Gladiator: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Ranger more reliable than the Jeep Gladiator?
- Based on our data, the Ford Ranger is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 54/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Ranger or the Jeep Gladiator?
- The Ford Ranger has more recalls (52) 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 Ford Ranger or the Jeep Gladiator?
- The Ford Ranger has fewer owner complaints (539) versus 890 for the Jeep Gladiator. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Ford Ranger comparisons
More Jeep Gladiator 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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue