Last updated: 2026-03-28
Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Tacoma: Reliability Compared
Jeep Gladiator
Toyota Tacoma
Choosing between the Jeep Gladiator and the Toyota Tacoma? 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 Toyota Tacoma currently leads with an average score of 63/100 compared to 54/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Toyota Tacoma is more reliable than the Jeep Gladiator, scoring 63/100 vs 54/100.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Tacoma scores 9 points higher in reliability
- 2Toyota Tacoma has 4 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Tacoma: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Jeep Gladiator | Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 54/100 | 63/100 |
| Years Tracked | 7 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 27 | 23 |
| Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume | 890 | 795 |
| Year Wins | 1 | 5 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tacoma?
| Component | Jeep Gladiator | Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 308 | 38 |
| POWER TRAIN | 121 | 153 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 207 | 64 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 15 | 121 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 13 | 78 |
| ENGINE | 41 | 46 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 38 | 30 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 15 | 46 |
| SUSPENSION | 37 | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 5 | 31 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 9 | 25 |
| STRUCTURE | 7 | 25 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 18 | 2 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | — | 11 |
| TIRES | — | 2 |
Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.
How Does Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Tacoma Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Jeep Gladiator | Toyota Tacoma | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 64/1000R / 7C | 70/1004R / 33C | Toyota Tacoma |
| 2024 | 59/1001R / 11C | 55/1004R / 126C | Jeep Gladiator |
| 2023 | 51/1005R / 46C | 68/1004R / 42C | Toyota Tacoma |
| 2022 | 49/1007R / 104C | 67/1003R / 51C | Toyota Tacoma |
| 2021 | 49/1007R / 261C | 70/1000R / 69C | Toyota Tacoma |
| 2020 | 49/1007R / 461C | 65/1001R / 81C | Toyota Tacoma |
| 2026(predicted) | 58/100(predicted) | 64/100(predicted) | Toyota Tacoma |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Jeep Gladiator scored 64/100 and the 2025 Toyota Tacoma scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Tacoma: Common Questions
- Is the Jeep Gladiator more reliable than the Toyota Tacoma?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Tacoma is more reliable with an average score of 63/100 compared to 54/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Jeep Gladiator or the Toyota Tacoma?
- The Jeep Gladiator has more recalls (27) compared to the Toyota Tacoma (23). 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 Gladiator or the Toyota Tacoma?
- The Toyota Tacoma has fewer owner complaints (795) versus 890 for the Jeep Gladiator. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Related Reliability 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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