Last updated: 2026-03-28

Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Tundra: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Jeep Gladiator and the Toyota Tundra? 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 Tundra currently leads with an average score of 68/100 compared to 54/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

Verdict

The Toyota Tundra is more reliable than the Jeep Gladiator, scoring 68/100 vs 54/100.

Key Differences

  1. 1Jeep Gladiator has 63 fewer total recalls
  2. 2Toyota Tundra scores 14 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Jeep Gladiator
1Toyota Tundra
Reliability ScoreTotal Recalls

Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Tundra: Which Is More Reliable?

Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Tundra at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricJeep GladiatorToyota Tundra
Reliability Score54/10068/100
Years Tracked79
Total Recalls2790
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume8901258
Year Wins06

What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tundra?

Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Tundra common problem areas comparison
ComponentJeep GladiatorToyota Tundra
POWER TRAIN121240
STEERING30836
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM207118
ENGINE41215
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3893
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1396
SERVICE BRAKES1574
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL974
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING70
SUSPENSION375
FUEL SYSTEM1521
VISIBILITY/WIPER183
AIR BAGS514
STRUCTURE74
SEATS6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE6
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
LANE DEPARTURE2

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

How Does Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Tundra Reliability Compare by Year?

Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Tundra year-by-year reliability scores
YearJeep GladiatorToyota TundraEdge
202564/1000R / 7C73/1006R / 88CToyota Tundra
202459/1001R / 11C65/10014R / 235CToyota Tundra
202351/1005R / 46C59/10022R / 321CToyota Tundra
202249/1007R / 104C57/10021R / 386CToyota Tundra
202149/1007R / 261C75/1003R / 23CToyota Tundra
202049/1007R / 461C74/1005R / 42CToyota Tundra
2026(predicted)58/100(predicted)66/100(predicted)Toyota Tundra

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Jeep Gladiator scored 64/100 and the 2021 Toyota Tundra scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Jeep Gladiator vs Toyota Tundra: Common Questions

Is the Jeep Gladiator more reliable than the Toyota Tundra?
Based on our data, the Toyota Tundra is more reliable with an average score of 68/100 compared to 54/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Jeep Gladiator or the Toyota Tundra?
The Toyota Tundra has more recalls (90) 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 Jeep Gladiator or the Toyota Tundra?
The Jeep Gladiator has fewer owner complaints (890) versus 1258 for the Toyota Tundra. 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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