Last updated: 2026-10-10

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Reliability Compared

Jeep Grand Cherokee reliability comparison

Jeep Grand Cherokee

66
GoodReliability score: 66 out of 100, rated Good
VS
More ReliableToyota Grand Highlander reliability comparison

Toyota Grand Highlander

79
GoodReliability score: 79 out of 100, rated Good

On reliability, the Toyota Grand Highlander comes out well ahead of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Jeep owners report crash-linked brake and steering failures. The Toyota's complaints are milder, though it has only three model years of history to judge.

How Do the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Grand Highlander Generations Compare?

The Jeep sits at the end of a long run. The fourth generation (WK2) covered 2011 to 2022, and the fifth generation (WL) arrived in 2021, so the years from 2018 to 2020 are the older design and 2021 onward overlaps with the new one. That means used shoppers can choose between two different generations. The Grand Highlander is still in its first generation, with model years 2024 to 2026. All of its years are young, so low complaint counts mostly reflect less time on the road, and no single year should be treated as the safe pick yet.

Verdict

The Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, scoring 79/100 vs 66/100.

Reliability favors the Toyota by a large gap. Its owner reports are mostly hesitation, a slow airbag recall fix, and a fuel gauge that reads low, with only one crash-linked report. The Jeep draws crash-linked complaints in brakes, steering, electrical and power train, plus transmission replacements and camshaft wear on the 3.6L V6. The Toyota's record is short, since it has only three model years on the road, and its complaint rate per vehicle sold runs a little higher. The severity of the Jeep's failures still decides it.

Key Differences

  1. 1Toyota Grand Highlander has 87 fewer total recalls
  2. 2Toyota Grand Highlander scores 13 points higher in reliability
  3. 3Jeep Grand Cherokee has 1.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

1Jeep Grand Cherokee
—
2Toyota Grand Highlander
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota Grand Highlander at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricJeep Grand CherokeeToyota Grand Highlander
Reliability Score66/10079/100
Years Tracked93
Total Recalls9710
Complaints per 10k Sold6.88.2
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2026 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins03

What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Grand Highlander?

Jeep owners describe failures that can hurt people. Sudden acceleration in parking spots, engine shutoffs while driving, electric power steering that cuts out, and a brake pedal that went to the floor all appear, and every major area carries crash-linked reports. Transmission replacements and Pentastar camshaft and rocker arm wear are the repeat mechanical faults. Toyota owners mostly report stuttering and power loss that dealers cannot duplicate, months of waiting for airbag recall parts, a fuel gauge that reads empty with gallons left, and hood flutter. Only one Toyota complaint area has a crash-linked report: side airbags in a T-bone collision.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota Grand Highlander common problem areas comparison
ComponentJeep Grand CherokeeToyota Grand Highlander
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2.2Low0.6Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER0.9Very Low1.7Low
POWER TRAIN0.7Very Low1.4Low
AIR BAGS0.2Very Low1.1Low
STEERING0.6Very Low0.2Very Low
SUSPENSION0.2Very Low0.4Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM—None0.6Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.5Very Low—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.1Very Low0.4Very Low
STRUCTURE—None0.5Very Low
ENGINE0.4Very Low—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING0.1Very Low—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE0.1Very Low—None
SEATS0.1Very Low—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER—None0.1Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING—None—None
LANE DEPARTURE—None—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION—None—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota Grand Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota Grand Highlander year-by-year reliability scores
YearJeep Grand CherokeeToyota Grand HighlanderEdge
202670/1002R / 0C88/1000R / 0CToyota Grand Highlander
202575/1003R / 59C80/1003R / 33CToyota Grand Highlander
202466/10020R / 204C69/1007R / 171CToyota Grand Highlander

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee scored 66/100 and the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander scored 69/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Jeep Grand Cherokee vs the Toyota Grand Highlander?

Pick the Toyota if you want the lower risk of a serious failure and can live with a short track record. Any of its three model years works, but 2024 and 2025 have had more time to collect complaints, so read the recall status closely. Confirm that the curtain airbag recall, 24V461000, is actually done. One owner was told it was complete when it was not. Test drive for hesitation from a stop. Pick the Jeep only if the price is right and you will inspect it carefully. Target 2020, which stands among its stronger years, and avoid 2018 and 2022, its weakest. Ask for transmission and steering service records, listen for ticking from the engine, and check that the ABS and power steering warnings stay off. Budget for repairs, since a steering gear replacement was quoted at $5800 in one report. Walk away from any car with open recalls or unexplained stalling.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Common Questions

Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee more reliable than the Toyota Grand Highlander?
No. The Toyota Grand Highlander leads by a large gap. The Jeep has crash-linked complaints in brakes, steering, electrical and power train, along with transmission replacements and engine wear. The Toyota's main issues are hesitation, a slow airbag recall remedy and a misleading fuel gauge. It is newer, so its record is shorter.
Which has more recalls, the Grand Cherokee or the Grand Highlander?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has far more, with 97 recalls across 9 model years. The Toyota Grand Highlander has 10 across 3 model years. The Jeep has been sold for longer, so some of the gap reflects time on the road. Check any car's VIN for open recalls before buying.
What is the main problem with the Toyota Grand Highlander?
Power train hesitation leads the reports. Drivers describe stuttering, lurching, and a few seconds with no acceleration when pulling away. Dealers often cannot duplicate it, and a firmware update has not always fixed it. Airbag complaints about the wait for recall 24V461000 parts come second.
What goes wrong most on the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Electrical complaints are the most numerous, including sudden acceleration in parking spots and engine shutoffs while driving. Power train, steering, brakes and engine follow. Transmissions have needed full replacement in several reports, and the 3.6L V6 shows camshaft and rocker arm wear with ticking and misfires.
Which Grand Cherokee model years should I avoid?
Avoid 2018 and 2022, the weakest years in the data. Look at 2020 instead, which ranks among the strongest. Whatever year you choose, ask for service records on the transmission and steering, and check for open recalls.

Related Reliability Comparisons

Decided between Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Grand Highlander? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How we score the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Grand Highlander

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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