Last updated: 2026-03-04
Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Toyota Highlander
Choosing between the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Toyota Highlander? 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 suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Highlander currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Highlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Highlander is more reliable than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, scoring 72/100 vs 66/100.
The Toyota Highlander outperforms the Jeep Grand Cherokee in terms of reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 84/100 compared to the Grand Cherokee's 67/100. It also has fewer recalls over nine years (66 vs. 97) and a lower owner complaint rate of 5.8 per 10,000 sold, compared to 6.8 for the Grand Cherokee. The Highlander benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $489, versus $666 for the Grand Cherokee. While both vehicles have recurring issues with the power train and brakes, the Highlander's overall lower recall and complaint rates make it the more reliable choice.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Highlander costs $177 less per year to repair
- 2Toyota Highlander has 31 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Highlander scores 6 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Jeep Grand Cherokee | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 72/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 97 | 66 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.8 | 5.8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $666/yr | $489/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 13% | 13% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 7 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Highlander?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Highlander exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Grand Cherokee facing a higher number of total complaints, particularly in the electrical system category, which accounts for 846 complaints and 15 crash-linked incidents. The Highlander, while having fewer overall complaints, shows a significant concern in the power train with 485 complaints but fewer crash-linked incidents compared to the Grand Cherokee's power train issues. Airbag-related complaints are notably severe for both models, with the Highlander having 41 crash-linked incidents out of 162 complaints, while the Grand Cherokee reports 37 crash-linked incidents from 63 complaints. Additionally, the Grand Cherokee encounters more issues with steering and service brakes, while the Highlander reports more problems related to its structure and fuel/propulsion system.
| Component | Jeep Grand Cherokee | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2.2Low | 0.4Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.7Very Low | 1.5Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.9Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.5Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.6Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Jeep Grand Cherokee or Toyota Highlander?
How Does Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Jeep Grand Cherokee | Toyota Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1003R / 59C | 76/1008R / 40C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2024 | 66/10020R / 204C | 67/10016R / 198C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2023 | 63/10022R / 363C | 73/10013R / 140C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2022 | 62/10014R / 192C | 74/1007R / 186C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2021 | 63/10015R / 427C | 70/1006R / 403C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2020 | 72/1003R / 207C | 71/1008R / 269C | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
| 2019 | 67/1007R / 336C | 70/1003R / 414C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2018 | 60/10011R / 804C | 72/1005R / 242C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2026(predicted) | 68/100(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | Toyota Highlander |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee scored 75/100 and the 2025 Toyota Highlander scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Jeep Grand Cherokee vs the Toyota Highlander?
Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee more reliable than the Toyota Highlander?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Jeep Grand Cherokee or the Toyota Highlander?
- The Jeep Grand Cherokee has more recalls (97) compared to the Toyota Highlander (66). 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 Grand Cherokee or the Toyota Highlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Highlander has a lower complaint rate at 5.8 per 10,000 sold versus 6.8 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Jeep Grand Cherokee or the Toyota Highlander?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Highlander is cheaper to maintain at $489/year versus $666/year for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
- Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee or Toyota Highlander safer?
- Both the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Highlander received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Jeep Grand Cherokee 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.
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