Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee more reliable than the Land Rover Defender 110?

Based on our data, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is more reliable with an average score of 66/100 compared to 60/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Jeep Grand Cherokee or the Land Rover Defender 110?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has more recalls (97) compared to the Land Rover Defender 110 (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 Grand Cherokee or the Land Rover Defender 110?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 20.7 for the Land Rover Defender 110. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Land Rover Defender 110: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Good

Land Rover Defender 110

Good

Choosing between the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Land Rover Defender 110? 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee currently leads with an average score of 66/100 compared to 60/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Defender 110 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is in its fifth generation, the WL, which debuted in 2021. Being relatively early in its generation cycle, buyers might encounter first-year issues typical of newer platforms. However, the Grand Cherokee has a history of maturing well over its lifecycle, as seen in its previous fourth-generation WK2, which lasted from 2011 to 2022, offering a stable and reliable option as it aged. In contrast, the Land Rover Defender 110 lacks detailed generational data, making it challenging to assess its reliability trends over time. Without specific generation history, potential buyers may need to rely more heavily on current reviews and reliability reports for insights.

Verdict

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is more reliable than the Land Rover Defender 110, scoring 66/100 vs 60/100.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee shows a slightly better reliability profile than the Land Rover Defender 110, with an average reliability score of 66/100 compared to the Defender's 60/100. Although the Grand Cherokee has experienced a higher number of recalls (97 over 9 years), its owner complaints rate is substantially lower at 6.8 per 10,000 sold versus the Defender's 20.7. Additionally, the estimated annual repair cost for the Grand Cherokee is $666, providing a clearer picture of potential maintenance expenses. Both vehicles share common issues with their electrical systems, but the Grand Cherokee's lower complaint rate and outlined repair costs offer a marginal reliability advantage.

Key Differences

1Land Rover Defender 110 has 74 fewer total recalls
2Jeep Grand Cherokee has 13.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Jeep Grand Cherokee scores 6 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Jeep Grand Cherokee

—

1Land Rover Defender 110

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Land Rover Defender 110: Which Is More Reliable?

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Land Rover Defender 110 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Land Rover Defender 110
Reliability Score	66/100	60/100
Years Tracked	9	6
Total Recalls	97	23
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.8	20.7
Year Wins	5	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Defender 110?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the electrical system, which is its most significant issue with 846 complaints, including 15 linked to crashes. The Grand Cherokee also shows a notable concern in the air bags category, with 63 complaints and a significant 37 crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Land Rover Defender 110 has fewer total complaints, with the electrical system again being the most reported issue at 59 complaints, though only one is crash-linked. While both vehicles have electrical system concerns, the Grand Cherokee's issues are more prevalent and severe, especially in terms of crash association, compared to the Defender 110.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Land Rover Defender 110 common problem areas comparison
Component	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Land Rover Defender 110
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.2Low	6.5Average
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	4.3Average
STEERING	0.6Very Low	1.8Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.9Very Low	1.3Low
POWER TRAIN	0.7Very Low	1.1Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	1.7Low
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	0.6Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.5Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	0.4Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.2Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.1Very Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—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 Land Rover Defender 110?

Independent repair cost data indicates the Jeep Grand Cherokee incurs an annual repair cost of $666, with a repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year and a 13% risk of major repairs. While specific figures for the Land Rover Defender 110 are unavailable, industry estimates suggest that Land Rovers generally have higher maintenance costs and frequency. Given the available data, the Grand Cherokee presents a more predictable and potentially lower-cost ownership experience. Its lower repair frequency and the major repair risk make it a better value for cost-conscious buyers, potentially saving significant money over several years compared to the typically higher expenses associated with Land Rover models.

How Does Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Land Rover Defender 110 Reliability Compare by Year?

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Land Rover Defender 110 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Land Rover Defender 110	Edge
2025	75/1003R / 59C	59/1001R / 8C	Jeep Grand Cherokee
2024	66/10020R / 204C	64/1004R / 16C	Jeep Grand Cherokee
2023	63/10022R / 363C	57/1007R / 70C	Jeep Grand Cherokee
2022	62/10014R / 192C	59/1004R / 61C	Jeep Grand Cherokee
2021	63/10015R / 427C	59/1007R / 32C	Jeep Grand Cherokee
2026(predicted)	68/100(predicted)	60/100(predicted)	Jeep Grand Cherokee

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee scored 75/100 and the 2024 Land Rover Defender 110 scored 64/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Jeep Grand Cherokee vs the Land Rover Defender 110?

If you prioritize a more reliable option with lower long-term maintenance hassles, the Jeep Grand Cherokee might be your better choice. With a reliability score of 66/100, it outperforms the Land Rover Defender 110's score of 60/100. The Grand Cherokee also shows fewer owner complaints, with 6.8 per 10,000 sold compared to the Defender's 20.7. Although it has a higher number of recalls, its estimated annual repair cost of $666 and a repair frequency of 0.3 times per year suggest manageable maintenance expenses. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a vehicle with fewer recalls and possibly unique features or off-road capabilities, the Land Rover Defender 110 could be appealing. Despite its lower reliability score, it has significantly fewer recalls, which might indicate better handling of known issues. However, be prepared for potentially higher repair costs and frequency, as specific data is unavailable. Choose the Defender if you value its distinct appeal and are willing to invest in its upkeep.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Land Rover Defender 110: Common Questions

Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee more reliable than the Land Rover Defender 110?: Based on our data, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is more reliable with an average score of 66/100 compared to 60/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Jeep Grand Cherokee or the Land Rover Defender 110?: The Jeep Grand Cherokee has more recalls (97) compared to the Land Rover Defender 110 (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 Grand Cherokee or the Land Rover Defender 110?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 20.7 for the Land Rover Defender 110. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Jeep Grand Cherokee comparisons

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More Land Rover Defender 110 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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