What is the best year for a Ford Explorer?

Judged on complaint rate, severity, and safety scores across its own history, the Ford Explorer's strongest year is 2024 — 17 complaints, a 10/10 safety score, 1 severe issue. 2010 also rate well. Recent years show fewer complaints partly because they have spent less time on the road. The weakest years by those same measures are 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2020 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Ford Explorer insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Ford Explorer averages $2,461 a year, about $205 a month (industry average). That is more than the three-row segment average of $2,396. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Traverse cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $732 a year on the Ford Explorer versus $656 on the Chevrolet Traverse. Reliability scores are 7.0/10 and 6/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.24 versus 0.43 times per year. Verdict: the Chevrolet Traverse is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Ford Explorer?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 14%, so roughly 86 in 100 owners will not face one — above the three-row segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 7.0/10. Verdict: generally skip it, with one exception — a powertrain warranty is worth it on the 2011 model year.

Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee expensive to maintain?

The Grand Cherokee costs $666/year to maintain — $93 above the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 30% is below the class average of 40% — a relative positive. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both sit at segment averages. Above-average cost for an average reliability profile.

What is the best year for a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The Grand Cherokee has one of the most volatile complaint histories in its class. Avoid 2011-2012 (1,638 and 1,634 complaints), 2014 (2,362 complaints, 218 severe — the worst year on record), 2015 (1,333, 183 severe), and 2018 (832 complaints, 56 severe). The 2025 model (54 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) is the best year in the model's modern history, with 2024 (221 complaints) showing meaningful improvement. If buying used, 2024 or newer is the safest range.

How much does Jeep Grand Cherokee insurance cost?

Grand Cherokee insurance averages around $2,370/year — roughly $198/month. Below average for the midsize class given its above-average maintenance cost.

Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee or Ford Explorer cheaper to maintain?

The Grand Cherokee is cheaper to maintain by $66/year — $666 versus $732 for the Ford Explorer. Both carry a reliability score of 7. Note the Explorer is a three-row SUV vs. the two-row Grand Cherokee — the comparison is cross-configuration. On pure maintenance cost, the Grand Cherokee has a slight edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Despite sitting at the class average on major repair probability and below average on repair frequency, the Grand Cherokee's documented complaint history — with multiple severe spikes across 2011-2015 and 2018 — makes extended warranty strongly recommended for used models from those years. For 2024 and newer, the risk profile has improved substantially and warranty is less critical.

Ford Explorer vs Jeep Grand Cherokee

Two three-row SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Jeep Grand Cherokee to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Jeep Grand Cherokee if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Ford Explorer	Jeep Grand Cherokee
Annual maintenance	$732	$666winner
5-year total cost	$3,660	$3,330winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	14%	13%winner
Cargo space	85.3 cu ftwinner	70.8 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$41,300	$39,700winner

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Ford Explorer	Jeep Grand Cherokee
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	456.1	349.7winner
Strongest years	2010, 2019, 2022	2010, 2017, 2019
Weakest years	2011, 2013, 2014	2011, 2012, 2014
Value retained · 3 yr	72.5%winner	64.6%
Value retained · 5 yr	49.9%	50%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	39.6%	40.1%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Ford Explorer	Jeep Grand Cherokee
Engine	20.4%winner	25.8%
Electrical	4.2%winner	22.4%
ADAS	3.5%winner	6.7%
Brakes	1.7%winner	10.0%
Suspension	2.5%	—winner
Steering	21.9%	3.2%winner
Fuel system	2.8%winner	5.1%
Glass/Windows	3.0%	—winner
Airbags	2.6%winner	4.9%
Seatbelt	—winner	2.0%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Ford Explorer	Jeep Grand Cherokee
Avg annual premium	$2,461	$2,370winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Ford Explorer

$732/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Jeep Grand Cherokee

$666/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Ford Explorer averages $732 a year in maintenance. That is $159 above the three-row segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.24 times per year, below the three-row segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 7.0/10. Verdict: costlier than the segment, budget accordingly.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →