What is the best year for a Ford Explorer?

The Explorer's complaint history is one of the most volatile in the three-row class. Avoid 2013-2015 (2,214, 1,666, and 1,728 complaints respectively — the exhaust fume intrusion era), 2017 (1,648 complaints), and 2020 (1,136 complaints at the sixth-generation launch). The 2024 Explorer (16 complaints, 10/10 safety, 0 severe) is the best year on record by a wide margin. The 2023 (94, 10/10, 7 severe) is also strong.

How much does Ford Explorer insurance cost?

Explorer insurance averages around $2,461/year — roughly $205/month.

Is the Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Traverse cheaper to maintain?

The Traverse is cheaper to maintain by $76/year — $656 versus $732 for the Explorer. But the Explorer has a higher reliability score (7 vs. 6), lower major repair probability (14% vs. 18%), and much lower repair frequency (24% vs. 43%). More expensive annually, but a meaningfully lower risk and visit-frequency profile.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Ford Explorer?

Repair frequency of 24% is the lowest in the three-row segment — a significant positive. For 2023 and newer models, the Explorer's dramatically improved complaint trajectory makes extended warranty unnecessary. However, the severe documented complaint spikes across 2013-2015, 2017, and 2020 make coverage essential for used models from those years.

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
Best years to buy	2010, 2023, 2024	2010, 2017, 2018

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Ford Explorer	Jeep Grand Cherokee
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	452.2	353.4winner
Years to avoid	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	14.1%winner	18.3%
Electrical	4.1%winner	22.5%
ADAS	3.3%winner	6.4%
Brakes	1.7%winner	10.1%
Suspension	2.5%	1.8%winner
Steering	22.1%	3.2%winner
Fuel system	2.8%winner	5.1%
Tires/Wheels	1.6%	—winner
Glass/Windows	3.0%	—winner
Airbags	2.6%winner	4.8%
Lighting	—winner	1.4%
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 Explorer costs $732/year to maintain — $159 above the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 24% is well below the class average of 40% — the lowest in the three-row segment. Reliability score of 7 matches the segment average, and major repair probability of 14% is slightly above the 13% norm. Well above-average cost, but notably fewer unscheduled shop visits than class rivals.

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 →