The Lemon Index

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Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Ford Explorer: which has fewer problems?

Jeep Grand CherokeeFord Explorer

Photos: Alexander Migl · Vauxford (Wikimedia Commons)

Verdict

Too close to call

Overall they drew about the same complaints per car sold (170 vs 178). Pick by model year below.

Head to head

Lemon Index
100 = average, lower is better
170
178
Years with fewer complaints
2000–2025
9 of 25
16 of 25
Recalls
2000–2025
265
276
MPG
latest year
21–23
20–24
Crash test
best, latest year
★★★★★
★★★★★
Best year to buy

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. Green check = the better of the two on that line.

Year by year

Shorter bar = fewer complaints per car sold. Tap a year for its full report.

Every Jeep Grand Cherokee year · Every Ford Explorer year · How the index works