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Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Subaru Outback: reliability compared

From 2006 to 2026, owners filed an average of 707 complaints per model year about the Jeep Grand Cherokee and 403 about the Subaru Outback.

Side by side

Jeep Grand CherokeeSubaru Outback
Model years compared2006-20262006-2026
Owner complaints14,8468,453
Complaints per model year707403
Recalls8855
Years to avoid201120122014201120162017201820192020
Best years200920202022200720092014
Most common problemElectricalElectrical
Crash ratingNo dataNo data
Fuel economy21-23 mpg combined (2026)23-27 mpg combined (2026)

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 1,2802006 Subaru Outback: 27720062007 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 1,1092007 Subaru Outback: 1312008 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 7342008 Subaru Outback: 22620082009 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 1382009 Subaru Outback: 1062010 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 1182010 Subaru Outback: 36020102011 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 1,6412011 Subaru Outback: 6532012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 1,6452012 Subaru Outback: 29520122013 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 8052013 Subaru Outback: 2972014 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 2,3922014 Subaru Outback: 20820142015 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 1,3722015 Subaru Outback: 5102016 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 3132016 Subaru Outback: 64420162017 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 3642017 Subaru Outback: 9212018 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 8562018 Subaru Outback: 81620182019 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 3712019 Subaru Outback: 1,0362020 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 2412020 Subaru Outback: 90620202021 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 4132021 Subaru Outback: 3002022 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 2702022 Subaru Outback: 46720222023 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 4102023 Subaru Outback: 892024 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 2572024 Subaru Outback: 10620242025 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 812025 Subaru Outback: 842026 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 362026 Subaru Outback: 212026
Jeep Grand CherokeeSubaru Outback

Problems compared

Grand CherokeeOutback
Electrical5,8312,212
Engine2,883764
Transmission2,095807
Brakes1,568442
Fuel system1,394272
Seats86063
Visibility2692,034
Airbags738572

Questions about the Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Subaru Outback

Which is more reliable, the Jeep Grand Cherokee or the Subaru Outback?

Between 2006 and 2026, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has 3 years to avoid and the Subaru Outback 6. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Subaru Outback drew fewer complaints per model year (403 vs 707), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Jeep Grand Cherokee or the Subaru Outback?

From 2006 to 2026, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was covered by 88 recalls and the Subaru Outback by 55.

What years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Subaru Outback should you avoid?

Jeep Grand Cherokee: 2011, 2012 and 2014. Subaru Outback: 2011, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

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