Monday, September 21, 2026
RecallGazette

Vehicle problems, recalls & safety intelligence

Ford Explorer vs Jeep Wrangler

Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Sep 21, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.

Ford Explorer

Total complaints
34,444
Avg per model year
862
Recall campaigns (all years)
119
Most complained year
2002 (3,295)
Top problems: Power Train, Structure, Steering

Jeep Wrangler

Total complaints
15,845
Avg per model year
407
Recall campaigns (all years)
76
Most complained year
2018 (1,816)
Top problems: Steering, Electrical System, Power Train

Complaints by model year

YearFord ExplorerJeep Wrangler
20263410
20259863
202420693
2023108348
2022264389
2021423917
20201,212609
2019294738
20187281,816
20171,691309
20162,449460
20151,782471
20141,676654
20132,234650
2012827834
20111,197485
2010115686
200933372
2008148873
2007208557
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.