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Different vehicle classes · Different segments — choice depends on use case

2017 GMC Sierra vs 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-05-06 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
2017 GMC Sierra versus 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee — different vehicles, different jobs

These two come from different segments, which makes a direct reliability comparison less meaningful than usual. Showing the data so you can see what each one is good at and where each one breaks down. The reliability scores (3.6 versus 3.4) reflect different testing populations and use patterns — don't treat them as apples-to-apples.

2017 GMC Sierra

3.6/5
Reliability score
424 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$12,850 repair exposure
vs

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee

3.4/5
Reliability score
358 complaints
2 recalls (0 critical)
$12,700 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2017 GMC Sierra scores 3.6; the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee scores 3.4. Different testing populations, different driving patterns, different categories of failure. Use the data below to understand what each one is good at and what each one breaks.

If you lean 2017 GMC Sierra, know what you're getting into on powertrain and brakes. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Watch the electrical and airbags. The 2017 GMC Sierra has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: these are different categories of vehicle. Pick based on what you actually need it for. We're showing the reliability data so you can factor in long-term ownership cost, not pick a winner.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2017 GMC Sierra
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee
powertrain
134 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
83 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
brakes
99 reports
severe · ~$450
13 reports
severe · ~$450
electrical
45 reports
severe · ~$850
60 reports
severe · ~$850
engine
40 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
46 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
steering
28 reports
severe · ~$700
18 reports
severe · ~$700
airbags
6 reports
severe · ~$1,100
15 reports
severe · ~$1,100
suspension
10 reports
moderate · ~$900
8 reports
moderate · ~$900
cruise control
No reports
9 reports
severe · ~$600
lighting
6 reports
moderate · ~$250
No reports

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2017 GMC Sierra or the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2017 GMC Sierra comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.6 versus 3.4. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2017 GMC Sierra?

Compared to the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the 2017 GMC Sierra sees more reported issues in powertrain and brakes. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Compared to the 2017 GMC Sierra, the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee has more complaints in electrical and airbags. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee has more active recalls (2 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $12,850 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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