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Cross-comparison · Comparison spans different vehicle types

2019 Jeep Cherokee vs 2019 Toyota RAV4

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-06-14 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 edges this one on reliability data

Reliability data favors the 2019 Toyota RAV4 (3.3 versus 2.3). These vehicles aren't a typical head-to-head comparison, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

2019 Jeep Cherokee

2.3/5
Reliability score
1,561 complaints
9 recalls (0 critical)
$13,350 repair exposure
vs
More reliable

2019 Toyota RAV4

3.3/5
Reliability score
866 complaints
1 recalls (0 critical)
$14,000 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 edges this comparison on reliability data (3.3 versus 2.3). These aren't a typical head-to-head, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

If you lean 2019 Jeep Cherokee, know what you're getting into on powertrain and engine. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2019 Toyota RAV4 sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2019 Toyota RAV4? Watch the body and visibility. The 2019 Jeep Cherokee has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.

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

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2019 Jeep Cherokee
2019 Toyota RAV4
powertrain
699 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
76 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
engine
179 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
147 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
electrical
238 reports
moderate · ~$850
87 reports
severe · ~$850
steering
120 reports
severe · ~$700
29 reports
severe · ~$700
body
15 reports
severe · ~$1,500
58 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
brakes
46 reports
severe · ~$450
20 reports
moderate · ~$450
airbags
31 reports
severe · ~$1,100
28 reports
severe · ~$1,100
cruise control
25 reports
severe · ~$600
No reports
visibility
No reports
19 reports
moderate · ~$350

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee or the 2019 Toyota RAV4?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.3 versus 2.3. The margin is clear, 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 2019 Jeep Cherokee?

Compared to the 2019 Toyota RAV4, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee sees more reported issues in powertrain and engine. 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 2019 Toyota RAV4?

Compared to the 2019 Jeep Cherokee, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 has more complaints in body and visibility. 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 2019 Jeep Cherokee has more active recalls (9 vs 1). 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 $14,000 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. Verify each vehicle's federal record: 2019 Jeep Cherokee on NHTSA · 2019 Toyota RAV4 on NHTSA. "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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