2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Jeep Wrangler
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2020 Ford Explorer
2020 Jeep Wrangler
Stories from the shop
These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2020 Ford Explorer scores 2.4; the 2020 Jeep Wrangler scores 3.1. 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 2020 Ford Explorer, know what you're getting into on powertrain and engine. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2020 Jeep Wrangler sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.
Going with the 2020 Jeep Wrangler? Watch the steering and fuel system. The 2020 Ford Explorer 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.
Side-by-side by problem area
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2020 Ford Explorer or the 2020 Jeep Wrangler?
Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.1 versus 2.4. 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 2020 Ford Explorer?
Compared to the 2020 Jeep Wrangler, the 2020 Ford Explorer 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 2020 Jeep Wrangler?
Compared to the 2020 Ford Explorer, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler has more complaints in steering and fuel system. 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 2020 Ford Explorer has more active recalls (9 vs 4). 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 $13,500 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.