Which has more recalls, the Ford Bronco-Sport or the Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota Highlander has more recalls (66) compared to the Ford Bronco-Sport (57). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Bronco-Sport or the Toyota Highlander?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Highlander has a lower complaint rate at 5.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 17.3 for the Ford Bronco-Sport. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Ford Bronco-Sport or Toyota Highlander safer?

Both the Ford Bronco-Sport and Toyota Highlander received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Ford Bronco-Sport vs Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared

Ford Bronco-Sport

Good

More Reliable

Toyota Highlander

Good

Choosing between the Ford Bronco-Sport and the Toyota Highlander? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Highlander currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Ford Bronco-Sport and Toyota Highlander Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Toyota Highlander is in its fourth generation (XU70), introduced in 2020. This generation is mature, suggesting that most initial issues typical of new platforms have likely been addressed, enhancing reliability. The Highlander has a history of substantial facelifts, with the most recent in 2017 during its third generation, which often results in improved features and fixes. In contrast, the Ford Bronco-Sport is relatively new, with its first generation (CX430) launched in 2021. Although it received updates in 2022 and 2023, it is still early in its lifecycle, where new models might face initial reliability challenges. Buyers might consider the Highlander for its established platform, while the Bronco-Sport may appeal to those interested in newer designs.

Verdict

The Toyota Highlander is more reliable than the Ford Bronco-Sport, scoring 72/100 vs 65/100.

The Toyota Highlander demonstrates superior reliability with a higher average reliability score of 72/100 compared to the Ford Bronco-Sport's 65/100. Additionally, the Highlander has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 5.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus the Bronco-Sport's rate of 17.3. While both models have a similar number of recalls, the Highlander's estimated annual repair cost of $489 provides a clearer picture of potential maintenance expenses. Overall, the Highlander's reliability metrics make it a more dependable choice in the midsize SUV segment.

Key Differences

1Toyota Highlander has 11.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Ford Bronco-Sport has 9 fewer total recalls
3Toyota Highlander scores 7 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Ford Bronco-Sport

—

2Toyota Highlander

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Ford Bronco-Sport vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Bronco-Sport vs Toyota Highlander at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Ford Bronco-Sport	Toyota Highlander
Reliability Score	65/100	72/100
Years Tracked	6	9
Total Recalls	57	66
Complaints per 10k Sold	17.3	5.8
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	1	4

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Bronco-Sport and Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota Highlander and Ford Bronco-Sport exhibit distinct problem profiles, each with notable areas of concern. The Highlander shows a higher volume of complaints related to the power train (485 complaints) and air bags (162 complaints), with the latter having a significant number of crash-linked incidents (41). In contrast, the Bronco-Sport's most reported issue is with the electrical system (234 complaints), followed by the power train (211 complaints), both with relatively low crash-linked instances. While both vehicles have similar concerns with the power train and service brakes, the Highlander's air bag issues present a more serious safety concern compared to the Bronco-Sport's broader distribution of minor issues.

Ford Bronco-Sport vs Toyota Highlander common problem areas comparison
Component	Ford Bronco-Sport	Toyota Highlander
POWER TRAIN	3.3Average	1.5Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3.6Average	0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	2.1Low	0.6Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	1.7Low	—None
ENGINE	1.3Low	0.2Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.8Very Low	0.7Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.5Very Low
STEERING	0.4Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	0.3Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.4Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.4Very Low
VISIBILITY	0.2Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
TIRES	—None	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Bronco-Sport or Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota Highlander, with an annual repair cost of $489, averages 0.3 repair visits per year and carries a 13% risk of needing major repairs. Industry estimates highlight the Highlander's relatively low maintenance frequency and moderate risk of significant issues, making it a reliable choice over time. In contrast, the Ford Bronco-Sport lacks specific data, leaving potential owners uncertain about its repair costs and reliability. For cost-conscious buyers, the Highlander offers clearer expectations and may prove to be the better value, especially considering the predictability of its maintenance requirements. Over five years, the Highlander's consistent repair costs translate to $2,445, offering a more transparent long-term financial picture.

How Does Ford Bronco-Sport vs Toyota Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Bronco-Sport vs Toyota Highlander year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Ford Bronco-Sport	Toyota Highlander	Edge
2025	73/1006R / 14C	76/1008R / 40C	Toyota Highlander
2024	72/1007R / 66C	67/10016R / 198C	Ford Bronco-Sport
2023	67/10013R / 114C	73/10013R / 140C	Toyota Highlander
2022	59/10014R / 303C	74/1007R / 186C	Toyota Highlander
2021	54/10015R / 622C	70/1006R / 403C	Toyota Highlander
2026(predicted)	71/100(predicted)	72/100(predicted)	Toyota Highlander

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Ford Bronco-Sport scored 73/100 and the 2025 Toyota Highlander scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Ford Bronco-Sport vs the Toyota Highlander?

If you prioritize reliability and lower running costs, the Toyota Highlander is a strong choice. It boasts a higher reliability score of 72/100 and a lower estimated annual repair cost of $489. With fewer owner complaints at 5.8 per 10,000 sold and a repair frequency of just 0.3 times per year, it offers peace of mind for those who value dependability. Although it has faced 66 recalls, its major repair risk remains relatively low at 13%. On the other hand, if you're drawn to adventurous styling and off-road capabilities, you might consider the Ford Bronco-Sport. However, be aware that it has a lower reliability score of 65/100 and significantly more owner complaints at 17.3 per 10,000 sold. While it has had fewer recalls at 57, the lack of detailed repair cost and frequency data may indicate potential uncertainties in long-term ownership. Choose the Bronco-Sport if you’re willing to accept some risk for the thrill of exploration.

Ford Bronco-Sport vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions

Is the Ford Bronco-Sport more reliable than the Toyota Highlander?: Based on our data, the Toyota Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Ford Bronco-Sport or the Toyota Highlander?: The Toyota Highlander has more recalls (66) compared to the Ford Bronco-Sport (57). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Bronco-Sport or the Toyota Highlander?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Highlander has a lower complaint rate at 5.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 17.3 for the Ford Bronco-Sport. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Ford Bronco-Sport or Toyota Highlander safer?: Both the Ford Bronco-Sport and Toyota Highlander received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Ford Bronco-Sport comparisons

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More Toyota Highlander comparisons

Toyota Highlander vs Mazda CX-90 reliability Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas reliability Toyota Highlander vs Nissan Pathfinder reliability Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot reliability Toyota Highlander reliability by year Toyota Highlander years to avoid

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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