Is the Ford Bronco 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 51/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

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

The Ford Bronco has more recalls (126) compared to the Toyota Highlander (66). 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 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 29.4 for the Ford Bronco. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Bronco or the Toyota Highlander?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Highlander is cheaper to maintain at $489/year versus $784/year for the Ford Bronco.

Is the Ford Bronco or Toyota Highlander safer?

Both the Ford Bronco 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 vs Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared

Ford Bronco

Mixed

More Reliable

Toyota Highlander

Good

Choosing between the Ford Bronco 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 51/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Ford Bronco and Toyota Highlander Generations Compare?

The Ford Bronco is currently in its sixth generation, which began in 2021, with a significant facelift in 2023 introducing the Raptor trim. As it's early in its generation cycle, potential buyers should be aware that newer platforms can sometimes exhibit first-year issues as they undergo real-world testing and refinement. Conversely, the Toyota Highlander is in its fourth generation, which started in 2020. This makes it a more mature platform, likely benefiting from improved reliability as any early issues have typically been sorted out over time. The Highlander's stable evolution may appeal to buyers prioritizing dependability.

Verdict

The Toyota Highlander is more reliable than the Ford Bronco, scoring 72/100 vs 51/100.

The Toyota Highlander significantly outperforms the Ford Bronco in reliability, with an average reliability score of 84/100 compared to the Bronco's 49/100. The Highlander also has a much lower owner complaint rate at 5.8 per 10,000 sold, versus the Bronco's 29.4. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates favor the Highlander, with an annual cost of $489 compared to the Bronco's $784. With fewer recalls and lower maintenance expenses, the Highlander is the more reliable choice for midsize SUV buyers.

Key Differences

1Toyota Highlander costs $295 less per year to repair
2Toyota Highlander has 60 fewer total recalls
3Toyota Highlander has 23.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

0Ford Bronco

—

5Toyota Highlander

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Ford Bronco vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Bronco vs Toyota Highlander at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Ford Bronco	Toyota Highlander
Reliability Score	51/100	72/100
Years Tracked	6	9
Total Recalls	126	66
Complaints per 10k Sold	29.4	5.8
Annual Repair Cost	$784/yr	$489/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.3/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	5

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

The Ford Bronco and Toyota Highlander exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Bronco showing significant issues in its electrical system and power train, accumulating 305 and 260 complaints respectively, alongside notable crash-linked incidents, especially in service brakes with 11 linked crashes. In contrast, the Highlander encounters its most frequent issues in the power train with 485 complaints, though only 5 are crash-linked, and faces a critical safety concern in air bags, evidenced by 41 crash-linked complaints. While both models have service brake concerns, their severity is more pronounced in the Bronco. The Highlander, however, experiences a broader distribution of issues across various components, including a significant number of complaints related to unknown or other issues.

Ford Bronco vs Toyota Highlander common problem areas comparison
Component	Ford Bronco	Toyota Highlander
POWER TRAIN	4.2Average	1.5Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	5Average	0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	3Low	0.6Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2.3Low	0.7Very Low
ENGINE	2.6Low	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	2.5Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	1.8Low	—None
SUSPENSION	1.3Low	0.1Very Low
STEERING	0.8Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.4Very Low	0.5Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.3Very Low	0.4Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.3Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.3Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.2Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	0.1Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.1Very Low

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

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

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Ford Bronco's annual repair cost is $784, compared to $489 for the Toyota Highlander. This translates to a $295 difference annually, or $1,475 over five years. The Bronco requires more frequent repairs with 0.4 visits per year, compared to the Highlander's 0.3 visits. Additionally, the Highlander carries a 13% risk of major repairs, while the Bronco's major repair risk is unspecified. For cost-conscious buyers, the Toyota Highlander offers better value with lower annual repair costs and fewer visits to the repair shop, despite its moderate major repair risk. This makes it a more economical choice over time.

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

Ford Bronco vs Toyota Highlander year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Ford Bronco	Toyota Highlander	Edge
2025	61/10016R / 30C	76/1008R / 40C	Toyota Highlander
2024	58/10018R / 104C	67/10016R / 198C	Toyota Highlander
2023	50/10027R / 295C	73/10013R / 140C	Toyota Highlander
2022	43/10032R / 576C	74/1007R / 186C	Toyota Highlander
2021	41/10031R / 798C	70/1006R / 403C	Toyota Highlander
2026(predicted)	56/100(predicted)	72/100(predicted)	Toyota Highlander

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Ford Bronco scored 61/100 and the 2025 Toyota Highlander scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Ford Bronco vs the Toyota Highlander?

If you prioritize reliability and low running costs, the Toyota Highlander is your best choice. With a reliability score of 84/100 and fewer recalls (66) compared to the Bronco's 126, it offers peace of mind on the road. The Highlander also boasts a lower estimated annual repair cost of $489 and a minimal repair frequency of 0.3 times per year. With only 5.8 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, it stands out as a dependable family vehicle, especially if you're concerned about long-term maintenance and repair expenses. On the other hand, if your heart is set on the rugged appeal of the Ford Bronco and you can handle higher repair costs and potential issues, it may still be worth considering. However, be prepared for a higher estimated annual repair cost of $784 and a higher complaint rate of 29.4 per 10,000 sold. The Bronco's adventurous spirit comes with trade-offs in reliability, making it more suitable for those who prioritize style and off-road capabilities over cost efficiency and dependability.

Ford Bronco vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions

Is the Ford Bronco 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 51/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Ford Bronco or the Toyota Highlander?: The Ford Bronco has more recalls (126) compared to the Toyota Highlander (66). 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 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 29.4 for the Ford Bronco. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Bronco or the Toyota Highlander?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Highlander is cheaper to maintain at $489/year versus $784/year for the Ford Bronco.
Is the Ford Bronco or Toyota Highlander safer?: Both the Ford Bronco 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 comparisons

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More Toyota Highlander comparisons

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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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