Last updated: 2026-05-15
Ford Edge vs Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared
Ford Edge
Toyota Highlander
Choosing between the Ford Edge 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 67/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Edge and Toyota Highlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Highlander is more reliable than the Ford Edge, scoring 72/100 vs 67/100.
The Toyota Highlander demonstrates slightly superior reliability with an average score of 72/100 compared to the Ford Edge's 67/100. While the Highlander has a higher number of total recalls at 66 over nine years, its owner complaints per 10,000 sold are notably lower at 5.8, indicating fewer reported issues relative to its sales volume. Additionally, the Highlander's estimated annual repair cost of $489 provides a clearer picture of maintenance expenses, unlike the Edge, which lacks this data. Both vehicles share common issues in powertrain and other areas, but the Highlander's lower complaint rate and defined repair costs give it a slight edge in reliability.
Key Differences
- 1Ford Edge has 34 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota Highlander scores 5 points higher in reliability
- 3Toyota Highlander has 3.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Ford Edge vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Edge | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 67/100 | 72/100 |
| Years Tracked | 7 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 32 | 66 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 9.4 | 5.8 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2024 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 | 5 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Edge and Toyota Highlander?
The Toyota Highlander and Ford Edge exhibit distinct reliability profiles, with both models showing significant issues in different areas. The Highlander has a notable number of complaints related to the power train, accounting for 485 issues, with 5 linked to crashes, and a particularly concerning number of air bag complaints at 162, with 41 crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Ford Edge's primary concerns lie in the power train as well, with a higher count of 683 complaints, 8 of which are crash-linked, and a significant number of engine-related issues totaling 415 complaints. While the Highlander has more air bag-related safety concerns, the Edge's engine problems are more prevalent, suggesting a divergence in the types of mechanical and safety challenges each vehicle faces.
| Component | Ford Edge | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 3.3Average | 1.5Low |
| ENGINE | 2Low | 0.2Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.6Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.9Very Low | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.5Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Edge or Toyota Highlander?
How Does Ford Edge vs Toyota Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Edge | Toyota Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 76/1002R / 38C | 67/10016R / 198C | Ford Edge |
| 2023 | 74/1004R / 16C | 73/10013R / 140C | Ford Edge |
| 2022 | 69/1005R / 113C | 74/1007R / 186C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2021 | 69/1007R / 92C | 70/1006R / 403C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2020 | 64/1004R / 272C | 71/1008R / 269C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2019 | 60/1003R / 687C | 70/1003R / 414C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2018 | 57/1007R / 746C | 72/1005R / 242C | Toyota Highlander |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Edge scored 76/100 and the 2022 Toyota Highlander scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Edge vs the Toyota Highlander?
Ford Edge vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Edge 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 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Edge or the Toyota Highlander?
- The Toyota Highlander has more recalls (66) compared to the Ford Edge (32). 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 Edge 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 9.4 for the Ford Edge. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Ford Edge or Toyota Highlander safer?
- Both the Ford Edge 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.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford Edge and Toyota Highlander? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue