Last updated: 2026-10-10

Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4Runner: Reliability Compared

Ford Explorer reliability comparison

Ford Explorer

67
GoodReliability score: 67 out of 100, rated Good
VS
More ReliableToyota 4Runner reliability comparison

Toyota 4Runner

80
ExcellentReliability score: 80 out of 100, rated Excellent

Reliability favors the Toyota 4RUNNER by a wide margin over the Ford Explorer. Owners filed far fewer complaints per car sold. The Explorer still rates good, but its recall count is far higher and its failures, such as engine breakdowns and sudden power loss, are more serious.

How Do the Ford Explorer and Toyota 4Runner Generations Compare?

Older design carries most of the Explorer years a shopper will see. The fifth generation ran 2011 through 2019, with a facelift in 2016, so 2018 and 2019 belong to it. The sixth generation started in 2020 and includes the 2020 and 2021 years that rank weakest. Buying a newer Explorer means buying into that redesign. On the Toyota side, the fifth-generation 4RUNNER ran from 2010 to 2024, with a facelift in 2013, so every used 4RUNNER from 2018 through 2024 shares one long-running design. The sixth generation arrived with the 2025 model year and has little track record yet. Shoppers who want proven history should look at the late fifth-generation years.

Verdict

The Toyota 4Runner is more reliable than the Ford Explorer, scoring 80/100 vs 67/100.

Reliability favors the Toyota 4RUNNER by a large margin. Owners filed far fewer complaints per vehicle sold, and federal recall records show 17 recalls across the model years against 117 for the Explorer. The Explorer's problems also hit harder: engine failures with replacement quotes up to $12,000, stalling and sudden power loss, and rough, erratic shifting. The 4RUNNER's complaints lean toward steering shake, brake noise and rust. The Explorer still holds a good standing, so it is not a bad buy, but the gap between the two is wide.

Key Differences

  1. 1Toyota 4Runner costs $218 less per year to repair
  2. 2Toyota 4Runner has 100 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Toyota 4Runner scores 13 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Ford Explorer
—
5Toyota 4Runner
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4Runner: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4Runner at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricFord ExplorerToyota 4Runner
Reliability Score67/10080/100
Years Tracked99
Total Recalls11717
Complaints per 10k Sold6.81.5
Annual Repair Cost$732/yr$514/yr
Repair Frequency0.2/yr0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk14%13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2026 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins09

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Explorer and Toyota 4Runner?

Failures that stop the car dominate Explorer complaints. Gears slam or skip, power cuts out while driving, and engines fail with metal in the oil or a dropped valve. Wiring harness and ground wire faults cause stalls. Loose A-pillar molding and slow rear camera repairs add to the list. The 4RUNNER's main complaint is a steering wheel shake between 50 and 70 mph that shops often cannot cure. It also has brake squeal, rust on shocks and underbody parts, and rodent-chewed wiring. Its air bag area is the one crash-heavy category: 20 of 24 complaints are crash-linked, including front air bags that did not deploy. The Explorer's top areas include no air bag category.

Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4Runner common problem areas comparison
ComponentFord ExplorerToyota 4Runner
POWER TRAIN1.6Low—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1.1Low0.2Very Low
STRUCTURE1.1Low0.1Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM0.7Very Low0.1Very Low
ENGINE0.4Very Low—None
STEERING0.2Very Low0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.2Very Low0.2Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION0.2Very Low—None
SUSPENSION0.1Very Low0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS0.1Very Low0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING0.1Very Low—None
SEATS0.1Very Low—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING0.1Very Low—None
FUEL SYSTEM—None0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE—None—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL—None—None
VISIBILITY—None—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER—None—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM—None—None
SEAT BELTS—None—None
TIRES—None—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Explorer or Toyota 4Runner?

Repair bills run lower on the Toyota, at $514 a year against $732 for the Explorer. That gap is $218 a year, or about $1,090 over five years. The 4RUNNER does visit the shop for unscheduled repairs more often, 0.4 times a year against 0.2 for the Explorer. The chance a repair is major is close: 13% for the 4RUNNER and 14% for the Explorer. The Explorer's big-ticket risk is engine replacement, with quotes of $11,000 to $12,000 in owner reports.

How Does Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4Runner Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4Runner year-by-year reliability scores
YearFord ExplorerToyota 4RunnerEdge
202670/1004R / 0C84/1000R / 0CToyota 4Runner
202572/10014R / 65C81/1001R / 36CToyota 4Runner
202473/1006R / 14C79/1001R / 8CToyota 4Runner
202371/10012R / 84C82/1001R / 28CToyota 4Runner
202265/10021R / 208C79/1003R / 36CToyota 4Runner
202162/10022R / 354C82/1001R / 31CToyota 4Runner
202054/10029R / 1066C82/1001R / 30CToyota 4Runner
201969/1004R / 252C77/1004R / 61CToyota 4Runner
201864/1005R / 651C77/1005R / 56CToyota 4Runner

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Explorer scored 73/100 and the 2023 Toyota 4Runner scored 82/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Ford Explorer vs the Toyota 4Runner?

Pick the 4RUNNER if you want the lowest chance of a big surprise. Its complaint count is small, and its worst issues, steering shake and brake noise, are more annoying than disabling. Target 2021, which ranks among its strongest years, and be careful with 2018 and 2019, its weakest. The newest year ranks well too, but it has had little time to collect complaints, so do not treat that as proof. Have a shop inspect the frame and underbody for rust and check the wiring for rodent damage. Pick the Explorer only if the price is right and you can verify its history. Stay away from 2020 and 2021, its weakest years. On any Explorer, ask for service records on transmission behavior, test drive at highway speed, and check that the rear camera works in reverse. Owners report long waits for rear camera repair parts. Budget for the chance of a costly engine or wiring repair, since those are the bills owners describe as largest.

Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4Runner: Common Questions

Is the Ford Explorer more reliable than the Toyota 4RUNNER?
No. The 4RUNNER leads by a large margin. It has 1.5 owner complaints per 10,000 sold against 6.8 for the Explorer. The Explorer's complaints also involve more severe failures, such as engine breakdowns, sudden power loss and harsh shifting.
Which has more recalls, the Explorer or the 4RUNNER?
The Explorer has far more. Federal recall records show 117 recalls across its 2018 to 2026 model years, compared with 17 for the 4RUNNER. Check any specific vehicle's VIN with the manufacturer before you buy.
Which costs less to repair, the Explorer or the 4RUNNER?
The 4RUNNER costs less, at an estimated $514 a year against $732 for the Explorer. That is roughly $1,090 saved over five years. The 4RUNNER does go to the shop unexpectedly more often, though, at 0.4 visits a year versus 0.2.
What are the worst Explorer problems?
The biggest are power train and engine trouble. Owners report slamming or skipped gears, lost power while driving, and engine failures with quotes of $11,000 to $12,000. Electrical stalling traced to wiring harness or ground wire faults also appears often.
Which model years of the 4RUNNER should I avoid?
Avoid 2018 and 2019, its weakest years. The 2021 model year ranks among its strongest. Whatever year you shop, test drive at 50 to 70 mph for steering shake and inspect the frame and underbody for rust.

Related Reliability Comparisons

Decided between Ford Explorer and Toyota 4Runner? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How we score the Ford Explorer and Toyota 4Runner

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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