Last updated: 2026-03-04
Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared
Ford Explorer
Toyota Highlander
Choosing between the Ford Explorer 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 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Highlander is more reliable than the Ford Explorer, scoring 72/100 vs 66/100.
The Toyota Highlander outshines the Ford Explorer in reliability, boasting an average reliability score of 84/100 compared to the Explorer's 68/100. With fewer recalls over nine years (66 for the Highlander versus 117 for the Explorer) and a lower owner complaint rate of 5.8 per 10,000 sold versus the Explorer's 6.8, the Highlander demonstrates greater dependability. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates favor the Highlander, with an annual cost of $489 compared to the Explorer's $732. The key differentiators are the Highlander's higher reliability score and lower repair costs, making it the more reliable choice in the midsize SUV segment.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Highlander costs $243 less per year to repair
- 2Toyota Highlander has 51 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Highlander scores 6 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Explorer | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 72/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 117 | 66 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.8 | 5.8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $732/yr | $489/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 14% | 13% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 7 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander?
The Ford Explorer exhibits a higher overall number of complaints compared to the Toyota Highlander, with significant issues in the power train and structure categories. Notably, the Explorer's power train problems are linked to 12 crashes, a higher count than the Highlander's five crash-linked incidents in the same category. Conversely, the Highlander has a substantial number of air bag complaints, which are associated with 41 crashes, indicating a critical safety concern not mirrored in the Explorer's profile. Both models face challenges with their electrical systems and structures, but the Explorer's issues are more prevalent, while the Highlander shows a unique vulnerability in air bag-related incidents.
| Component | Ford Explorer | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1.6Low | 1.5Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.1Low | 0.7Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEATS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —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 Explorer or Toyota Highlander?
How Does Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Explorer | Toyota Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 72/10014R / 65C | 76/1008R / 40C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2024 | 73/1006R / 14C | 67/10016R / 198C | Ford Explorer |
| 2023 | 71/10012R / 84C | 73/10013R / 140C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2022 | 65/10021R / 208C | 74/1007R / 186C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2021 | 62/10022R / 354C | 70/1006R / 403C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2020 | 54/10029R / 1066C | 71/1008R / 269C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2019 | 69/1004R / 252C | 70/1003R / 414C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2018 | 64/1005R / 651C | 72/1005R / 242C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2026(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | Tie |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Explorer 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 Explorer vs the Toyota Highlander?
Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Explorer 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 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Explorer or the Toyota Highlander?
- The Ford Explorer has more recalls (117) 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 Explorer or the Toyota Highlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Highlander has a lower complaint rate at 5.8 per 10,000 sold versus 6.8 for the Ford Explorer. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Explorer or the Toyota Highlander?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Highlander is cheaper to maintain at $489/year versus $732/year for the Ford Explorer.
- Is the Ford Explorer or Toyota Highlander safer?
- Both the Ford Explorer 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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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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