Last updated: 2026-10-10

Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared

Ford Explorer reliability comparison

Ford Explorer

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

Toyota Highlander

73
GoodReliability score: 73 out of 100, rated Good

Reliability favors the Toyota Highlander over the Ford Explorer by a clear margin. It has 66 recalls to 117 and costs less to repair. Highlander transmission failures and air bag complaints are the main caveats, while Explorer buyers face engine and power loss problems.

How Do the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander Generations Compare?

Most used Explorer shopping lands in two generations. The sixth generation covers model years 2020 through 2023, and its first two years, 2020 and 2021, are the weakest in the data. The 2018 and 2019 models belong to the fifth generation, which ran from 2011 and received a facelift in 2016. The generation data does not cover 2024 onward. The Highlander's fourth generation began in 2020 and runs through 2026, so most used shoppers will land in it. A fifth generation is listed to begin with the 2027 model year. The 2018 and 2019 Highlanders are third generation models, which ran from 2014.

Verdict

The Toyota Highlander is more reliable than the Ford Explorer, scoring 73/100 vs 67/100.

A clear edge goes to the Highlander. Federal recall records show 66 recalls across nine model years against 117 for the Explorer, and Highlander owners filed fewer complaints per vehicle sold. Independent repair-cost data also puts the Highlander well below the Explorer each year. The Explorer's worst cases are expensive engine failures and a wiring-related loss of power. The Highlander has its own costly weak spot in the transmission, but its record is cleaner. Each car still rates good, so neither is a bad buy.

Key Differences

  1. 1Toyota Highlander costs $243 less per year to repair
  2. 2Toyota Highlander has 51 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Toyota Highlander scores 6 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Ford Explorer
—
5Toyota Highlander
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricFord ExplorerToyota Highlander
Reliability Score67/10073/100
Years Tracked99
Total Recalls11766
Complaints per 10k Sold6.85.8
Annual Repair Cost$732/yr$489/yr
Repair Frequency0.2/yr0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk14%13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2026 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins18

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

Drivetrain trouble and sudden power loss define the Explorer's complaints. Owners report harsh or skipped shifts, cars that stall or refuse to start, and engines that fail with metal in the oil or a dropped valve. Many also wait on rear camera recall parts. The Highlander's biggest problem is a whining transmission that ends in replacement, plus a forward surge when slowing at low speed. Two areas are crash-linked only for the Highlander: air bags, where front impacts often brought no deployment, and service brakes. Only the Explorer has engine and back over prevention complaints in its top five.

Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander common problem areas comparison
ComponentFord ExplorerToyota Highlander
POWER TRAIN1.6Low1.5Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1.1Low0.8Very Low
STRUCTURE1.1Low0.5Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM0.7Very Low0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.2Very Low0.5Very Low
ENGINE0.4Very Low0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS0.1Very Low0.5Very Low
STEERING0.2Very Low0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM—None0.3Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION0.2Very Low—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING0.1Very Low—None
SEATS0.1Very Low—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING0.1Very Low—None
SUSPENSION0.1Very Low—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL—None0.1Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM—None0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE—None—None
VISIBILITY—None—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER—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 Highlander?

Independent repair-cost data puts the Highlander at $489 a year and the Explorer at $732. That gap is $243 a year, or about $1,215 over five years. The Explorer does send owners to the shop less often, at 0.2 unscheduled visits a year against 0.3. When a repair is needed, the odds of it being major are close: 14% for the Explorer and 13% for the Highlander. The Highlander is cheaper to keep, but a transmission replacement quoted at $8,500 to $10,000 can erase that saving.

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

Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander year-by-year reliability scores
YearFord ExplorerToyota HighlanderEdge
202670/1004R / 0C84/1000R / 0CToyota Highlander
202572/10014R / 65C76/1008R / 40CToyota Highlander
202473/1006R / 14C67/10016R / 198CFord Explorer
202371/10012R / 84C73/10013R / 140CToyota Highlander
202265/10021R / 208C74/1007R / 186CToyota Highlander
202162/10022R / 354C70/1006R / 403CToyota Highlander
202054/10029R / 1066C71/1008R / 269CToyota Highlander
201969/1004R / 252C70/1003R / 414CToyota Highlander
201864/1005R / 651C72/1005R / 242CToyota Highlander

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Explorer scored 73/100 and the 2022 Toyota Highlander scored 74/100 — 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 Highlander?

Pick the Highlander if you want the lower running cost and the cleaner recall history. Target one with the transmission checked and service records in hand, because failures cluster just past 60,000 miles. Be wary of 2021 and 2024, its weakest years. The 2025 and 2026 models rate best, but they are new and have had less time to collect complaints, so do not treat that as proof. Test drive slowly on a slight downhill to check for the braking surge. Pick the Explorer if you value fewer trips to the shop, since its unscheduled shop visits are slightly lower. Skip 2020 and 2021, its weakest years. Before you buy, ask for proof that every recall, including the rear camera ones, has been completed. Check the VIN against engine recall coverage, since some owners paid for engines that fell outside it. Have a shop scan for stored electrical faults and test the shifting from a stop.

Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions

Is the Ford Explorer more reliable than the Toyota Highlander?
No. The Highlander has a clear edge. It has fewer recalls, fewer complaints per vehicle sold, and a lower yearly repair bill. Both models still rate good, so the Explorer is not a poor choice. It simply carries more recall and repair risk, especially for engines and electrical faults.
Which has more recalls, the Explorer or the Highlander?
The Explorer. Federal recall records show 117 recalls across nine model years for the Explorer and 66 for the Highlander. Explorer owners also complain that parts for the rear camera recalls were unavailable for a long time. Check any VIN for completed recall work.
Which costs less to repair, the Explorer or the Highlander?
The Highlander costs less. Independent repair-cost data estimates $489 a year for the Highlander and $732 for the Explorer, about $1,215 apart over five years. The Explorer visits the shop a little less often, but a major repair is about equally likely in both.
What is the most common Toyota Highlander problem?
Transmission trouble. Owners describe a high-pitched whine under acceleration that grows louder until the transmission needs replacing, mostly just past 60,000 miles. Dealers quote $8,500 to $10,000, and some owners wait months for a backordered unit. Ask for service records before buying.
Which Ford Explorer years should I avoid?
Avoid 2020 and 2021, the weakest years in the data. Reports across the model include harsh shifting, sudden power loss, and engine failures. 2024 and 2025 look strongest, but they are young and have had less time to collect complaints, so check recall completion and get an inspection on any year.

Related Reliability Comparisons

Decided between Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander? 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 Highlander

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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