Last updated: 2026-03-04
Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4RUNNER: Reliability Compared
Ford Explorer
Toyota 4RUNNER
Choosing between the Ford Explorer and the Toyota 4RUNNER? 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 4RUNNER currently leads with an average score of 80/100 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 4RUNNER Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota 4RUNNER is more reliable than the Ford Explorer, scoring 80/100 vs 66/100.
The Toyota 4Runner outshines the Ford Explorer in terms of reliability, boasting a higher average reliability score of 90/100 compared to the Explorer's 68/100. With only 17 total recalls over nine years and an owner complaint rate of 1.5 per 10,000 sold, the 4Runner demonstrates superior durability, whereas the Explorer has 117 recalls and a complaint rate of 6.8 per 10,000 sold. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates favor the 4Runner with an annual cost of $514, significantly lower than the Explorer's $732. Key areas of concern for the Explorer include powertrain and electrical system issues, while the 4Runner's primary issues are with steering and brakes.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota 4RUNNER costs $218 less per year to repair
- 2Toyota 4RUNNER has 100 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota 4RUNNER scores 14 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4RUNNER: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Explorer | Toyota 4RUNNER |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 80/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 117 | 17 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.8 | 1.5 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $732/yr | $514/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.4/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 14% | 13% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 8 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Explorer and Toyota 4RUNNER?
The Ford Explorer exhibits a higher volume of complaints, with significant issues in the power train and structure, each containing a notable number of crash-linked incidents. The Explorer's power train alone accounts for 618 complaints, with 12 linked to crashes, suggesting a critical area of concern. In contrast, the Toyota 4RUNNER demonstrates fewer overall complaints, but a notable concentration in air bags, with 24 complaints and a high crash-link rate of 20. While both vehicles face challenges in the electrical system, the Explorer's broader range of problem areas, including the service brakes and back over prevention, indicates a more diversified set of reliability concerns compared to the 4RUNNER's more focused issues.
| Component | Ford Explorer | Toyota 4RUNNER |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1.6Low | —None |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.1Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 1Very Low | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEATS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —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 4RUNNER?
How Does Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4RUNNER Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Explorer | Toyota 4RUNNER | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 72/10014R / 65C | 81/1001R / 36C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2024 | 73/1006R / 14C | 79/1001R / 8C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2023 | 71/10012R / 84C | 82/1001R / 28C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2022 | 65/10021R / 208C | 79/1003R / 36C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2021 | 62/10022R / 354C | 82/1001R / 31C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2020 | 54/10029R / 1066C | 82/1001R / 30C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2019 | 69/1004R / 252C | 77/1004R / 61C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2018 | 64/1005R / 651C | 77/1005R / 56C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2026(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | 81/100(predicted) | Toyota 4RUNNER |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Explorer scored 73/100 and the 2023 Toyota 4RUNNER scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Explorer vs the Toyota 4RUNNER?
Ford Explorer vs Toyota 4RUNNER: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Explorer more reliable than the Toyota 4RUNNER?
- Based on our data, the Toyota 4RUNNER is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Explorer or the Toyota 4RUNNER?
- The Ford Explorer has more recalls (117) compared to the Toyota 4RUNNER (17). 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 4RUNNER?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota 4RUNNER has a lower complaint rate at 1.5 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 4RUNNER?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota 4RUNNER is cheaper to maintain at $514/year versus $732/year for the Ford Explorer.
- Is the Ford Explorer or Toyota 4RUNNER safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Ford Explorer has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Toyota 4RUNNER. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety 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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