Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Highlander vs FORD Explorer
How the Toyota Highlander and FORD Explorer compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Toyota Highlander vs FORD Explorer: The Highlander averages 236 complaints per year and 45 recalls, while the Explorer averages 492 complaints per year and 169 recalls. Explorer owners report exploding glass roofs and transmission failures; Highlander owners report transmission stalling and brake issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Highlander or FORD Explorer more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is a mid-size SUV that owners often keep for the long haul, but NHTSA data shows 2,356 complaints over 10 years (about 236 per year) and 45 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the power train, brakes, and engine, with owners reporting transmission failures, brake pedal issues, and fuel odors. While the overall complaint rate is lower than some rivals, the severity of these problems—like stalling on the highway—means a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
FORD Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a popular family SUV, but it generates more than double the Highlander's complaints: 4,919 over 10 years (about 492 per year) and 169 recalls. The biggest categories are structure (including glass roof failures), power train, and engine, with owners describing exploding panoramic roofs, transmission problems, and engine assembly defects. These issues can be costly and dangerous, so buying one used requires extra caution and a detailed mechanical check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Highlander | FORD Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,356 Better | 4,919 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 45 Better | 169 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 129 Better | 138 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 235.6 Better | 491.9 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 138 Better | 167 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 0 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Toyota Highlander
- 01POWER TRAIN765
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER378
- 03SERVICE BRAKES279
- 04ENGINE255
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM220
Owners report the 8-speed automatic transmission (UA80-series) can hesitate or fail during cold starts, and some experience sudden stalling on the highway followed by an inability to drive or reverse. This matters because a transmission replacement is expensive and can leave you stranded.
Complaints describe the brake pedal sometimes going almost to the floor before engaging, with warnings flashing on the dashboard. This is a serious safety concern because it can lead to near-misses or accidents if the brakes fail to respond when needed.
Drivers notice a strong fuel vapor smell from the rear driver side, especially after long drives or on hot days, and sometimes odors enter the cabin through the vents. This could indicate a fuel leak or EVAP system issue, which is both a health and fire risk.
Some owners report loud bangs or noises while driving, sometimes mistaken for being hit by another vehicle, and others mention issues with new vehicles on their first road trips. These vague but alarming symptoms can be hard to diagnose and may point to structural or suspension problems.
“Detailed Description of the Incident: I am reporting a recurring powertrain safety issue regarding the 8-speed automatic transmission (UA80-series) in my vehicle. [Symptoms] During cold-start conditions (outside temperatures below 30°F), the vehicle consisten…”
“The vehicle started stalling out randomly on the highway even with it being automatic, after getting home and parking it , it would not back up or drive . Took it to Toyota dealership and they said it’s an internal failure of the transmission which is a UA80…”
FORD Explorer
- 01STRUCTURE1,196
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER992
- 03POWER TRAIN912
- 04ENGINE567
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM481
The most common complaint is the panoramic glass roof shattering or exploding while driving, with no apparent cause. This is dangerous because flying glass can injure occupants and the roof may need a full replacement.
Owners report transmission problems such as the car not going into reverse, loud pops from the rear, and wobbling when braking. There are also recalls for improperly installed engine camshaft roller finger followers that can cause engine failure.
Beyond the camshaft issue, some drivers experience the driver's seat moving on its own—sometimes while driving—which can distract the driver and increase crash risk. This suggests electrical or memory module faults.
Complaints include missing features like the 360 camera system despite being advertised, and sudden loss of reverse gear followed by mechanical noises. These issues affect usability and can signal deeper transmission or electrical problems.
“The glass roof exploded while traveling down the road. No cause for failure present.”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Toyota Highlander — 45 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner…
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charg…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.
The risk: A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reinstall the seat belt anchor with a new bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA16.
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
The risk: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 9, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's nu…
FORD Explorer — 169 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.3L Hybrid engines. The 12-Volt battery cable may chafe against the Belt-integrated Starter Generat (BiSG) and short circuit.
The risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement…
The risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
The risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford'…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2…
The risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations ca…
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Buyer analysis
Toyota Highlander or FORD Explorer: which should you buy?
The Toyota Highlander has far fewer complaints per year (about 236 vs. 492 for the Ford Explorer) and fewer recalls (45 vs. 169). In practice, this means you're less likely to encounter frequent or severe problems with the Highlander, though both models have notable safety-related complaints that require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Ford Explorer has more than double the annual complaints of the Toyota Highlander (492 vs. 236), with structure (glass roof) being its top issue, while the Highlander's top issue is power train.
- Explorer owners frequently report exploding panoramic glass roofs, a dangerous problem not seen in Highlander complaints.
- Highlander owners describe transmission stalling and brake pedal failures, which are severe but less frequently reported than Explorer issues.
- The Explorer has 169 recalls versus 45 for the Highlander, meaning more potential safety defects that may need attention.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission behavior: cold starts below 30°F may cause hesitation or failure, and any stalling or inability to reverse is a major red flag.
- Check the brake pedal feel—if it goes nearly to the floor before engaging, or if dashboard warnings flash, the brake system may have a defect requiring immediate repair.
- Inspect the panoramic glass roof for cracks, chips, or signs of previous replacement; reports of spontaneous shattering mean you should avoid models with this feature if possible.
- Test the transmission thoroughly: ensure it engages reverse smoothly, listen for loud pops from the rear, and check for wobbling during braking, which could indicate internal damage.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the Explorer's glass roof and engine camshaft issues.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the transmission, brakes, and engine for both models, focusing on the specific failure patterns reported.
- For the Highlander, check for fuel odors around the rear driver side and under the hood after a long drive.
- For the Explorer, test the panoramic roof for leaks or cracks and verify that all camera and electronic features work as advertised.
- During a test drive, simulate cold starts (if possible) and test reverse gear, braking, and any unusual noises from the suspension or roof.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Toyota Highlander | FORD Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 38 |
| 2025 | 10 | 101 |
| 2024 | 42 | 21 |
| 2023 | 182 | 110 |
| 2022 | 259 | 267 |
| 2021 | 523 | 430 |
| 2020 | 317 | 1221 |
| 2019 | 489 | 298 |
| 2018 | 267 | 730 |
| 2017 | 267 | 1703 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Toyota Highlander or FORD Explorer in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Highlander vs FORD Explorer
- Toyota Highlander total complaints
- 2,356
- FORD Explorer total complaints
- 4,919
- Toyota Highlander total recalls
- 45
- FORD Explorer total recalls
- 169
- Toyota Highlander avg complaints/year
- 235.6
- FORD Explorer avg complaints/year
- 491.9
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Highlander
- Toyota Highlander top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD Explorer top complaint area
- STRUCTURE