2017 Ford Explorer vs 2017 Toyota Highlander
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 22, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2017 Ford Explorer | 2017 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,691 | 265 |
| Recall campaigns | 13 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 200 | 265 |
| Investigations | 2 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 34 | 18 |
| Fire reports | 11 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18–22 | 22–28 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 55,000 mi | 20,590 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Explorer | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 656 | 8 |
| Engine | 237 | 46 |
| Power Train | 123 | 72 |
| Electrical System | 93 | 46 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 77 | 3 |
| Steering | 76 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 44 | 28 |
| Wheels | 60 | 6 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Vibration / shaking | 58 | 0 |
| Overheating | 57 | 0 |
| Stalling | 54 | 37 |
| Check engine light | 48 | 29 |
| Clunking / rattling | 37 | 6 |
| Hesitation / surging | 23 | 8 |
| Loss of power | 20 | 20 |
| Rust / corrosion | 19 | 0 |
2017 Ford Explorer
2017 Toyota Highlander
Compare all Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.