2018 Ford Explorer vs 2018 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 | 2018 Ford Explorer | 2018 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 728 | 265 |
| Recall campaigns | 7 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 190 | 253 |
| Investigations | 2 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 16 | 23 |
| Fire reports | 7 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18–22 | 22–28 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 55,000 mi | 17,500 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Explorer | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 287 | 12 |
| Engine | 95 | 33 |
| Power Train | 49 | 65 |
| Electrical System | 58 | 24 |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 53 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 19 | 22 |
| Steering | 20 | 10 |
| Air Bags | 11 | 19 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Overheating | 32 | 0 |
| Stalling | 26 | 17 |
| Vibration / shaking | 24 | 8 |
| Check engine light | 23 | 18 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 11 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 11 | 0 |
| Water leaks | 9 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 8 | 5 |
2018 Ford Explorer
2018 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.