2018 Ford Explorer vs 2018 Toyota Highlander
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2018 Ford Explorer
2018 Toyota Highlander
Stories from the shop
Direct rivals running close enough that you'd be fine either way. Reliability scores within rounding distance (3.3 for the 2018 Ford Explorer, 3.4 for the 2018 Toyota Highlander). When two vehicles in the same segment land this close, the data alone won't pick a winner.
If you lean 2018 Ford Explorer, know what you're getting into on body and engine. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2018 Toyota Highlander sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.
Going with the 2018 Toyota Highlander? Watch the powertrain and brakes. The 2018 Ford Explorer has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.
Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.
Side-by-side by problem area
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2018 Ford Explorer or the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
It's close to a tie. Both vehicles score within 0.2 points on our reliability index (3.3 vs 3.4). At this margin, either choice is defensible — base your decision on the specific failure modes that matter to you.
What goes wrong more often on the 2018 Ford Explorer?
Compared to the 2018 Toyota Highlander, the 2018 Ford Explorer sees more reported issues in body and engine. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.
What goes wrong more often on the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
Compared to the 2018 Ford Explorer, the 2018 Toyota Highlander has more complaints in powertrain and brakes. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.
Which has more recalls?
The 2018 Toyota Highlander has more active recalls (3 vs 1). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.
Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?
Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $14,550 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.