Which years of the Ford Explorer should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2020 as the Explorer years with the highest complaint indexes, led by 2016 at a complaint index of 100 with 2,451 complaints and 14 recalls.

Which years of the Toyota Highlander should I avoid?

The Highlander years flagged are 2008 and 2019 through 2023, with 2021 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 517 complaints.

Does the Toyota Highlander have fewer complaints than the Ford Explorer?

Yes. The Highlander has 4,713 total complaints across 21 model years (224 per year) compared to 16,668 total for the Explorer (794 per year), though NHTSA does not publish sales figures so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which SUV gets better fuel economy, the Explorer or the Highlander?

The Highlander averages 21.4 mpg combined across its model years while the Explorer averages 19.1 mpg combined.

Does the Ford Explorer have more recalls than the Toyota Highlander?

Yes. NHTSA lists 96 recall campaigns for the Explorer across 21 model years versus 47 for the Highlander.

Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander: Which Years to Avoid

Ford Explorer years to avoid are 2013-2017 and 2020; Toyota Highlander years to avoid are 2008 and 2019-2023. The Explorer logs 16,668 total complaints (794 per model year) versus 4,713 for the Highlander (224 per model year), and the Highlander averages better fuel economy at 21.4 mpg combined versus 19.1 mpg for the Explorer.

Head to head

Ford Explorer

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 16,668
Per model year: 794
Recall campaigns: 96
Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020
Best years: —
Top problem area: Structure & Body
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 19.1
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Toyota Highlander

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 4,713
Per model year: 224
Recall campaigns: 47
Years to avoid: 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Best years: 2014, 2016, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 21.4
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Explorer				Highlander
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Good	497	0	15	Good	224	6	20
2006	Good	630	1	15	Caution	277	7	19.5
2007	Good	208	1	15.5	Good	123	4	19.5
2008	Good	148	1	15.5	Avoid	404	11	19.5
2009	Good	33	0	16	Caution	134	9	20
2010	Good	115	1	16	Caution	216	10	20
2011	Caution	1,197	6	19.5	Good	181	5	20
2012	Caution	827	5	20	Good	182	2	20
2013	Avoid	2,234	11	19.5	Good	207	3	20
2014	Avoid	1,678	6	19.5	Best	135	4	21
2015	Avoid	1,791	8	19.5	Caution	192	1	21
2016	Avoid	2,451	14	20	Best	110	2	21
2017	Avoid	1,691	13	20	Caution	267	3	22.5
2018	Caution	731	7	20	Caution	265	4	22.5
2019	Good	296	6	20	Avoid	482	3	22.5
2020	Avoid	1,218	33	23.5	Avoid	315	4	23
2021	Caution	426	26	23	Avoid	517	4	23
2022	Caution	267	24	22	Avoid	249	5	23
2023	Caution	109	15	21	Avoid	181	9	24
2024	Caution	21	10	20.5	Best	42	7	24
2025	Caution	100	20	21	Best	10	4	24

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which years of the Ford Explorer should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2020 as the Explorer years with the highest complaint indexes, led by 2016 at a complaint index of 100 with 2,451 complaints and 14 recalls.
Which years of the Toyota Highlander should I avoid?: The Highlander years flagged are 2008 and 2019 through 2023, with 2021 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 517 complaints.
Does the Toyota Highlander have fewer complaints than the Ford Explorer?: Yes. The Highlander has 4,713 total complaints across 21 model years (224 per year) compared to 16,668 total for the Explorer (794 per year), though NHTSA does not publish sales figures so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which SUV gets better fuel economy, the Explorer or the Highlander?: The Highlander averages 21.4 mpg combined across its model years while the Explorer averages 19.1 mpg combined.
Does the Ford Explorer have more recalls than the Toyota Highlander?: Yes. NHTSA lists 96 recall campaigns for the Explorer across 21 model years versus 47 for the Highlander.