Which 4Runner years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2022, 2023 and 2025 as the 4Runner years to avoid, with 2025 carrying the highest complaint index at 100 among the years covered.

Which Explorer years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2020 as the Explorer years to avoid. The 2016 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 and 14 recall campaigns.

Does the Ford Explorer have more complaints than the Toyota 4Runner?

Yes, NHTSA lists 15,150 total Explorer complaints across 16 model years versus 1,046 for the 4Runner, but these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Ford Explorer averages 20.3 mpg combined across its model years versus 18.1 mpg combined for the Toyota 4Runner, per EPA data.

What are the top problem areas for each model?

For the 4Runner, airbags account for 34% of complaints (351 complaints), followed by brakes at 12%. For the Explorer, steering leads at 23% (3,480 complaints), followed by structure and body issues at 22%.

Toyota 4Runner vs Ford Explorer: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota 4Runner years to avoid are 2011, 2022, 2023 and 2025; Ford Explorer years to avoid are 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2020. NHTSA logs 1,046 total complaints across 16 4Runner model years versus 15,150 across 16 Explorer model years, but totals aren't sales-normalized. The 4Runner averages 18.1 mpg combined; the Explorer averages 20.3 mpg combined.

Head to head

Toyota 4Runner

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 1,046
Per model year: 65
Recall campaigns: 34
Years to avoid: 2011, 2022, 2023, 2025
Best years: 2013, 2017, 2021, 2024
Top problem area: Airbags
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.1
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.0 ★

Ford Explorer

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 15,150
Per model year: 947
Recall campaigns: 93
Years to avoid: 2013, 2015, 2016, 2020
Best years: 2010, 2019, 2023, 2024
Top problem area: Steering
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

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	4Runner				Explorer
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Caution	145	12	19	Best	113	1	16
2011	Avoid	163	10	19	Caution	1,197	6	19.5
2012	Caution	96	8	19	Good	827	5	20
2013	Best	36	6	18	Avoid	2,234	11	19.5
2014	Good	77	7	18	Caution	1,678	6	19.5
2015	Caution	86	9	18	Avoid	1,791	8	19.5
2016	Caution	79	8	18	Avoid	2,451	14	20
2017	Best	36	5	18	Caution	1,691	13	20
2018	Good	58	5	18	Caution	731	7	20
2019	Good	65	4	18	Best	296	6	20
2020	Good	33	1	17	Avoid	1,218	33	23.5
2021	Best	36	1	17	Good	426	26	23
2022	Avoid	39	3	17	Good	267	24	22
2023	Avoid	32	1	17	Best	109	15	21
2024	Best	8	1	17	Best	21	10	20.5
2025	Avoid	57	1	22	Good	100	20	21

Complaint Index by year

Toyota 4Runner

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Ford Explorer

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which 4Runner years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2022, 2023 and 2025 as the 4Runner years to avoid, with 2025 carrying the highest complaint index at 100 among the years covered.
Which Explorer years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2020 as the Explorer years to avoid. The 2016 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 and 14 recall campaigns.
Does the Ford Explorer have more complaints than the Toyota 4Runner?: Yes, NHTSA lists 15,150 total Explorer complaints across 16 model years versus 1,046 for the 4Runner, but these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Ford Explorer averages 20.3 mpg combined across its model years versus 18.1 mpg combined for the Toyota 4Runner, per EPA data.
What are the top problem areas for each model?: For the 4Runner, airbags account for 34% of complaints (351 complaints), followed by brakes at 12%. For the Explorer, steering leads at 23% (3,480 complaints), followed by structure and body issues at 22%.