2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Toyota Highlander
What NHTSA and EPA have on file for each. Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many of each were sold; newer years have had less time to collect them.
| 2021 Ford Explorer | 2021 Toyota Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Owner complaints | 453 | 546 |
| Most named parts | Power train (128), Unknown or other (88), Engine (50) | Power train (227), Service brakes (67), Unknown or other (67) |
| Recall campaigns (over its history) | 27, 2 replaced | 5 |
| Service bulletins | 326 | 231 |
| NHTSA overall rating | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Combined fuel economy (every version) | 19–27 mpg | 23–36 mpg |
| Five years of fuel, U.S. average | $12,030–$17,100 | $9,020–$14,120 |
| Five years of fuel in Ohio, local prices | $10,750–$15,280 | $8,060–$12,620 |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle | Small Sport Utility Vehicle |
Fuel costs cover every version of each model year, the same versions as its mpg (electric ones apart): fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026. The same figures are on each model year's page. Recall campaigns are matched by model and year; check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open ones. About the data