What is the best year for a Ford Explorer?

Judged on complaint rate, severity, and safety scores across its own history, the Ford Explorer's strongest year is 2024 — 17 complaints, a 10/10 safety score, 1 severe issue. 2010 also rate well. Recent years show fewer complaints partly because they have spent less time on the road. The weakest years by those same measures are 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2020 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Ford Explorer insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Ford Explorer averages $2,461 a year, about $205 a month (industry average). That is more than the three-row segment average of $2,396. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Traverse cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $732 a year on the Ford Explorer versus $656 on the Chevrolet Traverse. Reliability scores are 7.0/10 and 6/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.24 versus 0.43 times per year. Verdict: the Chevrolet Traverse is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Ford Explorer?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 14%, so roughly 86 in 100 owners will not face one — above the three-row segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 7.0/10. Verdict: generally skip it, with one exception — a powertrain warranty is worth it on the 2011 model year.

Is the Toyota Highlander expensive to maintain?

The Toyota Highlander averages $489 a year in maintenance. That is $84 below the three-row segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.33 times per year, below the three-row segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 8/10. Verdict: cheaper than average to keep on the road.

What is the best year for a Toyota Highlander?

Judged on complaint rate, severity, and safety scores across its own history, the Toyota Highlander's strongest year is 2025 — 9 complaints, a 10/10 safety score, 2 severe issues. 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015 also rate well. Recent years show fewer complaints partly because they have spent less time on the road. The weakest years by those same measures are 2013, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: 2025 is the strongest pick.

How much does Toyota Highlander insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Toyota Highlander averages $2,401 a year, about $200 a month (industry average). That is more than the three-row segment average of $2,396. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $489 a year on the Toyota Highlander versus $542 on the Honda Pilot. Reliability scores are 8/10 and 7.0/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.33 versus 0.51 times per year. Verdict: the Toyota Highlander is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Toyota Highlander?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 13%, so roughly 87 in 100 owners will not face one — in line with the three-row segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 8/10. Verdict: optional — worth it only if you want predictable costs.

Ford Explorer vs Toyota Highlander

Two three-row SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Ford Explorer if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Toyota Highlander — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Ford Explorer	Toyota Highlander
Annual repairs	$732	$489winner
5-year repair cost	$3,660	$2,445winner
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$15,306	$11,956winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	14%	13%winner
Cargo space	85.3 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$41,300winner	$46,500

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Ford Explorer	Toyota Highlander
RepairPal score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	456.1	137.1winner
Strongest years	2010, 2019, 2022	2010, 2011, 2012
Weakest years	2011, 2013, 2014	2013, 2016, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	72.5%	83.6%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	49.9%	63.7%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	39.6%	51.5%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Ford Explorer	Toyota Highlander
Engine	20.4%winner	27.1%
Electrical	4.2%winner	8.2%
ADAS	3.5%winner	7.7%
Brakes	1.7%winner	8.6%
Suspension	2.5%	—winner
Steering	21.9%	5.6%winner
Fuel system	2.8%winner	5.4%
Tires/Wheels	—winner	3.2%
Glass/Windows	3.0%winner	5.4%
Airbags	2.6%winner	5.6%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Ford Explorer	Toyota Highlander
Avg annual premium	$2,461	$2,401winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Ford Explorer

$732/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Toyota Highlander

$489/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Ford Explorer averages $732 a year in maintenance. That is $159 above the three-row segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.24 times per year, below the three-row segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 7.0/10. Verdict: costlier than the segment, budget accordingly.

How we calculated this. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →