2017 Ford Explorer vs 2017 Toyota Highlander
Two midsize SUVs, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2017 Ford
Explorer
5/10
Buy it for the third row and ride quality, not for peace of mind — budget for repairs like you would on a used German SUV.
VS
2017 Toyota
Highlander
8/10
Buy the V6 with maintenance records, skip anything with an unexplained transmission whine, and this Highlander will outlast your kids' childhood.
Milo scores the 2017 Toyota Highlander higher — 8/10 against 5/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Ford Explorer |
Toyota Highlander |
| Known failure points | 6 | 6 |
| NHTSA complaints | 1685 | 262 |
| Safety recalls | 14 | 4 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 42 | 80 |
| Cheap to own | 40 | 78 |
| Fun factor | 52 | 35 |
| Holds value | 38 | 75 |
| Enthusiast cred | 30 | 25 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2017 Ford Explorer
Coolant intrusion into cylinders on the 3.5L NA V6 (cracked plastic intake manifold/coolant crossover leaking into cylinders, fouling spark plugs) — this is the notorious 'exhaust smell in cabin / coolant in oil' complaint pattern seen in NHTSA data.
$1,500–$4,50040k–70k mi
2017 Toyota Highlander
UA80 8-speed transmission whine/shudder (documented in TSB T-SB-0160-18), sometimes escalating to full replacement
$300–$4,50070k–120k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2017 Ford Explorer
2017 Explorer Sport or Platinum with the twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost V6, AWD, and full maintenance records showing the toe-link recall AND any coolant/spark-plug related work — this powertrain sidesteps the worst-known engine failure and adds real punch.
✅ 2017 Toyota Highlander
2017 Highlander XLE AWD with the 3.5L V6, dealer service records showing regular oil changes, and ideally a transmission fluid service logged — this trim balances features and reliability without the panoramic roof/JBL headaches of Limited Platinum.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
First report free · then $10
Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.