2019 Ford Explorer vs 2019 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.
2019 Ford
Explorer
3/10
A rear-drive-based Explorer with real ambition, sunk by rushed engineering and the worst quality-control year Ford had in a decade.
VS
2019 Toyota
Highlander
7/10
Buy it for the third row and the TNGA-K bones, not for driving joy — and get the transmission checked before you sign anything.
Milo scores the 2019 Toyota Highlander higher — 7/10 against 3/10.
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 | 290 | 472 |
| Safety recalls | 6 | 3 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 32 | 74 |
| Cheap to own | 30 | 68 |
| Fun factor | 68 | 38 |
| Holds value | 38 | 78 |
| Enthusiast cred | 40 | 22 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2019 Ford Explorer
10-speed automatic transmission harsh/rough shifting, sometimes requiring reflash or full replacement
$0–$6,0000k–15k mi
2019 Toyota Highlander
UA80 8-speed automatic transmission whining/shuddering, sometimes progressing to hard failure on V6 models
$4,000–$6,50060k–100k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2019 Ford Explorer
A 2019 Explorer ST with the 3.0L twin-turbo V6, or a base 2.3L EcoBoost Limited built after mid-2019 (later production runs had more of the early recalls and software fixes already baked in) — verify all 6 recalls are completed with paperwork, not just inspected.
✅ 2019 Toyota Highlander
2019 Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD — same TNGA-K platform, better real-world mpg (~30 combined), and it sidesteps the UA80 transmission risk entirely.
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 →
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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.