2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Subaru Outback
Two suvs from the same model year, side by side. Every figure is a raw NHTSA/EPA count — not normalised by how many were sold.
Side by side: 2021 Outback has fewer recorded recall campaigns (4 vs 26), and 2021 Outback has fewer recorded owner complaints (291 vs 401). 2021 Explorer carries more NHTSA investigations (2 vs 0). Both carry NHTSA crash ratings, and both have EPA fuel-economy data.
| Metric | 2021 Ford Explorer | 2021 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 26 | 4 |
| Owner complaints | 401 | 291 |
| NHTSA investigations | 2 | 0 |
| NHTSA crash rating | Rated by NHTSA | Rated by NHTSA |
| EPA fuel economy | Available | Available |
How to read this
- A green check marks the lower raw count — fewer recorded issues, not a declared winner.
- Complaint totals are not normalised by vehicle population; a big-seller shows more of everything.
- Where a rating or EPA record is absent, that is missing data — not evidence of safety.