Last updated: 2026-10-10
Acura vs Honda: Reliability Compared
Acura
5 models tracked
Honda
9 models tracked
Acura and Honda are effectively tied on reliability, with Acura holding a slight edge. Honda owners file fewer complaints per car sold. Acura has far fewer recalls. Both brands rate good and both are trending upward.
Is Acura More Reliable Than Honda?
| Metric | Acura | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 75/100 | 74/100 |
| Models Tracked | 5 | 9 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 16 | 38 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 467 | 2118 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $577/yr | $441/yr |
Acura vs Honda: The Verdict
Reliability is effectively tied, with Acura a nose ahead. Both brands stand at good, and both are improving. The edge comes from recalls, where Acura carries far fewer and wins on recall impact. Honda pushes back on complaints. It draws fewer per 1,000 cars sold, 1.9 against 2.6, and it comes out stronger on complaint severity and on how widely problems spread across systems.
Steering is the shared soft spot. It is the top complaint area for Honda and the second for Acura. Electrical trouble ranks high for both. Because the gap is slight, the model and model year you pick matter more than the badge.
Where Acura and Honda Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Acura | Honda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 59/100Mixed | 61/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 84/100Excellent | 84/100Excellent |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 81/100Excellent | 74/100Good |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 80/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
The biggest gap is in recall impact, where Acura scores 7 points higher. That single component does the most to separate these two makes.
Acura vs Honda: Strengths and Weaknesses
Acura
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (75/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($577/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 5 of 5 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Honda
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (74/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($441/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 9 of 9 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 69 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Acura and Honda Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Acura
Honda
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Acura or Honda?
Based on independent repair cost data, Honda is cheaper to maintain at an average of $441/year compared to $577/year for Acura. That's a difference of $136/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Acura Repair Cost Range
$440 – $801/yr
Average: $577/yr
Honda Repair Cost Range
$301 – $547/yr
Average: $441/yr
Acura vs Honda Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Acura | Honda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedans(2 vs 2 models) | 72/100 | 77/100 | Honda |
| SUVs(3 vs 5 models) | 77/100 | 73/100 | Acura |
The makes split categories evenly at 1–1.
Common Problems: Acura vs Honda
| Component | Acura | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 15%304 | 19%3,164 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 11%227 | 18%2,940 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 16%328 | 8%1,404 |
| ENGINE | 10%204 | 9%1,523 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 3%60 | 10%1,664 |
| POWER TRAIN | 12%252 | 7%1,149 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 3%69 | 7%1,142 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5%94 | 5%876 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 8%161 | 2%415 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4%88 | 0%3 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Acura vs Honda Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Acura
44
Crash reports
10
Fire reports
37
Injury reports
Honda
584
Crash reports
69
Fire reports
520
Injury reports
Every Acura and Honda Model Ranked
Acura Models
Honda Models
Acura vs Honda Reliability Trend by Year
Acura's reliability is improving — recent model years average 81/100, up from earlier years. Honda's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Acura | Honda | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 81/100(3) | 84/100(9) | Honda |
| 2025 | 80/100(5) | 79/100(9) | Acura |
| 2024 | 77/100(5) | 78/100(9) | Honda |
| 2023 | 76/100(4) | 74/100(8) | Acura |
| 2022 | 74/100(2) | 74/100(8) | Tie |
| 2021 | 74/100(2) | 75/100(8) | Honda |
| 2020 | 67/100(3) | 70/100(8) | Honda |
| 2019 | 66/100(3) | 65/100(8) | Acura |
| 2018 | 71/100(3) | 66/100(7) | Acura |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Acura vs Honda: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Acura and Honda. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Acura vs Honda?
For a sedan, lean Honda. The Civic and Accord both rate good, and Honda is stronger in the sedan matchup. The Acura Integra has a steering wheel that sticks at highway speeds, then releases suddenly. If you still want one, favor the 2024 and skip the 2023. The TLX is the other Acura sedan and also rates good. Honda is also the only lineup here with a minivan or a pickup, the Odyssey and Ridgeline, and both rate good.
For an SUV, Acura has the edge as a group. The RDX and MDX both rate good. The ZDX rates excellent, but only two model years exist, and the 2024 is the one to buy. Watch for brake complaints on it, such as pedals that sink. Honda's HR-V is the best of its SUVs. Favor the 2021 and be careful with the 2019 and 2023. Skip the 2025 Prologue, where every complaint on file sits, and look at the 2024 instead.
The Bottom Line: Acura or Honda?
Pick Honda if you want a sedan, a minivan, a truck, or the lowest upkeep. Pick Acura if you want an SUV and care about fewer recalls. The strongest single model across both lineups is the Honda HR-V, with the 2021 the year to favor. Honda's average repair estimate runs $136 a year lower, about $680 over five years, though the comparison rates cost even overall.
Acura vs Honda: Common Questions
Is Acura more reliable than Honda?
Which brand has more recalls, Acura or Honda?
Is Acura or Honda cheaper to repair?
What are the most common problems on Honda and Acura?
Which is the best used model between the two brands?
Comparing Acura vs Honda? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
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How we score Acura and Honda models
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.