Last updated: 2026-05-15
Audi vs Honda: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Audi
9 models tracked
Honda
9 models tracked
Comparing Audi and Honda on reliability? This page compares their scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs across every model we track.
Honda currently leads with an average score of 73/100 compared to 67/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.
Is Audi More Reliable Than Honda?
| Metric | Audi | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 67/100 | 73/100 |
| Models Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 36 | 37 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 184 | 2112 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $930/yr | $441/yr |
Audi vs Honda: The Verdict
Between these two, Honda comes out ahead on reliability, though specific model choice matters more than the overall gap. Aggregating recall data, owner complaints, and repair costs across every model we track, Audi averages 67/100 (9 models) and Honda averages 73/100 (9 models).
On the cost front, Honda is cheaper to maintain at $441/year versus $930/year. Over 5 years, that's roughly $2445 in savings. Worth noting: repair costs vary heavily by model within each make, so this is an average — check individual model pages for specifics.
Where Audi and Honda Differ Most
Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:
| Component | Weight | Audi | Honda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 65/100Good | 60/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 58/100Mixed | 85/100Excellent |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 75/100Good | 71/100Good |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 81/100Excellent | 81/100Excellent |
Where they diverge most: repair costs. Honda has a 27-point edge in that component, which accounts for much of the reliability gap.
Audi vs Honda: Strengths and Weaknesses
Audi
Strengths
- Above-average reliability (67/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 8 of 9 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- High maintenance costs ($930/year avg)
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Honda
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (73/100 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
- 70 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Audi and Honda Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Audi
Honda
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Audi or Honda?
Based on independent repair cost data, Honda is cheaper to maintain at an average of $441/year compared to $930/year for Audi. That's a difference of $489/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Audi Repair Cost Range
$739 – $1185/yr
Average: $930/yr
Honda Repair Cost Range
$301 – $547/yr
Average: $441/yr
Audi vs Honda Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Audi | Honda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedans(3 vs 2 models) | 72/100 | 75/100 | Honda |
| SUVs(6 vs 5 models) | 66/100 | 72/100 | Honda |
Honda wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Audi vs Honda
Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:
| Component | Audi | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 40%532 | 18%2,940 |
| STEERING | 5%72 | 19%3,186 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12%164 | 10%1,640 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 3%40 | 10%1,663 |
| ENGINE | 8%100 | 9%1,566 |
| POWER TRAIN | 10%131 | 7%1,153 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 1%11 | 7%1,145 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 4%53 | 5%908 |
| SUSPENSION | 4%53 | 0%30 |
Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.
Audi vs Honda Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Across all tracked models, Audi owners reported 54 crash-related, 10 fire-related, and 40 injury-related complaints to NHTSA. Honda owners reported 572 crash-related, 70 fire-related, and 515 injury-related complaints. Audi has fewer severe incident reports overall. These counts reflect owner-reported incidents and don't establish causation — but they're a useful signal for comparing safety profiles.
Audi
54
Crash reports
10
Fire reports
40
Injury reports
Honda
572
Crash reports
70
Fire reports
515
Injury reports
Every Audi and Honda Model Ranked
All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.
Audi Models
Honda Models
Audi vs Honda Reliability Trend by Year
Average reliability score for each model year, showing how quality has trended over time:
Audi's reliability is improving — recent model years average 70/100, up from earlier years. Honda's reliability is improving — recent model years average 79/100.
Interestingly, both Audi and Honda show improving reliability trends recently.
| Model Year | Audi | Honda | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 72/100(9) | 79/100(9) | Honda |
| 2024 | 67/100(7) | 78/100(9) | Honda |
| 2023 | 68/100(8) | 74/100(8) | Honda |
| 2022 | 66/100(8) | 74/100(8) | Honda |
| 2021 | 65/100(7) | 75/100(8) | Honda |
| 2020 | 66/100(7) | 70/100(8) | Honda |
| 2019 | 63/100(6) | 65/100(8) | Honda |
| 2018 | 65/100(6) | 66/100(7) | Honda |
Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.
Audi vs Honda: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Audi and Honda. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
The Bottom Line: Audi or Honda?
The data favors Honda, but remember: the best model from the "losing" make often beats the worst model from the "winning" one.
If you want the single most reliable option: the Honda HR-V leads both lineups with a score of 81/100.
Budget-conscious buyers should note that Honda costs less to maintain — $441/year vs $930/year. Over a typical 5-year ownership period, that adds up to roughly $2445 in savings.
All scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data combined with independent repair cost databases. Check individual model pages for year-specific reliability data before making a final decision.
Audi vs Honda: Common Questions
Is Audi more reliable than Honda?
Which is cheaper to maintain, Audi or Honda?
Which make has more recalls, Audi or Honda?
What are the most reliable models from Audi and Honda?
What are the least reliable models from Audi and Honda?
What are the most common problems with Audi and Honda vehicles?
Which make has more reliable models overall, Audi or Honda?
How many Audi and Honda models does Auto Reliability Index track?
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Audi or Honda?
Are Audi and Honda getting more or less reliable?
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Audi or Honda?
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Audi or Honda?
Comparing Audi vs Honda? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.