Last updated: 2026-10-10
Ford vs Honda: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Ford
16 models tracked
Honda
9 models tracked
Honda comes out ahead of Ford on reliability, and the edge is clear. Owners file fewer complaints per car sold, and upkeep costs less. Both brands hold a good standing and both are improving, so the gap shows up in how often things go wrong and what repairs cost.
Is Ford More Reliable Than Honda?
| Metric | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 65/100 | 74/100 |
| Models Tracked | 16 | 9 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 60 | 38 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 2124 | 2118 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $701/yr | $441/yr |
Ford vs Honda: The Verdict
The edge goes to Honda, and it is a clear one. Owners filed 1.9 complaints per 1,000 sold, against 2.5 for Ford. Yearly repair costs average $441 for Honda and $701 for Ford. Ford also has more fire complaints, 257 to Honda's 69.
Ford's trouble clusters in the power train, which draws about a third of its complaints. Honda's problems spread across steering, electrical and driver-assist systems instead. Both brands rate good and both are improving, so a well-chosen Ford is still a sound used buy.
Where Ford and Honda Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 57/100Mixed | 61/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 68/100Good | 84/100Excellent |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 63/100Good | 74/100Good |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 79/100Good | 82/100Excellent |
Where they diverge most: repair costs. Honda has a 16-point edge in that component, which accounts for much of the reliability gap.
Ford vs Honda: Strengths and Weaknesses
Ford
Strengths
- Above-average reliability (65/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 13 of 16 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 257 fire-related complaints across lineup
- 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 Ford and Honda Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Ford
Honda
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford or Honda?
Based on independent repair cost data, Honda is cheaper to maintain at an average of $441/year compared to $701/year for Ford. That's a difference of $260/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Ford Repair Cost Range
$569 – $861/yr
Average: $701/yr
Honda Repair Cost Range
$301 – $547/yr
Average: $441/yr
Ford vs Honda Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Ford | Honda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(8 vs 5 models) | 64/100 | 73/100 | Honda |
| Trucks(4 vs 1 models) | 66/100 | 77/100 | Honda |
| Sedans(2 vs 2 models) | 63/100 | 77/100 | Honda |
Honda wins 3 out of 3 shared categories.
Common Problems: Ford vs Honda
| Component | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 35%10,835 | 7%1,149 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 11%3,325 | 18%2,940 |
| ENGINE | 14%4,262 | 9%1,523 |
| STEERING | 4%1,195 | 19%3,164 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 8%2,600 | 8%1,404 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 7%2,067 | 0%3 |
| STRUCTURE | 5%1,638 | 2%371 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3%1,015 | 5%876 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 2%728 | 7%1,142 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0%116 | 10%1,664 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Ford vs Honda Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Ford
859
Crash reports
257
Fire reports
793
Injury reports
Honda
584
Crash reports
69
Fire reports
520
Injury reports
Every Ford and Honda Model Ranked
Ford Models
Honda Models
Ford vs Honda Reliability Trend by Year
Ford's reliability is improving — recent model years average 73/100, up from earlier years. Honda's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100.
Interestingly, both Ford and Honda show improving reliability trends recently.
| Model Year | Ford | Honda | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 74/100(11) | 84/100(9) | Honda |
| 2025 | 71/100(11) | 79/100(9) | Honda |
| 2024 | 70/100(12) | 78/100(9) | Honda |
| 2023 | 66/100(13) | 74/100(8) | Honda |
| 2022 | 61/100(13) | 74/100(8) | Honda |
| 2021 | 60/100(10) | 75/100(8) | Honda |
| 2020 | 62/100(10) | 70/100(8) | Honda |
| 2019 | 64/100(10) | 65/100(8) | Honda |
| 2018 | 61/100(10) | 66/100(7) | Honda |
| 2017 | 58/100 | — | — |
| 2016 | 56/100 | — | — |
| 2015 | 59/100 | — | — |
| 2014 | 52/100 | — | — |
| 2013 | 54/100 | — | — |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Ford vs Honda: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Ford and Honda. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Ford vs Honda?
If low upkeep matters most, lean Honda. The HR-V is the model to target, and the 2021 is the year to favor. Skip the 2023 for rear hatch glass that shatters with no impact, and be wary of the 2019, where the instrument display goes blank in cold weather. The Prologue is steadier in 2024. Pass on the 2025, where front axles click and clunk in tight turns and dealers often return cars unrepaired.
If you need a truck or want more body styles to choose from, lean Ford. The Ranger holds up well, so look for a 2022 and skip the 2019, whose transmission shifts hard, slips, or skips gears. The Mustang Mach-E also rates good. Be careful with the Bronco. The 2021 and 2022 draw reports of sudden power loss while driving and automatic transmission failure, and the 2024 is the steadier year. The Focus and F-150 Lightning rate only mixed.
The Bottom Line: Ford or Honda?
Buy Honda if you want the safer bet. The HR-V is the strongest model in either lineup. Honda's repair costs run about $260 a year lower, which adds up to roughly $1,300 over five years. Choose Ford when you want a truck such as the Ranger, but check the model year first. The 2019 Ranger and the 2021 and 2022 Bronco are the ones to avoid.
Ford vs Honda: Common Questions
Is Ford more reliable than Honda?
Which brand has more recalls, Ford or Honda?
Is Ford or Honda cheaper to repair?
What problems do Ford and Honda owners report most?
Which Ford and Honda models are the best used buys?
Comparing Ford 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 score Ford 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.