Last updated: 2026-05-15
Honda vs Toyota: Reliability Compared
Honda
9 models tracked
Toyota
16 models tracked
Comparing Honda and Toyota on reliability? This page compares their scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs across every model we track.
Toyota currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 73/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.
Is Honda More Reliable Than Toyota?
| Metric | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 73/100 | 75/100 |
| Models Tracked | 9 | 16 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 37 | 28 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 2112 | 690 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $441/yr | $473/yr |
Honda vs Toyota: The Verdict
Toyota edges out Honda on reliability, though both makes have solid options. Across 9 Honda and 16 Toyota models, Toyota averages 75/100 to 73/100 — a 2-point gap built from NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and independent repair cost data.
On the cost front, Honda is cheaper to maintain at $441/year versus $473/year. That maintenance gap adds up — budget-conscious buyers should factor in that Honda advantage.
Where Honda and Toyota Differ Most
Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:
| Component | Weight | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 60/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 85/100Excellent | 78/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 71/100Good | 77/100Good |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 81/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
The biggest gap is in complaint severity, where Toyota scores 7 points higher. That single component does the most to separate these two makes.
Honda vs Toyota: Strengths and Weaknesses
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
Toyota
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (75/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($473/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 16 of 16 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 93 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Honda and Toyota Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Honda
Toyota
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda or Toyota?
Based on independent repair cost data, Honda is cheaper to maintain at an average of $441/year compared to $473/year for Toyota. The difference is relatively small, so maintenance costs shouldn't be a major deciding factor between these makes.
Honda Repair Cost Range
$301 – $547/yr
Average: $441/yr
Toyota Repair Cost Range
$362 – $606/yr
Average: $473/yr
Honda vs Toyota Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Honda | Toyota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedans(2 vs 5 models) | 75/100 | 77/100 | Toyota |
| SUVs(5 vs 7 models) | 72/100 | 77/100 | Toyota |
| Minivans(1 vs 1 models) | 65/100 | 73/100 | Toyota |
| Trucks(1 vs 2 models) | 76/100 | 65/100 | Honda |
Toyota wins 3 out of 4 shared categories.
Common Problems: Honda vs Toyota
Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:
| Component | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 18%2,940 | 13%1,214 |
| STEERING | 19%3,186 | 6%555 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 10%1,640 | 14%1,321 |
| POWER TRAIN | 7%1,153 | 17%1,593 |
| ENGINE | 9%1,566 | 10%965 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 10%1,663 | 1%59 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5%908 | 8%792 |
| AIR BAGS | 3%455 | 9%890 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 7%1,145 | 2%180 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3%461 | 8%740 |
Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.
Honda vs Toyota Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Across all tracked models, Honda owners reported 572 crash-related, 70 fire-related, and 515 injury-related complaints to NHTSA. Toyota owners reported 672 crash-related, 93 fire-related, and 611 injury-related complaints. Honda 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.
Honda
572
Crash reports
70
Fire reports
515
Injury reports
Toyota
672
Crash reports
93
Fire reports
611
Injury reports
Every Honda and Toyota Model Ranked
All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.
Honda Models
Toyota Models
Honda vs Toyota Reliability Trend by Year
Average reliability score for each model year, showing how quality has trended over time:
Honda's reliability is improving — recent model years average 79/100, up from earlier years. Toyota's reliability is improving — recent model years average 77/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Honda | Toyota | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 79/100(9) | 78/100(15) | Honda |
| 2024 | 78/100(9) | 75/100(16) | Honda |
| 2023 | 74/100(8) | 75/100(15) | Toyota |
| 2022 | 74/100(8) | 75/100(13) | Toyota |
| 2021 | 75/100(8) | 76/100(11) | Toyota |
| 2020 | 70/100(8) | 73/100(10) | Toyota |
| 2019 | 65/100(8) | 70/100(9) | Toyota |
| 2018 | 66/100(7) | 71/100(9) | Toyota |
Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.
Honda vs Toyota: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Honda and Toyota. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
The Bottom Line: Honda or Toyota?
Toyota has the edge, but don't let a modest score gap override other factors like price, features, and dealer experience.
If you want the single most reliable option: the Toyota Crown leads both lineups with a score of 84/100.
Budget-conscious buyers should note that Honda costs less to maintain — $441/year vs $473/year.
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.
Honda vs Toyota: Common Questions
Is Honda more reliable than Toyota?
Which is cheaper to maintain, Honda or Toyota?
Which make has more recalls, Honda or Toyota?
What are the most reliable models from Honda and Toyota?
What are the least reliable models from Honda and Toyota?
What are the most common problems with Honda and Toyota vehicles?
Which make has more reliable models overall, Honda or Toyota?
How many Honda and Toyota models does Auto Reliability Index track?
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Honda or Toyota?
Are Honda and Toyota getting more or less reliable?
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Honda or Toyota?
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Honda or Toyota?
Comparing Honda vs Toyota? 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.