Last updated: 2026-10-10
Honda vs Toyota: Reliability Compared
Honda
9 models tracked
Toyota
19 models tracked
Toyota holds a slight reliability edge over Honda. Its owners file about half as many complaints per 1,000 cars sold, 0.9 against Honda's 1.9. Honda costs a bit less to keep running, and its HR-V is the strongest single model on either side.
Is Honda More Reliable Than Toyota?
| Metric | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 74/100 | 76/100 |
| Models Tracked | 9 | 19 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 38 | 25 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 2118 | 616 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $441/yr | $482/yr |
Honda vs Toyota: The Verdict
On balance, the edge goes to Toyota, but only slightly. The gap shows up in how often owners complain and how serious those complaints are. Toyota's complaint rate per car sold is about half of Honda's, and its complaints rank as less severe. Toyota also comes out stronger on recall impact, even though it has more recall records in total across a lineup twice Honda's size.
Honda wins back ground on cost. Its average estimated repair bill runs $441 a year against Toyota's $482, and its cheapest model to maintain beats Toyota's cheapest. Steering and electrical faults lead Honda's complaint list, while powertrain problems top Toyota's. Both brands hold a good overall standing, and both are trending better.
Where Honda and Toyota Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 61/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 84/100Excellent | 77/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 74/100Good | 80/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
The biggest gap is in repair costs, where Honda 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 (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
Toyota
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (76/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($482/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 19 of 19 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 $482/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 – $642/yr
Average: $482/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 6 models) | 77/100 | 78/100 | Toyota |
| SUVs(5 vs 9 models) | 73/100 | 77/100 | Toyota |
| Minivans(1 vs 1 models) | 66/100 | 74/100 | Toyota |
| Trucks(1 vs 2 models) | 77/100 | 67/100 | Honda |
Toyota wins 3 out of 4 shared categories.
Common Problems: Honda vs Toyota
| Component | Honda | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 18%2,940 | 12%1,271 |
| STEERING | 19%3,164 | 5%532 |
| POWER TRAIN | 7%1,149 | 19%1,909 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 8%1,404 | 13%1,350 |
| ENGINE | 9%1,523 | 9%963 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 10%1,664 | 0%50 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5%876 | 8%780 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 5%799 | 8%796 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 7%1,142 | 2%229 |
| AIR BAGS | 2%410 | 9%911 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Honda vs Toyota Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Honda
584
Crash reports
69
Fire reports
520
Injury reports
Toyota
699
Crash reports
93
Fire reports
633
Injury reports
Every Honda and Toyota Model Ranked
Honda Models
Toyota Models
Honda vs Toyota Reliability Trend by Year
Honda's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100, up from earlier years. Toyota'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 | Honda | Toyota | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 84/100(9) | 86/100(13) | Toyota |
| 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) | 76/100(16) | Toyota |
| 2021 | 75/100(8) | 76/100(14) | Toyota |
| 2020 | 70/100(8) | 73/100(13) | Toyota |
| 2019 | 65/100(8) | 70/100(12) | Toyota |
| 2018 | 66/100(7) | 71/100(12) | Toyota |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
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:
Who Should Buy Honda vs Toyota?
If you want an SUV or a minivan, lean toward Toyota. It rates stronger in both classes, and the Corolla Cross, 4Runner, and Venza all hold excellent standing. For a family hauler, the Sienna gets the nod over Honda's Odyssey. Be choosier with the Tacoma. Owners report powertrain and service brake problems, especially in the 2018, 2019, and 2024 model years.
If you want a pickup or the lowest running costs, look at Honda. The Ridgeline rates stronger than Toyota's trucks, and the HR-V pairs top reliability with the lowest estimated repair cost on either list. Civic and Accord shoppers are on even ground with Toyota's Corolla and Camry, since sedans come out even between the brands. Approach the Prologue with care. The 2025 model drew owner complaints about steering, electrical, and powertrain problems, and its repair-cost rating is low.
The Bottom Line: Honda or Toyota?
For most shoppers, Toyota is the slightly safer bet, with fewer and less severe complaints per car sold. Honda is the cheaper brand to maintain, by about $41 a year on average, or roughly $205 over five years of ownership. The single strongest model across both lineups is the Honda HR-V, which pairs excellent reliability with the lowest estimated repair cost of any model here. Check a 2023 HR-V's history closely, since that year saw a spike in complaints.
Honda vs Toyota: Common Questions
Is Honda more reliable than Toyota?
Which has more recalls, Honda or Toyota?
Is Honda or Toyota cheaper to repair?
What problems do Hondas have most often?
Is the Honda Ridgeline more reliable than the Toyota Tacoma?
Comparing Honda vs Toyota? 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 Honda and Toyota 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.