Is the Dodge Durango more reliable than the Honda Pilot?

Based on our data, the Dodge Durango is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Dodge Durango or the Honda Pilot?

The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) compared to the Dodge Durango (27). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Durango or the Honda Pilot?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Durango has a lower complaint rate at 5.4 per 10,000 sold versus 9.1 for the Honda Pilot. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Durango or the Honda Pilot?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Pilot is cheaper to maintain at $542/year versus $675/year for the Dodge Durango.

Is the Dodge Durango or Honda Pilot safer?

Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Honda Pilot has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Dodge Durango. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Dodge Durango vs Honda Pilot: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Dodge Durango

Good

Honda Pilot

Good

Choosing between the Dodge Durango and the Honda Pilot? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Dodge Durango currently leads with an average score of 71/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Dodge Durango and Honda Pilot Generations Compare?

The Honda Pilot is currently in its fourth generation, which began in 2023. As a new platform, it may experience first-year issues typical of early generation vehicles. The previous third generation, running from 2016 to 2022, was mature and likely more reliable due to its well-sorted nature by the end of its cycle. The Dodge Durango, on the other hand, is in its third generation, which started in 2011 and has seen significant updates, including a facelift in 2021. With over a decade in this generation, the Durango's platform is mature, suggesting that many initial reliability issues have been addressed. Buyers might expect more consistent performance from the Durango at this stage.

Verdict

The Dodge Durango is more reliable than the Honda Pilot, scoring 71/100 vs 66/100.

The Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango both score 74/100 in average reliability, indicating similar overall dependability. However, the Pilot has a higher owner complaint rate at 9.1 per 10,000 sold compared to the Durango's 5.4, suggesting the Durango may experience fewer issues in the long term. The Dodge Durango also has fewer recalls over nine years, with 27 compared to the Pilot's 51, but these advantages are counterbalanced by its higher estimated annual repair cost of $675 versus the Pilot's $542. Ultimately, the Durango edges out slightly in terms of fewer complaints and recalls, while the Pilot offers lower repair costs.

Key Differences

1Honda Pilot costs $133 less per year to repair
2Dodge Durango has 24 fewer total recalls
3Dodge Durango scores 5 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

4Dodge Durango

—

2Honda Pilot

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Dodge Durango vs Honda Pilot: Which Is More Reliable?

Dodge Durango vs Honda Pilot at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Dodge Durango	Honda Pilot
Reliability Score	71/100	66/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	27	51
Complaints per 10k Sold	5.4	9.1
Annual Repair Cost	$675/yr	$542/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.5/yr
Major Repair Risk	13%	13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	7	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Durango and Honda Pilot?

The Honda Pilot exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the electrical system and unknown or other categories, with 632 and 271 complaints respectively, both of which include crash-linked incidents. Notably, the Honda Pilot's service brakes have the highest crash-linked complaints at nine, indicating a potential safety concern. In contrast, the Dodge Durango, with fewer overall complaints, shows significant issues with its electrical system and exterior lighting, each accounting for 160 and 159 complaints, respectively, though these are less frequently linked to crashes. The Dodge Durango's air bags category, however, is notable for having a high proportion of crash-linked complaints relative to its total, with 8 out of 19 incidents related to crashes, suggesting a critical safety vulnerability in this area.

Dodge Durango vs Honda Pilot common problem areas comparison
Component	Dodge Durango	Honda Pilot
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.3Low	2.4Low
POWER TRAIN	0.5Very Low	0.9Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1.3Low	—None
ENGINE	0.3Very Low	1Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.2Very Low	1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.3Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.6Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.6Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge Durango or Honda Pilot?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Honda Pilot and Dodge Durango present different value propositions for cost-conscious buyers. The Honda Pilot incurs an annual repair cost of $542, while the Dodge Durango is slightly higher at $675. This translates to a $133 difference per year, or $665 over five years. Despite the higher annual repair cost, the Durango has a lower repair frequency of 0.2 visits per year compared to the Pilot's 0.5 visits, suggesting fewer disruptions. Both models share a 13% major repair risk, indicating similar potential for significant repair expenses. For those prioritizing lower annual repair costs, the Honda Pilot offers better value, while the Dodge Durango may appeal to those valuing fewer repair visits.

How Does Dodge Durango vs Honda Pilot Reliability Compare by Year?

Dodge Durango vs Honda Pilot year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Dodge Durango	Honda Pilot	Edge
2025	78/1000R / 5C	71/1004R / 111C	Dodge Durango
2024	78/1000R / 6C	72/1006R / 82C	Dodge Durango
2023	75/1002R / 27C	72/1005R / 93C	Dodge Durango
2022	71/1006R / 47C	72/1003R / 105C	Honda Pilot
2021	65/1007R / 159C	63/1008R / 358C	Dodge Durango
2020	72/1003R / 62C	60/1009R / 431C	Dodge Durango
2019	67/1004R / 128C	56/10011R / 794C	Dodge Durango
2018	64/1005R / 219C	63/1005R / 408C	Dodge Durango
2026(predicted)	77/100(predicted)	72/100(predicted)	Dodge Durango

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Dodge Durango scored 78/100 and the 2024 Honda Pilot scored 72/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Dodge Durango vs the Honda Pilot?

If you prioritize lower running costs and more affordable repairs, the Honda Pilot might be your best choice. With an estimated annual repair cost of $542 and a repair frequency of 0.5 times per year, it offers better predictability for your budget. However, be aware of its higher recall count at 51 and the owner complaints rate of 9.1 per 10,000 sold, which could indicate more frequent minor issues. On the other hand, if you value fewer recalls and a lower complaint rate, you might lean towards the Dodge Durango. It has only 27 total recalls and 5.4 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, suggesting fewer trips to the dealership. While the repair costs are higher at $675 annually, the repair frequency is lower at 0.2 times per year, which might suit you if you prefer less frequent maintenance. Both cars have a 13% major repair risk, so your decision may come down to these specific preferences.

Dodge Durango vs Honda Pilot: Common Questions

Is the Dodge Durango more reliable than the Honda Pilot?: Based on our data, the Dodge Durango is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Dodge Durango or the Honda Pilot?: The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) compared to the Dodge Durango (27). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Durango or the Honda Pilot?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Durango has a lower complaint rate at 5.4 per 10,000 sold versus 9.1 for the Honda Pilot. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Durango or the Honda Pilot?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Pilot is cheaper to maintain at $542/year versus $675/year for the Dodge Durango.
Is the Dodge Durango or Honda Pilot safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Honda Pilot has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Dodge Durango. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

More Dodge Durango comparisons

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More Honda Pilot comparisons

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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.

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