Last updated: 2026-05-15
Ford Edge vs Honda Pilot: Reliability Compared
Ford Edge
Honda Pilot
Choosing between the Ford Edge 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 midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Ford Edge currently leads with an average score of 67/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Edge and Honda Pilot Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Ford Edge is more reliable than the Honda Pilot, scoring 67/100 vs 66/100.
Analyzing reliability data, the Ford Edge slightly edges out the Honda Pilot with an average reliability score of 67/100 versus 66/100. The Honda Pilot has a higher recall history, with 51 recalls over nine years compared to the Ford Edge's 32 over seven years. Both vehicles have similar complaint rates, with the Pilot at 9.1 and the Edge at 9.4 complaints per 10,000 sold. However, the Honda Pilot has a known estimated annual repair cost of $542, providing a clearer picture of potential maintenance expenses compared to the Ford Edge.
Key Differences
- 1Ford Edge has 19 fewer total recalls
- 2Ford Edge scores 1 points higher in reliability
- 3Honda Pilot has 0.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Ford Edge vs Honda Pilot: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Edge | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 67/100 | 66/100 |
| Years Tracked | 7 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 32 | 51 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 9.4 | 9.1 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2024 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 5 | 2 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Edge and Honda Pilot?
The Honda Pilot and Ford Edge exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Pilot primarily facing electrical system issues, accounting for 632 complaints, including 7 crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Ford Edge's most significant concern is its power train, with 683 complaints and 8 linked to crashes, suggesting a higher severity in this area. While the Pilot also has notable complaints in the power train (232) and engine (255), the Edge shows a pronounced vulnerability in engine-related problems with 415 complaints. Both models have a comparable number of crash-linked complaints in the service brakes category, indicating a shared area of concern for safety-related incidents.
| Component | Ford Edge | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 3.3Average | 0.9Very Low |
| ENGINE | 2Low | 1Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.5Very Low | 2.4Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.6Very Low | 1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.9Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Edge or Honda Pilot?
How Does Ford Edge vs Honda Pilot Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Edge | Honda Pilot | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 76/1002R / 38C | 72/1006R / 82C | Ford Edge |
| 2023 | 74/1004R / 16C | 72/1005R / 93C | Ford Edge |
| 2022 | 69/1005R / 113C | 72/1003R / 105C | Honda Pilot |
| 2021 | 69/1007R / 92C | 63/1008R / 358C | Ford Edge |
| 2020 | 64/1004R / 272C | 60/1009R / 431C | Ford Edge |
| 2019 | 60/1003R / 687C | 56/10011R / 794C | Ford Edge |
| 2018 | 57/1007R / 746C | 63/1005R / 408C | Honda Pilot |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Edge scored 76/100 and the 2024 Honda Pilot scored 72/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Edge vs the Honda Pilot?
Ford Edge vs Honda Pilot: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Edge more reliable than the Honda Pilot?
- Based on our data, the Ford Edge is more reliable with an average score of 67/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Edge or the Honda Pilot?
- The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) compared to the Ford Edge (32). 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 Ford Edge or the Honda Pilot?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Pilot has a lower complaint rate at 9.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 9.4 for the Ford Edge. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Ford Edge or Honda Pilot safer?
- Both the Ford Edge and Honda Pilot received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford Edge and Honda Pilot? Run a VIN check 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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue