Is the GMC Acadia more reliable than the Honda Pilot?

Based on our data, the GMC Acadia is more reliable with an average score of 69/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the GMC Acadia or the Honda Pilot?

The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) compared to the GMC Acadia (17). 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 GMC Acadia or the Honda Pilot?

The GMC Acadia has fewer owner complaints (770) versus 2382 for the Honda Pilot. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the GMC Acadia or the Honda Pilot?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Pilot is cheaper to maintain at $542/year versus $734/year for the GMC Acadia.

Is the GMC Acadia or Honda Pilot safer?

Both the GMC Acadia 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.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

GMC Acadia vs Honda Pilot: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

GMC Acadia

Good

Honda Pilot

Good

Choosing between the GMC Acadia 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 GMC Acadia currently leads with an average score of 69/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the GMC Acadia and Honda Pilot Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Honda Pilot is in its fourth generation, which started in 2023. It has already received a facelift for the 2026 model year, indicating that it is still in the early stages of its generation cycle. Newer platforms like this can sometimes experience first-year issues, although Honda's reputation for reliability often mitigates these concerns. The GMC Acadia, on the other hand, is in its third generation, which began in 2024. This makes it relatively new as well, and it may similarly face early generation teething problems. Both models have seen significant updates, with the Acadia's second generation undergoing multiple facelifts, reflecting a mature platform typically associated with well-sorted reliability.

Verdict

The GMC Acadia is more reliable than the Honda Pilot, scoring 69/100 vs 66/100.

The GMC Acadia edges out the Honda Pilot in reliability with a slightly higher average reliability score of 69/100 compared to the Pilot's 66/100. The Acadia also benefits from a significantly lower recall count of 17 over 8 years versus the Pilot's 51 over 9 years. Despite the Acadia's higher estimated annual repair cost of $734 compared to the Pilot's $542, the Pilot's higher owner complaint rate of 9.1 per 10,000 units sold suggests more frequent issues. Overall, the Acadia presents a more reliable choice, especially considering its lower recall frequency and complaints.

Key Differences

1Honda Pilot costs $192 less per year to repair
2GMC Acadia has 34 fewer total recalls
3Honda Pilot has 6% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

3GMC Acadia

—

2Honda Pilot

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

GMC Acadia vs Honda Pilot: Which Is More Reliable?

GMC Acadia vs Honda Pilot at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot
Reliability Score	69/100	66/100
Years Tracked	8	9
Total Recalls	17	51
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume	770	2382
Annual Repair Cost	$734/yr	$542/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.5/yr
Major Repair Risk	19%	13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	5	2

What Are the Common Problems With the GMC Acadia and Honda Pilot?

The Honda Pilot and GMC Acadia exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Honda Pilot facing a higher total number of complaints at 2,382 compared to the GMC Acadia's 770. The Pilot's most significant issues are with the electrical system, accounting for 632 complaints, including 7 crash-linked incidents, which is notably higher than the Acadia’s 139 electrical system complaints. Conversely, the GMC Acadia shows a concentration of issues in the power train with 200 complaints, 4 of which are crash-linked, while the Pilot has 232 power train complaints with 3 crash-linked cases. Notably, the Acadia has a higher proportion of airbag-related complaints leading to crashes, with 5 out of 12 complaints linked to crashes, which is a specific area of concern not mirrored in the Pilot's profile.

GMC Acadia vs Honda Pilot common problem areas comparison
Component	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	139	632
POWER TRAIN	200	232
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	106	271
ENGINE	37	255
FUEL SYSTEM	4	155
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	8	147
SERVICE BRAKES	70	76
STEERING	55	65
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	23	75
AIR BAGS	12	38
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	7	33
SEAT BELTS	9	26
VISIBILITY/WIPER	2	29
STRUCTURE	2	23
TIRES	—	12
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	6	2
SUSPENSION	4	4
VISIBILITY	—	5
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	4	—
SEATS	3	—
LANE DEPARTURE	2	—
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	2	—

Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: GMC Acadia or Honda Pilot?

Independent repair cost data reveals that the Honda Pilot and GMC Acadia have distinct maintenance profiles. The Honda Pilot's annual repair cost is $542, while the GMC Acadia's is $734, resulting in a $192 annual savings with the Pilot, or $960 over five years. Despite the Acadia's slightly lower repair frequency of 0.4 visits per year compared to the Pilot's 0.5, the Acadia's major repair risk is higher at 19% versus the Pilot's 13%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda Pilot offers better value with lower annual costs and reduced risk of major repairs, making it a more economical choice over time.

How Does GMC Acadia vs Honda Pilot Reliability Compare by Year?

GMC Acadia vs Honda Pilot year-by-year reliability scores
Year	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot	Edge
2025	76/1000R / 51C	71/1004R / 111C	GMC Acadia
2024	76/1000R / 51C	72/1006R / 82C	GMC Acadia
2023	64/1004R / 37C	72/1005R / 93C	Honda Pilot
2022	66/1003R / 44C	72/1003R / 105C	Honda Pilot
2021	68/1002R / 134C	63/1008R / 358C	GMC Acadia
2020	62/1006R / 84C	60/1009R / 431C	GMC Acadia
2018	68/1002R / 369C	63/1005R / 408C	GMC Acadia
2026(predicted)	72/100(predicted)	72/100(predicted)	Tie

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 GMC Acadia 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 GMC Acadia vs the Honda Pilot?

If you prioritize lower running costs and are comfortable with minor reliability trade-offs, the Honda Pilot could be the better choice for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $542 and a repair frequency of 0.5 times per year, it offers more affordable maintenance. However, be aware of its higher number of recalls (51) and a 13% risk of major repairs, with common issues in the electrical system and engine. On the other hand, if you value fewer recalls and can handle slightly higher repair costs, the GMC Acadia may suit you better. It boasts a higher reliability score of 69/100 and fewer recalls (17), although its repair costs are estimated at $734 annually. The Acadia's major repair risk is a bit higher at 19%, with notable issues in the power train and brakes. Choose this model if you prefer a vehicle with a more stable recall history and can manage the higher repair expenses.

GMC Acadia vs Honda Pilot: Common Questions

Is the GMC Acadia more reliable than the Honda Pilot?: Based on our data, the GMC Acadia is more reliable with an average score of 69/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the GMC Acadia or the Honda Pilot?: The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) compared to the GMC Acadia (17). 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 GMC Acadia or the Honda Pilot?: The GMC Acadia has fewer owner complaints (770) versus 2382 for the Honda Pilot. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the GMC Acadia or the Honda Pilot?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Pilot is cheaper to maintain at $542/year versus $734/year for the GMC Acadia.
Is the GMC Acadia or Honda Pilot safer?: Both the GMC Acadia 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.

More GMC Acadia 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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