Is the Ford Explorer more reliable than the Honda Passport?

Based on our data, the Honda Passport is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Ford Explorer or the Honda Passport?

The Ford Explorer has more recalls (117) compared to the Honda Passport (29). 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 Explorer or the Honda Passport?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Explorer has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 sold versus 11.6 for the Honda Passport. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Explorer or the Honda Passport?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Passport is cheaper to maintain at $521/year versus $732/year for the Ford Explorer.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Ford Explorer vs Honda Passport: Reliability Compared

Ford Explorer

Good

More Reliable

Honda Passport

Good

Choosing between the Ford Explorer and the Honda Passport? 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 Honda Passport currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Ford Explorer and Honda Passport Generations Compare?

The Ford Explorer is currently in its sixth generation, introduced in 2020. As it is relatively early in its generation cycle, potential first-year issues might have been addressed by now. The previous fifth generation had a mid-cycle facelift in 2016, suggesting a well-sorted platform towards its later years. In contrast, the Honda Passport is in its third generation, which began in 2019, with significant facelifts in 2022 and model year changes through 2024. Given its position in a mature phase, the Passport is likely benefiting from well-sorted reliability. Buyers should consider that newer platforms can face initial issues, while mature platforms are often more reliable.

Verdict

The Honda Passport is more reliable than the Ford Explorer, scoring 72/100 vs 66/100.

The Honda Passport outperforms the Ford Explorer in reliability, boasting an average reliability score of 83/100 compared to the Explorer's 68/100. Despite having a higher owner complaint rate of 11.6 per 10,000 sold, the Passport's significantly lower recall history of 29 over eight years and a lower estimated annual repair cost of $521 make it a more dependable choice. The Ford Explorer, with its higher recall count of 117 and repair costs averaging $732 annually, faces recurring issues in power train and electrical systems. Overall, the Honda Passport offers a more reliable ownership experience in the midsize SUV segment.

Key Differences

1Honda Passport costs $211 less per year to repair
2Honda Passport has 88 fewer total recalls
3Honda Passport scores 6 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Ford Explorer

—

3Honda Passport

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair Frequency

Ford Explorer vs Honda Passport: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Explorer vs Honda Passport at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Ford Explorer	Honda Passport
Reliability Score	66/100	72/100
Years Tracked	9	8
Total Recalls	117	29
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.8	11.6
Annual Repair Cost	$732/yr	$521/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.3/yr
Year Wins	1	6

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Explorer and Honda Passport?

The Ford Explorer exhibits a higher overall volume of complaints, with significant issues in the power train and unknown or other categories, both of which have a notable number of crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Honda Passport has fewer total complaints, with the electrical system being the most reported issue, though it poses a relatively lower crash risk. While both vehicles face challenges with their power trains, the Explorer's higher complaint volume and crash-linked incidents suggest a more severe issue in this area compared to the Passport. Additionally, the Explorer's service brakes and steering problems are more frequently associated with crashes, highlighting a potential area of concern for safety.

Ford Explorer vs Honda Passport common problem areas comparison
Component	Ford Explorer	Honda Passport
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.7Very Low	2.6Low
POWER TRAIN	1.6Low	1.2Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.1Low	1.3Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	1.4Low
STRUCTURE	1Very Low	0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.2Very Low	1Very Low
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	0.7Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.5Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.2Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	—None
SEATS	0.1Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.1Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Explorer or Honda Passport?

According to industry estimates, the Ford Explorer incurs an annual repair cost of $732, while the Honda Passport is more economical at $521 per year. Over five years, this translates to a $1,055 savings with the Passport. However, the Explorer's repair frequency is lower, with only 0.2 visits per year compared to the Passport's 0.3 visits. Despite this, the Explorer carries a 14% risk of major repairs, a factor not provided for the Passport but potentially advantageous for Honda. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda Passport presents better value due to its lower annual repair costs and absence of specified major repair risks, despite a slightly higher frequency of minor repairs.

How Does Ford Explorer vs Honda Passport Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Explorer vs Honda Passport year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Ford Explorer	Honda Passport	Edge
2025	72/10014R / 65C	82/1000R / 11C	Honda Passport
2024	73/1006R / 14C	79/1001R / 12C	Honda Passport
2023	71/10012R / 84C	75/1004R / 24C	Honda Passport
2022	65/10021R / 208C	74/1003R / 45C	Honda Passport
2021	62/10022R / 354C	68/1005R / 119C	Honda Passport
2020	54/10029R / 1066C	68/1008R / 84C	Honda Passport
2019	69/1004R / 252C	59/1008R / 253C	Ford Explorer
2026(predicted)	72/100(predicted)	79/100(predicted)	Honda Passport

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Explorer scored 73/100 and the 2025 Honda Passport scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Ford Explorer vs the Honda Passport?

If you prioritize reliability and lower long-term costs, the Honda Passport is the better choice. With a reliability score of 83/100 and only 29 total recalls, it demonstrates a solid track record. The estimated annual repair cost is more budget-friendly at $521, and while the repair frequency is slightly higher at 0.3 times per year, the major repair risk is not specified, suggesting fewer severe issues. The Passport's top concerns include the electrical system and forward collision avoidance, but these are generally less critical than engine or power train issues. On the other hand, if you don't mind a higher repair cost and are comfortable with a slightly lower reliability score, the Ford Explorer might appeal to you. It has a reliability score of 68/100 and a higher number of recalls at 117, indicating potential for more frequent issues. However, it has fewer owner complaints (6.8 per 10,000 sold) and a lower repair frequency of 0.2 times per year. Key issues like power train and engine should be considered, especially with a major repair risk of 14%.

Ford Explorer vs Honda Passport: Common Questions

Is the Ford Explorer more reliable than the Honda Passport?: Based on our data, the Honda Passport is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Ford Explorer or the Honda Passport?: The Ford Explorer has more recalls (117) compared to the Honda Passport (29). 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 Explorer or the Honda Passport?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Explorer has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 sold versus 11.6 for the Honda Passport. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Explorer or the Honda Passport?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Passport is cheaper to maintain at $521/year versus $732/year for the Ford Explorer.

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More Honda Passport 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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