Is the Honda Passport more reliable than the Kia Telluride?

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 Honda Passport or the Kia Telluride?

The Honda Passport has more recalls (29) compared to the Kia Telluride (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 Honda Passport or the Kia Telluride?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Passport has a lower complaint rate at 11.6 per 10,000 sold versus 23.3 for the Kia Telluride. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Passport or the Kia Telluride?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Passport is cheaper to maintain at $521/year versus $573/year for the Kia Telluride.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Honda Passport vs Kia Telluride: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Honda Passport

Good

Kia Telluride

Good

Choosing between the Honda Passport and the Kia Telluride? 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 Honda Passport and Kia Telluride Generations Compare?

The Kia Telluride is currently in its first generation, which began in 2019 for the 2020 model year. It received a mid-cycle refresh in 2023. As it is still relatively early in its lifecycle, potential buyers should be aware that newer platforms can sometimes experience first-year issues. However, the 2023 refresh might have addressed initial concerns, making it a more refined option now. In contrast, the Honda Passport is in its third generation, introduced in 2019, with several model year changes and facelifts in 2022, 2023, and 2024. This suggests the platform is maturing, and typically, vehicles later in their generation cycle tend to be more reliable as any initial issues are resolved.

Verdict

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

The Honda Passport demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 83/100 compared to the Kia Telluride's 71/100. The Passport also has a lower owner complaint rate of 11.6 per 10,000 sold versus the Telluride's 23.3, indicating fewer issues relative to sales volume. While both vehicles have similar recall histories, the Passport's estimated annual repair cost is slightly lower at $521 compared to the Telluride's $573. Overall, the Honda Passport offers a more reliable ownership experience, particularly highlighted by its lower complaint rate and repair costs.

Key Differences

1Honda Passport costs $52 less per year to repair
2Honda Passport has 11.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Honda Passport scores 6 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

4Honda Passport

—

1Kia Telluride

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair Frequency

Honda Passport vs Kia Telluride: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda Passport vs Kia Telluride at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda Passport	Kia Telluride
Reliability Score	72/100	66/100
Years Tracked	8	6
Total Recalls	29	27
Complaints per 10k Sold	11.6	23.3
Annual Repair Cost	$521/yr	$573/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.4/yr
Year Wins	6	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Passport and Kia Telluride?

The Kia Telluride has a higher volume of complaints overall, with significant issues in the categories of unknown or other concerns and visibility/wiper problems, neither of which are heavily reported in the Honda Passport. Notably, the Telluride also has more crash-linked complaints related to its power train and service brakes, with a combined total of 11 incidents. On the other hand, the Honda Passport's most reported issue is with the electrical system, but it has fewer crash-linked complaints overall, suggesting potentially less severe safety concerns compared to the Telluride. While both vehicles have problems associated with their electrical systems, the Telluride experiences a broader range of issues, including more frequent engine and exterior lighting complaints.

Honda Passport vs Kia Telluride common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda Passport	Kia Telluride
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.3Low	4.4Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.6Low	2.8Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	4.2Average
POWER TRAIN	1.2Low	1.7Low
ENGINE	0.7Very Low	1.9Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	2.5Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1.4Low	0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	1Very Low	0.5Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.2Very Low	0.9Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.5Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.3Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda Passport or Kia Telluride?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Kia Telluride incurs an annual maintenance and repair cost of $573, while the Honda Passport is slightly cheaper at $521 per year. Over five years, this translates to a $260 difference in favor of the Passport. The Telluride also requires more frequent visits to the repair shop, with an average of 0.4 visits per year compared to the Passport's 0.3 visits. Although major repair risk data is not available for either model, the Passport's lower repair costs and reduced frequency make it a better value for cost-conscious buyers seeking to minimize unexpected expenses.

How Does Honda Passport vs Kia Telluride Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda Passport vs Kia Telluride year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda Passport	Kia Telluride	Edge
2025	82/1000R / 11C	78/1002R / 32C	Honda Passport
2024	79/1001R / 12C	69/1004R / 180C	Honda Passport
2023	75/1004R / 24C	68/1005R / 161C	Honda Passport
2022	74/1003R / 45C	63/1006R / 280C	Honda Passport
2021	68/1005R / 119C	63/1004R / 280C	Honda Passport
2020	68/1008R / 84C	55/1006R / 667C	Honda Passport

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda Passport scored 82/100 and the 2025 Kia Telluride scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda Passport vs the Kia Telluride?

If you prioritize reliability and lower owner complaints, the Honda Passport might be the better choice for you. With a higher reliability score of 83/100 and fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold (11.6), it offers peace of mind for those who value dependability. Additionally, the Honda Passport has a slightly lower estimated annual repair cost of $521 and a repair frequency of 0.3 times per year, suggesting it may be more economical to maintain in the long run. On the other hand, if you're drawn to a model with a strong reputation for its features and can accommodate a slightly higher repair cost, the Kia Telluride could be appealing. Although it has a lower reliability score of 71/100 and more owner complaints (23.3 per 10,000 sold), its estimated annual repair cost is still reasonable at $573. Consider the Telluride if you value its design and features but are prepared for potential minor issues.

Honda Passport vs Kia Telluride: Common Questions

Is the Honda Passport more reliable than the Kia Telluride?: 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 Honda Passport or the Kia Telluride?: The Honda Passport has more recalls (29) compared to the Kia Telluride (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 Honda Passport or the Kia Telluride?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Passport has a lower complaint rate at 11.6 per 10,000 sold versus 23.3 for the Kia Telluride. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Passport or the Kia Telluride?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Passport is cheaper to maintain at $521/year versus $573/year for the Kia Telluride.

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More Kia Telluride 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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