Is the Honda Passport more reliable than the Subaru Outback?

Based on our data, the Honda Passport is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Honda Passport or the Subaru Outback?

The Honda Passport has more recalls (29) compared to the Subaru Outback (22). 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 Subaru Outback?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Passport has a lower complaint rate at 11.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 26.1 for the Subaru Outback. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Passport or the Subaru Outback?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Passport is cheaper to maintain at $521/year versus $607/year for the Subaru Outback.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Honda Passport vs Subaru Outback: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Honda Passport

Good

Subaru Outback

Good

Choosing between the Honda Passport and the Subaru Outback? 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 74/100 compared to 72/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda Passport and Subaru Outback Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Subaru Outback is in its seventh generation, having been redesigned for the 2026 model year. The previous sixth generation, which ran from 2020 to 2025, received a refresh in 2023. The transition to a new generation suggests that the Outback is currently in the early stages of its cycle, where vehicles may experience initial quality issues as manufacturers work out kinks. The Honda Passport, on the other hand, is in its fourth generation, also newly redesigned for 2026. Like the Outback, it is early in its generation cycle, which can sometimes result in early production challenges. However, the third generation, which lasted from 2019 to 2025, had multiple updates, indicating a mature and well-refined platform by its end.

Verdict

The Honda Passport is more reliable than the Subaru Outback, scoring 74/100 vs 72/100.

The Honda Passport edges out the Subaru Outback in reliability with a slightly higher average score of 74/100 compared to the Outback's 72/100. The Passport also has a lower owner complaint rate of 11.6 per 10,000 sold, contrasting with the Outback's 26.1, and benefits from a lower estimated annual repair cost of $521 versus $607. However, the Outback has fewer recalls over a longer period, with 22 recalls across 9 years compared to the Passport's 29 over 8 years. Both vehicles have common issues with their electrical systems and power trains, but the Passport's lower complaint rate and repair costs make it the more reliable choice overall.

Key Differences

1Honda Passport costs $86 less per year to repair
2Honda Passport has 14.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Subaru Outback has 7 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

4Honda Passport

—

1Subaru Outback

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair Frequency

Honda Passport vs Subaru Outback: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda Passport vs Subaru Outback at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda Passport	Subaru Outback
Reliability Score	74/100	72/100
Years Tracked	8	9
Total Recalls	29	22
Complaints per 10k Sold	11.6	26.1
Annual Repair Cost	$521/yr	$607/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.4/yr
Year Wins	3 (1 tied)	4 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Passport and Subaru Outback?

The Subaru Outback shows a significantly higher volume of complaints, particularly in visibility/wiper and electrical system categories, with 1142 and 984 complaints respectively, including a notable 8 crash-linked incidents in the electrical system. In contrast, the Honda Passport's most reported issue is also the electrical system, but with a much lower count of 123 complaints and only 2 crash-linked incidents. The Outback has a concerning number of crash-linked complaints related to air bags, totaling 15, which stands out compared to the Passport's relatively lower crash-linked issues across various categories. While both vehicles face challenges with their power trains, the Outback's problem profile suggests more frequent and severe reliability issues overall.

Honda Passport vs Subaru Outback common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda Passport	Subaru Outback
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.6Low	7.2Above Avg
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	8.3Above Avg
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.3Low	3.4Average
POWER TRAIN	1.2Low	0.7Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1.4Low	0.3Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	1Very Low	0.3Very Low
ENGINE	0.7Very Low	0.4Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.7Very Low
VISIBILITY	0.1Very Low	0.7Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.5Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.5Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.4Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES	—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 Subaru Outback?

Independent repair cost data suggests that the Subaru Outback incurs an annual repair cost of $607, while the Honda Passport is slightly more economical at $521 per year. Over five years, this represents a $430 saving with the Honda Passport. In terms of repair frequency, the Outback requires 0.4 visits annually, compared to the Passport's 0.3 visits, indicating the latter may spend less time in the shop. Crucially, the Subaru Outback presents a 12% risk of major repairs, which is not specified for the Honda Passport. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda Passport offers better value by combining lower annual expenses and fewer repair visits, potentially minimizing long-term maintenance inconveniences.

How Does Honda Passport vs Subaru Outback Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda Passport vs Subaru Outback year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda Passport	Subaru Outback	Edge
2026	84/1000R / 0C	82/1000R / 0C	Honda Passport
2025	82/1000R / 11C	82/1000R / 43C	Tie
2024	79/1001R / 12C	82/1000R / 69C	Subaru Outback
2023	75/1004R / 24C	77/1002R / 83C	Subaru Outback
2022	74/1003R / 45C	67/1004R / 435C	Honda Passport
2021	68/1005R / 119C	69/1004R / 283C	Subaru Outback
2020	68/1008R / 84C	60/1006R / 884C	Honda Passport
2019	59/1008R / 253C	63/1003R / 1017C	Subaru Outback

Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Honda Passport scored 84/100 and the 2026 Subaru Outback scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda Passport vs the Subaru Outback?

If you prioritize lower running costs and fewer owner complaints, the Honda Passport may be the better option for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $521 and fewer complaints at 11.6 per 10,000 sold, the Passport offers a more cost-effective and complaint-free experience. Despite having a slightly higher number of recalls at 29, its lower repair frequency of 0.3 times per year suggests less frequent visits to the mechanic. On the other hand, if you value a slightly better reliability score and are comfortable with a bit higher maintenance, consider the Subaru Outback. While it has a reliability score of 72 and a higher estimated annual repair cost of $607, its major repair risk is quantified at 12%, giving you a clearer picture of potential future issues. The Outback's strengths lie in its diverse capabilities, making it suitable for adventurous drivers who can manage occasional maintenance.

Honda Passport vs Subaru Outback: Common Questions

Is the Honda Passport more reliable than the Subaru Outback?: Based on our data, the Honda Passport is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda Passport or the Subaru Outback?: The Honda Passport has more recalls (29) compared to the Subaru Outback (22). 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 Subaru Outback?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Passport has a lower complaint rate at 11.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 26.1 for the Subaru Outback. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Passport or the Subaru Outback?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Passport is cheaper to maintain at $521/year versus $607/year for the Subaru Outback.

More Honda Passport comparisons

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More Subaru Outback 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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