Last updated: 2026-03-04
Ford Explorer vs Honda Pilot: Reliability Compared
Ford Explorer
Honda Pilot
Choosing between the Ford Explorer 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. Both models currently share an average reliability score of 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 Pilot Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot are evenly matched with a reliability score of 66/100.
The Honda Pilot slightly outpaces the Ford Explorer in reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 74/100 compared to the Explorer's 68/100. The Pilot also benefits from a significantly lower recall count, with 51 recalls versus the Explorer's 117 over the same nine-year period. Although the Pilot has a slightly higher owner complaint rate per 10,000 sold at 9.1 compared to the Explorer's 6.8, the lower estimated annual repair cost of $542 versus $732 for the Explorer makes the Pilot a more cost-effective choice for maintenance. Overall, the Honda Pilot's combination of fewer recalls and lower repair costs makes it the more reliable midsize SUV option.
Key Differences
- 1Honda Pilot costs $190 less per year to repair
- 2Honda Pilot has 66 fewer total recalls
- 3Ford Explorer has 2.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Ford Explorer vs Honda Pilot: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Explorer | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 66/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 117 | 51 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.8 | 9.1 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $732/yr | $542/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.5/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 14% | 13% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot?
The Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot exhibit distinct problem profiles in terms of reliability issues. The Ford Explorer shows a significant concentration of complaints in the power train category with 618 issues, 12 of which are crash-linked, indicating a critical area of concern. In contrast, the Honda Pilot has its highest number of complaints in the electrical system category with 632 complaints, though only 7 are crash-linked, suggesting less severity in terms of safety. Additionally, the Explorer's structure and steering categories have more crash-linked complaints compared to the Pilot, which shows a notable vulnerability in forward collision avoidance but with fewer crash-linked incidents overall.
| Component | Ford Explorer | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 2.4Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.6Low | 0.9Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.1Low | 1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| 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 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —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 Pilot?
How Does Ford Explorer vs Honda Pilot Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Explorer | Honda Pilot | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 72/10014R / 65C | 71/1004R / 111C | Ford Explorer |
| 2024 | 73/1006R / 14C | 72/1006R / 82C | Ford Explorer |
| 2023 | 71/10012R / 84C | 72/1005R / 93C | Honda Pilot |
| 2022 | 65/10021R / 208C | 72/1003R / 105C | Honda Pilot |
| 2021 | 62/10022R / 354C | 63/1008R / 358C | Honda Pilot |
| 2020 | 54/10029R / 1066C | 60/1009R / 431C | Honda Pilot |
| 2019 | 69/1004R / 252C | 56/10011R / 794C | Ford Explorer |
| 2018 | 64/1005R / 651C | 63/1005R / 408C | Ford Explorer |
| 2026(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | Tie |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Explorer scored 73/100 and the 2024 Honda Pilot scored 72/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Explorer vs the Honda Pilot?
Ford Explorer vs Honda Pilot: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Explorer more reliable than the Honda Pilot?
- They're very close — both average 66/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Explorer or the Honda Pilot?
- The Ford Explorer has more recalls (117) compared to the Honda Pilot (51). 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 Pilot?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Explorer has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 sold versus 9.1 for the Honda Pilot. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Explorer or the Honda Pilot?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Pilot is cheaper to maintain at $542/year versus $732/year for the Ford Explorer.
- Is the Ford Explorer or Honda Pilot safer?
- Both the Ford Explorer 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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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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