Last updated: 2026-03-04

Honda Pilot vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Reliability Compared

Honda Pilot reliability comparison

Honda Pilot

66
GoodReliability score: 66 out of 100, rated Good
VS
More ReliableToyota Grand Highlander reliability comparison

Toyota Grand Highlander

75
GoodReliability score: 75 out of 100, rated Good

Choosing between the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Grand Highlander? 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 Toyota Grand Highlander currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander Generations Compare?

The Toyota Grand Highlander is currently in its first generation, introduced in 2024. Being early in its generation cycle, it may experience typical first-year issues as Toyota works out any initial design kinks. In contrast, the Honda Pilot is in its fourth generation, which began in 2023. While also relatively new, Honda has a history of refining their platforms over successive generations. The Pilot has undergone significant facelifts and refreshes in past generations, suggesting a pattern of addressing early issues effectively. Generally, mature platforms like the Pilot's tend to be more reliable as they benefit from years of refinement and improvements.

Verdict

The Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable than the Honda Pilot, scoring 75/100 vs 66/100.

The Toyota Grand Highlander outperforms the Honda Pilot in reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 85/100 compared to the Pilot's 74/100. With fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold (8.2 for the Grand Highlander versus 9.1 for the Pilot) and significantly fewer recalls (10 for the Grand Highlander over 3 years versus 51 for the Pilot over 9 years), the Toyota offers a more dependable ownership experience. While the Honda Pilot has a known estimated annual repair cost of $542, the Grand Highlander's reliability metrics suggest potentially lower maintenance concerns, despite the lack of specific repair cost data. Overall, the Toyota Grand Highlander presents a more reliable choice in the midsize SUV segment.

Key Differences

  1. 1Toyota Grand Highlander has 41 fewer total recalls
  2. 2Toyota Grand Highlander scores 9 points higher in reliability
  3. 3Toyota Grand Highlander has 0.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

0Honda Pilot
—
3Toyota Grand Highlander
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Honda Pilot vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda Pilot vs Toyota Grand Highlander at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricHonda PilotToyota Grand Highlander
Reliability Score66/10075/100
Years Tracked93
Total Recalls5110
Complaints per 10k Sold9.18.2
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2026 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins11

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander?

The Toyota Grand Highlander and Honda Pilot exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Pilot having a significantly higher total complaint count of 2382 compared to the Grand Highlander's 204. The Honda Pilot's most reported issues lie in the electrical system with 632 complaints, including 7 crash-linked, whereas the Grand Highlander has fewer complaints in this category at 16, with no crash-linked incidents. Both models show concerns in the power train, but the Pilot's 232 complaints, including 3 crash-linked, suggest a more severe issue compared to the Grand Highlander's 34 complaints. Additionally, the Pilot has notable crash-linked complaints in engine and service brakes, highlighting potential safety concerns that are less evident in the Grand Highlander's data.

Honda Pilot vs Toyota Grand Highlander common problem areas comparison
ComponentHonda PilotToyota Grand Highlander
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2.4Low0.6Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1Very Low1.7Low
POWER TRAIN0.9Very Low1.4Low
AIR BAGS0.1Very Low1.1Low
ENGINE1Very Low0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM0.3Very Low0.6Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM0.6Very Low—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE0.6Very Low—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.1Very Low0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.3Very Low0.1Very Low
STEERING0.2Very Low0.2Very Low
SUSPENSION—None0.4Very Low
STRUCTURE0.1Very Low0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER0.1Very Low—None
SEAT BELTS0.1Very Low—None
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: Honda Pilot or Toyota Grand Highlander?

For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda Pilot presents a clear picture with an estimated annual repair cost of $542, while the Toyota Grand Highlander lacks available data for direct comparison. The Pilot's repair frequency averages 0.5 visits per year, indicating a relatively low need for service. Additionally, with a 13% risk of major repairs, the Pilot provides a reasonable expectation of reliability. Without specific data for the Grand Highlander, one can only speculate its maintenance costs. However, given the Pilot’s transparent cost structure and moderate repair risk, it emerges as a more predictable and potentially cost-effective choice over a typical 5-year ownership period.

How Does Honda Pilot vs Toyota Grand Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda Pilot vs Toyota Grand Highlander year-by-year reliability scores
YearHonda PilotToyota Grand HighlanderEdge
202571/1004R / 111C80/1003R / 33CToyota Grand Highlander
202472/1006R / 82C69/1007R / 171CHonda Pilot
2026(predicted)72/100(predicted)75/100(predicted)Toyota Grand Highlander

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Honda Pilot scored 72/100 and the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda Pilot vs the Toyota Grand Highlander?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer owner complaints, the Toyota Grand Highlander is the better choice. With a reliability score of 85/100 and only 8.2 complaints per 10,000 sold, it stands out as a dependable option. Even though it has 10 recalls, this is significantly lower than the Honda Pilot's 51 recalls, suggesting a more stable production quality. Choose the Grand Highlander if you want peace of mind with fewer disruptions. On the other hand, if you are more concerned about knowing the estimated annual repair costs, the Honda Pilot provides transparency with an estimated cost of $542 per year. However, with a lower reliability score of 74/100 and a higher major repair risk of 13%, you may experience more frequent issues. Opt for the Pilot if cost predictability is your priority, but be prepared for potential inconveniences.

Honda Pilot vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Common Questions

Is the Honda Pilot more reliable than the Toyota Grand Highlander?
Based on our data, the Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda Pilot or the Toyota Grand Highlander?
The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) compared to the Toyota Grand Highlander (10). 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 Pilot or the Toyota Grand Highlander?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Grand Highlander has a lower complaint rate at 8.2 per 10,000 sold versus 9.1 for the Honda Pilot. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Honda Pilot or Toyota Grand Highlander safer?
Both the Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander 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

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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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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