Is the Honda Pilot more reliable than the Subaru Outback?

Based on our data, the Subaru Outback is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

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

The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) 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 Pilot or the Subaru Outback?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Pilot has a lower complaint rate at 9.1 per 10,000 sold versus 26.1 for the Subaru Outback. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

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

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Pilot is cheaper to maintain at $542/year versus $607/year for the Subaru Outback.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Honda Pilot vs Subaru Outback: Reliability Compared

Honda Pilot

Good

More Reliable

Subaru Outback

Good

Choosing between the Honda Pilot 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 Subaru Outback currently leads with an average score of 71/100 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 Subaru Outback Generations Compare?

The Subaru Outback is currently in its seventh generation, which started in 2026, while the Honda Pilot is in its fourth generation, launched in 2023. The Subaru Outback is early in its generation cycle, so potential buyers might encounter first-year issues often seen with newer platforms. In contrast, the Honda Pilot, though also in a relatively new generation, has not been on the market as long, which can sometimes mean less mature reliability. Both models have benefited from recent facelifts, with the Outback refreshed in 2023 and the Pilot expected for a facelift in 2026, suggesting ongoing improvements and refinements to address early cycle issues.

Verdict

The Subaru Outback is more reliable than the Honda Pilot, scoring 71/100 vs 66/100.

Both the Subaru Outback and Honda Pilot achieve an identical average reliability score of 74/100, indicating similar overall dependability. However, the Honda Pilot has a significantly lower owner complaint rate at 9.1 per 10,000 sold compared to the Outback's 26.1, suggesting fewer issues per unit sold. Despite the Pilot's higher number of total recalls (51 compared to the Outback's 22), its lower estimated annual repair cost of $542 versus the Outback's $607 could make it a more cost-effective choice in the long run. The key differentiator lies in the complaint rate, where the Honda Pilot shows a clear advantage.

Key Differences

1Honda Pilot costs $65 less per year to repair
2Subaru Outback has 29 fewer total recalls
3Honda Pilot has 17.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Honda Pilot

—

4Subaru Outback

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Honda Pilot vs Subaru Outback: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda Pilot vs Subaru Outback at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda Pilot	Subaru Outback
Reliability Score	66/100	71/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	51	22
Complaints per 10k Sold	9.1	26.1
Annual Repair Cost	$542/yr	$607/yr
Repair Frequency	0.5/yr	0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk	13%	12%
Year Wins	1 (1 tied)	6 (1 tied)

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

The Subaru Outback experiences a higher volume of complaints compared to the Honda Pilot, particularly in the visibility/wiper and electrical system categories, with 1,142 and 984 complaints respectively. Notably, the Outback's air bags category has 15 crash-linked complaints, indicating a significant safety concern. In contrast, the Honda Pilot shows a higher frequency of issues related to its fuel system and forward collision avoidance, though these are less frequently linked to crashes. Both models register a considerable number of electrical system complaints, but the Outback's overall problem profile suggests more pronounced issues with safety-critical components.

Honda Pilot vs Subaru Outback common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda Pilot	Subaru Outback
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.4Low	7.2Above Avg
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	8.3Above Avg
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1Very Low	3.4Average
POWER TRAIN	0.9Very Low	0.7Very Low
ENGINE	1Very Low	0.4Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.6Very Low	0.3Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.7Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.7Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.5Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.4Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.1Very Low
TIRES	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—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 Pilot or Subaru Outback?

The Subaru Outback and Honda Pilot have similar maintenance profiles, but there are notable differences. The Outback's annual repair cost is $607, which is $65 more than the Pilot's $542. This translates to a $325 difference over five years. In terms of repair frequency, the Outback visits the shop 0.4 times per year, slightly less than the Pilot's 0.5 visits. However, the major repair risk is slightly lower for the Outback at 12%, compared to the Pilot's 13%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda Pilot offers better value in annual repair costs, though the Subaru Outback's lower repair frequency and marginally reduced major repair risk may appeal to those prioritizing fewer service disruptions.

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

Honda Pilot vs Subaru Outback year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda Pilot	Subaru Outback	Edge
2025	71/1004R / 111C	82/1000R / 43C	Subaru Outback
2024	72/1006R / 82C	82/1000R / 69C	Subaru Outback
2023	72/1005R / 93C	77/1002R / 83C	Subaru Outback
2022	72/1003R / 105C	67/1004R / 435C	Honda Pilot
2021	63/1008R / 358C	69/1004R / 283C	Subaru Outback
2020	60/1009R / 431C	60/1006R / 884C	Tie
2019	56/10011R / 794C	63/1003R / 1017C	Subaru Outback
2018	63/1005R / 408C	64/1003R / 779C	Subaru Outback
2026(predicted)	72/100(predicted)	80/100(predicted)	Subaru Outback

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Honda Pilot scored 72/100 and the 2025 Subaru Outback scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda Pilot vs the Subaru Outback?

If you prioritize lower running costs and fewer owner complaints, the Honda Pilot might be the better choice for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $542 and just 9.1 complaints per 10,000 sold, it offers a slightly more economical and quieter ownership experience. However, be mindful of its 51 total recalls, which is significantly higher than the Outback's 22, indicating potential inconvenience in keeping up with recall fixes. On the other hand, if you're looking to minimize the frequency of visits to the repair shop, consider the Subaru Outback. It has a lower repair frequency of 0.4 times per year compared to the Pilot's 0.5, which might make it more appealing if you prefer fewer disruptions. Although the Outback has a higher estimated annual repair cost of $607, it also boasts a slightly lower major repair risk of 12%, making it potentially more reliable in the long run.

Honda Pilot vs Subaru Outback: Common Questions

Is the Honda Pilot more reliable than the Subaru Outback?: Based on our data, the Subaru Outback is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda Pilot or the Subaru Outback?: The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) 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 Pilot or the Subaru Outback?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Pilot has a lower complaint rate at 9.1 per 10,000 sold versus 26.1 for the Subaru Outback. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Pilot or the Subaru Outback?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Pilot is cheaper to maintain at $542/year versus $607/year for the Subaru Outback.

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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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