Last updated: 2026-03-04

Honda Passport vs Toyota Venza: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Honda Passport and the Toyota Venza? 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 Venza currently leads with an average score of 80/100 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 Toyota Venza Generations Compare?

The Honda Passport is currently in its third generation, which began in 2019 and has undergone several updates, including facelifts in 2022 and model year changes in 2023 and 2024. This model is mature in its cycle, suggesting that many initial issues have likely been addressed, enhancing reliability. In contrast, the Toyota Venza is in its second generation, which started in 2021. It's relatively early in its lifecycle, having received a refresh in 2023. Newer platforms like the Venza's can experience first-year issues, but updates often improve reliability over time. Buyers might find the Passport more predictable due to its established platform.

Verdict

The Toyota Venza is more reliable than the Honda Passport, scoring 80/100 vs 72/100.

The Toyota Venza outperforms the Honda Passport in reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 91 compared to the Passport's 83. The Venza has a significantly lower owner complaint rate at 0.2 per 10,000 sold versus the Passport's 11.6, and fewer recalls over its shorter production span—5 compared to the Passport's 29. Additionally, the Venza benefits from a lower estimated annual repair cost of $444, making it a more reliable and cost-effective choice for midsize SUV buyers.

Key Differences

  1. 1Toyota Venza costs $77 less per year to repair
  2. 2Toyota Venza has 24 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Toyota Venza has 11.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

1Honda Passport
4Toyota Venza
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair Frequency

Honda Passport vs Toyota Venza: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda Passport vs Toyota Venza at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricHonda PassportToyota Venza
Reliability Score72/10080/100
Years Tracked84
Total Recalls295
Complaints per 10k Sold11.60.2
Annual Repair Cost$521/yr$444/yr
Repair Frequency0.3/yr0.5/yr
Year Wins04

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Passport and Toyota Venza?

The Honda Passport exhibits a broader range of problem areas compared to the Toyota Venza, with significant focus on the electrical system, accumulating 123 complaints, and forward collision avoidance, with 64 complaints. Notably, the Passport has crash-linked issues across multiple categories, including the electrical system and structure. In contrast, the Toyota Venza has a minimal complaint profile, primarily concerning exterior lighting and the fuel/propulsion system, with no crash-linked incidents reported. This suggests that while the Venza faces fewer issues overall, the Passport's problems are more varied and occasionally linked to crashes.

Honda Passport vs Toyota Venza common problem areas comparison
ComponentHonda PassportToyota Venza
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2.6LowNone
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1.4LowNone
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1.3LowNone
POWER TRAIN1.2LowNone
SERVICE BRAKES1Very LowNone
ENGINE0.7Very LowNone
FUEL SYSTEM0.5Very LowNone
STRUCTURE0.2Very LowNone
AIR BAGS0.2Very LowNone
STEERING0.2Very LowNone
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.1Very LowNone
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM0.1Very LowNone
LANE DEPARTURE0.1Very LowNone
VISIBILITY0.1Very LowNone
BACK OVER PREVENTIONNoneNone
SUSPENSIONNoneNone
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGNoneNone

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda Passport or Toyota Venza?

The Honda Passport and Toyota Venza present different profiles in terms of maintenance and repair costs. According to industry estimates, the Honda Passport has an annual repair cost of $521 and requires visits approximately 0.3 times per year. In contrast, the Toyota Venza costs $444 annually for repairs but has a higher repair frequency of 0.5 visits each year. Over five years, this results in a $385 saving with the Venza. However, the Venza carries a 10% risk of major repairs, which might offset some savings if an expensive issue arises. For cost-conscious buyers, the Toyota Venza offers a lower annual cost but comes with a slightly higher risk, making it a better value if infrequent major repairs can be managed.

How Does Honda Passport vs Toyota Venza Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda Passport vs Toyota Venza year-by-year reliability scores
YearHonda PassportToyota VenzaEdge
202479/1001R / 12C80/1002R / 0CToyota Venza
202375/1004R / 24C80/1002R / 0CToyota Venza
202274/1003R / 45C80/1000R / 2CToyota Venza
202168/1005R / 119C79/1001R / 7CToyota Venza

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Honda Passport scored 79/100 and the 2024 Toyota Venza scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda Passport vs the Toyota Venza?

If you prioritize low running costs and exceptional reliability, the Toyota Venza is your best choice. With a higher reliability score of 91/100, only five total recalls, and just 0.2 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, it offers peace of mind. The estimated annual repair cost is $444, making it a cost-effective option. However, be aware of a 10% major repair risk and minor issues with exterior lighting and the fuel/propulsion system. For those who value performance and can handle slightly higher maintenance, consider the Honda Passport. It has a reliability score of 83/100 and a larger number of recalls at 29, but it compensates with a lower repair frequency of 0.3 per year. While the estimated annual repair cost is slightly higher at $521, the Passport provides robust performance with known issues primarily in the electrical system and forward collision avoidance. Choose the Passport if you want a versatile SUV and can manage a few more maintenance concerns.

Honda Passport vs Toyota Venza: Common Questions

Is the Honda Passport more reliable than the Toyota Venza?
Based on our data, the Toyota Venza is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda Passport or the Toyota Venza?
The Honda Passport has more recalls (29) compared to the Toyota Venza (5). 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 Toyota Venza?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Venza has a lower complaint rate at 0.2 per 10,000 sold versus 11.6 for the Honda Passport. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Passport or the Toyota Venza?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Venza is cheaper to maintain at $444/year versus $521/year for the Honda Passport.

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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