Honda Pilot vs Ford Explorer

Verdict: Honda Pilot vs Ford Explorer

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.

Reliability problem analysis

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.

Which one to buy

If you prioritize lower running costs and fewer recalls, the Honda Pilot might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 74/100, it surpasses the Ford Explorer's 68/100. The Pilot's estimated annual repair cost is also more economical at $542 compared to the Explorer's $732. Additionally, the Pilot has experienced only 51 recalls, significantly fewer than the Explorer's 117.

However, if you are more concerned about the frequency of issues, the Ford Explorer may be more appealing, despite its lower reliability score. It has a lower repair frequency of 0.2 times per year compared to the Pilot's 0.5. While both vehicles share common issues like power train and electrical system, the Explorer also boasts a slightly lower major repair risk at 14% versus the Pilot's 13%. Choose based on whether cost or issue frequency is more critical to your decision.

Cost of ownership

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Ford Explorer incurs an annual maintenance and repair cost of $732, compared to $542 for the Honda Pilot. This $190 difference translates to $950 over five years. While the Explorer requires fewer repair visits at 0.2 per year compared to the Pilot's 0.5, the Honda Pilot's visits may be less costly on average.

Additionally, the Ford Explorer has a slightly higher major repair risk at 14% versus the Pilot's 13%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda Pilot presents a better overall value with lower annual costs and a marginally reduced risk of major repairs, despite more frequent service visits.