What is the best year for a Honda Passport?

The 2024 Passport (15 complaints, 10/10 safety, 2 severe) is the strongest year on record. The 2022-2024 window is consistently clean. Avoid 2019 — the launch year logged 266 complaints. The model has improved steadily since, with 2020 settling to 86 and the downward trend continuing through 2024.

How much does Honda Passport insurance cost?

Passport insurance averages around $2,489/year — roughly $207/month.

Is the Honda Passport or Jeep Grand Cherokee cheaper to maintain?

The Passport is cheaper to maintain by $145/year — $521 versus $666 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Passport also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7), lower major repair probability (11% vs. 13%), and lower repair frequency (28% vs. 30%). The Passport is the better value across all maintenance metrics.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Honda Passport?

Major repair probability of 11% and repair frequency of 28% are both well below midsize segment averages. Extended warranty isn't strongly warranted — self-insuring makes more financial sense for most buyers.

Is the Honda Pilot expensive to maintain?

The Pilot costs $542/year to maintain — $31 below the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 51% is well above the class average of 40% — the highest in the three-row segment. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both sit at the class average. Below-average cost but the most frequent unscheduled shop visits in the class.

What is the best year for a Honda Pilot?

Avoid 2016 (1,644 complaints — the third-generation debut, plagued by 9-speed transmission issues) and 2019 (843 complaints at the fourth-generation launch). The 2024 Pilot (93 complaints, 10/10 safety, 3 severe) is the strongest recent used pick. The 2022-2024 range has settled significantly from the turbulent 2016-2021 period.

How much does Honda Pilot insurance cost?

Pilot insurance averages about $2,147/year — roughly $179/month. The most affordable insurance rate in the three-row class.

Is the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander cheaper to maintain?

The Highlander is cheaper to maintain by $53/year — $489 versus $542 for the Pilot. The Highlander also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7). Repair frequency data isn't available for the Highlander for a complete side-by-side, but on cost and reliability score, the Highlander holds the edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Honda Pilot?

Repair frequency of 51% is the highest in the three-row segment, meaning owners statistically average more than one unscheduled repair visit per year. For 2016-2021 models with documented complaint spikes, extended warranty is worth considering to contain those visit costs. For 2022 and newer, the profile is more moderate.

Honda Passport vs Honda Pilot

Two midsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Honda Passport — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

Buy the Honda Pilot if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Honda Passport	Honda Pilot
Annual maintenance	$521winner	$542
5-year total cost	$2,605winner	$2,710
Reliability score	8 / 10winner	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	11%winner	13%
Cargo space	—	111.8 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$44,950winner	$45,400
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Honda Passport	Honda Pilot
RepairPal score	8 / 10winner	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	194.7winner	303.7
Years to avoid	2019, 2023, 2024	2010, 2011, 2012
Value retained · 3 yr	75.8%winner	74.5%
Value retained · 5 yr	58.8%winner	55.9%
Value retained · 7 yr	49.3%winner	46%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Honda Passport	Honda Pilot
Engine	14.8%winner	32.3%
Electrical	13.5%winner	14.7%
ADAS	26.9%	11.2%winner
Brakes	6.1%	3.7%winner
Suspension	—winner	1.3%
Steering	1.9%	1.7%winner
Fuel system	6.7%winner	7.6%
Tires/Wheels	3.6%	1.5%winner
Glass/Windows	2.9%	2.4%winner
Airbags	1.9%winner	3.5%
Lighting	1.2%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Honda Passport	Honda Pilot
Avg annual premium	$2,489	$2,147winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Honda Passport

$521/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Honda Pilot

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Passport costs $521/year to maintain — $52 below the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 28% is well below the class average of 40%, and major repair probability of 11% is well below the 13% norm. Combined with a reliability score of 8 above the segment average of 7, the Passport is one of the better ownership-cost propositions in the midsize class.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →