comparison HondaSubaru PilotOutback
Is the Honda Pilot more reliable than the Subaru Outback?
The short answer
Independent data gives the Honda Pilot a slight reliability edge over the Subaru Outback. iSeeCars scores the Pilot 8.0/10 for reliability versus 7.8/10 for the Outback, and projects the Pilot has a better chance of reaching 200,000 miles (40.1% vs. 25.3%). The two are tied on iSeeCars' overall quality score (8.3/10 each), and the Pilot has more open NHTSA recalls historically, including a 2023-2025 fuel filler neck recall affecting over 205,000 vehicles. Neither gap is dramatic, check both vehicles' current recall status by VIN before buying.
Assumes: United States market, current model years (2025-2026) · Base/comparable trims; reliability figures reflect model-line averages, not every individual trim or year · Pilot is a three-row midsize SUV; Outback is a compact SUV/wagon crossover, different vehicle classes cross-shopped for family use
The short version: it’s close, and the Pilot edges ahead
Both the Honda Pilot and Subaru Outback are solidly reliable by industry standards, but they’re not identical. iSeeCars, which tracks reliability across more than 25 billion data points, rates the Pilot 8.0 out of 10 for reliability against the Outback’s 7.8 out of 10. That’s a modest gap, not a blowout, but it’s consistent across related metrics: the Pilot’s projected odds of reaching 200,000 miles (40.1%) are meaningfully higher than the Outback’s (25.3%), and its average life expectancy runs about eight months longer (13.4 years vs. 12.7 years).
| Category | Honda Pilot | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| iSeeCars reliability score | 8.0 / 10 | 7.8 / 10 ✓ |
| iSeeCars overall quality score | 8.3 / 10 ✓ | 8.3 / 10 |
| Chance of reaching 200k miles | 40.1% | 25.3% ✓ |
| Avg. life expectancy | 13.4 years | 12.7 years ✓ |
| Projected 30-yr lifetime recalls | ~39.2 (category avg 2.9) | ~5.4 (category avg 2.6) |
Where the numbers get more complicated: recalls
Reliability scores tell part of the story, recall history tells another. iSeeCars projects a much higher lifetime recall count for the Pilot than for the Outback, well above the midsize SUV category average. That’s borne out in recent history: American Honda issued a 2024 recall (NHTSA 24V-900) covering roughly 205,760 model-year 2023-2025 Pilots for a fuel filler neck tube that may not be properly connected, addressed with a dealer inspection and correction. More recalls don’t automatically mean a worse vehicle, plenty are minor or caught proactively, but it’s a real difference buyers should weigh alongside the reliability scores.
What this means if you’re choosing between them
If reliability and long-term durability are your top priority and the numbers are close enough that other factors, cargo needs, all-wheel-drive requirements, fuel economy, price, should probably decide, the Pilot has a real but modest statistical edge on reliability and mileage longevity. The Outback’s advantage is a lighter recall history relative to its category. Neither difference is large enough to be a dealbreaker on its own.
Where the Pilot wins
- Higher iSeeCars reliability score (8.0 vs. 7.8)
- Better projected odds of reaching 200,000 miles (40.1% vs. 25.3%)
- Slightly longer average life expectancy
Where the Outback wins
- Far fewer projected lifetime recalls relative to its category
- Lower actual recall volume in recent history
- Tied with the Pilot on overall quality score despite the lighter recall footprint
The verdict
Choose the Pilot if raw reliability scoring and mileage-longevity odds matter most, iSeeCars gives it a real, if modest, edge on both. Choose the Outback if a lighter recall history matters more to you than the reliability-score gap, its projected lifetime recall count is well below its category average. Either way, check the current recall status by VIN at NHTSA.gov or owners.honda.com before you buy, since recall activity changes over time and these figures reflect data as of publication.
Not sure which one fits your driving needs? Book a call and we’ll walk through your priorities.
Next steps
Run the exact VIN of any Pilot or Outback you’re considering through NHTSA’s recall lookup and the manufacturer’s owner site before buying, open recalls on a specific used vehicle matter more than category-wide statistics. Then cross-check current J.D. Power and Consumer Reports scores for the specific model year you’re shopping, since reliability data updates as new owner-survey results come in.
Sources
- Honda Pilot vs. Subaru Outback - iSeeCars.com
- Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24V-900 (Honda Pilot fuel filler neck)
- Honda Recalls & Owner Information Lookup
Facts on this page were last verified on .
Independent publication: the author works at Honda of Greenville, but this isn't an official Honda of Greenville or Honda Motor Co. page, and neither reviews, approves, or pays for its content. Content is educational, not mechanical, legal, or financial advice. Verify safety-critical items with a qualified technician and recall status by VIN.