2012 Ford Explorer vs 2012 Honda Pilot
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2012 Ford Explorer
2012 Honda Pilot
Stories from the shop
The 2012 Honda Pilot edges this one, but it's tight. We're talking 3.7 versus 3.3 on reliability. Close enough that specific feature preferences or one favorable price could legitimately swing it the other way.
If you lean 2012 Ford Explorer, know what you're getting into on steering and body. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2012 Honda Pilot sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.
Going with the 2012 Honda Pilot? Watch the brakes and cruise control. The 2012 Ford Explorer has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.
Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.
Side-by-side by problem area
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2012 Ford Explorer or the 2012 Honda Pilot?
Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2012 Honda Pilot comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.7 versus 3.3. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.
What goes wrong more often on the 2012 Ford Explorer?
Compared to the 2012 Honda Pilot, the 2012 Ford Explorer sees more reported issues in steering and body. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.
What goes wrong more often on the 2012 Honda Pilot?
Compared to the 2012 Ford Explorer, the 2012 Honda Pilot has more complaints in brakes and cruise control. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.
Which has more recalls?
Both vehicles have 1 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.
Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?
Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $14,400 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.