Are Hondas expensive to maintain?
On average, Honda vehicles cost $428 per year in repair and maintenance costs, according to RepairPal. That’s well below the $652-per-year average for all brands. RepairPal also ranks Honda No. 1 out of all car brands and gives it 4 out of 5 stars, which is an above-average score.
However, in J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Honda ranks No. 16 out of 28 car brands for dependability, earning a score of 211 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). This is slightly worse than the study average of 204 PP100.
How Honda compares with other automakers
The table below shows how Honda’s average maintenance costs compare to other automakers’ average costs.
| Make | Average maintenance and repair cost |
|---|---|
| Honda | $428 per year |
| BMW | $968 per year |
| Ford | $775 per year |
| Toyota | $441 per year |
Honda maintenance and repair costs by model
Honda maintenance costs can vary depending on what model you have. The table below breaks down average annual repair and maintenance costs for some popular Honda models.
| Model | Average maintenance and repair cost |
|---|---|
| Honda HR-V | $301 per year |
| Honda Civic | $368 per year |
| Honda Accord | $400 per year |
» MORE: Average car maintenance costs
Honda maintenance schedule and costs
New Hondas come with Honda Service Pass, a complimentary maintenance plan that covers all scheduled maintenance for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first. This includes oil changes, tire rotations, multipoint inspections and any other required services. After that, you’ll generally need to pay for maintenance out of pocket.
Honda maintenance costs
Hondas are generally reliable vehicles with relatively affordable maintenance costs.
Example: Honda CR-V maintenance costs
The table below shows cost estimates for various maintenance services for a Honda CR-V.
| Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Tire rotation | $49 to $72 |
| Oil and filter change | $122 to $149 |
| Cabin air filter replacement | $71 to $89 |
Honda maintenance schedule
Honda vehicles generally include a Maintenance Minder system that alerts you when it’s time for service. This system was designed to determine the best maintenance schedule for your car based on how you use it, so Honda no longer displays a maintenance schedule in its owners’ manuals.
Example: 2024 Honda CR-V
The Maintenance Minder system displays a main code (either A or B) and a subcode from one to seven. Each vehicle’s owner’s manual lists what each code and numeric subcode means.
Main code maintenance
The table below shows Honda’s main code items for a 2024 Honda CR-V.
| Code | Maintenance item |
|---|---|
| A | Replace engine oil |
| B | Replace engine oil and filter |
| B | Inspect front and rear brakes |
| B | Inspect tire rod ends, steering gearbox and boots |
| B | Inspect suspension components |
| B | Inspect driveshaft boots |
| B | Inspect brake hoses and lines |
| B | Inspect all fluid levels and conditions |
| B | Inspect exhaust system |
| B | Inspect fuel lines and connections |
Subcode maintenance
The table below shows Honda’s subcode items for a 2024 Honda CR-V.
| Code | Maintenance item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rotate tires |
| 2 | Replace air cleaner element and dust and pollen filter; inspect drive belt |
| 3 | Replace transmission fluid |
| 4 | Replace spark plugs and inspect valve clearance |
| 5 | Replace engine coolant |
| 6 | Replace rear differential fluid |
| 7 | Replace brake fluid |
Honda maintenance schedule for severe driving conditions
Severe driving conditions — such as city driving, towing, driving in extreme heat or cold and driving on dusty roads — can all increase how often your car needs oil changes, brake inspections and fluid replacements, raising total upkeep costs over time.
The table below shows the recommended severe driving maintenance schedule for a 2024 Honda CR-V.
| Service | Schedule for severe driving conditions |
|---|---|
| Replace air cleaner element | Every 15,000 miles |
| Replace dust and pollen filter | Every 15,000 miles |
| Change transmission fluid | Every 25,000 miles |
Honda repair costs
For context, all new Hondas come with a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. So, if a covered part fails during this time, you won’t have to cover repairs or replacements out of pocket. However, after the factory warranty ends, you’ll be responsible for repairs.
Repair costs are harder to pinpoint than maintenance costs because cars don’t break down on schedule. Still, you can get an idea of typical costs online.
Example: Honda CR-V
The table below shows some typical repair costs for a Honda CR-V.
| Service | Cost estimate |
|---|---|
| Engine oil pan replacement | $993 to $1,190 |
| Valve cover gasket replacement | $199 to $273 |
| Coolant change | $299 to $349 |
| Air conditioning condenser fan motor replacement | $382 to $750 |
| Radiator hose replacement | $325 to $369 |
Consumer repair experience
Michaela, a reviewer from Ohio, said they had to pay thousands out of pocket after their certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty expired.
“Bought a certified [pre-owned] Honda Odyssey 2 years ago,” Michaela said. “Took it in for [scheduled] maintenance [...] and to have the power steering fluid checked because of a whirring sound. [I was] told the rack and pinion went bad. [...] The mechanics [said they] had never seen a vehicle this young, with this [mileage][,] have a rack go bad like this. The [bumper-to-bumper] warranty expired after 12 months, and it did not fall under the [powertrain] warranty.”
How can an extended warranty help?
There are some ways you can protect yourself from a large repair bill the next time you visit a mechanic. For instance, you can consider a Honda extended warranty plan or a third-party extended warranty plan.
Honda extended warranties
Honda’s extended warranties are called Honda Care Vehicle Service Contracts (VSCs). They can provide coverage for up to eight years or 120,000 miles. They also come with benefits like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and trip interruption coverage.
Third-party extended warranties
Alternatively, you can consider an extended auto warranty from a third-party provider. These plans may be more affordable than manufacturer plans, though it's best to get quotes and compare coverage from all options before deciding on a plan. You can also get a prepaid maintenance plan from a third-party provider if you want ongoing maintenance coverage.
FAQ
What are some factors that influence Honda maintenance costs?
Some factors that influence how much you’ll pay to maintain your Honda include your location, how you drive, the quality of parts you use for repairs and maintenance, where you get your Honda serviced and whether you keep up with regular maintenance.
How can you save on Honda maintenance?
You may be able to save on Honda maintenance costs by comparing repair shops and cost estimates, understanding your parts options and handling simple maintenance by yourself.
What is a Honda maintenance plan?
Honda Care maintenance plans cover factory-recommended services like oil and filter changes, tire rotations, fluid top-offs and multipoint inspections for a set period or mileage limit. Coverage details vary by plan, but they’re designed to lock in current service prices and ensure maintenance is performed by certified Honda technicians using genuine parts.
How much does it cost to do an oil change on a Honda?
It typically costs between $30 and $150 to get an oil change for a Honda. Generally, prices vary depending on where you get the oil change done (such as a dealership versus an independent mechanic) and what type of oil and parts you use.
Can you go to any Honda dealership for maintenance?
You can take your vehicle to any authorized Honda dealership for maintenance, regardless of where you purchased it. All Honda service centers have factory-trained technicians and access to genuine parts. If you have a Honda protection plan or warranty coverage, make sure the dealership participates in the program before scheduling service.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- J.D. Power, “Vehicle Software Updates Become More Routine, but Fall Short on Perceived Benefit, JD Power Finds.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, "Honda Repair & Maintenance Costs." Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, "Honda Reliability Rating." Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Toyota Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Ford Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “BMW Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Honda HR-V Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Honda Civic Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Honda Accord Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Honda CR-V Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Honda CR-V Tire Rotation Cost.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Honda CR-V Oil Change Cost.” Accessed April 4, 2026.
