Honda Maintenance Cost Guide
Honda maintenance costs are low compared to other brands – Honda owners pay $428 a year on average for maintenance and repairs, according to RepairPal.
With our #1 rated provider, 
Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- Honda’s low average annual maintenance and repair cost of $428 is one reason why RepairPal ranks it as the most reliable manufacturer.
- Honda vehicles have a Maintenance Minder computer system that provides alerts for specific maintenance services.
- An extended warranty can help cover repair costs as Honda vehicles age.
For decades, American drivers have frequently chosen Honda vehicles because of their reputation for quality and reliability. Hondas can last a long time, provided they are properly maintained. And according to data from RepairPal, Honda maintenance costs an average of $428 per year. This is much lower than the industry average of $652 per year.
Like all vehicles, Hondas need regular oil changes, tire rotations, inspections, and other work to keep them running well. You may pay more or less depending on the age and mileage of your Honda, as well as your location, driving habits, and repair shop. We’ll cover average Honda maintenance costs and the recommended schedule in this article.
Routine maintenance can help you avoid major problems, but any car can break down from time to time. A plan from one of the best extended auto warranty companies can help cover some of these costs.
Recommended Honda Maintenance
Regular maintenance is essential to keep any vehicle running dependably and safely. Like other vehicle manufacturers, Honda publishes recommended maintenance schedules detailing which services should be performed and at what intervals.
Honda Maintenance Minder
Honda vehicles come with a Maintenance Minder computer system to help drivers keep up on scheduled services. This system displays two types of codes periodically: the main code (A or B) and a subcode (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). The main code A signifies that the engine oil needs to be changed, while code B signifies the oil and filter need to be changed and a variety of systems inspected.
The numeric codes signify things like rotating the tires or replacing fluids and parts like the air filter, spark plugs, and drive belt. Maintenance Minder tracks your mileage and engine conditions, so it makes recommendations based on your driving.
Basic Service Schedules
In the past, Honda published service schedules in owner’s manuals explaining when maintenance should be performed if the car is driven under “normal conditions” and under “severe conditions” without a maintenance minder system. Maintenance Minder takes care of the schedule for new vehicles, but we’ve included an example schedule in the section below for reference.
If you drive your Honda vehicle under severe conditions, that means one or more of these situations applies most of the time:
- You drive less than five miles per trip.
- You drive less than 10 miles per trip in freezing temperatures.
- You drive in temperatures above 90 degrees.
- During trips, there is extensive stop-and-go driving or idling.
- You drive on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads or in mountainous conditions.
- You drive with a carrier on the roof.
If you usually drive under normal conditions and occasionally operate your vehicle under severe conditions, Honda recommends following the manufacturer’s “normal conditions” maintenance schedule.
Honda Maintenance Schedule For Normal Conditions
| Service | Interval |
|---|---|
| Oil replacement | Every 7,500 miles/12 months |
| Tire rotation | Every 7,500 miles/12 months |
| Oil filter replacement | Every 15,000 miles |
| Front and rear brake inspection | Every 15,000 miles |
| Parking brake adjustment | Every 15,000 miles |
| Inspection of tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots, suspension components, driveshaft boots, brake hoses and lines, cooling system hoses and connections, exhaust system, fuel lines and connections, and levels and conditions of all fluids | Every 15,000 miles |
| Air cleaner element and spark plug replacement | Every 30,000 miles |
| Drive belt inspection and adjustment | Every 30,000 miles |
| Engine coolant replacement | At 45,000 miles, then every 30,000 miles |
| Brake fluid replacement | Every 45,000 miles |
Honda Maintenance Schedule For Severe Conditions
| Service | Interval |
|---|---|
| Engine oil and oil filter replacement | Every 3,750 miles or 6 months |
| Inspection of tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots, suspension components, and driveshaft boots | Every 7,500 miles or 6 months |
| Replacement of air cleaner element, parking brake check, lubrication of all hinges, locks, and latches, and cleaning of the antenna mast | Every 15,000 miles or 12 months |
| Inspection of brake hoses and lines, levels and conditions of all fluids, cooling system hoses and connections, exhaust system, fuel lines and connections, lights and controls, and the vehicle’s underbody | Every 15,000 miles |
| Replacement of spark plugs and transmission fluid | Every 30,000 miles or 24 months |
| Inspection and adjustment of drive belts | Every 30,000 miles or 24 months |
| Valve clearance inspection | 30,000 miles |
| Engine coolant replacement | At 45,000 miles, then every 30,000 miles |
Honda Maintenance Costs
The cost of Honda maintenance can vary widely based on a vehicle’s model, age, and location. Here are some ballpark figures to give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for common services if you own a Honda, according to RepairPal.
- The average price for an oil change for a Honda Accord is $110 to $123, including parts and labor and excluding taxes and fees.
- The average cost for a Honda Accord service at 90,000 miles is $1,013 to $1,178, including parts and labor and excluding taxes and fees.
Overall, Honda owners pay about $428 per year for maintenance and repairs after the factory warranty expires, according to RepairPal. This is about 34 percent cheaper than the industry average of $652 per year.
Where To Go For Honda Maintenance
Although mechanics at Honda dealerships know all the ins and outs of vehicles, any service facility with properly trained staff can perform routine Honda service. The manufacturer recommends that car maintenance be performed with genuine Honda parts.
That said, a Honda dealer will know exactly what the Maintenance Minder codes mean. For example, the computer might recommend your engine oil and cabin air filter be replaced, but not your engine oil filter. An independent shop might change the oil filter anyway.
How To Protect Your Honda From Damage And Breakdowns
To keep your Honda maintenance costs low, here are some tips to prevent damage and excessive wear and tear:
- Don’t carry more weight than recommended. Doing so could strain critical components, such as the engine and brakes.
- Driving too fast, driving short distances, starting and stopping suddenly, and driving on rough and uneven roads can all put stress on the vehicle.
- Honda advises drivers to use unleaded gas with the appropriate octane rating.
Common Honda Repairs
Some vehicle makes and models tend to encounter specific problems more than others. The most common problem with Honda models reported on RepairPal is that the air conditioner blows hot air. CarComplaints.com says transmission failure is the worst reported issue for older Hondas, specifically on 2001 and 2002 Civics and 2003 Accords.
Similarly, Director of Marketing at Endurance Warranty, Jessica Campbell, says transmission breakdowns are the most common issues on vehicles over 100,000 miles.
If you currently own a Honda, these are things to look out for, and if you’re thinking about purchasing a Honda, this information might influence your decision.
Here are a few more Honda repair costs according to RepairPal:
| Honda Vehicle | Repair | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Accord | Radiator hose replacement | $289 to $307 |
| Accord | Battery test | $37 to $46 |
| Pilot | Power steering pump replacement | $578 to $900 |
| Ridgeline | Powertrain control module replacement | $967 to $986 |
The typical annual repair cost for Honda vehicles varies between models. For example, RepairPal found the average cost of repairs for a Honda Accord to be $400 per year, while the average cost of repairs for a Honda Civic is $368 per year.
Honda Repair Costs Vs. Other Popular Brands
Honda repairs cost less on average than vehicles made by other manufacturers. In fact, RepairPal ranks Honda as the most reliable car brand overall. This rating takes into account things like average Honda repairs, repair frequency, and repair severity.
Below, you can see RepairPal’s ranking for the top eight most reliable brands. Since average cost isn’t the only ranking factor, the ranking isn’t in cost order.
| Manufacturer | RepairPal Average Annual Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| #1 Honda | $428 |
| #2 Acura | $501 |
| #3 Kia | $474 |
| #4 Hyundai | $468 |
| #5 Mazda | $462 |
| #6 Lexus | $551 |
| #7 Toyota | $441 |
| #8 Nissan | $500 |
How Does An Extended Car Warranty Help With Cost?
Sometimes vehicles seem to be running fine, and then suddenly they’re not. Many Americans are unable to handle an unexpected major expense, such as a car repair. An extended car warranty can provide financial security and peace of mind. These vehicle service contracts cover the costs of many common repairs.
In December 2023, our team surveyed 1,000 drivers with extended warranty coverage from the dealership. A total of 108 respondents had Honda plans. Most drivers reported paying between between $1,000 and $2,000 for coverage (38 percent of respondents) or between $2,000 and $3,000 for coverage (19 percent of respondents).
Here’s what some drivers had to say about their Honda extended warranty plans:
- “The extended warranty worked well. I only needed it a couple times, but it was paid for and then some after those two repairs. It was seamless to file the claim because I was at the dealer I bought it from and they took care of everything.”
- “I am very satisfied with the warranty because I get perks for unexpected issues and it is nice to have with a new car.”
- “I was satisfied with the warranty coverage. We did not need to use it, but it did give some peace of mind that things were covered.”
- “[Submitting a] claim was very difficult because of all the questions and forms that have to be filled out. It’s almost like you are the person that’s at fault.”
Third-Party Providers Offer Flexibility
We’ve researched many of the best extended warranty companies and compared the coverage they provide, how well they process claims, how much their plans cost, and what kind of feedback customers have provided. Through Pollfish, we polled 1,000 extended warranty customers from across the U.S. on their experience in 2021. About 41 percent said they thought an extended warranty was worth it, while 45 percent said it depends on the situation. The remainder of participants expressed that it was not worth it.
Third-party companies like Endurance and Carchex offer coverage that can last longer than Honda’s extended warranty plans. These companies let you visit any licensed repair facility for warranty coverage, including the dealership. Third-party providers also let you purchase a plan at any time, while Honda requires you to make a purchase before 3 years/36,000 miles.
Since extended warranty costs are based on specific factors like your car’s mileage, make, model, and coverage level, we suggest comparing plans and prices from multiple companies before making a choice.
Honda Auto Maintenance Costs: FAQ
Below are some commonly asked questions about Honda maintenance costs:
Is a Honda expensive to maintain?
No, Honda cars are not expensive to maintain. According to RepairPal, Honda owners pay about $428 per year for maintenance and repairs. This is much cheaper than the industry average of $652 per year.
How much does it cost to service a Honda?
A simple oil change and inspection can cost around $100 for a Honda at the dealership, but milestone services will cost more. According to RepairPal, a 90,000-mile service can cost around $1000.
Which car has the lowest maintenance costs?
According to RepairPal, Honda has the lowest annual maintenance costs of any brand. Owners pay about $428 per year, which is quite a bit cheaper than the industry average of $652. Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai, and Kia all share similar maintenance costs.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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