Introduction Extra-articular resection (EAR) of the hip joint is prone to significant complications and morbidity. Thus, this study evaluates the cumulative incidences and main reasons of reoperation following EAR of primary bone tumors of the hip to determine whether the outcomes are different between EAR of the pelvis and that of the proximal femur. Patients and methods Thirty-three patients presented with a PMBT of the proximal femur or pelvis were included in this study. Among all PMBTs, 58% originated from the pelvis and 42% were from the proximal femur. Twenty patients had chondrosarcomas (61%), 10 had osteosarcomas (30%), and 3 had sarcomas of another histological subtype (9%). Results The mean follow-up was of 76 months (range: 24–220 months). The cumulative probabilities of revision for any reason was 52% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30%–70%) five years after surgery. The five-year cumulative probabilities of revision were 13% (95% CI: 4%–27%), 24% (95% CI: 10%–42%) and 34% (95% CI: 14%–56%) for mechanical, infectious and tumoral reasons, respectively. The five-year cumulative probabilities of revision for any reason were 78% (95% CI: 37%–94%) and 14% (95% CI: 2%–38%) for the pelvis and proximal femur, respectively ( p = 0.004). Posterior column preservation was significantly associated with more mechanical complications even after adjusting for the resection site ( p = 0.043). Conclusion Half of patients undergoing EAR of the hip joint for PMBT of the proximal femur or acetabulum will require another operation. EAR of the pelvis is associated with significantly worse outcome than EAR of the proximal femur.