Honda Pilot Problems by Year
NHTSA has 9,350 owner complaints and 62 safety recalls on file for the Honda Pilot, across 24 model years (2003–2026). The 2016 model year has the most complaints (1,712). The most reported problem area overall is engine.
Honda Pilot years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Pilot year: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2016 Pilot: 1,712 complaints, 8 recalls
- 2017 Pilot: 933 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2019 Pilot: 912 complaints, 13 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2026 Pilot: 23 complaints, 1 recall
- 2015 Pilot: 109 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2010 Pilot: 111 complaints, 10 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Honda Pilot problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 2,339 | 23 | 20 |
| Electrical System problems | 2,051 | 24 | 32 |
| Power Train problems | 1,327 | 24 | 33 |
| Air Bags problems | 733 | 24 | 133 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 630 | 23 | 17 |
| Service Brakes problems | 533 | 24 | 60 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance problems | 511 | 13 | 16 |
| Structure problems | 417 | 23 | 25 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 376 | 24 | 68 |
| Steering problems | 334 | 24 | 15 |
| Suspension problems | 295 | 23 | 9 |
| Seats problems | 250 | 21 | 8 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 249 | 19 | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline problems | 241 | 16 | 1 |
| Lane Departure problems | 235 | 12 | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems | 230 | 15 | 3 |
| Seat Belts problems | 183 | 22 | 13 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 182 | 22 | 4 |
| Visibility/wiper problems | 132 | 20 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 104 | 19 | 14 |
| Back Over Prevention | 96 | 10 | 7 |
| Visibility | 96 | 20 | 1 |
| Wheels | 87 | 21 | 7 |
| Tires | 82 | 17 | 2 |
| Equipment | 46 | 13 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 42 | 13 | 1 |
| Child Seat | 11 | 8 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 9 | 5 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 8 | 6 | 2 |
| Fuel System, Other | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Other/i Am Not Sure | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Firerelated | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat or Vehicle) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Honda Pilot problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2025: forward collision avoidance (55)
- 2021: electrical system (132) · engine (108) · forward collision avoidance (98)
- 2020: electrical system (214) · engine (101) · forward collision avoidance (89)
- 2019: electrical system (265) · engine (235) · forward collision avoidance (124) · fuel/propulsion system (117) · power train (93) · fuel system, gasoline (76) · lane departure (72)
- 2018: engine (157) · electrical system (85) · power train (78) · fuel/propulsion system (63) · fuel system, gasoline (62)
- 2017: engine (474) · electrical system (266) · fuel/propulsion system (122) · power train (122)
- 2016: engine (771) · electrical system (579) · power train (201) · fuel/propulsion system (171) · structure (54)
- 2013: engine (79) · power train (54)
- 2011: air bags (68)
- 2007: air bags (54)
- 2006: air bags (61)
- 2005: power train (176) · air bags (120) · service brakes (98) · electronic stability control (esc) (96) · electrical system (57)
- 2004: power train (142) · seats (85) · air bags (81) · electrical system (60)
- 2003: power train (224) · electrical system (129) · air bags (115)
All Honda Pilot model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pilot | 23 | 1 | 5★ | Steering | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2025 Pilot | 209 | 4 | 5★ | Forward Collision Avoidance | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 Pilot | 116 | 6 | 5★ | Seat Belts | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2023 Pilot | 146 | 5 | 5★ | Seat Belts | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2022 Pilot | 164 | 5 | 5★ | Forward Collision Avoidance | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2021 Pilot | 443 | 10 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2020 Pilot | 492 | 11 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2019 Pilot | 912 | 13 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2018 Pilot | 440 | 7 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2017 Pilot | 933 | 4 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2016 Pilot | 1,712 | 8 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 Pilot | 109 | 4 | 4★ | Engine | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2014 Pilot | 116 | 3 | 4★ | Engine | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2013 Pilot | 271 | 6 | 4★ | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2012 Pilot | 171 | 9 | 4★ | Engine | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2011 Pilot | 293 | 11 | 4★ | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
| 2010 Pilot | 111 | 10 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2009 Pilot | 134 | 9 | — | Engine | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2008 Pilot | 133 | 7 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2007 Pilot | 211 | 7 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2006 Pilot | 268 | 8 | — | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
| 2005 Pilot | 679 | 13 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2004 Pilot | 544 | 12 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2003 Pilot | 720 | 13 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Honda: all Honda models · Honda VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Pilot years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2003 (720), 2004 (544), 2005 (679), 2016 (1,712), 2017 (933), 2018 (440), 2019 (912), 2020 (492), 2021 (443) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Pilot year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Honda Pilot?
Engine, with 2,339 complaints across 23 model years.
How many recalls does the Honda Pilot have?
62 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.