2020 Honda Pilot Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Pilot years
- Far more complaints than other years 7th of 24 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 11 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 492 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Honda Pilot. That ranks 7th out of 24 Pilot model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (214 complaints, 43%), typically at around 1,850 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 5 fires, 13 injuries. There are 11 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.
- 492owner complaints
- 11safety recalls
- 4NHTSA investigations
- 10complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2020 Honda Pilot problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 214 | 43% | 1,850 | “backup camera” (8%) | — |
| Engine problems | 101 | 21% | 11,650 | “start stop” (21%) | — |
| Unknown or Other | 95 | 19% | 2,500 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance problems | 89 | 18% | 20,000 | “cruise control” (28%) | — |
| Lane Departure | 44 | 9% | 22,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 35 | 7% | 56,994 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 31 | 6% | 9,300 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 24 | 5% | 3,050 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 23 | 5% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 | 3% | 2,200 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 12 | 2% | 18,150 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 10 | 2% | 2,450 | — | — |
| Equipment | 9 | 2% | 3,300 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 1% | 7,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 7 | 1% | 33,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 7 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 1% | 3,300 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 4 | 1% | 16,500 | — | — |
| Wheels | 4 | 1% | 4,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 1% | 91,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 3 | 1% | 8,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 1% | 32,490 | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 1% | 44,616 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 0% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0% | 11,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 0% | 11,700 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 0% | 28,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2020 Honda Pilot recalls (11)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Structure:frame and members; suspension:rear
Problem: American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Risk: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Back over prevention:display function
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
Tires
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Risk: Overcured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation, which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2021. Owners may contact American Honda Motor Co. customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UA2.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera; electrical system:software
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera; electrical system:software
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Y7Y.
Equipment:other:labels
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles. The certification label may have been printed with ink that can be wiped away with a solvent, removing the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) information.
Risk: If the operator is unable to refer to the label information, the vehicle may be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is B6T.
Structure:body
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Pilot and 2019 Passport vehicles. The front frame left and right side upper members may not have been welded completely to the unibody. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 219, "Windshield Zone Intrusion."
Risk: In the event of a crash, incomplete body welding may provide inadequate protection to occupants, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing welds, free of charge. If the vehicle is identified as missing welds, the dealer will offer to repurchase the vehicle or provide a similar replacement vehicle. Owner notification began November 6 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X6J.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine failure (PE25008) — opened Aug 20, 2025, still open.
- No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages (EA25004) — opened Mar 26, 2025, still open.
- Engine failure (RQ24013) — opened Nov 8, 2024, closed Aug 20, 2025.
- No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages (PE22005) — opened Jun 3, 2022, closed Mar 26, 2025.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
On October 7, 2026, at approximately 131,425 miles, my 2020 Honda Pilot Elite suddenly displayed multiple Honda Sensing safety-system failures simultaneously without prior warning. The vehicle displayed Adaptive Cruise Control Problem, Lane Keeping Assist Problem, Collision Mitigation System…
Honda Pilot 2020 sensing multipurpose camera failure. DTC U3000-49
When driving in normal conditions on a 2 lane road and passing oncoming vehicles the âauto emergency brakeâ will flash on screen and briefly slow/attempt to apply brakes. Very intermittent, no consistency with other conditions such as weather, traffic flow or driving conditions. Concern - safe…
My front sensor camera has malfunctioned which is causing numerous failing safety systems such as lkas, adaptive cruise control and automated braking.
I own a 2020 Honda Pilot with approximately 85,000 miles. While driving, the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) warning lights intermittently come on, causing these Honda Sensing safety functions to become unavailable. The warnings sometimes disappear and…
Other Honda Pilot years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pilot | 23 | 1 |
| 2025 Pilot | 209 | 4 |
| 2024 Pilot | 116 | 6 |
| 2023 Pilot | 146 | 5 |
| 2022 Pilot | 164 | 5 |
| 2021 Pilot | 443 | 10 |
| 2020 | 492 | 11 |
| 2019 Pilot | 912 | 13 |
| 2018 Pilot | 440 | 7 |
| 2017 Pilot | 933 | 4 |
| 2016 Pilot | 1,712 | 8 |
| 2015 Pilot | 109 | 4 |
| 2014 Pilot | 116 | 3 |
| 2013 Pilot | 271 | 6 |
| 2012 Pilot | 171 | 9 |
| 2011 Pilot | 293 | 11 |
| 2010 Pilot | 111 | 10 |
| 2009 Pilot | 134 | 9 |
| 2008 Pilot | 133 | 7 |
| 2007 Pilot | 211 | 7 |
| 2006 Pilot | 268 | 8 |
| 2005 Pilot | 679 | 13 |
| 2004 Pilot | 544 | 12 |
| 2003 Pilot | 720 | 13 |
See all Honda Pilot problems by year, every Honda model, or the Honda VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Honda Pilot?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine, unknown or other problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 214 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Honda Pilot?
Yes, 11 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2020 Honda Pilot a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Pilot model years, the 2020 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.