2021 Honda Pilot Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2021 Honda Pilot, 30% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 47,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “auto idle” (12% of reports).
- 132electrical system complaints
- 47,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 26%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Auto idle: mentioned in 16 of 132 complaints (12%)
- Start stop: mentioned in 11 of 132 complaints (8%)
- Infotainment screen: mentioned in 10 of 132 complaints (8%)
- Collision mitigation: mentioned in 8 of 132 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 18 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 132 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury.
Honda Pilot electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pilot | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2025 Pilot | 44 | 21% | 16,000 |
| 2024 Pilot | 11 | 9% | — |
| 2023 Pilot | 28 | 19% | 8,550 |
| 2022 Pilot | 38 | 23% | 40,000 |
| 2021 Pilot | 132 | 30% | 47,000 |
| 2020 Pilot | 214 | 43% | 1,850 |
| 2019 Pilot | 265 | 29% | 6,100 |
| 2018 Pilot | 85 | 19% | 51,250 |
| 2017 Pilot | 266 | 29% | 38,000 |
| 2016 Pilot | 579 | 34% | 49,008 |
| 2015 Pilot | 13 | 12% | 35,500 |
| 2014 Pilot | 9 | 8% | 18,500 |
| 2013 Pilot | 9 | 3% | 65,000 |
| 2012 Pilot | 22 | 13% | 30,000 |
| 2011 Pilot | 26 | 9% | 48,500 |
| 2010 Pilot | 9 | 8% | 2,000 |
| 2009 Pilot | 5 | 4% | 96,000 |
| 2008 Pilot | 9 | 7% | 78,500 |
| 2007 Pilot | 22 | 10% | 108,500 |
| 2006 Pilot | 18 | 7% | 96,000 |
| 2005 Pilot | 57 | 8% | 119,000 |
| 2004 Pilot | 60 | 11% | 106,000 |
| 2003 Pilot | 129 | 18% | 130,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
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.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The electrical for the infotainment system cuts out and the rear camera is no longer on the screen, it will cause loud popping while driving as the MOST Net system is failing. There is also poor gas mileage and reads the gas tank contents incorrectly while displaying incorrect MPG typical with the…
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced several electrical failures and the alarm activated unexpectedly, and the radio and instrument panel turned on unintendedly. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer…
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle had caught on fire while parked in the driveway. The vehicle was last driven at 12:51 PM in the day; however, at approximately 9:00 PM, after the vehicle had sat for over eight hours, the vehicle suddenly caught on fire. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2021 Honda Pilots have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 132 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2021 Honda Pilot (30% of the 443 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Honda Pilot electrical system?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do electrical system problems start?
The median reported mileage is 47,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2021 Honda Pilot?
The most frequent phrase is “auto idle”, in 16 of 132 complaints, followed by “start stop” (11).
Other 2021 Honda Pilot problems
See all 2021 Honda Pilot problems or electrical system problems across all Pilot years.