Honda Pilot owners filed 5,597 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2016 Honda Pilot drew the most complaints (1,701); across all years, owners complain most about engine (34% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2016, with 1,701 complaints, led by engine (768) and 8 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Engine drew 1,930 complaints but 2 recalls, so for most of these owners the repair falls to warranty or their own pocket, not a free recall fix.
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2016 (3.9 times as many complaints), 2017 (2.1 times as many complaints), 2019 (2.1 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: brakes complaints came at a median 8k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 30 complaints mention a fire and 105 a crash, with 105 injuries reported.
Honda Pilot complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 4 recalls | 108 | Engine (22), Electrical system (13), Brakes (11) median 46k mi · 6 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2016 8 recalls | 1,701 | Engine (768), Electrical system (579), Transmission / powertrain (200) median 50k mi · 23 crashes · 9 fires |
| 2017 4 recalls | 921 | Engine (465), Electrical system (264), Transmission / powertrain (122) median 38k mi · 9 crashes · 5 fires |
| 2018 7 recalls | 439 | Engine (156), Electrical system (85), Transmission / powertrain (78) median 50k mi · 9 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2019 13 recalls | 903 | Electrical system (263), Engine (233), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (121) median 20k mi · 13 crashes · 5 fires |
| 2020 11 recalls | 486 | Electrical system (211), Engine (101), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (84) median 4k mi · 10 crashes · 5 fires |
| 2021 10 recalls | 432 | Electrical system (126), Engine (104), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (98) median 32k mi · 12 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2022 5 recalls | 154 | Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (41), Electrical system (34), Engine (28) median 36k mi · 7 crashes |
| 2023 5 recalls | 140 | Seat belts (31), Electrical system (28), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (19) median 18k mi · 3 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2024 6 recalls | 113 | Seat belts (24), Steering (20), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (17) median 35k mi · 2 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2025 4 recalls | 200 | Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (55), Electrical system (43), Steering (38) median 8k mi · 11 crashes |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 77, more than the 33 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Honda Pilot problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,930 | 34% | 2 | 55k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Electrical system | 1,656 | 30% | 2 | 37k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Transmission / powertrain | 618 | 11% | 0 | 43k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Fuel system | 558 | 10% | 6 | 43k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
| Automatic emergency braking / collision warning | 491 | 9% | 0 | 22k mi | — |
| Brakes | 241 | 4% | 2 | 8k mi | Brake repair cost |
| Lane departure assist | 230 | 4% | 0 | 61k mi | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 202 | 4% | 6 | 76k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Honda Pilot owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Engine
The connecting rod bearing went out in the engine of our 2017 Honda pilot. The car stalled and then died. It cost US $10,000 to fix it and it only had around 130,000 miles on it. Our Honda dealer told US to hold onto our receipt because this is happening a lot with Honda pilots and there will eventually be a recall on this.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11738422
While driving down the road the engine started making a bearing noise and then started making a metallic rattling noise and then stopped. The car was towed to a don wessel Honda dealership in springfield, mo, where they determined that parts in the engine just came apart. There were multiple holes in the engine block. I was told that this was not common and at 79093 miles it was no longer under warranty.
2016 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11690528
Related recalls: 23V751000 (2016, 2018–2019): A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury. 19V298000 (2018–2019): Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
1,930 owners reported engine problems; the engine overhaul cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Electrical system
Around 38,000 miles on the 2016 Honda Pilot, it started to show an error on the screen in the dash saying "keyless start system problem" that cause the car not to work on the autolock feature when you walk away or the automatic timer lock which is set at 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, the car doesn't lock at all. Leaving the vehicle being unlocked and possibly being stolen.
2016 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11121336
This is a follow up to my previous complaint. 11729106. I brought my Honda Pilot to my local dealer. They confirmed there is a problem with the keyless start system on my honda. I ended up paying around $1000 to have it repaired. I have great concern that this could have caused a fatality. I park my car in the garage at home, and the car started by itself. I have pets and children.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11736232
Related recalls: 15V668000 (2016): If a safety system cannot immediately warn the driver when needed, the driver may be at increased risk of a crash. 20V440000 (2019–2021): 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.
1,656 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Transmission / powertrain
At 103,000 miles, the 9 speed transmission failed while driving, resulting in a warning indicator to park the vehicle immediately. Afterwards, it was unable to change gear from park. There was no accident or prior issues. A trusted mechanic shop went thru the documented diagnostics and found that the entire transmission needed replacing. The total cost to replace it was $8265.
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11566782
Transmission shuddering 55,000 miles and 3 months beyond warranty. Quoted a $221 diagnostic fee to “maybe tell me it needs a software update.” dealer also said when transmission was serviced at 30K it should have been drained and filled 3 times not once as the book calls for. They are doing their damndest to hide a major problem.
2020 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11691019
None of these 618 transmission / powertrain complaints is matched by a recall on these model years, so a repair is covered only by warranty or paid by the owner.
618 owners reported transmission / powertrain problems; the transmission repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Honda Pilot recalls
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V365000 | 2026-06-04 | 2016–2022 | Body structure | 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. |
| 26V332000 | 2026-05-21 | 2017–2022 | Air bags | Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury. |
| 26V054000 | 2026-01-29 | 2024 | Seats | A loose driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 25V391000 | 2025-06-12 | 2023–2025 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 25V056000 | 2025-02-05 | 2025 | Seat belts | A non-functioning seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. |
| 25V031000 | 2025-01-23 | 2023–2025 | Fuel System, Gasoline | An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 24V900000 | 2024-11-27 | 2023–2025 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. |
| 24V859000 | 2024-11-14 | 2023–2024 | Seats | An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 24V064000 | 2024-02-01 | 2020–2022 | Air bags | An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury. |
| 23V858000 | 2023-12-18 | 2015–2021 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V751000 | 2023-11-13 | 2016, 2018–2019 | Engine and cooling | A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury. |
| 23V735000 | 2023-11-02 | 2023–2024 | Steering | A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 23V458000 | 2023-06-29 | 2021–2022 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 23V431000 | 2023-06-15 | 2019–2022 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 23V174000 | 2023-03-16 | 2020–2021 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 21V932000 | 2021-11-29 | 2016–2019 | Body structure | A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 21V215000 | 2021-03-25 | 2019 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 21V165000 | 2021-03-11 | 2019–2020 | Tires | 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. |
| 20V725000 | 2020-11-20 | 2021 | Tires | Over-cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 20V439000 | 2020-07-28 | 2019–2021 | Backup camera / rear sensors | Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash. |
| 20V440000 | 2020-07-28 | 2019–2021 | Electrical system | 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. |
| 20V067000 | 2020-02-06 | 2020 | Equipment / accessories | If the operator is unable to refer to the label information, the vehicle may be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V784000 | 2019-10-31 | 2019–2020 | Body structure | In the event of a crash, incomplete body welding may provide inadequate protection to occupants, increasing the risk of an injury. |
| 19V502000 | 2019-06-27 | 2015 | Air bags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 19V378000 | 2019-05-16 | 2015 | Air bags | An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 19V298000 | 2019-04-12 | 2018–2019 | Engine and cooling | Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash. |
| 18V848000 | 2018-11-28 | 2019 | Body structure | In the event of a crash, if the curtain air bag does not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury. |
| 18V661000 | 2018-09-27 | 2015 | Air bags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 18V221000 | 2018-04-05 | 2018 | Seats | In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the floor, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury. |
| 17V219000 | 2017-03-30 | 2016 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. |
| 16V417000 | 2016-06-09 | 2016 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. |
| 15V668000 | 2015-10-16 | 2016 | Electrical system | If a safety system cannot immediately warn the driver when needed, the driver may be at increased risk of a crash. |
| 15V424000 | 2015-07-06 | 2016 | Seat belts | If the third row seatbelt is trapped, the occupants may not be restrained properly, increasing the risk of injury. |
What this data can and can't tell you
5,597 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Honda models in the index
- Honda CR-V (8,154)
- Honda Accord (5,446)
- Honda Civic (4,916)
- Honda Odyssey (3,774)
- Honda HR-V (1,821)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.