NHTSA has 9,310 complaints on file for the Honda Pilot from 2003 to 2026, and the 2016 alone accounts for 1,703, with the 2017 (923) and 2019 (904) next. The 2016 and 2017 complaints are led by the engine, and many describe stalling, auto start-stop or engine failure; the 2019's are led by the electrical system. Two open NHTSA investigations cover these cars: PE25008 on engine failure in the 2016 to 2020 models and EA25004 on engines that do not restart after auto start/stop engages in the 2016 to 2025 models. The Pilot also has 63 recall campaigns, many for air bag inflators on 2003 to 2015 cars.
Honda Pilot Common Problems and Years to Avoid (NHTSA Data)
By the founder of CarWorthItPublished
Short answer
Honda Pilot years to avoid, going by NHTSA owner complaints: 2016 (1,703 complaints), 2017 (923) and 2019 (904), each at least twice the median model year (293). The components owners report most are engine (2,314), electrical system (2,035) and power train (1,324). NHTSA lists 63 recall campaigns and 13 defect investigations for the 2003 to 2026 model years.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls and defect investigations for the 2003 to 2026 Honda Pilot, 9,310 complaints in all, pulled September 28, 2026.
Honda Pilot complaints and recalls by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation and distinct recall campaigns, for every model year with records, counted on September 28, 2026. The median model year up to 2021 drew 293 complaints; a year is marked to avoid when it is one of the three highest and drew at least twice that. Years after 2021 have had less time to collect complaints, so they are judged only if they already pass the same line.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Recalls | Crash / fire / injury reports | Most-reported components |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Too new to judge | 22 | 0 | 0 / 0 / 0 | Steering (11), Seat belts (4), Air bags (3) |
| 2025 | Too new to judge | 201 | 4 | 11 / 0 / 9 | Forward collision avoidance (55), Electrical system (43), Steering (38) |
| 2024 | Too new to judge | 113 | 6 | 2 / 1 / 2 | Seat belts (24), Steering (20), Forward collision avoidance (17) |
| 2023 | Too new to judge | 142 | 5 | 3 / 1 / 3 | Seat belts (32), Electrical system (28), Forward collision avoidance (20) |
| 2022 | Too new to judge | 156 | 5 | 7 / 0 / 4 | Forward collision avoidance (41), Electrical system (34), Engine (29) |
| 2021 | Above median | 433 | 10 | 12 / 1 / 7 | Electrical system (126), Engine (104), Forward collision avoidance (98) |
| 2020 | Above median | 487 | 11 | 10 / 5 / 10 | Electrical system (212), Engine (101), Forward collision avoidance (84) |
| 2019 | Year to avoid | 904 | 13 | 13 / 5 / 11 | Electrical system (263), Engine (233), Forward collision avoidance (122) |
| 2018 | Above median | 440 | 7 | 9 / 2 / 8 | Engine (157), Electrical system (85), Power train (78) |
| 2017 | Year to avoid | 923 | 4 | 9 / 5 / 3 | Engine (466), Electrical system (265), Fuel/propulsion system (122) |
| 2016 | Year to avoid | 1,703 | 8 | 23 / 10 / 10 | Engine (769), Electrical system (579), Power train (200) |
| 2015 | Fewest complaints | 109 | 4 | 7 / 1 / 3 | Engine (22), Electrical system (13), Service brakes (12) |
| 2014 | Fewest complaints | 116 | 3 | 8 / 0 / 5 | Engine (31), Structure (20), Wheels (16) |
| 2013 | Typical | 271 | 6 | 12 / 4 / 8 | Engine (79), Power train (54), Structure (47) |
| 2012 | Typical | 171 | 9 | 17 / 3 / 9 | Engine (35), Service brakes (28), Electrical system (22) |
| 2011 | Typical | 293 | 11 | 29 / 5 / 17 | Air bags (68), Service brakes (41), Suspension (34) |
| 2010 | Fewest complaints | 111 | 10 | 11 / 1 / 5 | Air bags (32), Engine (28), Suspension (17) |
| 2009 | Fewest complaints | 134 | 9 | 9 / 4 / 6 | Engine (35), Air bags (29), Suspension (19) |
| 2008 | Fewest complaints | 133 | 9 | 11 / 3 / 7 | Air bags (32), Structure (16), Power train (11) |
| 2007 | Typical | 211 | 9 | 9 / 5 / 7 | Air bags (54), Electrical system (22), Service brakes (21) |
| 2006 | Typical | 268 | 10 | 23 / 7 / 17 | Air bags (61), Service brakes (33), Structure (26) |
| 2005 | High | 679 | 15 | 42 / 8 / 34 | Power train (176), Service brakes (134), Air bags (120) |
| 2004 | Above median | 544 | 13 | 29 / 14 / 29 | Power train (142), Seats (85), Air bags (81) |
| 2003 | High | 746 | 14 | 43 / 12 / 28 | Power train (226), Electrical system (130), Air bags (121) |
Counts are raw totals and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so a big-selling year draws more complaints than a slow one. Crash, fire and injury columns count complaints that report one, as filed by the owner.
Check the value and recall status of a specific Honda Pilot
Model-year counts cannot tell you about the car in front of you. Enter its 17-character VIN for the free report: the exact year, trim and engine it was built with, the safety recalls NHTSA lists for its year, make and model, its crash-test ratings and running costs. No account. Then, from $2.99, see what that Honda Pilot is worth at its mileage near your ZIP code, with the listings behind the number, and whether the asking price is fair. The $6.99 Full Report also checks that VIN for recalls still outstanding.
2016 to 2019: engine failure complaints and PE25008
The 2016 has 1,703 complaints, 769 of them filed under the engine. Of the 688 complaints that mention engine failure, seizure or knocking, 326 are for the 2016, 129 for the 2017 and 45 for the 2019. Recall 23V751000 covers the 2016, 2018 and 2019 because, due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing may wear and seize, damaging the engine. On August 20, 2025, NHTSA closed its engine failure recall query RQ24013 (2015 to 2020) without a recall campaign and opened preliminary evaluation PE25008 on engine failure in the 2016 to 2020, which is still open. These are raw totals, not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
Auto start-stop and stalling
Complaints that mention auto start-stop number 727, with 235 for the 2016, 188 for the 2017 and 123 for the 2019. The same three years lead the 882 complaints describing stalling or loss of power while driving, at 270, 196 and 104. Engineering analysis EA25004, on engines that do not restart after auto start/stop engages in the 2016 to 2025 models, opened on March 26, 2025, the day preliminary evaluation PE22005 on the 2016 to 2020 closed, and it remains open.
2019 to 2021: screens, cameras and collision warnings
The electrical system is the top complaint category for the 2019 (263), 2020 (212) and 2021 (126). Complaints that mention the infotainment screen, radio or backup camera peak at 163 for the 2019 and 146 for the 2020, and those about automatic emergency braking or collision warning run 69, 40 and 37 across the three years. Recalls 20V440000 and 20V439000 (2019 to 2021) cover software that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image, and 23V431000 (2019 to 2022) covers a faulty coaxial cable connector with the same result.
2003 to 2008: transmissions and air bag inflators
The 2003 (746 complaints) and 2005 (679) are also at least twice the median, both led by power train complaints. The 2003 has the most of the 996 complaints that mention transmission problems, 189, and the 2005 has 141; recall 04V176000 (2003 and 2004) covers heat build-up in the automatic transmission that can lead to gear tooth chipping or breakage. The 2003 to 2005 also lead the 721 complaints that mention air bags. Recalls 19V499000 and 19V501000 (2003 to 2008) cover replacement inflators that may explode due to propellant degradation, and investigation EA21002 on desiccated air bag inflator rupture in the 2003 to 2008 is still open.
What to check on a used Honda Pilot
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup, which lists any recall not yet repaired on that car (see what else a free VIN check shows); on a 2016, 2018 or 2019, confirm 23V751000 was completed.
- Check two campaigns NHTSA received in 2026: 26V365000 for rear subframe corrosion at the suspension mounting points (2016 to 2022) and 26V332000 for a front passenger seat weight sensor that may crack (2017 to 2022).
- On a 2016 to 2019, let auto start-stop shut the engine off several times in traffic and confirm it restarts each time.
- On a 2003 to 2015, ask for proof the air bag inflator recalls were done, including those for inflators fitted as earlier recall repairs.
- On a 2023 or 2024, check that the rear seat belt warning matches who is buckled in, the subject of open investigation PE25017.
- Before you settle on a price, check the seller's asking price against the Honda Pilots for sale near you with the used car price check.
Then see what a specific Honda Pilot is worth by VIN. The valuation, from $2.99, prices that VIN at its mileage near your ZIP code against cars for sale.
What Honda Pilot owners report most
NHTSA files each complaint under one or more component categories. Across all 9,310 Honda Pilot complaints, these are the most common:
| NHTSA component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2,314 | 24.9% |
| Electrical system | 2,035 | 21.9% |
| Power train | 1,324 | 14.2% |
| Air bags | 738 | 7.9% |
| Service brakes | 647 | 6.9% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 624 | 6.7% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 498 | 5.3% |
| Structure | 418 | 4.5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 376 | 4.0% |
| Steering | 330 | 3.5% |
The categories are broad, so the owners' own descriptions were also searched for specific symptoms. These are counts of complaints whose text mentions each one, not diagnoses, and one complaint can mention several.
| What the complaint describes | Complaints | Share | Model years with the most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1,643 | 17.6% | 2016 (225), 2019 (184), 2017 (180) |
| Transmission problems | 996 | 10.7% | 2003 (189), 2016 (164), 2005 (141) |
| Stalling or loss of power while driving | 882 | 9.5% | 2016 (270), 2017 (196), 2019 (104) |
| Hesitation, jerking or surging | 746 | 8.0% | 2016 (143), 2005 (83), 2017 (75) |
| Auto start-stop | 727 | 7.8% | 2016 (235), 2017 (188), 2019 (123) |
| Air bags | 721 | 7.7% | 2003 (116), 2005 (113), 2004 (84) |
| Engine failure, seizure or knocking | 688 | 7.4% | 2016 (326), 2017 (129), 2019 (45) |
| Infotainment screen, radio or backup camera | 596 | 6.4% | 2019 (163), 2020 (146), 2016 (91) |
| Steering | 575 | 6.2% | 2016 (66), 2005 (60), 2003 (51) |
| Check-engine light | 488 | 5.2% | 2016 (137), 2017 (59), 2019 (49) |
Honda Pilot recalls (63 campaigns)
Every recall campaign NHTSA lists for the Honda Pilot, newest first, with the model years it covers and NHTSA's own description of the defect, shortened. A recall on the model is not proof a given car was affected or left unrepaired: check a specific car by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or in the free CarWorthIt VIN report.
| Campaign | Reported | Model years | Component | The defect, in NHTSA's words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V365000 | June 4, 2026 | 2016 to 2022 | Structure | The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure. 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 | May 21, 2026 | 2017 to 2022 | Air bags | The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash. Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury. |
| 26V054000 | January 29, 2026 | 2024 | Seats | The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in a loose seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems." |
| 25V391000 | June 12, 2025 | 2023 to 2025 | Service brakes, hydraulic | The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems." |
| 25V056000 | February 5, 2025 | 2025 | Seat belts | The third-row passenger seat belt assembly may not function, due to incorrect routing that traps the seat belt behind the passenger side panel. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." |
| 25V031000 | January 23, 2025 | 2023 to 2025 | Fuel system, gasoline | A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power. An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 24V900000 | November 27, 2024 | 2023 to 2025 | Fuel system, gasoline | The fuel filler neck tube and fuel filler pipe may separate, allowing fuel to leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. |
| 24V859000 | November 14, 2024 | 2023 to 2024 | Seats | The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems." |
| 24V064000 | February 1, 2024 | 2020 to 2022 | Air bags | The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended. An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury. |
| 23V858000 | December 18, 2023 | 2015 to 2021 | Fuel system, gasoline | The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V751000 | November 13, 2023 | 2016, 2018 to 2019 | Engine and engine cooling | Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine. A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury. |
| 23V735000 | November 2, 2023 | 2023 to 2024 | Steering | Due to a manufacturing error, the gear box assembly may contain a loose ball bearing, which can result in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up. A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 23V458000 | June 29, 2023 | 2021 to 2022 | Service brakes, hydraulic | The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly. |
| 23V431000 | June 15, 2023 | 2019 to 2022 | Back over prevention | 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." |
| 23V174000 | March 16, 2023 | 2020 to 2021 | Visibility | 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." |
Show the other 48 Honda Pilot recalls
| Campaign | Reported | Model years | Component | The defect, in NHTSA's words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21V932000 | November 29, 2021 | 2016 to 2019 | Structure | The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving. A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 21V215000 | March 25, 2021 | 2019 | Fuel system, gasoline | The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 21V165000 | March 11, 2021 | 2019 to 2020 | Tires | On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production. 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. |
| 20V725000 | November 20, 2020 | 2021 | Tires | The tires may have been cured for a time beyond the specification limits. 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. |
| 20V440000 | July 28, 2020 | 2019 to 2021 | Electrical system | 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." |
| 20V439000 | July 28, 2020 | 2019 to 2021 | Back over prevention | 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. |
| 20V067000 | February 6, 2020 | 2020 | Equipment | 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. |
| 19V784000 | October 31, 2019 | 2019 to 2020 | Structure | 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." |
| 19E068000 | October 10, 2019 | 2005 to 2008 | Vehicle speed control | The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems." |
| 19V502000 | June 27, 2019 | 2009 to 2015 | Air bags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 19V501000 | June 27, 2019 | 2003 to 2008 | Air bags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 19V499000 | June 27, 2019 | 2003 to 2008 | Air bags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 19V378000 | May 16, 2019 | 2009 to 2015 | Air bags | The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement. 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 | April 12, 2019 | 2018 to 2019 | Engine and engine cooling | The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt. Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash. |
| 19V182000 | March 6, 2019 | 2003 to 2008 | Air bags | Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 18V848000 | November 28, 2018 | 2019 | Structure | The mounting holes for the clip that secures the right center pillar trim panel may be larger than intended. In the event of a crash necessitating right side curtain air bag deployment, the clip may not hold the center pillar trim panel in position and it may potentially interfere with the curtain air bag deployment. |
| 18V661000 | September 27, 2018 | 2010 to 2015 | Air bags | These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. |
| 18V268000 | April 26, 2018 | 2003 to 2012 | Air bags | The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 18V221000 | April 5, 2018 | 2018 | Seats | The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivets. In the event of a crash, the rivets can break causing the seats not to be secured to the floor. |
| 18V042000 | January 9, 2018 | 2009 to 2013 | Air bags | These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. |
| 17V545000 | August 31, 2017 | 2009 to 2012 | Air bags | One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators. In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 17V219000 | March 30, 2017 | 2016 | Fuel system, gasoline | The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that may leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. |
| 17V030000 | January 10, 2017 | 2009 to 2012 | Air bags | These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. |
| 17V029000 | January 10, 2017 | 2005 to 2008 | Air bags | These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. |
| 16V417000 | June 9, 2016 | 2016 | Fuel system, gasoline | The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. |
| 16V346000 | May 24, 2016 | 2009 to 2011 | Air bags | These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. |
| 16V344000 | May 23, 2016 | 2003 to 2008 | Air bags | These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. |
| 15V668000 | October 16, 2015 | 2016 | Electrical system | In the affected vehicles, when one of the safety systems such as tire pressure monitoring, anti-lock braking or electronic stability control malfunctions, there is potential that the instrument panel will not illuminate the corresponding warning light, however the warning lamps will illuminate when the ignition is turned off and then turned back on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fede... |
| 15V424000 | July 6, 2015 | 2016 | Seat belts | Due to an assembly issue, the third row seatbelt may be trapped between the rear seat and the rear sideliner. If the third row seatbelt is trapped, the occupants may not be restrained properly, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 15V370000 | June 15, 2015 | 2003 | Air bags | The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment. |
| 15V320000 | May 28, 2015 | 2003 to 2008 | Air bags | The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. |
| 14V700000 | November 4, 2014 | 2003 to 2005 | Air bags | Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 14V353000 | June 20, 2014 | 2003 to 2005 | Air bags | Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 13V382000 | August 27, 2013 | 2013 | Engine | During manufacturing of the engine piston, it is possible that the heat treatment process was not properly applied, resulting in the piston having an insufficient hardness level, making it more susceptible to premature wear. |
| 13V092000 | March 14, 2013 | 2005 | Service brakes, hydraulic | An electrical capacitor may have been damaged during the manufacturing of the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) control module causing intermittent, automatic, minor brake application. However, if the driver applies the brakes while the VSA is malfunctioning, the vehicle may come to an abrupt stop. |
| 13V016000 | January 18, 2013 | 2009 to 2013 | Air bags | One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing. The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. |
| 12V573000 | December 11, 2012 | 2003 to 2004 | Electrical system | The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated. Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 12V136000 | March 30, 2012 | 2003 to 2005 | Exterior lighting | Due to tension from the combination switch wiring harness, wear on the surface of the electrical terminal can occur, yielding copper oxide, which increases electrical resistance. Increased electrical resistance may cause the terminal ends to melt within the wiring harness connector. |
| 12V063000 | February 17, 2012 | 2012 | Fuel system, gasoline | The vent shut float (vsf) valve case in the fuel tank assembly does not meet the design specifications. As a result, fuel may leak from the tank, increasing the risk of fire. |
| 11V468000 | September 9, 2011 | 2009 to 2011 | Seat belts | There is a possibility that the stitching that secures the end of the driver and front passenger lap section of the seatbelt may be incomplete or missing. If the stitching is incomplete or missing, the seatbelt may detach from the anchor webbing, increasing the risk of personal injury in a crash. |
| 10V640000 | December 16, 2010 | 2011 | Suspension | The bolts that attach the lower left and right front damper bracket to the front suspension and the spindle nuts on the Pilot may not have been properly tightened which may result in loss of steering. The spindle nuts for the axle on the accord v6 may not have been tightened properly which may result in excessive noise and/or loss of steering. |
| 08E013000 | February 5, 2008 | 2003 to 2008 | Equipment | A pinch bolt exists between the bike arm bracket and the upright assembly of the "Hitch" style bicycle rack. When moving the bike arm bracket to its down position, this pinch bolt has the potential of causing severe laceration or amputation to the user's fingertips or hand. |
| 06V270000 | July 26, 2006 | 2006 | Equipment | On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) vehicle safety hotline. |
| 05V039000 | February 3, 2005 | 2005 | Steering | On certain minivans and sport utility vehicles, the steering column may be incorrectly assembled, which could result in a loss of steering control. Loss of steering control can cause a vehicle crash without prior notice. |
| 04V541000 | November 18, 2004 | 2005 | Fuel system, gasoline | On certain sport utility vehicles, some fuel tanks were improperly manufactured. In a crash, the fuel tank could be damaged and leak fuel. |
| 04V389000 | August 11, 2004 | 2004 | Equipment | Certain sport utility vehicle's certification labels may contain incorrect vehicle weight and tire size information. |
| 04V176000 | April 15, 2004 | 2003 to 2004 | Power train | On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage. |
| 02V226000 | August 28, 2002 | 2003 | Engine and engine cooling | On certain minivans, sedans, coupes, and sport utility vehicles equipped with v6 engines, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a bolt on the cylinder head. Eventually the belt could be damaged and fail. |
NHTSA defect investigations
Investigations are opened when NHTSA sees a possible safety defect, often from complaints like the ones above. PE is a preliminary evaluation, EA an engineering analysis, RQ a recall query into whether an earlier recall went far enough, DP a defect petition and AQ an audit query.
| Number | Opened | Status | Honda Pilot years | Subject | Recall campaign linked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE25017 | October 28, 2025 | Open | 2023 to 2024 | Inaccurate Rear Passenger Seat Belt Warning Status | No |
| PE25008 | August 20, 2025 | Open | 2016 to 2020 | Engine failure | No |
| EA25004 | March 26, 2025 | Open | 2016 to 2025 | No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages | No |
| RQ24013 | November 8, 2024 | Closed August 20, 2025 | 2015 to 2020 | Engine failure | No |
| PE22005 | June 3, 2022 | Closed March 26, 2025 | 2016 to 2020 | No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages | No |
| EA21002 | September 17, 2021 | Open | 2003 to 2008 | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture | No |
| EA15001 | February 24, 2015 | Open | 2003 to 2007 | Air Bag Inflator Rupture | 14V668 |
| PE14016 | June 11, 2014 | Closed March 2, 2015 | 2003 to 2007 | Air Bag Inflator Rupture | 13V172000 |
| EA13002 | February 21, 2013 | Closed March 29, 2013 | 2005 | Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction | 13V092000 |
| PE12028 | October 9, 2012 | Closed March 15, 2013 | 2005 | Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction | No |
| PE12026 | October 2, 2012 | Closed January 14, 2013 | 2003 to 2004 | Ignition Interlock Failure - Rollaway | 12V573000 |
| DP12002 | June 4, 2012 | Closed October 11, 2012 | 2005 | Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction | No |
| EA11012 | September 12, 2011 | Closed September 17, 2012 | 2003 to 2005 | Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating | 12V136000 |
How these numbers were counted
Complaints: NHTSA's complaints API for NHTSA model names PILOT, PILOT ICE, each complaint counted once per model year; hybrid and plug-in versions, which NHTSA files separately, are not included. Recalls: distinct campaign numbers from NHTSA's recalls databasefor the same names and years. Investigations: NHTSA's defect investigation file. All pulled September 28, 2026. These are counts of reports, not failure rates, and they say nothing about any individual car. For that, check the VIN.
Check any car before you buy
Run a VIN free: specs, safety ratings, recalls and running costs in seconds.
The VIN is on the dashboard, door jamb, or title.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Honda Pilot?
NHTSA files the most Pilot complaints under the engine (2,314), the electrical system (2,035) and the power train (1,324), followed by air bags (738). Of the 9,310 complaints on file, 1,643 mention brakes, 996 mention transmission problems and 882 describe stalling or loss of power while driving.
What Honda Pilot years should I avoid?
The 2016, 2017 and 2019 model years, with 1,703, 923 and 904 complaints, all at least twice the 293 median for years up to 2021. The 2003 (746) and 2005 (679) are also above twice the median, and no 2022 or newer year has reached that level.
How many recalls does the Honda Pilot have?
NHTSA lists 63 recall campaigns for the 2003 to 2026 Pilot, and the 2005 is covered by the most, 15. For newer cars, 23V751000 covers the 2016, 2018 and 2019 because the connecting rod bearing may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
Is NHTSA investigating the Honda Pilot?
Yes. Of its 13 investigations on the Pilot, 5 are still open, including PE25008 on engine failure in the 2016 to 2020, EA25004 on engines that do not restart after auto start/stop engages in the 2016 to 2025, and PE25017 on an inaccurate rear passenger seat belt warning in the 2023 and 2024.
Related guides
- Honda Accord Common Problems, Years to Avoid and the Best Years to Buy (2026)
- Honda CR-V Common Problems, Years to Avoid and the Best Years to Buy (2026)
- Honda Civic Common Problems, Years to Avoid and the Best Years to Buy (2026)
- Toyota Camry Common Problems, Years to Avoid and the Best Years to Buy (2026)