MYRModel Year Report

2021 Honda Pilot

◆ Worse than typical
2021 Honda Pilot
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
435
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 2021

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Forward collision avoidance

36% of complaints

Complaints per year

2003: 720 complaints 2003 2004: 544 complaints 2005: 679 complaints 2006: 267 complaints 2006 2007: 211 complaints 2008: 133 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2011: 293 complaints 2012: 171 complaints 2012 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 116 complaints 2015: 109 complaints 2015 2016: 1,706 complaints 2017: 929 complaints 2018: 439 complaints 2018 2019: 905 complaints 2020: 491 complaints 2021: 435 complaints 2021 435 2022: 161 complaints 2023: 144 complaints 2024: 115 complaints 2024 2025: 204 complaints 2026: 23 complaints
2003: 720 complaints 2003 2004: 544 complaints 2005: 679 complaints 2005 2006: 267 complaints 2007: 211 complaints 2007 2008: 133 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2011: 293 complaints 2011 2012: 171 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2013 2014: 116 complaints 2015: 109 complaints 2015 2016: 1,706 complaints 2017: 929 complaints 2017 2018: 439 complaints 2019: 905 complaints 2019 2020: 491 complaints 2021: 435 complaints 2021 435 2022: 161 complaints 2023: 144 complaints 2023 2024: 115 complaints 2025: 204 complaints 2025 2026: 23 complaints
2003: 720 complaints 2003 2004: 544 complaints 2004 2005: 679 complaints 2005 2006: 267 complaints 2006 2007: 211 complaints 2007 2008: 133 complaints 2008 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2010 2011: 293 complaints 2011 2012: 171 complaints 2012 2013: 271 complaints 2013 2014: 116 complaints 2014 2015: 109 complaints 2015 2016: 1,706 complaints 2016 2017: 929 complaints 2017 2018: 439 complaints 2018 2019: 905 complaints 2019 2020: 491 complaints 2020 2021: 435 complaints 2021 435 2022: 161 complaints 2022 2023: 144 complaints 2023 2024: 115 complaints 2024 2025: 204 complaints 2025 2026: 23 complaints 2026

2021: 435 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2003720
2004544
2005679
2006267
2007211
2008133
2009134
2010111
2011293
2012171
2013271
2014116
2015109
20161,706
2017929
2018439
2019905
2020491
2021435
2022161
2023144
2024115
2025204
202623

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Forward collision avoidance

36% · 158 reports

Most commonly citing automatic emergency braking and warnings.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Auto braking applies randomly cause brakes to lock up happens when driving in any conditions. This problem has already caused a minor accident with my vehicle due to brakes locking up and no…

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-08-08

Also filed under Electrical system and service brakes

While driving down the road the emergency braking turned on many times when I wasn’t even near a vehicle. It turned on about a total of 10 times without a car being unsafely in front of me.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-21

Electrical system

29% · 128 reports

Most commonly citing starter assembly.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My 2021 Honda Pilot has a recurring electrical/network communication failure that causes “Network Communication Lost” and “MOST Net Off” messages to appear on the infotainment screen.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-21

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that at all times during the use of the vehicle, the infotainment display system goes blank. The contact also noticed a popping and crackling noise coming from the audio speakers.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-16

Engine

25% · 107 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2021 Honda Pilot is subject to "rapid acceleration". We had no notification of this issue until the vehicle drove itself into our home on its own causing damage to the car and our home.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-02

With auto stop enabled, was the first car at a stop light. What happens next may be out of order - apologies. Light turned green and I pressed the gas and car shut off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-14

Lane departure

13% · 57 reports

Most commonly citing assist and warning.

CRASH

Air bags

7% · 30 reports
CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2020-09-23Back over prevention, electrical system20V440000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2020-09-23Back over prevention, electrical system20V439000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. ▮
    2021Complaint volume 435 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. R
    2021-01-11Tires20V725000 American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain 2021 Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental CrossContact LX Sport 245/50R20 102 H tires with DOT serial number A376 D3K9 2920 and mold numbers S-421920 and S-421921.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace the tires that have the affected DOT serial number and mold number, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2021.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2023-07-24Back over prevention23V431000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2023-08-07Service brakes, hydraulic23V458000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2024-01-17Visibility23V174000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2024-03-28Air bags24V064000 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,...

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2024-03-29Fuel system, gasoline23V858000 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...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2025-03-26Engineering analysisOpen No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
  11. R
    2026-07-06Air bags26V332000 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...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    Date not on fileStructure, suspension26V365000 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,...

    Remedy: 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. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2026.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2021 Honda Pilot — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Forward collision avoidance: 158 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 128 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 107 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 26V365000 · Structure, suspension
  • Recall 20V440000 · Back over prevention, electrical system
  • Recall 20V439000 · Back over prevention, electrical system
  • Recall 20V725000 · Tires
  • Recall 23V431000 · Back over prevention
  • Recall 23V458000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 23V174000 · Visibility
  • Recall 24V064000 · Air bags
  • Recall 23V858000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 26V332000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Honda Pilot is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Pilot?
The most-reported component is forward collision avoidance, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Pilot have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.