2021 Honda Pilot
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 720 |
| 2004 | 544 |
| 2005 | 679 |
| 2006 | 266 |
| 2007 | 211 |
| 2008 | 133 |
| 2009 | 134 |
| 2010 | 111 |
| 2011 | 292 |
| 2012 | 171 |
| 2013 | 271 |
| 2014 | 116 |
| 2015 | 108 |
| 2016 | 1687 |
| 2017 | 914 |
| 2018 | 437 |
| 2019 | 885 |
| 2020 | 481 |
| 2021 | 424 |
| 2022 | 147 |
| 2023 | 135 |
| 2024 | 109 |
| 2025 | 191 |
| 2026 | 15 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
36% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 152 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic emergency braking and warnings.
CRASH INJURYShow 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 throttle
NHTSA ODI report, 20220808
Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SERVICE BRAKES
While driving down the road the emergency braking turned on many times when I wasnât 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, 20260721
29% of complaints: electrical system — 124 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing starter assembly.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
My 2021 Honda Pilot has a recurring electrical/network communication failure that causes âNetwork Communication Lostâ and âMOST Net Offâ messages to appear on the infotainment screen.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260721
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, 20260716
24% of complaints: engine — 103 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20231102
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, 20260714
13% of complaints: lane departure — 54 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing assist and warning.
CRASH7% of complaints: air bags — 30 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 20V440000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V439000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V725000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 23V431000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 23V458000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 23V174000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 24V064000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 23V858000 — check if this car was fixed
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
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.
Campaign 26V332000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 26V365000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2021 Honda Pilot — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for forward collision avoidance issues (152 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (124 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (103 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 26V365000 (structure, suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V440000 (back over prevention, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V439000 (back over prevention, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V725000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V431000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V458000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V174000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V064000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V858000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V332000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.