Honda Pilot Reliability Problems

Pilot owners have made 1,418 complaints over 18 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 20th in overall reliability out of 24 Honda models, with real interior and transmission concerns.

8 Common Honda Pilot Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Pilot owners have to deal with.

  1. Denso Fuel Pump Failure

    The impellers inside of Denso branded fuel pumps may have been excessively exposed to a drying agent during manufacturing. This leads to them cracking, absorbing fuel, and deforming so badly that they stop sending fuel to the engine. Honda …

    Continue reading article "Denso Fuel Pump Failure"

  2. Honda Sensing Problems

    Honda sensing is a group of safety systems to help drivers monitor changing road conditions. However there are growing concerns about malfunctions in the system that cause the auto-brakes to engage randomly, the radar to get confused on sun…

    Continue reading article "Honda Sensing Problems" An illustrated CR-V with blue triangles beaming out from various parts of the car where there are sensors

  3. Power Steering Whine

    One of the more common complaints about Honda's power steering is how it can whine or groan everytime you turn the wheel. Turns out all that noise is due to air getting into the power steering system because of two, old O-rings. There's no …

    Continue reading article "Power Steering Whine"

  5. TPMS Warning Light

    TPMS, or tire pressure monitoring systems, are a mildly controversial feature of some modern cars. While it's nice to have quick access to the current PSI readings of your tires from the comfort of your driver's seat, some manufacturers (he…

    Continue reading article "TPMS Warning Light"

  6. Rodents Chew Soy Wiring

    Honda switched to a soy-based coating for their wiring that is more biodegradable. It sounds like a pro-Earth move by the automaker, but the real reason is probably a little less triumphant: the coating costs less than plastic. Still, less …

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Soy Wiring"

  7. Peeling Paint and Clear Coat

    Is your Honda shedding clearcoat and peeling off paint at an alarming rate? You're not alone. Far from it actually. Even the most ardent, wax-happy, electric car polisher wielding owner can find their paint tearing off in sheets. So what gi…

    Continue reading article "Peeling Paint and Clear Coat"

  8. Excessive Oil Consumption

    One of the top complaints about the latest generation of Honda vehicles is how the V6 engines burn through an excessive amounts of oil. Mechanics did their best to place the blame on the owner's driving and maintenance habits, but it was cl…

    Continue reading article "Excessive Oil Consumption"

What Pilot Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Pilot Generations

The Pilot has 3 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 1st generation (2003–2008).

Pilot Key Numbers

  1. 1,418 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 908 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 42 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Pilot Class-Action Lawsuits

The Pilot has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Settlement

    Case, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

    1. Settlement

      A Honda 5-speed transmission class action settlement has been reached for consumers residing in California who were the original owners of any of the following vehicles with 5-speed automatic transmissions and continued being the owner as of December 7, 2015.

    2. Case Filed

      The Honda transmission lawsuit says the automaker created a secret warranty program which expanded or extended the warranty "beyond its stated limits and/or offered to pay for all of or part of the cost of repairing or replacing the transmission system in Class Vehicles."

    Class Vehicles
    • 2003-2004 Accord
    • 2002-2004 Odyssey
    • 2003-2004 Pilot
    Location
    California

Recent Pilot News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. Honda wants to settle up a decade-old lawsuit about downshifting transmissions

    with an offer so low it's borderline insulting. A 2009 lawsuit says 5-speed automatic transmissions in some 2002-2004 Honda and Acura vehicles have a defect in the 3rd clutch. That defect can cause the transmission to suddenly downshift from 5th to 2nd gear. That's one way to reach your heart rate goal on your FitBit.

    Honda has continually denied the allegations but are ready to put this whole ordeal behind them with a ... checks notes ... $25 credit towards the future purcahse of Honda parts. And you must live in California. Oh I'm sorry, should I have told you to sit down first?…

    keep reading article "Honda Settles 5-Speed Transmission Lawsuit With California Owners"

  3. When a modern infotainment system freezes, it takes other important vehicle functions down with it.

    Honda has been sued for shipping a defective head unit that repeatedly disables the radio, backup camera, navigation, and other entertainment systems in the 2018-2019 Odyssey and 2019 Pilot.

    Now a lawsuit accuses Honda of concealing these known problems in more than 100,000 vehicles.

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Honda is Concealing Infotainment Bugs"

  6. Clips designed to hold the 2019 Pilot and Rideline’s b-pillar panels in place have mounting holes that are too big.

    Why does that matter? Because it could stop the side curtain airbags from deploying in a crash. Seriously.

    Honda says the side curtain airbags may not deploy properly if the panels interfere with the curtain airbags.

    About 400 vehicles have been recalled to install brackets … to hold the clips … to hold the panels.

    Efficiency at its best.

    keep reading article "2019 Pilot and Ridgeline Have Trim Panels That Interfere with Airbags"

  7. The 4th phase of Honda’s Takata airbag recall is set to get underway next month.

    Honda says it has made a lot of progress with existing recall repairs because plenty of replace airbag inflators are available. The 77.7 percent completion rate out of nearly 13 million recalled vehicles has allowed Honda to issue the recall now instead of waiting until December. An automaker that’s actually ahead of schedule on a recall? What world is this?…

    keep reading article "The Next Phase of Honda’s Massive Takata Recall is Ahead of Schedule"

  8. Malaysia has had enough of people ignoring Takata airbag recall warnings, and will start imposing fines] on owners who don't get their recalled inflators fixed.

    Malaysian Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, made the announcement following confirmation of another death in a Honda vehicle that involved a ruptured Takata airbag inflator. Or in this case, Honda says two Takata airbag inflators ruptured in the same crash.…

    keep reading article "Malaysia is Tired of Owners Ignoring Takata Warnings"

See All Pilot News

Other Honda Models