What's Wrong with the 3rd Generation (2016–2020) Pilot?

Pilot owners have made 207 complaints about the 2016–2020 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 39th out of 58 Honda generations in overall reliability, with some electrical and transmission concerns.

Compare With Other Pilot Generations

Common 2016-2020 Honda Pilot Problems

Some of the worst issues 3rd generation 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. 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"

What 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

3rd Generation (2016–2020) Pilot Key Numbers

  1. 5 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 207 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 39th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 58 eligible generations.

Recent 3rd Generation (2016–2020) 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. 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"

  3. 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"

  6. You're not going to be going far in some 2015-2016 Honda and Acura vehicles, because the gas tanks leak.

    Honda blames the problem on insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out. Weld, that stinks.

    The recalled vehicles include some 2015 Acura MDX, 2016 Acura MDX, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey and 2016 Honda Pilot. However, the issue only affects 39 vehicles.

    The recall was expected to begin on July 8th, 2016.

    keep reading article "Gas Tank Leak Recall"