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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-HONDA-PILOT NHTSA data synced 7 hours ago
2011 · Honda

Honda Pilot problems

290 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 Pilot?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
63 reports · fails ~72,662 mi · avg $1,100
severe
steering
34 reports · fails ~60,990 mi · avg $700
moderate
suspension
26 reports · fails ~54,382 mi · avg $900
severe
powertrain
21 reports · fails ~56,149 mi · avg $2,500
severe
brakes
19 reports · fails ~39,533 mi · avg $450
severe
electrical
19 reports · fails ~102,493 mi · avg $850
severe
engine
18 reports · fails ~75,004 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
body
16 reports · fails ~82,764 mi · avg $1,500
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2011 Pilot's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2011 Pilot?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 Pilot · cruise control
Vehicle in question is a 2011 Honda pilot which was purchased brand new in september 2011. Problem occurred when I was heading south on wellwood ave. I came to a red light at the intersection of wellwood ave and straight path road in lindenhurst. When I attempted to come to a…
2011 Pilot · airbags
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Honda pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v346000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
2011 Pilot · body
Paint is peeling on driver side door and top of vehicle (moonroof area). Stationary in my garage.
12/29/2020 · at 126,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11385485.0 · see body pattern →
2011 Pilot · cruise control
When I started the car this morning, I heard a high-pitched grinding noise - something I've never heard before. Driving at 30mph, the car suddenly accelerated as I applied the brakes rounding a corner. I could hear the engine revving up so I quickly shifted it into neutral…
12/28/2012 · at 40,008 mi · NHTSA ODI #10490340.0 · see cruise control pattern →
View all 290 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2011 Honda Pilot? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 11V468000 September 9, 2011

Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 pilot vehicles manufactured from march 13, 2008, through august 30, 2011

If the stitching is incomplete or missing, the seatbelt may detach from the anchor webbing, increasing the risk of personal injury in a crash.

Fix: Honda dealers will conduct a specialized inspection of the driver and front passenger seatbelts, and if necessary, replace the seatbelts, free of charge. The safety recall began on october 5, 2011. Owners may contact Honda automobile customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Common questions

Is the 2011 Honda Pilot reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 290 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Honda Pilot is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2011 Honda Pilot?

The 2011 Honda Pilot is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Suspension: 26 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 23,000–75,000 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 Honda Pilot?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 63 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,662 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 72,662 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Honda Pilot has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Honda Pilot?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 290 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Honda/Pilot. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Honda. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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