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ProblemsByVinFile / 2020-HONDA-PILOTNHTSA data synced 3 days ago
Honda
2020 Honda Pilot problems
The 2020 Honda Pilot has 472 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2020 Honda Pilot has 472 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 194 complaints, typically surfacing around 7,674 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2020 Pilot?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Engine: 49 complaints, classified severe
Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2020 Honda PILOT SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2020 Honda Pilot? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 194 owner reports
· tends to show around 7,674 mi · ~$850 to fix
engine — 49 owner reports
· tends to show around 69,875 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 30 owner reports
· tends to show around 60,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
fuel system — 22 owner reports
· tends to show around 61,319 mi · ~$1,200 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 69,875 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2020 Pilot· engine
There was a snap like sound under my hood while driving. Shortly after, the check engine light engaged and the vehicle lost all ability to accelerate. This happened while merging onto a fairly busy road, with rolling hills. If there were vehicles around there would have been…
Honda Pilot AWD EX-L 2020 Engine Failure Incident Report October 5, 2024 Check Engine light went on 294 IL Tollway while traveling in left lane. Began to feel a slowing of the vehicle and just a wrong feeling, proceeded to move towards right lane in busy traffic and ~0.5 to…
Please note: all of the problems occurred on our 2019 pilot which we turned in as a "lemon". Now we have same problems with our 2020 pilot. Screen blacks out showing speedometer so we have no idea how fast we are driving. Gas gauge goes black so we don't know how much gas we…
Random popping noise, like sound of small rocks hitting windscreen. Occasionally the display where speedometer is goes out. Audio problems with random volume issues. Popping noise occurs whether audio system is on or off. Notice it more while in motion and going over bumpy road.…
Had a problem with your 2020 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.
Overcured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation, which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2021. Owners may contact American Honda Motor Co. customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UA2.
If the operator is unable to refer to the label information, the vehicle may be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is B6T.
In the event of a crash, incomplete body welding may provide inadequate protection to occupants, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing welds, free of charge. If the vehicle is identified as missing welds, the dealer will offer to repurchase the vehicle or provide a similar replacement vehicle. Owner notification began November 6 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X6J.
Under investigation
2 open at NHTSA
PEEngine · opened August 2025
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. PE25008 on NHTSA →
EAEngine And Engine Cooling › Engine · opened March 2025
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA25004 on NHTSA →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 472 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Honda Pilot has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2020 Honda Pilot?
The 2020 Honda Pilot is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Engine: 49 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2020 Honda Pilot?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 194 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 7,674 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2020 Honda Pilot a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 472 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 7,674 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2020 Honda Pilot?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 194 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 7,674 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 7,674 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 2020 Honda Pilot?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 472 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Honda/Pilot.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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