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 have. Screen goes black & voice controls stop during navigation use so we get lost. Back-up/parking sensors stop…
2020 Honda Pilot electrical problems
moderate 191 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
191
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2crashes
1fire
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 191 electrical complaints filed for the 2020 Honda Pilot, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 42% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 191 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
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. Been to dealer 5 times and replaced wiring, amp, head unit, and still have issue.
My vehicle was recalled twice before 2,500 miles for wiring harness connector issues (snapping, popping, crackling). I was told I could lose visibility with all dash functions, navigation, radio, etc. After the first and second recall service fix I continued to experience the same symptoms. I opened a case with Honda in June, 2021, and notified my local dealer. The Honda case number is 12314702.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Honda pilot. While driving or in park the problems could occur 5 MPH or 70 MPH, the speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer, radio and navigation screen turned black. The contact heard an abnormal noise and the "no audio connect" and "check tuner" warning indicators were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to pohanka Honda of fredericksburg (located at 60 s gateway dr,…
Purchased my 2020 pilot on 12/30/2019 in fresno, ca. Recently this month december 2020, I started hearing a cracking and popping noise from the speakers. The popping noise happens whether or not music is on. I also started hearing this weird noise that almost sounded like there was a compressor in my vehicle. I did some research on several Honda pilot threads and it seems to be the ac…
While driving we noticed what sounded like small rocks hitting the windshield. As we drove the car more the crackling/popping noise grew with frequency and intensity. Now every time we drive we hear intermittent crackling/popping noises. At times it is very loud and constant. It sounds as though the windshield is cracking or going to crack. When I park the car and turn the engine off the…
The Honda Pilot radio center includes the back-up camera and also Apple-Play used for navigation. This system was subject to a recall earlier when the radio would crackle and then the info center would lose power on an intermittent basis. A recall was performed, and a cable was replaced. That seems to have fixed the loud crackle issue, but I still have an intermittent problem with the info…
Vehicle cracks and pops from speaker system. Sounds as if your in a hail storm. Radio / navigation systems goes blank and back up camera goes black. Have had to Honda of bristol and they have 'fixed/repair' the problems. Vehicle works great for a few months, this past time after repairs it has only lasted one week. I do not feel as this is a safe vehicle for me and my family . The cracking…
In two, separate, instances the vehicle exhibited sudden acceleration with the brake pedal depressed. The first instance was, as the 2020 Honda Pilot was pulling into a driveway and was approximately 10 feet behind another vehicle parked in the driveway. With the brake pedal being depressed, as one does when parking, the 2020 Honda Pilot suddenly accelerated and struck the rear of the other…
Auto start/stop feature failed to restart vehicle and shifted to Neutral when foot was taken off the brake. Collision Mitigation Warning lights came on after vehicle power was shut off and turned back on to restart the motor.
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 Honda Pilot?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2020 Honda Pilot?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 191 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 58 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 1,500 and 8,000 miles, with the median around 4,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 1,500; a quarter make it past 8,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Honda/Pilot.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.