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ProblemsByVin File / 2021-HONDA-PILOT
2021 · honda

honda Pilot problems

3 safety recalls. 378 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
101 reports · avg $850
moderate
engine
37 reports · avg $3,100
severe
airbags
26 reports · avg $1,100
severe
visibility
25 reports · avg $350
moderate
powertrain
23 reports · avg $2,500
severe
brakes
17 reports · avg $450
severe
tires
13 reports · avg $150
moderate
body
4 reports · avg $1,500
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2021 Pilot · electrical
We were driving our 2019 Honda Pilot and at a traffic light the car failed to restart after the auto stop-start system shut off the engine. This happened when I started to step on the gas so we could have been rear-ended by the car behind us. The brakes also appeared stuck when…
12/31/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11708058.0
2021 Pilot · electrical
Audio and backup camera panel popping noise and disconnects whole panel causing it to go black , which includes the backup camera. Extreme safety issue with no backup camera .
12/31/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11633287.0
2021 Pilot · other
The glass on the window driver side fell out of position and I couldn’t close the glass window. I would have to drive in the cold and rain exposed to the elements and hopefully my window shield in front don’t fog and cause me to have accidents.
12/27/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11562184.0
2021 Pilot · airbags Crash
The contact owned a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH and while attempting to stop depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact confirmed that the accelerator pedal was not depressed accidentally. No air bags deployed.…
12/26/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11632504.0

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 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 20V440000 28/07/2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Y7Y.
severe NHTSA 20V439000 28/07/2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.
severe NHTSA 20V725000 20/11/2020

American Honda Motor Co

Over-cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a 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 the tires that have the affected DOT serial number and mold number, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is U8Y.

Common questions

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 378 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 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.

What's the most common problem on the 2021 Honda Pilot?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 101 complaints filed. 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. 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 2021 Honda Pilot?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 378 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 19 hours ago. 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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