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ProblemsByVinFile / 2021-HONDA-PILOTNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Honda
2021 Honda Pilot problems
The 2021 Honda Pilot has 407 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 2021 Honda Pilot has 407 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 113 complaints, typically surfacing around 47,829 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 2021 Pilot?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.6/10 — 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: 2021 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 2021 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 — 113 owner reports
· tends to show around 47,829 mi · ~$850 to fix
engine — 42 owner reports
· tends to show around 69,000 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
airbags — 26 owner reports
· tends to show around 44,198 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
visibility — 25 owner reports
· tends to show around 35,220 mi · ~$350 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 44,198 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: 6.6/10 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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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…
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 .
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.…
Car does not want to start even though the batter and alternator are good (tested by tow truck company). Restarts fine once batter is disconnected and then reconnected again. This has now happened twice.
Had a problem with your 2021 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.
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.
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.
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.
Under investigation
1 open at 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 6.6 out of 10 based on 407 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.
Should you avoid the 2021 Honda Pilot?
The 2021 Honda Pilot is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.6/10 — 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 2021 Honda Pilot?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 113 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 47,829 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 2021 Honda Pilot a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 407 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 47,829 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 2021 Honda Pilot?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 113 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 47,829 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 47,829 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 2021 Honda Pilot?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 407 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 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Honda/Pilot.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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