2023 Honda Pilot problems
The 2023 Honda Pilot has 121 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2023 Honda Pilot has 121 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 22 complaints, typically surfacing around 8,550 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Pilot | 472 | 3 |
| 2021 Pilot | 407 | 3 |
| 2022 Pilot | 132 | 0 |
| 2023 Pilot (this page) | 121 | 0 |
| 2024 Pilot | 104 | 2 |
| 2025 Pilot | 164 | 4 |
| 2026 Pilot | 0 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
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
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: 2023 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 2023 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 — 22 owner reports · tends to show around 8,550 mi · ~$850 to fix
- seatbelts — 22 owner reports · ~$500 to fix
- steering — 16 owner reports · tends to show around 18,234 mi · ~$700 to fix
- visibility — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 29,900 mi · ~$350 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: visibility is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 29,900 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 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.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2023 Honda Pilot
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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Rear/third-row seatbelt warning activates repeatedly even when passenger is properly buckled. Issue has been present shortly after vehicle purchase. Dealer refuses inspection without charging diagnostic fee. Safety system is unreliable and distracting while driving.
Sunroof glass exploded: While driving in light traffic -- approximately 65 mph -- I heard a loud crash exploding sound and then the sound of glass breaking. No other vehicles were near me but I quickly scanned my front, back, and side windows and mirrors and nothing was broken.…
Multiple false "unbuckled seatbelt warning" regarding the rear seat belt being unbuckled when it was not. Alarm sounds and lights up warning on drivers display board. This alarmed the driver during movement on multiple occasions, causing unnecessary distraction. Driver…
I purchased my 2023 Honda Pilot on April 7, 2023. I had to wait for it to come in which happened roughly 2 weeks later. Within a month or so of having the vehicle while sitting at a traffic light I got 2 warning lights. One being the collision mitigation system problem see your…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 2 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. PE25017 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA25004 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2023 Honda Pilot reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 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 2023 Honda Pilot?
On the NHTSA data, the 2023 Honda Pilot does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. 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 2023 Honda Pilot?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 22 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 8,550 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 2023 Honda Pilot a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 121 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 8,550 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 2023 Honda Pilot?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 22 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 8,550 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 8,550 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 2023 Honda Pilot?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 121 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.