Honda Pilot Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Honda Pilot model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2015 drew the fewest (109) and the 2016 the most (1,710).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
22 | 1 | Steering | 5★ | 20–22 |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
109 | 4 | Engine | 4★ | 20 |
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
111 | 10 | Air bags | — | 18–19 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
115 | 6 | Seat belts | 5★ | 20–22 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
116 | 3 | Engine | 4★ | 20 |
| 2008 | 133 | 7 | Air bags | — | 17–18 |
| 2009 | 134 | 9 | Engine | — | 18–19 |
| 2023 | 144 | 5 | Seat belts | 5★ | 20–22 |
| 2022 | 160 | 5 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2012 | 171 | 9 | Engine | 4★ | 20 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
205 | 4 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 20–22 |
| 2007 | 211 | 7 | Air bags | — | 17–18 |
| 2013 | 271 | 6 | Engine | 4★ | 20 |
| 2011 | 293 | 11 | Air bags | 4★ | 18–19 |
| 2021 | 438 | 10 | Electrical system | 5★ | 22–23 |
| 2018 | 440 | 7 | Engine | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2020 | 490 | 11 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
909 | 13 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
930 | 4 | Engine | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
1,710 | 8 | Engine | 5★ | 21–23 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Honda Pilot years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2016 Honda Pilot: 1,710 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 771 (45%); Electrical system 579 (34%); Power train 201 (12%).
Reports mention 23 crashes, 10 fires, 20 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Honda Pilot: 930 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 471 (51%); Electrical system 266 (29%); Fuel/propulsion system 122 (13%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 5 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 38,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Honda Pilot: 909 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 264 (29%); Engine 234 (26%); Forward collision avoidance 123 (14%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 5 fires, 15 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 20,000 miles. 13 recall campaigns listed.
The Honda Pilot years with the fewest complaints
2015 Honda Pilot: 109 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 22 (20%); Electrical system 13 (12%); Service brakes 12 (11%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 1 fire, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 46,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Honda Pilot: 111 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 32 (29%); Engine 28 (25%); Suspension 17 (15%).
Reports mention 11 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 59,940 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Honda Pilot: 116 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 31 (27%); Structure 20 (17%); Wheels 16 (14%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 35,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Honda Pilot owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 205 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 8,435 |
| 2024 | 115 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 144 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 18,000 |
| 2022 | 160 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 36,000 |
| 2021 | 438 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 32,000 |
| 2020 | 490 | 10 | 5 | 13 | 0 | 4,000 |
| 2019 | 909 | 13 | 5 | 15 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2018 | 440 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2017 | 930 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 38,000 |
| 2016 | 1,710 | 23 | 10 | 20 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2015 | 109 | 7 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 46,000 |
| 2014 | 116 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 35,000 |
| 2013 | 271 | 12 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 28,000 |
| 2012 | 171 | 17 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 36,000 |
| 2011 | 293 | 29 | 5 | 31 | 0 | 46,750 |
| 2010 | 111 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 59,940 |
| 2009 | 134 | 9 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 70,400 |
| 2008 | 133 | 11 | 3 | 15 | 1 | 87,000 |
| 2007 | 211 | 9 | 5 | 19 | 1 | 82,354 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Honda Pilot recalls
- Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture (2003–2008 model years; 6,281,043 vehicles across all models; filed May 2015; 15V320000)
- Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture (2003 model year; 3,498,481 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2015; 15V370000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2009–2011 model years; 2,719,386 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V346000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2015–2021 model years; 2,490,460 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2023; 23V858000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2003–2008 model years; 1,790,894 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V344000)
All 62 Honda Pilot recall campaigns · Honda Pilot problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Honda Pilot years FAQ
Which Honda Pilot year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2015 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (109). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Honda Pilot years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2016, 2017 and 2019 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Honda Pilot problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (2,213 of 7,112 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Honda Pilot have?
NHTSA lists 62 recall campaigns covering the Honda Pilot. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Honda Pilot recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.