The 2021 Honda Pilot's elevated safety profile includes 5 recall campaigns and 379 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

379

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

23V8580002023-18-12

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

23V4310002023-15-06

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

View at NHTSA

20V4400002020-28-07

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

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.

View at NHTSA

View all 5 recalls

20V4390002020-28-07

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

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

View at NHTSA

20V7250002020-20-11

TIRES

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain 2021 Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental CrossContact LX Sport 245/50R20 102 H tires with DOT serial number A376 D3K9 2920 and mold numbers S-421920 and S-421921. The tires may have been cured for a time beyond the specification limits.

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.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2021 Honda Pilot has accumulated 379 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with unknown or other leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Unknown Or Other37

02Electrical System35

03Engine28

04Forward Collision Avoidance27

05Air Bags22

379 total across 1 model years (2021–2021)Full data at NHTSA.gov

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Honda Pilot Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy data for all 2021 Honda Pilot trims

22–23mpg combined

19-20city

26-27hwy

$1,900-$2,000/yr

With 2 configurations tested, the 2021 Honda Pilot ranges from 22 to 23 MPG combined. That's a 1 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim

Pilot FWD - Automatic (S9)

23mpg

3.5L 6-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

20 city27 hwy~$1,900/yr5/10 Average

Pilot AWD - Automatic (S9)

22mpg

3.5L 6-cyl · All-Wheel Drive

19 city26 hwy~$2,000/yr4/10 Average

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

2021 Honda Pilot Special Edition FAQ

Trim-specific pricing and feature questions

How does the Special Edition compare to other Honda Pilot trims?

Every Honda Pilot trim targets a different buyer. The 2021 model page compares all available trims side by side.

What should I know about maintaining the 2021 Honda Pilot Special Edition?

The Special Edition shares its core mechanicals with other Honda Pilot trims, so major service intervals are similar. Watch for unknown or other issues, the most commonly reported problem area. There are 5 recalls to verify before purchase. The 2021 model page has the details.

What are the best years for the Honda Pilot Special Edition?

Check the price-to-mileage ratio for each Honda Pilot Special Edition year. The last year before a generation change is usually the most refined; the first year after is when resale drops fastest. The Honda Pilot overview compares all years side by side.

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