Honda Pilot problems
The Honda Pilot is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating manufactured by Honda since 2002. Primarily aimed at the North American market, the Pilot is the largest SUV produced by Honda. Pilots are currently manufactured in Lincoln, Alabama, and the Pilot was produced in Alliston, Ontario until April 2007. The first generation Pilot was released in April 2002 as a 2003 model.
The Pilot shares its platform with the Acura MDX, as well as the North American market Odyssey minivan. The Pilot's unibody construction and independent suspension are designed to provide handling similar to that of a car, and it has integrated perimeter frame rails to permit towing and light off-road use.
Prior to the introduction of the Pilot, Honda marketed the compact crossover CR-V and the Honda Passport (a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo). The Honda Passport that was sold between 1993 and 2002 was a truck-based design. The Pilot is Honda's largest SUV, although the 2010 Crosstour surpassed the Pilot in length. The Pilot is now currently in its fourth generation, with multiple design changes occurring from getting bigger and resembling a truck to downsizing and becoming sleeker to now a slight mix of both.
The Pilot is sold in North America and the Middle East, while the Honda MDX (first generation Acura MDX) was marketed in Japan and Australia for several years. The second-generation Pilot was also sold in Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, Latin America, and the Philippines.
Social links
Honda Pilot model years
Common Honda Pilot problems
Based on complaints from owners of Honda Pilot cars, several common problems have been reported over the years. Here is a detailed list of these issues:
- Transmission Failures: One of the most serious problems reported with Honda Pilots is transmission failure. This issue is particularly associated with the 2003 model but has also been observed in other model years. Transmission failure can be a costly repair and poses a safety risk, potentially leading to loss of control while driving.
- Excessive Oil Consumption: Excessive oil consumption is another common problem among Honda Pilots, especially in certain model years. This issue can lead to engine damage and overheating if not monitored and managed properly. Keeping track of oil levels and topping up regularly can help mitigate this problem.
- Peeling Paint: While primarily a cosmetic concern, peeling paint on Honda Pilots can lead to more severe issues in regions with wet weather or high rust levels. Although not a critical mechanical problem, it may require repainting to maintain the vehicle's appearance and prevent further damage.
- Recurring Fault Codes: Recurring fault codes can be frustrating for Honda Pilot owners, as they indicate false issues with the vehicle's sensors. While not inherently dangerous, these codes can mask real problems if ignored, potentially leading to unintended damage to the vehicle.
- Fuel Injector Failure: Fuel injector failures have been reported as a common issue with Honda Pilots. Repairing fuel injector problems can be expensive and impact the vehicle's performance and fuel efficiency.
These problems highlight the importance of thorough research and inspection when considering purchasing a used Honda Pilot. Being aware of these common issues can help potential buyers make informed decisions and be prepared for potential maintenance or repair costs associated with these specific problems.
Is the Honda Pilot a reliable car?
In general, the Honda Pilot can be considered a reliable SUV. Honda has been quick to respond to reports by owners. An early transmission issue was largely sorted out, as was a problem with the gearbox in 2005.
What are the most common problems with the Honda Pilot?
But also a serious safety risk rendering the vehicle dangerous. And unsafe to drive According to some reports. Problem number two sunroof explosions although only a single case has been reported.
Do Honda Pilots have transmission problems?
The Honda Pilot is just one of the Honda models that were known to have severe transmission problems. They were part of the huge recall in 2004. Sadly, many of the Honda Pilot's that were repaired as part of the recall had their transmissions fail a second or even a third time.
What is more reliable, the Honda Pilot or the Toyota Highlander?
Both the 2023 Honda Pilot and the 2023 Toyota Highlander scored high in this year's J.D. Power reliability rankings. They actually both scored 81 in terms of quality and reliability, which makes them above average compared to other vehicles.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Honda Pilot years
We have researched Honda problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Honda Pilot cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Honda Pilot model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Honda Pilot model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Honda Pilot years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Honda Pilot car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Honda Pilot , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Electrical system problems
- Engine problems
- Power train problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Honda Pilot vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Pilot model years
A total of 306 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Pilot model years
There were a total of 84 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Pilot model years
There were a total of 432 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Pilot model years
There were a total of 104 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 7135 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Honda Pilot . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Honda Pilot vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Honda Pilot 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-04
- Date Complaint: 2024-11-06
- VIN: 5FNYF18308B
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Failure of Honda Pilot OEM jack. On 11/04/24 I was jacking up the right rear wheel of my 2008 Honda Pilot when the OEM scissor jack I was using suddenly and loudly broke, allowing the wheel to come down violently. Note that I was jacking the vehicle on a firm, level surface, using the reinforced jacking point as instructed in the vehicle manual, and that the vehicle did NOT fall off of the jack; the jack simply broke. I removed the jack from under the vehicle and inspected and tested it. The threaded rod in the jack would no longer turn smoothly and when testing the jack, it would not lift any weight without falling back down. Summary: Failure of 2008 Honda Pilot jack Failure did put me at risk when jacked wheel suddenly fell. Jack has not been inspected or tested by dealer, etc, Jack failed without warning. Incident not reported to police, insurance, etc. Jack IS available for inspection.
Honda Pilot 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-27
- VIN: 5FNYF6H04KB
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Connecting rod bearing failure. Engine was making knocking noise noticeable under 2000 RPM. Engine could experience sudden loss of power if engine failed. Dealer inspected engine internals and found a spun connecting rod bearing, requiring engine short block to be replaced. Vehicle falls in the production date range stated on recall 573 for this exact issue, however Honda Corporate stated VIN doesn't match affected units.
Honda Pilot 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-27
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-27
- VIN: 5FNYF5H38GB
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I just purchased this vehicle this year if any components failed I do not know of it.
Honda Pilot 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-24
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-26
- VIN: 5FNYF5H54HB
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: On October 24th I was parked at a rest area and started the engine on my 2017 Honda Pilot. When I did I heard a knocking in the engine and the oil light came on. I immediately shut the engine off and checked the oil. I contacted a wrecker and had it towed to the nearest Honda Dealership. I was advised that it’s probably a faulty Rod bearing. I did research and found out there was a recall on the 2016, 2018, 2019 pilots but skipped my year except the 2016 Ridgeline. I contacted Honda Corporate and they stated I had to get a physical inspection done at the Honda dealer again and it might or might not be covered. I did not get a definitive answer. I don’t understand when the 2016 and 2018 have a recall for an issue that occurred on my car, but my car is not included on the recall and I will probably be out a minimum of $10k for a faulty designed engine. Make note my vehicle has only 80k miles
Honda Pilot 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-06
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-26
- VIN: 5FNYF6H07JB
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: Warning lights for the ACC, LKAS and FCW have been blinking everyday. One day they just started blinking. I took to dealership and they said it's $180 to diagnose issue. I have seen 100s of pist of different forums about the issue which means it is a known problem. As of the last 6 months or so these features do not work on the car.
Honda Pilot 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-25
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-25
- VIN: 5FNYF6H57MB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: When shifting from reverse into drive, there is a 5-10 second hesitation. I push the gas and the car does not go. It will eventually accelerate at a very high speed. Does not happen every time, but often enough to be very dangerous.
Honda Pilot 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-24
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-24
- VIN: 5FNYF5H99JB
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I've brought the car to the Honda Dealer located at 2400 N State Rd 7 Hollywood FL 33021 for over a year I have complained that the car jumps and that there is a few recalls on my vehicle. I was told that the part isn't available and they can't fix it but did not offer any remedies to this issue. The car will shut off on me while I'm driving and it's very dangerous. I've mentioned this to them many times but they only try to convince me to buy another car and get me to trade in my car and pay a deposit.
Honda Pilot 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-16
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-24
- VIN: 5FNYF5H58KB
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Honda Pilot 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-23
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-23
- VIN: 5FNYG1H83PB
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The panoramic sunroof exploded while driving on the highway towards Tappahannock, VA
Honda Pilot 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 5FNYF5H38LB
- Components: POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 2020 Honda Pilot with 80000 miles. A car i loved and had for over a year. I was driving from Florida to Texas. Everything was fine when I started. About 600 miles down I was at 70 mph and had to go little faster to overtake a truck because the shoulder was too small and my lane is about merge in to truck lane. There were at-least 10 vehicles behind me. I hit the accelerator pedal all the way until it touched frame but the engine is not at all responding and slowly losing power. The lane I was in was about to merge in to truck lane. I had to hit brakes with vehicles behind me but some how i managed to not get hit by them. It could have gone worse.
Honda Pilot 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 5FNYF6H9XJB
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally failed to start. The contact stated that several attempts were needed before the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Honda Pilot 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-22
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 5FNYF6H17JB
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Honda Pilot 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 5FNYF5H38KB
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Honda Pilot 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-07
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 5FNYF6H70GB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle hesitated with an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.
Honda Pilot 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-07
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-21
- VIN: 5FNYF5H13KB
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Latest 5 recalls Honda Pilot
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 169 recalls for different components of the Honda Pilot.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Honda Pilot 2022
- Report Received Date: 2024-02-01
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, and October 18, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
- Model: Honda Pilot 2020
- Report Received Date: 2024-02-01
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, and October 18, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
- Model: Honda Pilot 2021
- Report Received Date: 2024-02-01
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, and October 18, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
- Model: Honda Pilot 2015
- Report Received Date: 2023-12-18
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
- Model: Honda Pilot 2018
- Report Received Date: 2023-12-18
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Latest negative Honda Pilot car reviews
Latest positive Honda Pilot car reviews
-
Vehicle year: 2010
This vehicle is generally very reliable as long as you keep up with maintenance. However, the maintenance minder system is not very accurate when it comes to oil life. If you follow the minder's recommendations, you may end up damaging your engine or incurring expensive repairs. To avoid this, we recommend using full synthetic oil and changing it when the minder indicates 50% life left. While the Pilot is technically AWD, it does have a lockout option and is still quite capable. It may not be as rugged as its competitor, the 4 Runner, but it gets the job done. The cabin noise can be a bit loud, but there are ways to mitigate this such as switching to quieter tires. The middle seat slides, which is a nice feature, and the 3rd row is suitable for smaller passengers. Simple repairs can be done at home with the help of instructional videos. The Pilot does have some quirks, but most are easily fixable and some may even be covered by Honda. For example, the map lights and sunroof auto-open function are known to fail, but can be inexpensively repaired. Overall, the Pilot is a great choice for families who prioritize reliability and practicality over flashy features.
-
Vehicle year: 2003
We have really enjoyed our Pilot since purchasing it new. Although we have experienced some issues with the leather seats coming apart, we are managing. However, we have had to replace all four window regulators once, and one of them twice, with three replacements this year alone. This has been frustrating as the windows suddenly go down while driving or parked, and we have been fortunate that our car has not been stolen. It is also unpleasant to have a window fall down unexpectedly in the middle of the desert during summer. Additionally, the cost of each repair is $350. We have contacted Honda about this issue, but they claim that it is not a common problem. Have any other Pilot owners experienced this problem?
-
Vehicle year: 2013
I am satisfied with my pilot, however, I am currently experiencing an issue. Upon braking on the highway, the truck vibrates. After conducting a quick internet search, I discovered that many individuals have reported warped front rotors at low mileage. Despite this, Honda has stated that the repair is not covered under warranty. The dealer charged me $180 to cut the front rotors. It is imperative that Honda takes responsibility for these defective parts and issues a recall to cover the cost for its customers.
-
Vehicle year: 2011
I've had my Pilot for 7 months and driven 6600 miles. Just got the first oil change and it's performing great on the interstate. I'm getting around 14.5 MPG in the city and have experienced tanks averaging between 18 and 25.5 MPG on the interstate (all with AC on). I've been using only premium gas. I'm not sure why there's such a large variation in MPG on the interstate, but it could be due to gas quality. The VCM engine has been performing just fine without any complaints. I do notice when the engine is in 3 cylinder mode.
-
Vehicle year: 2017
The Honda Pilot is an incredibly well-built and high-quality automobile. It drives smoothly, rides comfortably, and is remarkably quiet on the road. Although it is packed with technology, it may take some time for my wife and me to learn all of its features. The Pilot is incredibly spacious and has all-wheel drive and stability control, making it very sure-footed in rain or snow. During our 3,000-mile trip to the northeast, the Pilot performed flawlessly, and it is so comfortable that it can carry practically anything a traveler would want to take. The nine-speed transmission is incredibly smooth and keeps the engine in an appropriate power/performance range. The more I drive the car, the more I appreciate it. After driving this Pilot for one year and 24,000 miles, I still appreciate it so much. It is as solid as a rock. We have had our Pilot for 2 years and 45,000 miles and have taken several extended trips in it, and it has performed consistently and dependably. It is such a great vehicle on trips because it has plenty of room, is comfortable, gets very good gas mileage and has a long range, and performs as well whether going through a city or out on the highways. We only have the one car, and it meets all our needs.
Are you having problems with your Honda Pilot?
Abel Goldner 2025-02-18
Vehicle year: 2017
I purchased this vehicle in October 2017 and unfortunately experienced a few issues. These included poor alignment causing the car to drift to the right, which required an alignment service just three days after purchase (I had to turn off the lane control to identify this issue). Additionally, there was a need to replace an exterior trim due to factory installation, and excessive rattling noise caused by loose components in the spare tire/tool compartment. Lastly, there was a bad plastic fitting underneath the steering wheel that posed a finger cutting hazard. While the first three issues can be fixed, the fourth was declined by the dealer as it is a common issue. The dealer informed me that this is a design feature by Honda and can be found in other brand new Pilots. I wish I could post photos of these poorly fitted plastics. I hope this information helps others who may be considering purchasing this vehicle.
Pete Stoltenberg 2025-02-14
Vehicle year: 2016
Hi there! I recently had a Mercury Villager that still ran great, but my wife and kids wanted something with a bit more style and features like Nav, DVD, and AWD. We test drove the 2016 Pilot and I also had the chance to drive an MDX owned by a friend, which I used as my benchmark. I was initially attracted to the 16 Pilot because of the Honda Sensing package, which I believe is a great safety feature, but I wasn't too impressed with the other changes in the 16 model. Living in Chicago, I wanted an SUV that would work great and be safe during the winters. I was looking to get the EX with sensing, but my wife wanted leather (EXL), and my kids wanted the DVD. After some input from friends, we decided to look at the Touring model. We found a dealer on the south side of Chicago who quoted us $2k below list on the phone, so we drove two hours in traffic to get there. However, when we were ready to buy, the dealer raised the price by $1799, claiming that there were some useless dealer-added options like paint stripes and door molding. I was disappointed and complained to Honda USA Inc. about the false advertisement, but they didn't seem to care much. Despite this, we still decided to buy the Touring model, which had an MSRP of $43,700. With Chicago tax of 10% and an extended warranty, it came closer to $50k, which gave me some sticker remorse heartburn when I thought about the price. It was hard to find a dealer who didn't add unnecessary options that bumped up the price, and most were selling at the MSRP. We eventually found a dealer nearby who quoted us $42k (1700 below list), and we decided to buy it. However, I later found out that the dealer made up some money on the overpriced extended warranty. Ahh, car dealers! Now that I've been driving the Touring for a while, here are my observations. THE UGLY: The thing that I hate is that even the Touring model doesn't have blind spot monitoring or parking sensors on the front bumper, only on the rear bumpers. It's surprising that a 2016 SUV that costs close to 50K doesn't have blind spot monitoring. You have to go for the Elite model for that, which is a bit greedy of Honda. They should have added the blind spot and front bumper sensors on lower models. Subarus even have blind spot detection! Although the camera is only on the passenger side mirror, which may seem counterintuitive, unlike the MDX which has cameras on both sides. However, the steering wheel is a bit light and takes some getting used to. The navigation system could also use some improvement, as Google Maps on the phone are much better for searching. The remote start is a bit disappointing, with a limited range and no indicator on the remote to show if the car has started. The noise insulation could also be better, as it was quite loud during a recent storm. Driving in snow can also be a bit tricky, as the rear parking sensors beeped and the auto brake mitigation was activated for a few seconds, slowing the car down from 45 to 30 MPH. However, the sound is decent and the leather is okay compared to the MDX. The mats could be improved with weather tech-like mats. The lane watch can also be a bit finicky in snowy or dirty conditions. Overall, the warranty is a plus!For the price, it would be great to have a longer warranty period, similar to some other brands. Although there are many electronics, purchasing an extended warranty may be necessary. On the bright side, the car is spacious, especially in the 3rd row, and the AWD is reliable. It drives well, looks great, and handles smoothly. The USB and Blue Ray DVD player are convenient features, and my wife finds it easy to drive despite its size, thanks to the helpful cameras. The Honda Sensing features are also very useful, and the Bluetooth and phone integration work well and quickly. Additionally, the car has 2 driver seat settings, auto lights, fog lights, LEDs, and heated seats, making it a great family car with plenty of options on the steering wheel. With keyless start, you can load it up and go places with ease!
Philip Gottlieb 2025-02-12
Vehicle year: 2017
We bought a 2017 Honda Pilot Touring brand new and have had minimal issues with it. Unfortunately, late last year, the service engine light came on and the engine started running strangely. We took it to the dealership in December 2020, where they diagnosed the problem as faulty fuel injectors. The cost to repair was quoted at $1400, but unfortunately, the warranty did not apply since we had already driven over 60k miles. We decided to take it to a local repair shop that we had used before, and they quoted us $600 for the repair (Jan 2021). However, after a while, the check engine light came back on, and the engine started running strangely again, even shutting off at a stoplight and refusing to turn on for several minutes. We took the car back to the local shop, and they said that the problem was again the injectors, but that Honda had extended the warranty to cover them since it was a known issue for our car. They suggested we take the car back to the dealership. At the dealership, the technician confirmed the problem was the injectors, but since we had repaired it elsewhere and used after-market parts, the warranty did not apply. We were quoted $1,092 for the repair. It is frustrating that a known issue among Honda Pilots of that year, which should have cost us nothing to repair under the warranty, has cost us $600 and will now cost us another $1092 to repair. I emailed Honda customer service to explain the issue, but unfortunately, I did not receive a reply for 12 days. When I called, the customer service representative explained that because we replaced the original injectors with after-market parts, they would not cover a replacement. She even tried to pass the buck back to the local dealership (who have been super nice and spoke to their contact with no success). Despite this experience, I hope that Honda can improve their customer service and that this story does not discourage others from considering this brand.
Sigurd Koelpin 2025-02-12
Vehicle year: 2021
I recently purchased the New Honda Pilot 2021 model in December 2020 and have driven it for 3300 miles. Unfortunately, I have noticed some software issues with the vehicle. Even when the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) feature is turned off, it seems to activate automatically and take over the steering of the vehicle, attempting to steer it back into the center of the lane. This false indicator has caused me to panic while driving, and I am concerned about the safety of myself and others on the road. I contacted Honda Customer Care about this issue, and they were very helpful. They took note of the issue and informed their R&D/Technical team. They suggested that I take the vehicle to a service center to determine if the system has failed or malfunctioned. Despite this issue, I still have faith in Honda and their products, and I am hopeful that this issue will be resolved soon.
Armani Pfannerstill 2025-02-10
Vehicle year: 2019
The steering wheel controls froze up and an error message appeared on the display only 9 days after purchasing the car. Despite the dealership changing the infotainment system, the issue persisted. It has come to my attention that Honda is aware of these problems but has not taken any action to fix them. It is important to note that this is not a normal occurrence and if you are experiencing similar issues, you are not alone. I recommend looking into the ongoing class action suit related to these problems.