2021 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
Common 2021 Honda Pilot problems
The 2021 Honda Pilot has been reported to have several common problems by its owners. While it is considered one of the more reliable model years, there are still some issues that have been noted.
One of the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Pilot is the car shutting down at a complete stop, such as at traffic lights, stop signs, or in heavy traffic. This can be a significant safety concern and may require a visit to a dealership or mechanic to diagnose and repair.
Another issue that has been reported is intermittent crackling noises in the vehicle, specifically in the electrical or infotainment system. This can be a frustrating problem and may require a professional to diagnose and repair.
While not specific to the 2021 model year, excessive fuel consumption is a common problem in many SUVs, including the Honda Pilot
. This issue typically occurs after 100,000 miles and can lead to a significant investment in fuel costs. It can also cause engine damage and overheating if the fuel level gets too low.
Rough suspension is another problem that has been reported in the Honda Pilot, specifically in the 2003 model year
. This issue is caused by weak stabilizer bar links that connect the suspension and can lead to difficulty steering and a knocking sound in the front suspension.
While not specific to the 2021 model year, ignition switch problems have been reported in the Honda Pilot, specifically in the 2003 model year
. This issue can cause the car to stall or have difficulty starting. Some owners have reported that even after rebuilding the ignition switch, the problem persists.
Braking problems have also been reported in the Honda Pilot, with some owners experiencing issues after only 200 miles
. This can lead to unsafe and uncontrolled stopping, which can be a significant safety concern.
Overall, while the 2021 Honda Pilot is considered a reliable model year, there are still some common problems that have been reported by its owners. It is essential to be aware of these issues and to address them promptly to ensure the safety and reliability of the vehicle.
What are common problems for 2021 Honda Pilot?
Owner Reported Trouble Spots
- In-car Electronics. Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display. ...
- Exhaust. ...
- Electrical Accessories. ...
- Climate System. ...
- Noises And Leaks. ...
- Body Hardware. ...
- Engine Major. ...
- Brakes.
Is there a recall on Honda Pilot 2021?
Summary: 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.
Do new Honda Pilots have transmission problems?
Quick Answer: Avoid 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2019 Honda Pilots. The biggest Honda Pilot transmission problems appeared in the 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2019 versions of the Honda Pilot. The rest of the models provide much better in this category.
Is the Honda Pilot a reliable car?
In terms of repair shop visits, Honda Pilot owners average 0.4 times per year, a figure consistent with the midsize SUV category. This consistent performance over the years has helped the Honda Pilot maintain its reputation as a reliable vehicle.
2021 Honda Pilot car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Honda Pilot problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Forward collision avoidance problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Electrical system problems
- Engine problems
- Visibility/wiper problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Honda Pilot vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2021 Honda Pilot
The NHTSA has received 202 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Honda Pilot. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2021 Honda Pilot vehicles.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-16
- VIN: 5FNYF6H0XMB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Auto start-stop system failed. The car completely shutoff when the engine idle was engaged in the middle of traffic.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-16
- VIN: 5FNYF6H0XMB
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: as i approached a red light and hit the brake - the car went into auto idle. however this time, the car shut off completely. i was able to turn it back on but then it happened again when i hit the brakes again.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-06
- VIN: 5FNYF5H96MB
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The system that is malfunctioning is the transmission. It is randomly shifting into neutral while at stop lights and while driving down the roads. This is an unsafe problem because the vehicle has to stop and be turned off then restarted before the transmission will allow you to change into drive. Stopping in the road on multiple occasions due to not being able to move to the side, has been causing hazardous conditions and near accidents on several occasions. The problem is random and when taken to the dealer for the issue, they test drove it for a few minutes and said they couldn't see the issue happening. They stated that we should just wait until it is happening more often and then come back. I have done a quick internet search for the issue and it has popped up in many Honda forums and sites. It seems to be a somewhat common problem. Honda seems to act unaware of the issue. Our insurance is aware of the issue but it has not been checked by anyone other than the dealership service department. There were no warnings or lights to indicate an issue before during or after the problem.
LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-31
- VIN: 5FNYF5H67MB
- Components: LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Normal driving of vehicle when suddenly several warning lights began to appear and show up every time when driving (LKAS, ACC, Mitigation, etc) despite these features working. Honda dealership claims it is due to a faulty front camera. Safety at risk because if these systems do fail, there will be no way of indicating.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-02
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 5FNYF6H57MB
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Car slammed on breaks for no reason. Good thing I was paying attention and was able to keep my vehicle under control. My neck hurt for the rest of the day and is Sore today. Now my cars system says the system isn’t working correctly after my car slammed on the breaks for basically no reason. I know this is an ongoing problem certain Honda models already. I believe every Honda with this system should be recalled.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-27
- VIN: 5FNYF6H00MB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Infotainment systems makes a crackling sound then the whole system will shut down and screen goes black. Nothing with the system will work including the back up camera.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-27
- VIN: 5FNYF6H00MB
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: While stopped at a light the engine completely shut off and put itself into neutral. Nothing worked. Had to press and hold the ignition button for at least 5 seconds to shut down and restart the vehicle.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-27
- VIN: 5FNYF6H20MB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: The truck lights came on, with no reason, ACC and LKAS dealer wants to charge 200 just to diagnose, I keep hearing many have thir problem, honda needs to fix this problem that they know they have.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
- VIN: 5FNYF5H67MB
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); 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 not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-19
- VIN: 5FNYF6H50MB
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I think the issue may be the Auto Idle system. Twice the car has shut off when waiting in traffic at a light causing obviously severe panic as the cars behind me honk and I try to get the car to come back on. Then another time, the car just wouldn't turn on. It took about 30 minutes before I could get it turned on. My safety could have been compromised had someone rear-ended me while I was trying to turn the car back on. The dealer can not reproduce the problem. No one else has inspected the vehicle. There were no warning lights etc. prior to the failures.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-07
- VIN: 5FNYF5H22MB
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: When driving the my 2021 Honda Pilot and I stop, the vehicle goes into idle engine automatically. There are have been numerous incidents when I lift my foot off the break, the engine does not turn back on. The vehicle is in drive and starts to beep and flash to put in park, shut off and restart. Obviously, this is extremely dangerous since it has occurred in the middle of traffic and in stop and go traffic on the highway. It puts the passengers in my vehicle at risk as well as other cars on the road. There are no warning signs or lights. My dealer has been made aware of the “idle stop” feature not working correctly.
LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-31
- VIN: 5FNYF6H71MB
- Components: LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: My car started stating that 6 systems were having problems. The adaptive cruise control system, automatic high beam system, blind spot information system, road departure mitigation system, collision mitigation system, and lane keep assist system. I took the car to the Honda dealer it was purchased from and was informed that the technician found that the multipurpose camera was not working and needed to be replaced. The component that failed is the multipurpose camera. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk because the following 6 safety systems stopped working. Adaptive cruise control system, automatic high beam system, blind spot information system, road departure mitigation system, collision mitigation system, and lane keep assist system. The problem has been diagnosed by the dealer. I don't know if this component has been inspected. There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to the failure. The car was just at the dealership the previous month for the annual state inspection and nothing was noted by the dealership. I was driving when suddenly the component failed and I was notified that the 6 safety systems were no longer working.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
- VIN: 5FNYF5H5XMB
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags). The contact reached out to several dealers and was informed that unless the air bag light was illuminated; the dealer could not service the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that parts were available; however, the dealers have failed to order the parts to service the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-06
- VIN: 5FNYF6H21MB
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Twice in the last 6 months this has happened while car was stopped at red light. The auto engine restart system failed, causing the car to shut down. Car had to be placed in park and restarted. Local dealer was unable to detect cause : no codes captured and there were no problems with battery or starter detected.
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-30
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 5FNYF6H55MB
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Car in front of me stopped. My vehicle did not causing a rear end collision. I do not recall the brake warning flashing to alert me to brake. The automatic braking system did not seem to engage. Even though I pressed the brake pedal the vehicle did not seem to want to stop. It reminded me of a vehicle without power brakes. Nor did the wheels lock up or leave any skid marks from hard braking.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-04
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 5FNYF5H57MB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Vehicle spontaneously caught fire. There were no known/indicated issues with the vehicle. Vehicle was eventually extinguished by the fire dept. It took them 45 mins to render it extinguished. Vehicle was parked in my driveway at the time of the incident.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-04
- VIN: 5FNYF6H04MB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I have a 2021 Elite and have been experiencing issues with the Auto Engine Idle Shut Off for the past year. The engine with shuts off normally when I come to a stop when I have the system engaged. The problems begin when I take my foot off the brake expecting the engine to start up again. What happens inconsistently (though more and more often) is that when I take my foot off the brake, the engine shuts off, shifts itself into Park, and I have trouble getting the engine to start up again. A number of warning messages show up on the center console as well. Things like, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Brake System warnings start displaying. Sometimes, I can get the engine to start up again within 10-15 seconds. Sometimes, it's been more than a minute. It almost sounds like the battery is dead but I have zero issues ever starting the vehicle initially in both hot and cold weather. When I disengage the system, which I do practically every time I drive the car now, everything works fine. The dealer ran a diagnostic and found nothing and then charged my battery even though it read full charge. It did the exact same thing a day later at a stop light. Because it’s a safety hazard and rather embarrassing to have it keep occurring at red lights with people behind you, when it shuts the engine off I manually disengage the shut off via the button on the console and the vehicle starts up fine every time. The stalls only occur when I don’t disengage with the button and take my foot off the brake. I have spoken to several other pilot owners that this has happened to so I know it is not an isolated incident.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-05
- VIN: 5FNYF6H08MB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Like others have reported, similar to the odyssey we own that did have a recall to fix the issue, the vehicle fails to restart after it idles at a light. Causing very stressful situation in traffic because it take 10-20 seconds to get vehicle going. Happened 5 times in 6 months.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
- VIN: 5FNYF6H66MB
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags) 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 dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-18
- VIN: 5FNYF6H27MB
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I'm having issues with the auto stop start. I see there is a known problem for the 2016-2020 Honda pilots. I have a 2021. It's the same issue. I stop at an intersection and the car auto stops the engine. I then tried to go and the car stalled. I had to put in park and restart the car. Since then I have had 2 more incidents where the car almost stalls, the dash errors lights come on but then the car starts and goes without stalling. This has happened 3 times in the last 2 weeks. I have it in the service center today. I wanted to report this issue is still ongoing and seems to affect more than the previously listed vehicles.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-30
- VIN: 5FNYF5H20MB
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: Upon turning on my vehicle all of the emergency warnings came on. I did a diagnostic and was shown that nothing was wrong with the vehicle but the warnings will not reset.
LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-28
- VIN: 5FNYF6H57MB
- Components: LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: I was traveling with my daughters [XXX] , and [XXX] , in the back seat. It started raining heavy just as I passed a vehicle and returned to the right lane. I reduced my speed, then felt the vehicle hydroplane slightly and felt the traction control system engaged. As soon as the traction control icon displayed, I began to feel the traction slipping and noticed a slight unresponsiveness in the steering. My speed suddenly dropped 15-20 mph, without braking, or any change in pressure on the accelerator. I then tried to accelerate, but was unable to possibly because of loss of traction I noticed the traction light was flashing. The vehicle I had just passed moments before was quickly approaching at roughly 65 mph (speed limit was 70 mph) and had no warning of the issue with my vehicle decelerating, luckily they were paying attention and able to pass safely. When they passed, I pulled off the road and had these warnings on the screen: - Collision Mitigation Braking System. CMBS problem. - Lane Keeping Assist Problem. - Road Departure Mitigation System Problem. I placed the vehicle in park, shut it off, then restarted it. The error messages went away, then came back on as soon as I started driving. The traction control light remained off and the rain subsided, but the warnings remained. Dealership is supposed to inspect Wednesday 07/31/24. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-19
- VIN: 5FNYF5H25MB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights started flashing. The contact stated that the Cruise Control and the Lane Departure and Lane Assist were inoperable. Additionally, the front view camera had failed to operate as designed. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the electrical system had failed and that the front view camera needed to be replaced and recalibrated for all of the other systems to work as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-02
- VIN: 5FNYF5H67MB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: ACC, LKAS, collision mitigation system problem, road departure mitigation system, and auto high beam problem warnings all appear on instrument panel. None of these systems work. Have replaced battery and problem not fixed. Warnings continue to appear each time car is turned on. Vehicle has 47783 miles on it. Codes indicate there’s a problem with the camera in the front of the car. The car is only 3 years old. Shouldn’t be having these issues. Have researched online and found many other complaints from others from various Honda models. Major safety problem that warrants a recall.
2021 Honda Pilot recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 8 recalls for different components of the 2021 Honda Pilot.
- 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.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
- Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
- Consequence: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
- Summary: 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."
- Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
- Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
- Summary: 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."
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: 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."
- Consequence: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: 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.
Negative 2021 Honda Pilot car reviews
Positive 2021 Honda Pilot car reviews
-
This SUV is fantastic with its 8 seats and impressive driver assisting features. The smooth ride and handling make it a joy to drive. The 3.5L V6 produces a nice punch when needed, especially in Sport mode, and we love the 9 speed transmission. Living in snow country, we opted for the AWD version and although we haven't used it in snow mode yet, it handled very well on wet roads. The seating is versatile, allowing us to lay down each of the back rows to increase cargo space as needed, and then seat 8 when needed as well. The middle seats are adjustable to allow slightly more room for the rear seat. We compared it to the Acura MDX and found that the Pilot had more room for all passengers. The USB charging ports located throughout the vehicle are a great feature, and connecting our android devices is easy. We also appreciate the wireless charging station. We have owned an Accord and a Civic and have been pleased with those vehicles, so we expect great things from this SUV as well. (Over a year later and we still love this vehicle!)
-
It's great that it has all kinds of safety features and is a very classy looking vehicle.
-
I have to admit, it's really nice. I'm not usually a Honda person because their cars have never fit me well. They usually lack back support and power. However, this car was a pleasant surprise. The adjustable lumbar support was a nice addition and the engine seemed to be generally better powered. Although, I do wish they would fix the entertainment interface. In my opinion, it's not very user-friendly, but it is better than previous versions.
-
I'm so glad to hear that you love your car! It sounds like you've really put it to the test, driving it 30,000 miles in just 14 months. It's great to hear that the more you drive it, the more you like it. The lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control features sound like they make driving a breeze, especially on long trips. I'm glad to hear that the adaptive cruise control was able to help you out in a tricky situation with a slow driver in the fog. Thanks for sharing your positive experience with us!
-
The Honda Pilot is the perfect balance between practicality for the family and stylishness, offering both comfort and all the latest features at an excellent price point. That's why I consider it a Class Act. Period. 👌🏾
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Honda Pilot problems:
2021 Pilot - Known Issues? | Honda Pilot - Honda Pilot Forums
Dec 5, 2020 ... Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central ...
2021 Honda Pilot Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
Apr 28, 2023 ... Common problems found on the 2021 Honda Pilot include an overly sensitive automatic braking system, cracked windshields, along with a frozen ...
2021 pilot problems? | Page 2 | Honda Pilot - Honda Pilot Forums
1) Car shuts down at a complete stop e.g. traffic light, stop sign or highway stop-and-go rush hour. · 2) Intermittent crackling noise in the sound system ...
2021 Honda Pilot Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · In-car Electronics · Exhaust · Electrical Accessories · Climate System · Noises And Leaks · Body Hardware · Engine Major · Brakes.
2021 Honda Pilot Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2021 Honda Pilot? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Other years of Honda Pilot
Are you having problems with your 2021 Honda Pilot?
Elroy Kilback 2024-10-11
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with Honda vehicles. I've always been a fan of the CRV and Pilot models, and recently purchased a brand new 2019 Pilot Elite. While I loved it at first, I found that it wasn't very comfortable for sleeping during long drives. Additionally, I experienced some issues with the transmission, emissions, power steering, and radio turning off. Despite these setbacks, I decided to trade it in for a new 2021 Pilot Elite. Unfortunately, I experienced similar issues twice, including the car shifting to neutral by itself while in drive. It's been a frustrating experience, especially since I loved my 2007 Pilot so much. Thanks for listening to my story!
Sheldon Marvin 2024-09-04
I recently purchased a 2021 Honda Pilot and unfortunately, I experienced some issues with the mirror. Although everything else worked perfectly, the mirror was loose and wiggled while driving, causing me migraines and nausea even after just one block. I took it back to the dealership and they informed me that Honda is aware of the issue, but they don't have a solution yet. Despite this setback, the staff at the dealership were friendly and understanding, and I'm hopeful that a solution will be found soon.
Robin Kling 2024-04-23
It seems that there have been some issues with the build quality of Honda vehicles lately. From powertrain to electrical components, it's important to be cautious when making a purchase. Additionally, it may be difficult to receive assistance from Honda Tech. Thank you for considering this information.
Jaren Strosin 2024-03-11
I previously owned a 2010 Honda Odyssey, which was an excellent vehicle. However, my experience with the 2021 Pilot has been disappointing. The infotainment system has been glitchy and blacks out, and the hands-free function for both Bluetooth and USB cable connection with Android and iPhones is not very useful. I have had trouble hearing the other person clearly, and they have had trouble hearing me. I have been informed that there is no hardware issue, and a software update is forthcoming, but there is no ETA, and the last update was in January 2022. This is not acceptable. Additionally, the tires were shot at 20,000 miles due to excessive negative camber, and there is no camber adjustment available. The dealer suggested buying a $1300 set of Michelins, but the alignment printouts told a different story. The transmission has been sluggish at times, and the push-button transmission gear selector has been slow to respond to inputs. The driver safety features cannot be permanently disabled in settings, which wouldn't be an issue if they worked properly and didn't give repeated false alarms. Overall, my experience with the 2021 Pilot has not been up to the usual Honda standards.When I do get bug splatter, I make sure to stop and clean my windshield and radar sensor in the grill regularly to prevent any issues. However, I have noticed that this doesn't seem to make much of a difference. The mileage is also not as good as I had hoped, as it doesn't come close to the EPA ratings. On a very good day, I might get 22 mpg on the highway. I was told that this is to be expected, as it is a large vehicle, but it's disappointing that the window sticker is not accurate. Overall, I would recommend avoiding this SUV. While Honda may not be what they once were, there are still better options out there.
Oscar Schiller 2024-02-05
I strongly advise against purchasing this vehicle. Despite having the EX-L model, I have had to bring it to the dealership numerous times for repairs that should not be necessary in a car that is not even two years old. The safety systems are overly sensitive and I have had to turn them off. Additionally, the trim flaps in the wind and the brakes make a grinding sound. I have had to bring it in for a recall on one of the safety systems. Despite being the highest model made in 2021, the dealership only offers a value of between 16 and $20,000 for this car. I am disappointed with the lack of attention and care put into making this car. I recommend considering other options for your next third row SUV.