Honda Pilot Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Honda Pilot years to avoid are 2006, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2025, based on NHTSA complaint counts and recall activity across 21 model years totaling 7,999 complaints and 56 recall campaigns. The 2014 and 2015 Pilots rank best, both with very low complaint indexes.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2006Avoid 2016Avoid 2017Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Avoid 2025Best 2014Best 2015
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 7,999
- Recall campaigns
- 56
- Crashes reported
- 277
- Fires reported
- 71
- Top problem area
- Engine
Pilot Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Honda Pilot problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 65 | 679 | 42 | 8 | 13 | Brakes | 17 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 90 | 268 | 23 | 7 | 8 | Airbags | 17.5 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 20 | 211 | 9 | 5 | 7 | Airbags | 17.5 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 15 | 133 | 11 | 3 | 7 | Airbags | 17.5 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 25 | 134 | 9 | 4 | 9 | Engine | 18.5 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 5 | 111 | 11 | 1 | 10 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 55 | 293 | 29 | 5 | 11 | Airbags | 18.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 30 | 171 | 17 | 3 | 9 | Engine | 20 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Good | 35 | 271 | 12 | 4 | 6 | Engine | 20 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 0 | 116 | 8 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 20 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Best | 10 | 109 | 7 | 1 | 4 | Engine | 20 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 100 | 1,703 | 23 | 10 | 8 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 80 | 924 | 9 | 5 | 4 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 60 | 440 | 9 | 2 | 7 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 95 | 904 | 13 | 5 | 13 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 75 | 487 | 10 | 5 | 11 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 70 | 433 | 12 | 1 | 10 | Electrical System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 45 | 156 | 7 | 0 | 5 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 22 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 50 | 142 | 3 | 1 | 5 | Seat Belts | 21 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 40 | 113 | 2 | 1 | 6 | Seat Belts | 21 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 85 | 201 | 11 | 0 | 4 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 21 | 5★ |
Pilot years to avoid: what went wrong
2016 Honda Pilot Index 100 · 1,703 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2016 Pilot has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 1,703 complaints, far more than any other year. Engine problems make up 49% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 66,000 miles, and electrical system issues account for 34% at a median of 49,000 miles. Transmission and powertrain complaints (12%, 47,500 miles) and fuel system complaints (11%, 54,500 miles) round out the pattern. NHTSA recorded 10 fires for this year. Eight recall campaigns apply, including engine connecting-rod bearing and rear subframe reinforcement actions.
2016 engine problems →2016 electrical system problems →2016 transmission & powertrain problems →
2019 Honda Pilot Index 95 · 904 complaints · 13 recalls
The 2019 Pilot has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst overall, with 904 complaints and 13 recall campaigns, the most of any Pilot year. Electrical system problems lead at 30% of complaints with a low median failure mileage of 6,000 miles, followed by engine issues at 29% (40,613 miles), fuel system at 21% (60,400 miles), and collision avoidance/camera problems at 18% (52,000 miles). The low mileage at electrical failure suggests problems appearing early in ownership rather than after extended use.
2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →2019 fuel system problems →
2006 Honda Pilot Index 90 · 268 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2006 Pilot carries a complaint index of 90, the third-worst of all years, with 268 complaints tied to 8 recall campaigns. Airbags top the list at 23% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 95,822 miles, followed by engine issues (18%, 90,000 miles) and brakes (17%, 99,700 miles). NHTSA also logged 99 deaths and 119 injuries linked to this year, the highest death count of any Pilot year in the data. Several later-issued airbag inflator recalls apply to this model year, covering both driver and passenger side inflators.
2006 airbags problems →2006 engine problems →2006 brakes problems →
2025 Honda Pilot Index 85 · 201 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2025 Pilot has a complaint index of 85 and ranks fourth-worst despite being the newest model year, with 201 complaints and 4 recall campaigns. Collision avoidance and camera system complaints lead at 28%, with a median failure mileage of just 3,200 miles, followed by electrical system issues at 22% (16,000 miles), engine problems at 22% (8,435 miles), and steering complaints at 19% (6,000 miles). Recalls cover a brake pedal pivot pin, third-row seat belt routing, and a fuel injection control unit software error.
2025 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2025 electrical system problems →2025 engine problems →
2017 Honda Pilot Index 80 · 924 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2017 Pilot has a complaint index of 80 and ranks fifth-worst. Of its 924 complaints, 54% involve the engine, with a median failure mileage of 46,000 miles, and 29% involve the electrical system at 36,250 miles. Fuel system complaints make up 15% (39,000 miles) and transmission/powertrain issues 13% (40,000 miles). NHTSA logged 5 fires for this year. Four recall campaigns apply, including a fuel pump module replacement and a rear subframe reinforcement inspection shared with other Pilot model years.
2017 engine problems →2017 electrical system problems →2017 fuel system problems →
2020 Honda Pilot Index 75 · 487 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2020 Pilot has a complaint index of 75 and ranks sixth-worst, with 487 complaints and 11 recall campaigns. Electrical system issues dominate at 44% of complaints, with a very low median failure mileage of 1,850 miles, and engine problems follow at 24% with a median of 4,553 miles. Collision avoidance and camera complaints account for 19% (20,000 miles) and fuel system issues 11% (54,000 miles). NHTSA recorded 5 fires tied to this year, including reports of fires occurring within a few miles of purchase.
2020 electrical system problems →2020 engine problems →2020 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
Most common Honda Pilot problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine2,702 (34%)
- Electrical System1,937 (24%)
- Other1,158 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain953 (12%)
- Fuel System833 (10%)
- Brakes757 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras582 (7%)
- Airbags533 (7%)
- Structure & Body460 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires361 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Honda Pilot should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2006, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2025 as years to avoid for the Pilot, based on complaint indexes ranging from 75 to 100 and recall counts up to 13 campaigns in a single year.
- What are the best Honda Pilot years?
- The 2014 and 2015 Pilots rank best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 10 respectively, the lowest of any model year in the data.
- Is the 2016 Honda Pilot reliable?
- The 2016 Pilot has the highest complaint index of any year (100) and the most complaints overall (1,703), with engine problems making up 49% of them at a median failure mileage of 66,000 miles.
- Does the Honda Pilot have engine or electrical problems?
- Across all model years, engine complaints make up 34% of the 7,999 total complaints and electrical system complaints make up 24%, making them the two largest problem areas for the Pilot.
- Does the 2019 or 2020 Honda Pilot have recalls?
- Yes. The 2019 Pilot has 13 recall campaigns and the 2020 Pilot has 11, both above the model's typical range, covering issues such as airbags, fuel system, and structural components.
- Does the Honda Pilot have emissions system (engine) problems?
- NHTSA has 2,702 engine complaints for the Honda Pilot across model years 2005–2025, 34% of all 7,999 complaints. The 2016 model year has the most (838).