Honda Pilot Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2025 Honda Pilot years, which carry complaint index scores of 100, 80, 87, and 93 versus near-zero scores for the best years (2010, 2012, 2014, 2015). Engine and electrical system problems dominate the worst years, with 2016 alone drawing 1,703 complaints and 8 recalls.
Avoid 2016Avoid 2017Avoid 2019Avoid 2025Best 2010Best 2012Best 2014Best 2015
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 6,573
- Recall campaigns
- 43
- Crashes reported
- 183
- Fires reported
- 44
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 0 | 110 | 11 | 1 | 10 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 53 | 293 | 29 | 5 | 11 | Airbags | 18.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Best | 20 | 171 | 17 | 3 | 9 | Engine | 20 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Good | 27 | 271 | 12 | 4 | 6 | Engine | 20 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 7 | 116 | 8 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 20 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Best | 13 | 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 | 87 | 904 | 13 | 5 | 13 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 67 | 487 | 10 | 5 | 11 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 73 | 433 | 12 | 1 | 10 | Electrical System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 33 | 156 | 7 | 0 | 5 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 22 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Good | 40 | 142 | 3 | 1 | 5 | Seat Belts | 21 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 47 | 113 | 2 | 1 | 6 | Seat Belts | 21 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 93 | 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 (100) of any model year, with 1,703 complaints. Engine problems make up 49% of these, with a median failure mileage of 66,000, and electrical system issues account for 34%, failing around 49,000 miles. Owners describe engines shutting off while driving, sudden unintended acceleration during parking, and transmissions that hesitate or slip gears before harshly re-engaging. Ten fires were reported. NHTSA recalls cover the fuel system, engine connecting rod manufacturing defects, and a rear subframe reinforcement kit. This year ranks worst of all 16 model years covered.
2016 engine problems →2016 electrical system problems →2016 transmission & powertrain problems →
2025 Honda Pilot Index 93 · 201 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2025 Pilot has a complaint index of 93 despite being new, with 201 complaints so far. Collision avoidance and camera problems lead at 28% of complaints with a median failure mileage of just 3,200, alongside electrical and engine issues failing even earlier. Owners describe collision mitigation braking and backup sensors failing at low speed and causing crashes, plus sudden forward surges after stop signs. Three recalls have already been issued covering brakes, seat belt routing, and fuel injection control software, an unusually high rate for a vehicle this new.
2025 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2025 electrical system problems →2025 engine problems →
2019 Honda Pilot Index 87 · 904 complaints · 13 recalls
The 2019 Pilot carries a complaint index of 87. Electrical system complaints (30%) show a notably low median failure mileage of 6,000, while engine issues (29%) failed around 40,614 miles on average. Owners describe airbags that failed to properly inflate during a collision, backup camera and warning systems that missed approaching vehicles, and sudden unintended acceleration while parking. Thirteen recalls were issued for this year, more than any other Pilot model year, covering airbags, fuel system, and structural concerns. Thirteen crashes and five fires were reported.
2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →2019 fuel system problems →
2017 Honda Pilot Index 80 · 924 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2017 Pilot shows a complaint index of 80, driven mainly by engine problems (54% of complaints, median 46,000 miles) and electrical system issues (29%, median 36,250 miles). Owners report unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, brake pedals that failed to stop the vehicle, and at least one engine compartment fire reported at 25,000 miles. Recalls address airbags, fuel system, and rear subframe reinforcement. Nine crashes and five fires were reported for this year, placing it fourth-worst overall.
2017 engine problems →2017 electrical system problems →2017 fuel system problems →
Most common Honda Pilot problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine2,421 (37%)
- Electrical System1,772 (27%)
- Other1,082 (16%)
- Fuel System811 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain728 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras581 (9%)
- Brakes464 (7%)
- Structure & Body309 (5%)
- Airbags237 (4%)
- Lane Departure232 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Honda Pilot years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2025 Pilot years rank worst, with complaint index scores of 100, 80, 87, and 93 respectively, compared to near-zero scores for the best years.
- Which Honda Pilot years are the best?
- The 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2015 model years have the lowest complaint index scores (0, 20, 7, and 13) among all 16 Pilot model years covered, making them the strongest choices based on NHTSA data.
- What is the most common problem on the Honda Pilot?
- Engine issues are the top problem area overall, accounting for 37% of all 6,573 complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 27%.
- Does the 2016 Honda Pilot have engine problems?
- Yes. Engine complaints make up 49% of all 2016 Pilot complaints, with a median failure mileage of 66,000, and the year carries the highest complaint index (100) of any Pilot model year.
- Is the 2025 Honda Pilot reliable so far?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 93 for the 2025 Pilot, with collision avoidance and camera failures reported at a median mileage of just 3,200, plus three recalls already issued.