2015 Honda Pilot Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
13/100
#14 most-complained of 16 Pilot years
The 2015 Honda Pilot ranks 14th out of 16 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 13 and a 'Best' verdict among Pilot years. It has 109 complaints, 4 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls.
- Complaints
- 109
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17.5 city / 24.5 hwy
Top 2015 Honda Pilot problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine25 (23%)
- Other22 (20%)
- Electrical System16 (15%)
- Brakes12 (11%)
- Structure & Body12 (11%)
- Airbags11 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (6%)
- Fuel System6 (6%)
What owners report
- Owners report engine oil burning, spark plug fouling, and misfire codes like P0304 tied to the VCM system, sometimes ending in total engine failure.
- Some owners describe smoke and fire coming from under the hood while stopped, with flames spreading to the front of the vehicle.
- Airbag complaints include dashboard warning lights that flash constantly and Takata airbags that failed to deploy in a crash despite significant front-end damage.
- Brake pedals are described as spongy or requiring a second push to fully engage, with one owner unable to stop the vehicle at a light or stop sign.
- A structure complaint describes paint peeling near the windshield and moonroof on a garage-kept vehicle.
2015 Honda Pilot recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 19V502000Jun 27, 2019Airbags9,555 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
- NHTSA 19V378000May 16, 2019Airbags19,138 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
2015 Honda Pilot fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Honda Pilot reliable?
- Compared with other Pilot years, the 2015 model has a low complaint index of 13 and ranks 14th out of 16 years, earning a 'Best' verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What problems does the 2015 Honda Pilot have?
- The top problem area is the Engine, accounting for 23% of complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 15% and Brakes at 11%. Median mileage at failure across areas ranges from about 4,462 miles for brakes to 67,000 miles for suspension.
- Does the 2015 Honda Pilot have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2015 Pilot, covering the fuel system and multiple airbag inflator issues, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2015 Pilot compare to the 2016 and 2017 Pilot?
- The 2015 Pilot has a complaint index of 13, far below the 2016 Pilot's index of 100 and the 2017 Pilot's index of 80, both of which carry an 'Avoid' verdict.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Honda Pilot?
- The 2015 Pilot gets 20 mpg combined (17.5 city / 24.5 highway) per EPA data, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250.