YearToAvoid

2015 Honda Pilot Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2015 Honda Pilot has a complaint index of 10, the second-lowest among 21 model years, earning a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 109 complaints, 4 recalls, and no do-not-drive campaigns, with Engine problems the top complaint area at 23% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
10/100
#19 of 21 Pilot years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
109
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
7
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
13
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2014
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20
17.5 city / 24.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
13 / 0

Top 2015 Honda Pilot problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine25 (23%)
  2. Other22 (20%)
  3. Electrical System16 (15%)
  4. Brakes12 (11%)
  5. Structure & Body12 (11%)
  6. Airbags11 (10%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain11 (10%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (7%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers7 (6%)
  10. Fuel System6 (6%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners report a spongy brake pedal that requires pumping once before it becomes firm.
  • Owners describe the brake pedal sinking toward the floor with extended stopping distance, traced to a faulty master brake cylinder.
  • One owner reported smoke and fire coming from under the hood while stopped at a red light.
  • Owners report Takata airbags failing to deploy in a crash despite significant front-end damage.
  • Some owners describe curtain airbags deploying on the wrong side of the vehicle relative to the impact point.
  • One owner reported oil burning, repeated spark plug replacement, and eventual total engine failure tied to the VCM system.
2015 Honda Pilot complaints: complaints filed per quarter72014 Q42016 Q22017 Q42019 Q42021 Q22023 Q22024 Q42026 Q3
109 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q1 (7).

2015 Honda Pilot recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2015 Honda Pilot →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Good35271620
2014Best0116320
2015Best10109420
2016Avoid1001,703822
2017Avoid80924422

All Honda Pilot years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Honda Pilot reliable?
Among 21 Honda Pilot model years, 2015 ranks 19th worst (meaning it's one of the better years), with a complaint index of 10 and a Best verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
What problems does the 2015 Honda Pilot have?
NHTSA lists 109 complaints for the 2015 Pilot, led by Engine issues (25 complaints, 23% share), followed by Electrical System (16) and Brakes (12).
Does the 2015 Honda Pilot have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2015 Pilot, including three separate Takata airbag inflator recalls and a fuel system recall; none are do-not-drive campaigns.
How does the 2015 Pilot compare to other model years?
The 2015 Pilot's complaint index of 10 is far lower than the worst years, 2016 (100) and 2006 (90), both rated Avoid.
What is the top problem area for the 2015 Honda Pilot?
Engine complaints make up 23% of all complaints for the 2015 Pilot, with a median failure mileage of 51,000 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.