2020 Honda Pilot Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Honda Pilot ranks 6th worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 75 and 487 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Electrical system problems (44% of complaints, median 1,850 miles) and 11 recalls, including fuel pump and airbag campaigns, drive the ranking.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 Pilot years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 487
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2020 Honda Pilot problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System215 (44%)
- Engine119 (24%)
- Other103 (21%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras94 (19%)
- Fuel System54 (11%)
- Lane Departure43 (9%)
- Brakes35 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain35 (7%)
- Structure & Body11 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle catching fire shortly after driving, sometimes with a burnt smell and smoke before any warning light appears.
- Some describe brakes losing functionality suddenly, including while turning at very low speed, resulting in a crash.
- Others report the brake pedal failing to respond at highway speed, with the wheel assembly detaching after impact.
- Several owners noticed smoke or visible flames coming from the engine compartment or front grille while driving at highway speeds.
- One owner reported the automatic emergency braking and ABS not engaging when the car ahead braked suddenly, leading to a collision.
- An airbag deployment during a crash was accompanied by smoke and burns to the driver.
2020 Honda Pilot recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V365000Jun 4, 2026Structure & Body880,514 vehicles
Structure:frame and members
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Risk: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
- NHTSA 24V064000Feb 1, 2024Airbags750,114 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
Risk: 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. 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.
2020 Honda Pilot fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 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.
2020 compared with other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Honda Pilot reliable?
- Compared to other Pilot model years, 2020 ranks 6th worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 75 and 487 NHTSA complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Honda Pilot?
- Electrical system issues are the top problem area, accounting for 44% of complaints (215 total) with a median failure mileage of 1,850 miles.
- Does the 2020 Honda Pilot have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns tied to the 2020 Pilot, covering areas including airbags, fuel system, electrical system, visibility/mirrors, and suspension.
- How does the 2020 Pilot compare to the 2019 and 2021 Pilot?
- The 2019 Pilot has a higher complaint index of 95 (Avoid), while the 2021 Pilot has a lower index of 70 (Caution), placing 2020 between them in reported problems.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Honda Pilot?
- EPA rates the 2020 Pilot at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.