2021 Honda Pilot Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Honda Pilot has a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst among 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. Owners logged 433 complaints and NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns, led by electrical system issues at 30% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Pilot years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 433
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 12
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2021 Honda Pilot problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System128 (30%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras117 (27%)
- Engine114 (26%)
- Other85 (20%)
- Lane Departure44 (10%)
- Airbags31 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers30 (7%)
- Brakes27 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (6%)
- Fuel System21 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Automatic emergency braking sometimes activates on its own, locking the brakes and cutting throttle without warning.
- Some drivers report the vehicle failing to stop despite the brake pedal pressed to the floor, resulting in collisions.
- The rearview or collision-avoidance camera can fail to display or freeze mid-drive, contributing to low-speed crashes.
- Several owners describe unexpected acceleration while braking, with the vehicle moving forward on its own at low speeds.
- One owner reported the vehicle catching fire while parked in a driveway with no prior warning signs.
- A steering wheel lockup paired with unexpected airbag deployment was reported while the vehicle was moving.
2021 Honda Pilot recalls
10 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.
2021 Honda Pilot fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 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.
2021 compared with other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Honda Pilot reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 Pilot a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst out of 21 model years, and the year carries a Caution verdict relative to other Pilot years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Pilot?
- Electrical system complaints make up 30% of reports, followed by collision avoidance and camera issues at 27% and engine complaints at 26%, based on NHTSA owner complaints.
- Does the 2021 Honda Pilot have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2021 Pilot, covering areas including airbags, brakes, fuel system, visibility/mirrors, and collision-avoidance cabling, with none marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2021 Pilot compare to other Pilot years?
- Its complaint index of 70 is worse than years like 2014 (index 0, Best) and 2015 (index 10, Best) but better than 2016 (index 100, Avoid) and 2019 (index 95, Avoid).
- What is the median mileage when problems occur on the 2021 Pilot?
- Across the two largest problem areas, median mileage at failure was 44,000 for electrical system issues and 48,000 for collision avoidance and camera issues.