Honda Pilot: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Honda Pilot problems by model year, from 6,286 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2017 (70%, 638 drivetrain complaints), 2016 (62%, 1,044 drivetrain complaints) and 2018 (60%, 254 drivetrain complaints). 10 of the 14 Honda Pilot years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 3 of them are at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.
Best years on this measure: 2023 (22%), 2011 (27%) and 2022 (30%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2011 (27%) to 2012 (43%), up 16 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2016 drew the most drivetrain complaints (1,044 of 3,031 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Honda Pilot year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Pilot | elevated | 40% | 31 | 111 | 7/14 | 10 |
| 2011 Pilot | no elevated signal | 27% | 60 | 293 | 13/14 | 11 |
| 2012 Pilot | high | 43% | 64 | 171 | 6/14 | 9 |
| 2013 Pilot | high | 45% | 114 | 271 | 4/14 | 6 |
| 2014 Pilot | elevated | 39% | 41 | 116 | 8/14 | 3 |
| 2015 Pilot | elevated | 35% | 33 | 109 | 9/14 | 4 |
| 2016 Pilot | very high | 62% | 1,044 | 1,709 | 2/14 | 8 |
| 2017 Pilot | very high | 70% | 638 | 928 | 1/14 | 4 |
| 2018 Pilot | very high | 60% | 254 | 440 | 3/14 | 7 |
| 2019 Pilot | high | 44% | 391 | 907 | 5/14 | 13 |
| 2020 Pilot | no elevated signal | 33% | 156 | 489 | 11/14 | 11 |
| 2021 Pilot | elevated | 33% | 135 | 438 | 10/14 | 10 |
| 2022 Pilot | no elevated signal | 30% | 47 | 160 | 12/14 | 5 |
| 2023 Pilot | no elevated signal | 22% | 23 | 144 | 14/14 | 5 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Honda Pilot years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Honda Pilot engine recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns on the Honda Pilot involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 41 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2012 | 12V063000 | fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly | 2012 |
| Aug 2013 | 13V382000 | engine | 2013 |
| Jun 2016 | 16V417000 | fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly | 2016 |
| Mar 2017 | 17V219000 | fuel system, gasoline: storage | 2016 |
| Apr 2019 | 19V298000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys | 2018–2019 |
| Mar 2021 | 21V215000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2019 |
| Nov 2023 | 23V751000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical | 2016, 2018, 2019 |
| Dec 2023 | 23V858000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2015–2021 |
| Nov 2024 | 24V900000 | fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap | 2023 |
| Jan 2025 | 25V031000 | fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system | 2023 |
31 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2010 | 10V640000 | suspension | 2011 |
| Sep 2011 | 11V468000 | seat belts: front: webbing | 2010–2011 |
| Jan 2013 | 13V016000 | air bags | 2010–2013 |
| Jul 2015 | 15V424000 | seat belts: rear/other | 2016 |
| Oct 2015 | 15V668000 | electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 2016 |
| May 2016 | 16V346000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Jan 2017 | 17V030000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| Aug 2017 | 17V545000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| Jan 2018 | 18V042000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2013 |
| Apr 2018 | 18V221000 | seats | 2018 |
| Apr 2018 | 18V268000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| Sep 2018 | 18V661000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2015 |
| Nov 2018 | 18V848000 | structure: body: roof and pillars | 2019 |
| May 2019 | 19V378000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2015 |
| Jun 2019 | 19V502000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2015 |
| Oct 2019 | 19V784000 | structure: body | 2019–2020 |
| Feb 2020 | 20V067000 | equipment: other: labels | 2020 |
| Jul 2020 | 20V439000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2019–2021 |
| Jul 2020 | 20V440000 | electrical system: software | 2019–2021 |
| Nov 2020 | 20V725000 | tires | 2021 |
| Mar 2021 | 21V165000 | tires | 2019–2020 |
| Nov 2021 | 21V932000 | structure: body: hood | 2016–2019 |
| Mar 2023 | 23V174000 | visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior | 2020–2021 |
| Jun 2023 | 23V431000 | back over prevention: display function | 2019–2022 |
| Jun 2023 | 23V458000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder | 2021–2022 |
| Nov 2023 | 23V735000 | steering: rack and pinion: rack | 2023 |
| Feb 2024 | 24V064000 | air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger | 2020–2022 |
| Nov 2024 | 24V859000 | seats: critical fasteners | 2023 |
| Jun 2025 | 25V391000 | service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages | 2023 |
| May 2026 | 26V332000 | air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger | 2017–2022 |
| Jun 2026 | 26V365000 | structure: frame and members | 2016–2022 |
What the free pages leave out on the Honda Pilot
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Honda Pilot
What are the worst years for the Honda Pilot?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Honda Pilot years are the 2017 (70% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2016 (62% of relevant complaints, very high) and the 2018 (60% of relevant complaints, very high). 10 of 14 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Honda Pilot?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Honda Pilot years are the 2023 (22%), the 2011 (27%) and the 2022 (30%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Honda Pilot have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 14 scored years, 3,031 of 6,018 relevant NHTSA complaints (50%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021.
Is the Honda Pilot reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 10 of 14 Honda Pilot years we score have an elevated complaint share and 4 do not. Pooled across those years, 50% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Honda Pilot?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Honda Pilot years we track, out of 41 in total: 23V858000 (Dec 2023, 2015–2021), 24V900000 (Nov 2024, 2023), 25V031000 (Jan 2025, 2023), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.