The Used Car Index

2020 Honda Pilot problems

NHTSA lists 490 complaints for the 2020 Honda Pilot, 10 of them mention a crash and 5 mention a fire. 10 complaints mention an injury, with 13 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as HONDA PILOT.

At a glance

Complaints
490
With crash
10
With fire
5
With injury (complaints)
10
Injuries
13
Deaths
0
Recalls
11
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
2,490,460
Investigations
4
Open investigations
2
Manufacturer communications
149

Complaints per 100k sold: 395.758. Units sold: 123,813; sales year: 2020; basis: calendar_year_us_sales_proxy_for_model_year. goodcarbadcar.net.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM21343.5%
ENGINE10120.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9519.4%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE8717.8%
LANE DEPARTURE438.8%
POWER TRAIN357.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM316.3%
SERVICE BRAKES244.9%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE234.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL163.3%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING47
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEWARNINGS46
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL32
LANE DEPARTUREWARNING28
LANE DEPARTUREASSIST19
EQUIPMENTELECTRICAL7
LANE DEPARTUREBLIND SPOT DETECTION7
STRUCTUREBODY7
BACK OVER PREVENTIONREARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING4
BACK OVER PREVENTIONWARNINGS4

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
electrical electronic26153.3%0.90
loss of control8216.7%0.78
mechanical failure6212.7%0.80
visibility or lighting367.3%0.83
noise or comfort142.9%0.78
unclear112.2%0.92
fire or overheating81.6%0.88
structural or corrosion71.4%0.81
restraint or airbag51.0%0.96
fluid or fuel leak40.8%0.88
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate35372.0%0.87
low11523.5%0.68
high173.5%0.86
critical30.6%0.90
none20.4%0.67

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 490 tagged complaints of 490 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

11 recalls. Showing the latest 10 of 11.

26V365000

Date: 2026-06-04. Systems: STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION.

Defect: 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, Virg (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

26V332000

Date: 2026-05-21. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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 Civi (excerpt)

Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury. (excerpt)

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) involve (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

24V064000

Date: 2024-02-01. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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 cir (excerpt)

Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

23V858000

Date: 2023-12-18. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Defect: 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 tan (excerpt)

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

23V431000

Date: 2023-06-15. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION.

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Vis (excerpt)

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

23V174000

Date: 2023-03-16. Systems: VISIBILITY.

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V165000

Date: 2021-03-11. Systems: TIRES.

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Consequence: Overcured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation, which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2021. Owners may contact American Honda Motor Co. customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UA2.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V440000

Date: 2020-07-28. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rea (excerpt)

Consequence: A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Y7Y. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V439000

Date: 2020-07-28. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image (excerpt)

Consequence: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V067000

Date: 2020-02-06. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles. The certification label may have been printed with ink that can be wiped away with a solvent, removing the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) information.

Consequence: If the operator is unable to refer to the label information, the vehicle may be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is B6T.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

4 investigations; 2 open.

PE25008

Opened: 2025-08-20. Closed: Not listed.

Engine failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline.A The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).A It was determin

Systems: ENGINE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

EA25004

Opened: 2025-03-26. Closed: Not listed.

No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages

On June 3, 2022, the Oi? ce of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several i? eld reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a trai? c light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The su

Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

RQ24013

Opened: 2024-11-08. Closed: 2025-08-20.

Engine failure

On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016a 2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engi

Systems: ENGINE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

PE22005

Opened: 2022-06-03. Closed: 2025-03-26.

No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages

On June 3, 2022, the Oi? ce of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several i? eld reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a trai? c light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The su

Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

149 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM54
EQUIPMENT30
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING19
VISIBILITY15
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES10
SEATS10
STRUCTURE10
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE8

11025607

Date: 2025-11-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Service Bulletin - The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the correct position on the charger due to software specifications that can cause some phones to have issues charging.

11022756

Date: 2025-08-22. Type: Other. Systems: VISIBILITY/WIPER.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025 Passport Blacks, TrailSports & 2019-2022 Pilots with a customer complaint of the taillight and/or brake light being inoperative. Vehicles may also have the A6 10A or C27 7.5A fuse blown. To better understand the

11021956

Date: 2025-08-07. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025 Passport Blacks, TrailSports & 2019-2022 Pilots with a customer complaint of the taillight and/or brake light being inoperative. Vehicles may also have the A6 10A or C27 7.5A fuse blown. To better understand the

11021752

Date: 2025-08-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Service Bulletin - One or more accessory running board lights are flickering or not working due to a faulty running board light assembly.

11021742

Date: 2025-07-25. Type: Other. Systems: VISIBILITY/WIPER.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025 Passport Blacks, TrailSports & 2019-2022 Pilots with a customer complaint of the taillight and/or brake light being inoperative. Vehicles may also have the A6 10A or C27 7.5A fuse blown. To better understand the

11020574

Date: 2025-07-07. Type: Other. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025 Passport Blacks, TrailSports & 2019-2022 Pilots with a customer complaint of the taillight and/or brake light being inoperative. Vehicles may also have the A6 10A or C27 7.5A fuse blown. To better understand the

11020578

Date: 2025-07-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGIN

11011045

Date: 2024-11-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor connector area that corrodes the terminals.

11009193

Date: 2024-10-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Service Bulletin - The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the correct position on the charger.

11008043

Date: 2024-09-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Service Bulletin - The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the correct position on the charger.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
PILOT490

Same model, other years

All model years | All Honda models

Other Honda models, 2020

Sources

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