Worst 2021 Honda Pilot Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Electrical Faults
Engine Problems
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Honda Pilot.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 104 | 1 | 1 | 32,328 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 84 | 1 | 1 | 32,200 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 53 | 3 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 46 | 2 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 32 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 30 | 5 | — | 12,628 mi | |
| Brakes | 23 | 3 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 22 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 22 | — | — | 19,450 mi | |
| Fuel System | 20 | 1 | 1 | 53,591 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Warning | 19 | — | — | — | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 19 | — | — | 4,800 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 2 | — | 47,395 mi | |
| Backup Camera | 5 | 1 | — | 40,000 mi | |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Sunroof/Moonroof | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 2 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Honda Pilot. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2021 Honda Pilot
7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,521,728 vehicles.
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.
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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
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 Visibility."
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."
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain 2021 Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental CrossContact LX Sport 245/50R20 102 H tires with DOT serial number A376 D3K9 2920 and mold numbers S-421920 and S-421921. The tires may have been cured for a time beyond the specification limits.
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 from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Other Honda Pilot Years
2021 Honda Pilot — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2021 Honda Pilot reliable?
What are common problems with the 2021 Honda Pilot?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Honda Pilot?
How safe is the 2021 Honda Pilot?
Does the 2021 Honda Pilot have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2021 Honda Pilot?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Honda Pilot reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2021 Honda Pilot
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99