- Transmission malfunctions
- A lot of oil is consumed.
- Paint flaking off.
- Consistent Fault Codes.
- Failure of the fuel injector.
- Brake problems.
- … Electrical issues
- Get a Handpicked List of the Top Used Cars in Your Area.
In This Article...
What’s next
Honda and NHTSA will carry out their investigations and, if necessary, issue a recall.
The Honda Pilot is a reliable midsize crossover, but no car is impervious to issues, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently looking into whether or not the stop-start technology in these vehicles is a common source of complaints.
The 2016–2020 Honda Pilot is being looked into by the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation for a potential problem that prevents the 3.5-liter V6 from starting. It is unknown how many of the country’s about 195,000 examples of these automobiles may be impacted by the issue. NHTSA has so far received 221 reports about this particular ailment. The 3.5-liter V6 engine, nine-speed automatic transmission, and stop-start technology featured on Touring and Elite trims are all shared by all the aforementioned vehicles.
The stop-start system, which is designed to reduce fuel consumption by turning off the engine when the car stops, is the source of the problem. The Pilot’s engine may not restart when it should, leaving owners with a seemingly dead car, according to the NHTSA inquiry report. According to the document, some owners need a jump start to get their cars rolling again.
Are Honda Pilot vehicles dependable?
Breakdown of the Honda Pilot’s reliability rating. The Honda Pilot has a 3.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, which places it 13th out of 26 midsize SUVs. It has cheaper ownership costs than the national average due to the $542 average annual repair cost.
What are the Honda Pilot’s worst years?
We don’t expect you to go out into the wilderness and try to buy an automobile that is over 20 years old. However, you might find one if you’re looking for a cheap used Honda Pilot. We’re here to advise you not to purchase it under any circumstances. This is by far the worst model year Pilot has ever produced. Users of the NHTSA and Car Complaints have encountered a lot of issues since 2003.
Users have specifically reported issues with the drivetrain, electrical, engine, and airbags. There are a lot more difficulties mentioned, but these are the biggest and most expensive. For instance, the NHTSA received reports of 105 gearbox issues, 123 electrical issues, and 112 drivetrain issues. It’s far simpler to avoid this paradigm given how frequently serious, expensive to fix problems like this occur. If you see a 2003 Pilot laying around, do not purchase it.
Furthermore, same issues reappeared for the 2005 model year a few years later. This one is still best to avoid even though they don’t happen as frequently as the 2003 model did. Even if this is a different model year, we wouldn’t anticipate anyone to be purchasing at the moment.
Which year is ideal for a Honda Pilot?
Overall, we believe that the second generation vehicles from 2009 to 2015 are the greatest deal. They provide greater space than the first-generation aircraft, but won’t cost as much as the third-generation Pilot, which is a relatively recent model.
Is a Honda Pilot purchase worthwhile?
The Honda Pilot is a solid midsize SUV, that much is true. With three rows of comfortable seats, a sizable load area, and a high-quality cabin, it succeeds on almost all counts. Thanks to a strong base V6 engine and a good balance of handling ability and ride comfort, driving it is also not boring.
Key Points
- The Pilot’s track record of dependability has one flaw: In 2013, a class action lawsuit involving an engine problem impacting more than 1.6 million automobiles was resolved. The 3.5-liter V6 engine used in 2009–2013 Pilots may malfunction or burn excessive amounts of oil, according to the lawsuit.
- Less than 100 complaints on vehicles from 2014 and later indicate that the Pilot has been a reliable vehicle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- The Honda Pilot is a dependable and reasonably priced SUV that, while not the most thrilling car on the road, should satisfy the ordinary driver for a decade or more of devoted service and can easily travel over 150,000 miles with proper maintenance.
- In a recent survey of the cars most likely to travel 200,000 miles, the Honda brand came in second. Although the Honda Odyssey minivan, which has the same platform as the Pilot, was listed in the study’s list of 16 cars projected to reach that mileage milestone, the Pilot was not.
- The average annual repair cost for more recent Pilots is $542, which is less expensive than the Ford Explorer’s average annual repair cost of $732.
which is more trustworthy Toyota Highlander or a Honda Pilot?
The information above makes it evident that the Toyota Highlander outperforms the Honda Pilot in every category, including safety features and fuel efficiency. The Highlander is a much better choice if you’re searching for a three-row SUV that is incredibly dependable in this situation.
Repair costs for Honda Pilots are they high?
During its first ten years of use, a Honda Pilot will require roughly $7,373 in maintenance and repairs.
This is $1,760 less than the industry average for popular SUV models. Additionally, there is a 21.05% likelihood that a Pilot will need a significant repair within that time. Compared to similar vehicles in this sector, this is 0.45% better. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.
Is premium fuel required for the Honda Pilot?
It is not necessary to use premium gas with the Honda Pilot. All Honda models have standard fuel specifications stating that they should be operated on unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or above.
We’ll examine what Honda suggests for fuelling this vehicle in more detail now that we know the Honda Pilot doesn’t require premium fuel. You might be interested in learning whether premium gas will clean your engine or improve your fuel efficiency. You might be surprised by the responses to these queries. Find out what we learned by reading on.
We hope the links provided are helpful to you before you continue reading. We may receive a commission if you buy something after clicking on one of the links on this page, so thank you!
Which Honda Pilot models are subject to a recall?
Honda is recalling roughly 750 000 SUVs and pickup trucks to fix a fault that could cause their hoods to fly open while the vehicle is being driven. 2019 Passports, 2016–2019 Pilots, and 2017–2020 Ridgeline pickups are all included in the recall.
What Honda Pilot model is the best-of-the-best?
The top-of-the-line Black Edition trim is brand-new for the Honda Pilot lineup for 2020. Based on the Elite trim but featuring unique exterior and interior aesthetic upgrades to set it apart from the competition.
Why jerks my Honda Pilot?
An unreliable or imbalanced flow of air and fuel will cause a vehicle to malfunction. If a car jerks or rushes ahead at a fast rate of speed, it may not be getting the proper amount of air and fuel. This jerking or surging sensation could be brought on by a number of parts in the fuel or air intake system. Additionally, problems with these systems may result in worsening fuel efficiency.
Is there a timing chain or belt on the Honda Pilot?
Timing belts are standard on all Honda Pilot engines from model years 2003 through 2021. From 2003 to 2021, every Honda Pilot engine is an interference.
In a combustion engine, the timing belt (or chain) maintains the correct synchronization between the various engine parts.
Serious engine damage may result if the belt or chain strains or breaks.
Timing chains are typically rated for the lifespan of the engine, while timing belts have a suggested replacement interval, however they do need to be inspected on occasion.
Understanding the timing system in your car or a potential purchase might help you save future costs and hassles.
To enhance your experience, we and our partners collaborate to exchange information about how you use our website.
The Honda Pilot is produced where?
Honda has been making the Pilot, a mid-size crossover SUV with three rows of seating, since 2002.
[3] The Honda Pilot is the company’s largest SUV, and it is primarily marketed at North American consumers. Up until April 2007, the Pilot was produced in Alliston, Ontario, but is now made in Lincoln, Alabama. The Pilot of the first generation went on sale as a 2003 model in April 2002. [4]
The Acura MDX and Odyssey minivan for the North American market both use the same platform as the Honda Pilot. The Pilot’s independent suspension and unibody construction are made to give it car-like handling, and its integrated perimeter frame rails enable towing and light off-road use.
Honda sold the little crossover CR-V and the Honda Passport before the Pilot was released (a rebadgedIsuzu Rodeo). Truck-based in form, the Honda Passport was marketed between 1993 and 2002. Despite the 2010 Crosstour’s length victory over the Pilot, the Pilot is still Honda’s largest SUV. [5]
Period the Honda MDX (first generation Acura MDX) was for a while offered in Japan and Australia, the Pilot is sold in North America and the Middle East. Furthermore, South Korea, Latin America, the Philippines, Russia, and the Ukraine all sell the second-generation Pilot.