Summary
The Honda Pilot has 33 recalls spanning 2004 through 2025, with the most serious recent issue being a loose ball bearing in the steering gearbox on 2023-2024 models that can cause the steering to lock up or fail while driving, raising the risk of a crash.
On the 2025 model, the third-row passenger-side seat belt can be trapped behind an interior panel during assembly, leaving that seat occupant without a functioning restraint in a crash. The 2023-2025 model years also have a fuel filler neck and pipe that can separate and leak fuel, and a separate fuel filler pipe routing issue on 2023 models where the connection can separate in a crash, again creating a fire risk. Both of these fuel system concerns overlap in the 2023 year range.
Stepping back to the 2019-2021 era, instrument panel software on those models can fail to display critical information including the speedometer, oil pressure warning, and gear position until the next ignition cycle, and can also delay or suppress the rearview camera image. The 2019-2020 model years have an additional concern with front frame welds that may be incomplete, reducing crash protection for occupants. Continental tires on 2019-2021 Pilots may have been over-cured during production, which can cause sidewall cracking or tread and belt separation leading to sudden air loss.
On 2018-2019 models, timing belt teeth can separate from the belt, stalling the engine while driving. The 2017 model year has a low-pressure fuel pump that can fail, causing rough running or sudden power loss. The 2016 model year has a fuel tank that can leak, a hood latch striker that can separate and allow the hood to fly open at speed, and a third-row seat belt that can be pinned behind the rear seat during early production.
Going further back, 2011 models have front suspension spindle nuts and damper bracket bolts that can loosen and fall out, causing the front suspension to collapse. The 2009-2013 range has an airbag module rivet that may be missing, which can alter how the driver's airbag deploys in a crash, and 2009-2011 models have front seat belt stitching that may be incomplete, allowing the belt to detach from its anchor during a crash. The 2012 model has a vent valve in the fuel tank that can fail and allow fuel to leak. The 2005 model has a fuel tank vulnerable to damage and leakage in a crash, and a stability control system that can apply unintended braking force.
