NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The rear subframe can corrode at suspension attachment points, potentially causing rear suspension components to fail.
This page covers 11 recalls, 383 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Honda Pilot.
22–23 mpg combined
10.2–10.7 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2021 Honda Pilot, the heaviest complaint volume clusters around the forward collision avoidance system and the broader electrical system. Owners frequently report that the collision mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and road departure warning systems all fail together, often triggered by what multiple owners describe as an internal camera failure. When the camera goes, the entire suite of driver assistance features drops out at once and won't re-engage. On the electrical side, owners describe instrument clusters lighting up with multiple warning lights simultaneously, flickering mirrors, and the auto idle-stop system occasionally leaving the vehicle unable to restart for several minutes after stopping at a light. Engine complaints are the third-most-reported area, though that category covers a range of symptoms rather than a single dominant pattern. A recurring frustration owners mention is that multiple warning systems fail at the same time with no prior indication.
383
Total Complaints
12
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Honda Pilot has 11 recalls, the most serious involving brake failure, rear suspension collapse, tire blowout risk, and a front passenger airbag that can deploy incorrectly in a crash.
The brake concern involves a fastener connecting the brake booster and master cylinder that can work loose, causing the master cylinder to separate and braking to fail entirely. The rear suspension recall affects vehicles sold in certain northern and mid-Atlantic states, where rear control arms can corrode and fail, causing a sudden loss of handling. On tires, certain Continental CrossContact LX Sport tires fitted to some vehicles may blow out or shed their tread while driving. The passenger airbag concern involves the seat's occupant classification sensor, which can misread the seat's occupant and cause the airbag to deploy incorrectly during a crash.
The fuel pump can fail and stall the engine while driving. Three recalls cluster around rear visibility: a faulty coaxial cable connector and a software issue can each prevent the rearview camera image from appearing, and on a related note, incorrect instrument cluster software can cause the speedometer, gear selector, and oil pressure warning to go dark until the car is restarted. Side mirror heating pads on some vehicles are not properly bonded, and the mirror glass can fall off while driving.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear subframe can corrode at suspension attachment points, potentially causing rear suspension components to fail.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe, install a reinforcement kit, and repair or replace components as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and create an electrical short, potentially causing airbags to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which could prevent the front passenger air bag from deactivating when it should.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensors at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially stopping fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fastener connecting the brake booster to the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled, allowing the master cylinder to separate from the booster.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty connector on the MOST communication cable can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying, reducing rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a protective cover over the cable connector at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The heating pads behind the side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, which can cause the mirror glass to detach.
What the fix does
Both left and right side-view mirrors will be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain Continental CrossContact LX Sport tires may have been cured too long during manufacturing, causing sidewall cracks or tread and belt separation, which could lead to sudden air loss and tire failure.
What the fix does
Honda inspected the vehicle and confirmed the tires were not affected by this curing issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain Continental CrossContact LX Sport tires may have been cured beyond specification limits, potentially affecting tire integrity.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect all four tires and replace affected tires with matching DOT serial number and mold number at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the instrument panel control module can prevent the dashboard from showing critical information like oil pressure, speed, and gear position until you restart the engine. It may also block the rearview camera image.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software at no cost to restore normal display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Faulty network software can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying on the screen.
What the fix does
Honda will provide updated software. You can download it free following mailed instructions or visit a dealer for free installation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
