2021 Honda Pilot: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2021 Honda Pilot
On the 2021 Honda Pilot, the failure owners report most often is other driver assistance problem, with 72 reports on file. The earliest to appear is other engine problem, reported by a median of 85,000 miles. Overall it scores 76 out of 100, severe risk for a 2021.
Severe risk for a 2021 — 83rd riskiest of the 231 2021 vehicles we can rate. 719 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What breaks on the 2021 Honda Pilot
Owners have reported 69 named failure modes on the 2021 Honda Pilot, and the three most-reported carry 27% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Other driver assistance problem leads with 72 reports and about 0.9 per 1,000 vehicles.
Other engine problem follows with 64 reports, usually reported between 33k to 100,000 miles. 1 of those report mention a fire.
Other electrical problem follows with 60 reports, median 35,000 miles. 1 of those report mention a fire.
By system, the reports fall mostly into adas (179), engine (108) and electrical (75).
When these failures get reported
61 of the reports on the 2021 Honda Pilot came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 30,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 69% by 50,000 miles, 89% by 100,000 miles and 98% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 1 filed above the top of the chart.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 33% of the dated reports.
62% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 69. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 1 report came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
What happens when these parts fail
Across the named modes, 21 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 9 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.53, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other driver assistance problem at $250–$1,800, other engine problem at $300–$4,000, other electrical problem at $250–$2,000 and lane keep or steering assist fault at $200–$1,600. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
21% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 72 | 5 | — | 25k | — | 0.9 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 64 | 9 | 33k | 85k | 99k | 0.8 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 60 | 7 | — | 33k | — | 0.7 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Lane keep or steering assist fault | adas | 56 | 1 | — | 50k | — | 0.7 | $200–$1,600 | High |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 40 | 1 | — | 19k | — | 0.5 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Infotainment screen failure | infotainment | 38 | 1 | — | 32k | — | 0.5 | $400–$2,600 | Low |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 27 | 5 | — | 9k | — | 0.3 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 22 | 1 | — | 6k | — | 0.3 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 17 | 3 | — | 9k | — | 0.2 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 17 | 1 | — | 13k | — | 0.2 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 16 | 1 | — | 96k | — | 0.2 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 16 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 16 | 2 | — | 15k | — | 0.2 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Software fault or failed update | software | 14 | 2 | — | 8k | — | 0.2 | $0–$600 | Moderate |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 9 | 1 | — | 47k | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 8 | 1 | — | 54k | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 8 | 2 | — | 8k | — | 0.1 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 7 | 1 | — | 140k | — | 0.1 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other steering problem | steering | 7 | 1 | — | 9k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Backup camera failure | infotainment | 6 | 2 | — | 2k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Audio or connectivity failure | infotainment | 5 | 1 | — | 600 | — | 0.1 | $150–$900 | Low |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Excessive oil consumption | engine | 4 | 1 | — | 101k | — | 0.1 | $900–$6,500 | High |
| Shifter, linkage or stuck-in-park failure | transmission | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,400 | High |
| Instrument cluster or gauge failure | infotainment | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 4 | 1 | — | 7k | — | 0.1 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 4 | 1 | — | 10k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Engine knock or bearing noise | engine | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $2,500–$9,000 | High |
| Overheating | cooling | 3 | 1 | — | 86k | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Thermostat failure | cooling | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$900 | Moderate |
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 3 | 1 | — | 5k | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Head gasket failure | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,400–$4,000 | Critical |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Transmission will not engage a gear | transmission | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,500–$6,000 | Critical |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| CV axle or driveshaft failure | drivetrain | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,200 | High |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 2 | 1 | — | 10k | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Automatic braking for no reason | adas | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $0–$1,500 | Critical |
| Tire blowout or tread separation | wheels | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,500 | Critical |
| Rust or structural corrosion | body | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $500–$6,000 | High |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| Oil leak | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,200 | Moderate |
| Turbocharger or supercharger failure | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,500–$4,500 | High |
| Cooling fan failure | cooling | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,300 | Moderate |
| CVT failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $3,000–$8,500 | Critical |
| Torque converter failure | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 33k | — | 0.0 | $1,100–$3,200 | High |
| Differential or transfer case failure | drivetrain | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $900–$4,200 | High |
| Wheel bearing or hub failure | drivetrain | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Fuel leak or fuel odor | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 200k | — | 0.0 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Fuel gauge or level sensor failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 82k | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Parasitic battery drain | electrical | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Master cylinder or brake booster failure | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,200 | Critical |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 1 | 1 | — | 31k | — | 0.0 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Strut, shock or spring failure | suspension | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Paint peeling or clear coat failure | body | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $600–$6,000 | Low |
| Air conditioning failure | hvac | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Catalytic converter failure | emissions | 1 | 1 | — | 100k | — | 0.0 | $900–$3,500 | Moderate |
| Exhaust leak or fumes in the cabin | emissions | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,000 | High |
| Unclassified problem | other | 78 | 2 | — | 44k | — | 1.0 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2021 Honda Pilot draws about 8.9 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 90th percentile of complaint rates among 2021 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 80,644 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2021 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
Recalls on the 2021 model year
NHTSA has issued 10 recall campaigns covering the 2021 Honda Pilot, affecting an estimated 352,089 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover structure:frame and members, air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger and fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
880,514 vehicles 2026-06-04- 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, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
- 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.
- 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 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10…
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
98,892 vehicles 2026-05-21- 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 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy…
- Consequence
- Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- 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) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
750,114 vehicles 2024-02-01- 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 circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- Consequence
- An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
2,490,460 vehicles 2023-12-18- 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 tank may fail.
- Consequence
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
124,077 vehicles 2023-06-29- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
1,209,673 vehicles 2023-06-15- 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 Visibility."
- 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.
- 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.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
339,404 vehicles 2023-03-16- 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.
TIRES
214 vehicles 2020-11-20- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- Over-cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a 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 the tires that have the affected DOT serial number and mold number, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is U8Y.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
607,786 vehicles 2020-07-28- 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 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…
- Consequence
- Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
499,344 vehicles 2020-07-28- 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, "Rearview Mirrors."
- 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.
- 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.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2021 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Better and worse years of the same car
Severe risk for a 2021 — 83rd riskiest of the 231 2021 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.
Across the 24 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2004 comes out best at 65 and 2020 worst at 79, with 2021 itself at 76.
If the model year is negotiable, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2007, 2015, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2022, 2024, 2010, 2014 and 2026 score lower than 2021 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2019–2026 generation specifically, 2022 is the strongest year at 71 and 2020 the weakest at 79.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2019-2026 generation, 2022 Honda Pilot scores best at 71 and 2020 Honda Pilot worst at 79.
What the numbers say to check
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other engine problem from about 33k.
On a 2021 Honda Pilot with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other engine problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.
What this page cannot tell you
719 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 719 reports, 61 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 8% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Pilot?
The most-reported failures are other driver assistance problem (72 reports, median 25,000 miles), other engine problem (64 reports, median 85,000 miles) and other electrical problem (60 reports, median 35,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2021 Honda Pilot problems start?
Other engine problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 85,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 35,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 30,000 miles.
Is the 2021 Honda Pilot reliable?
It scores 76 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 83rd riskiest of the 231 2021 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2021 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Honda Pilot is best?
Within the 2019–2026 generation, 2022 scores best at 71 out of 100 and 2020 worst at 79. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed