Head-to-head reliability
Honda CR V vs Honda Pilot
How the Honda CR V and Honda Pilot compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Honda CR-V vs Honda Pilot: The CR-V averages 580.5 complaints per year, while the Pilot averages 287.0. The CR-V has 40 recalls, the Pilot 66. Steering and forward collision issues dominate CR-V complaints, while engine and electrical problems are common in the Pilot. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda CR V or Honda Pilot more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda CR V
The Honda CR-V, over the past decade, has accumulated a high volume of complaints, averaging over 580 per year, with steering and forward collision avoidance systems being the most frequently cited trouble spots. Owners describe steering that becomes hard to turn or makes cracking noises, and the forward collision system can be overly sensitive or have radar module issues. Engine and fuel system complaints also appear, including sudden power loss and stalling, which can be alarming for a family SUV. While the CR-V remains popular, these patterns suggest that buyers should be prepared for potential electronic and steering-related repairs.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot shows a lower complaint rate, averaging about 287 per year, but its issues are still significant, with engine and electrical system problems leading the list. Owners report engine failures, oil leaks, and sudden deceleration, as well as electrical gremlins that trigger warning lights and make the steering difficult to turn. The forward collision avoidance system also draws criticism for unexpected braking. With 66 recalls over the decade, the Pilot has had more safety campaigns, but the complaint data indicates that reliability concerns are present, especially in the powertrain and electronics.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda CR V | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 5,805 | 2,870 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 40 Better | 66 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 207 | 58 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 580.5 | 287.0 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 184 | 52 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 0 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Honda CR V
- 01STEERING1,299
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1,165
- 03ENGINE907
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM760
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM741
Owners report the steering wheel making cracking noises and becoming hard to turn at certain angles, sometimes accompanied by the engine stuttering or stopping. This can affect maneuverability and safety, especially in parking garages or at low speeds.
The front radar module is described as easily accessible, raising security concerns, and the system may trigger warnings or interventions unexpectedly. This can lead to sudden braking or false alerts, which can be unnerving and potentially hazardous.
There are reports of sudden significant power loss on the highway, with dashboard warnings about emissions system problems. This can force the driver to pull over immediately, creating a dangerous situation, especially in traffic.
The same power loss incidents are often tied to fuel or propulsion system issues, with the vehicle entering a reduced-power mode. This suggests potential fuel pump or emissions-related failures that could leave owners stranded.
“While driving, car engine stutters and stops. The infotainment system went black while driving. The system is hard to steer often while turning. The trunk would not open when touching button for it to open. Took out the key fob and it also would not respond.…”
“After having my car for a month I noticed the steering wheel making a cracking noise when turning going down a parking garage. It made this sound when turning both left and right along with suddenly making it hard to turn the wheel in certain angles. The vehi…”
Honda Pilot
- 01ENGINE795
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM736
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER473
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE406
- 05POWER TRAIN303
Owners report engine failure, oil leaks, and major gas leaks, with some vehicles displaying warnings that the car is not safe to drive. These are serious issues that can lead to costly repairs and potential safety hazards.
Multiple warning lights illuminate sequentially, and the steering wheel can become extremely difficult to turn, feeling locked. This electrical malfunction can compromise steering control, posing a serious risk while driving.
The Collision Mitigation Braking System is described as dangerous, with the car failing to stop when braking is applied, or braking unexpectedly. This can lead to rear-end collisions or other accidents.
The Auto Engine Idle Stop system can cause the engine to not fully restart, leading to a lurch forward. This unexpected movement can be startling and may cause loss of control in stop-and-go traffic.
“Vehicle: 2026 Honda Pilot – Mileage 20,847 Issue: Engine Failure, oil leaks, wheel alignment, air conditioning, major gas leaks from the engine, safety electronics alerts on front dash display are saying the vehicle is not safe to drive. History of issues: 03…”
“On June 25, 2026 my 2025 Honda Pilot Elite (47,503 miles) upon ignition had every warning light in the system illuminate sequentially without any prior incident. I had never experienced any indication of malfunction, including warning lights or messages. The…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Honda CR V — 40 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have b…
The risk: Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers f…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017, 2020, and 2022 CR-V vehicles. The certification label on the driver's side door states incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), and tire size information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with th…
The risk: An incorrectly sized tire may cause premature tread wear, or a tire blow out, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install a new corrected label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is CF7.
The 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,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 expansi…
The 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…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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,…
Honda Pilot — 66 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Passport and 2023-2025 Pilot vehicles. The fuel filler neck tube and fuel filler pipe may separate, allowing fuel to leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the fuel filler neck tube and pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this r…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
The risk: An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EL1 and AL0.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.
The risk: Loose rear subframe bolts can lead to a loss of vehicle stability or rear subframe detachment, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehic…
The risk: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall ar…
Buyer analysis
Honda CR V or Honda Pilot: which should you buy?
The Honda CR-V has nearly double the complaints per year (580.5) compared to the Honda Pilot (287.0), indicating a higher frequency of reported issues. However, the Pilot has more recalls (66 vs 40), suggesting that Honda has issued more safety campaigns for it. In practice, the CR-V may require more frequent repairs, but the Pilot's issues, such as engine failure and electrical problems, can be more severe.
Key differences
- The CR-V has a much higher complaint rate (580.5/yr) than the Pilot (287/yr), but the Pilot has more recalls (66 vs 40).
- CR-V owners frequently report steering difficulties and forward collision system glitches, while Pilot owners report engine failures and electrical system malfunctions.
- The CR-V's fuel system issues lead to sudden power loss, whereas the Pilot's powertrain issues include auto idle stop problems causing lurching.
- The Pilot has more severe engine-related complaints, including oil and gas leaks, which can be costly to repair.
- Inspect the steering system for unusual noises or stiffness, especially when turning at low speeds.
- Check for any signs of power loss or stalling, and ensure the fuel system is functioning properly.
- Look for oil or gas leaks under the vehicle, and check the engine for any warning lights or unusual behavior.
- Test the auto idle stop feature to ensure it restarts smoothly without lurching.
Before you buy
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering system on the CR-V for any play or noise.
- Check the CR-V's forward collision system for proper calibration and any error messages.
- On the Pilot, verify the engine for leaks and listen for any unusual sounds.
- Test the Pilot's auto idle stop in a safe area to see if it restarts smoothly.
- Review the recall history for both vehicles and ensure any open recalls are addressed.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Honda CR V | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 118 | 10 |
| 2025 | 234 | 172 |
| 2024 | 373 | 106 |
| 2023 | 500 | 128 |
| 2022 | 247 | 134 |
| 2021 | 314 | 412 |
| 2020 | 339 | 475 |
| 2019 | 1076 | 500 |
| 2018 | 2104 | 433 |
| 2017 | 500 | 500 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Honda CR V or Honda Pilot in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda CR V vs Honda Pilot
- Honda CR V total complaints
- 5,805
- Honda Pilot total complaints
- 2,870
- Honda CR V total recalls
- 40
- Honda Pilot total recalls
- 66
- Honda CR V avg complaints/year
- 580.5
- Honda Pilot avg complaints/year
- 287.0
- More reliable overall
- Honda Pilot
- Honda CR V top complaint area
- STEERING
- Honda Pilot top complaint area
- ENGINE