Head-to-head reliability

Honda Pilot vs Honda FIT

How the Honda Pilot and Honda FIT compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Honda Pilot3,713 complaints · 66 recalls
Honda FIT1,130 complaints · 51 recalls Fewer issues per year

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Honda FIT averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Honda Pilot has 3,713 complaints and 66 recalls on record; Honda FIT has 1,130 complaints and 51 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryHonda PilotHonda FIT
Total complaintsAll model years combined3,7131,130 Better
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns6651 Better
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints7559 Better
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years371.3113.0 Better
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints6960 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 Pilot

  1. 01ENGINE1,115
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,043
  3. 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER637
  4. 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE448
  5. 05POWER TRAIN404
In owners' words — ENGINE

recall has been open since December of that year I have documentation that I took it last year to get this recall fix and your web site is stating that it is incomplete. today 11/12 at 7:30am my engine caught on fire there was a lot of witness at the elementa…

My vehicle has already had recalls on the fuel system and brake pin. Now I have an auto idle stop system problem. The indicator light is constantly flashing. Two days ago I was stopped at a red light on a two lane road in the city. When I pushed in the brake…

Honda FIT

  1. 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM309
  2. 02AIR BAGS225
  3. 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM145
  4. 04ENGINE139
  5. 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER130
In owners' words — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The problem involves the Blue Tooth application in the radio console. On one occasion I was attempting to add a phone number to the list that I may use to effect hands-free calling by paring my blue-tooth phone with the car radio. On the second instance I was…

I BOUGHT THIS BRAND NEW $17K CAR IN AUGUST. I HAVE REPLACED SEVEN TIRES. ALL DIFF WHEELS. ALL DIFFERENT CONTINENTAL TIRES 185/60 15. .BREAKDOWNS ON MY COMMUTE HOME AFTER MIDNIGHT. FINALLY MY 7TH BREAKDOWN WAS BROADCAST AS I WAS TRYING TO CROSS THE GEORGE WASH…

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 Pilot — 66 recalls

Steering — Rack And Pinion — Rack
#23V735000Feb 2023

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Pilot vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the gear box assembly may contain a loose ball bearing, which can result in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up.

The risk: A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FFX.

Seats — Critical Fasteners
#24V859000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured se…

The risk: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Filler Pipe And Cap
#24V900000

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…

Fuel System, Gasoline — Fuel Injection System
#25V031000

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.

Honda FIT — 51 recalls

Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module
#18V661000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississip…

The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are…

Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module
#18V268000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b…

The risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda…

Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module
#19V502000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-20…

The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F…

Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module
#19V500000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with…

The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B…

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.

YearHonda PilotHonda FIT
202047835
2019883134
2018436116
201791242
Years to scrutinize: the 2017 Honda Pilot drew the most complaints (912); the 2015 Honda FIT drew the most (282). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Pilot or Honda FIT in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Honda Pilot vs Honda FIT — comparison facts
Comparison
Honda Pilot vs Honda FIT
Honda Pilot total complaints
3,713
Honda FIT total complaints
1,130
Honda Pilot total recalls
66
Honda FIT total recalls
51
Honda Pilot avg complaints/year
371.3
Honda FIT avg complaints/year
113.0
More reliable overall
Honda FIT
Honda Pilot top complaint area
ENGINE
Honda FIT top complaint area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM