Head-to-head reliability
Honda Pilot vs Honda Ridgeline
How the Honda Pilot and Honda Ridgeline compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Honda Pilot vs Honda Ridgeline: The Pilot has 2870 complaints over 10 years (287/yr) and 66 recalls, while the Ridgeline has 1351 complaints (135/yr) and 56 recalls. Both have serious electrical and engine issues, but the Ridgeline's lower complaint rate may indicate better reliability. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Pilot or Honda Ridgeline more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot, a three-row family SUV, shows a high volume of owner complaints concentrated in the engine and electrical systems. Owners report sudden warning-light cascades, unexpected deceleration, and steering lock-ups, which can be alarming and potentially dangerous. The frequency of these issues suggests that while the Pilot may offer space and utility, its reliability could be a concern for long-term ownership.
Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline, a unibody pickup, has fewer complaints overall but still shows notable issues in electrical and engine systems. Owners frequently cite problems with the auto stop/start system causing hesitation or stalling, and exterior lighting that malfunctions, creating safety hazards. These issues, while less numerous, still point to electronic gremlins that could affect daily usability.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Pilot | Honda Ridgeline |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,870 | 1,351 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 66 | 56 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 58 | 25 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 287.0 | 135.1 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 52 | 19 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
- 01ENGINE795
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM736
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER473
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE406
- 05POWER TRAIN303
Owners report engine failures, oil leaks, and gas leaks, sometimes with all warning lights illuminating. This can lead to a loss of power or unsafe driving conditions.
Sudden dashboard warnings, steering lock-ups, and unexpected deceleration are reported, which can be dangerous if they occur while driving.
The collision mitigation braking system may fail to stop the vehicle or activate unexpectedly, causing rear-end collisions or panic stops.
Transmission and drivetrain issues can cause hesitation or jerking, affecting acceleration and overall drivability.
“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…”
Honda Ridgeline
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM304
- 02ENGINE261
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER183
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING144
- 05POWER TRAIN130
Engine and powertrain management failures trigger cascades of warnings and power-limiting, which can be alarming and reduce vehicle performance.
The auto stop/start system can stall the engine when accelerating, creating a dangerous situation at intersections.
Auto high beams malfunction, flashing or blinding oncoming drivers, which can cause accidents.
Transmission issues may cause rough shifting or hesitation, impacting reliability.
“The vehicle’s engine and powertrain management system repeatedly fails with multiple DTC's triggering a full-system cascade of safety-critical warnings and automatic power-limiting. The issue affects the engine, transmission, emissions, AWD, brake system, sta…”
“The automatic engine stop/start system is a safety hazard. On multiple occasions with two different drivers (husband and wife owners), the engine has stopped just as the accelerator is pressed after waiting for traffic to clear at a stop sign or while waiting…”
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
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…
Honda Ridgeline — 56 recalls
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
The risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
The risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the RVC tailgate wire harness, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YI7.
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,…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Buyer analysis
Honda Pilot or Honda Ridgeline: which should you buy?
The Honda Ridgeline has fewer complaints per year (135.1 vs 287.0) and fewer recalls (56 vs 66), indicating a lower rate of reported problems. However, both vehicles have significant safety-related issues, so buyers should weigh the frequency and nature of these problems carefully.
Key differences
- The Pilot has more than double the complaints per year, with engine and electrical issues being more prevalent.
- The Ridgeline's lighting problems are unique and can be a safety hazard for other drivers.
- Both vehicles have issues with auto stop/start, but the Ridgeline's engine stalling is more frequently reported.
- The Pilot's forward collision avoidance system has specific complaints about unintended braking or failure to stop, which is less common in the Ridgeline.
- Check for any history of engine oil or gas leaks, and inspect the engine bay for signs of leakage.
- Test the forward collision braking system in a safe area to ensure it doesn't activate unexpectedly or fail to stop.
- Test the auto stop/start system repeatedly to ensure the engine restarts promptly when you press the accelerator.
- Check the auto high beam function at night to see if it flickers or blinds oncoming traffic.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full service history and check for any open recalls on the specific VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the engine and electrical systems for any signs of previous repairs or issues.
- Test drive both vehicles and specifically test the auto stop/start and forward collision systems.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls on the exact model year you're considering.
- Consider purchasing an extended warranty to cover potential electrical and engine repairs.
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 Pilot | Honda Ridgeline |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 8 |
| 2025 | 172 | 73 |
| 2024 | 106 | 48 |
| 2023 | 128 | 124 |
| 2022 | 134 | 112 |
| 2021 | 412 | 97 |
| 2020 | 475 | 166 |
| 2019 | 500 | 231 |
| 2018 | 433 | 157 |
| 2017 | 500 | 335 |
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 Ridgeline in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Pilot vs Honda Ridgeline
- Honda Pilot total complaints
- 2,870
- Honda Ridgeline total complaints
- 1,351
- Honda Pilot total recalls
- 66
- Honda Ridgeline total recalls
- 56
- Honda Pilot avg complaints/year
- 287.0
- Honda Ridgeline avg complaints/year
- 135.1
- More reliable overall
- Honda Ridgeline
- Honda Pilot top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Ridgeline top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM