2021 Honda Pilot: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2021 Honda Pilot? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 379 complaints, with Electrical Faults as the top reported area.
2021 Honda Pilot Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2021 Honda Pilot trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2021 Honda Pilot Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2021 Honda PILOT SUV AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
16.4% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
16.4% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2021 Honda Pilot has 379 owner complaints, 12 crash-related complaints, and 8 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Electrical Faults. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Honda
- Model
- Pilot
- Model year
- 2021
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 379
- Crash-related complaints
- 12
- Safety recall campaigns
- 8
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 23
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 27
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2021 Honda Pilot Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Engine Problems
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Engine Problems, Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2021 Honda Pilot?
The 2021 Honda Pilot shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2021 Honda Pilot
Inspection Focus
- Inspect electrical systems, including infotainment and wiring, for known issues.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and forward collision avoidance repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect electrical systems, including infotainment and wiring, for known issues.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and forward collision avoidance repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2021 Honda Pilot, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2021 Honda Pilot are concentrated in electrical faults, engine problems, and forward collision avoidance systems. The data suggests potential issues with these components, though the low confidence level and consumer-submitted nature of the data limit definitive conclusions.
- Electrical faults account for the highest number of complaints among all components.
- Engine problems and forward collision avoidance issues also have significant complaint counts.
- Crash-related complaints are relatively low compared to total complaints.
- Electrical Faults
- Engine Problems
- Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
All 2021 Honda Pilot Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Honda Pilot. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 106 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 89 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 84 | 4 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 72 | 1 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 35 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 30 | 5 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 25 | 4 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 23 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 20 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 19 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 16 | 2 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other/I Am Not Sure | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Honda Pilot. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The vehicle has routinely had issues restarting from auto idle. When the vehicle turns off in traffic at a stop or stopped at a red light, then it will not restart and the vehicle will essentially be dead for several minutes and unable to be turned on or moved.
Infotainment system doesn't work, including maps, and backup camera. I have read this is a common problem, but Honda isn't doing anything about it.
When driving.car I hear crackling noice. I did research it has to do with electrical wiring under the dash. It effects all information on the display screen can not access maps direction phone calls won't work,effect radio from working,causes panel lights not to work heater & AC …
Engine started knocking and within a couple days my wife was left stranded. The vehicle went into limp mode with check engine light flashing, and would not accelerate. The vehicle stopped completely in the middle of the road and lost all power, which could’ve caused a major accid…
Braking system and cameras defective. Vehicle will flash BRAKE when nothing is in roadway. This will also cause vehicle to hard brake. When on interstate, cruise control no longer functions properly due to camera sensors reading a vehicle is in front of my vehicle when there is n…
Front camera needs to be replaced. According to several Honda forums, this is a very common problem requiring the front camera to be replaced. All safety features requiring the camera no longer work.
My wife was driving at about 40mph and hit a curb while driving straight. The car’s swerved and hit the front right and right rear tire with the curb. The right side curtain airbag deployed. This vehicle was taken to the Honda dealership a few months ago to address the exact same…
There is a problem with the camera that is disabled my brake system features. I am hearing this is a known issue with many of these cars
I am reporting a safety defect involving Continental CrossContact LX Sport tires, size 245/50 R20 used on my 2021 Honda Pilot. These tires are not currently included in the existing Continental recalls, but they are showing the same types of failures described in NHTSA recall 21T…
Auto idle stop activated at a stop light for the 2nd or 3rd time over a few years. Lifted foot off the break and stalled, the car went into Park and I could not put it into neutral or drive. The odometer screen looked like it does when the engine is on. The battery light was on. …
There is an electrical malfunction which causes all of the electrical components to flash on/off, glitch. This has occured while driving but primarily when the vehicle is parked and unattended. I’m afraid it can short and cause a fire. The vehicle will turn istelf on and off repe…
My vehicle has failed to restart several times with the auto idle start feature enabled while stopped at a stoplight. I was in a turning lane the first time it happened, so other vehicles had to make a left hand turn from a lane that was meant to go straight to get around me. …
Auto start-stop feauture turned on at complete stop at traffic light. When light turned green and pressed the gas pedal to accelerate, engine did not turn back on. It had put vehicle into neutral and would not allow vehicle to shift into any other gear. Had to shut off engine …
I am submitting this letter as an official complaint regarding a potential safety defect involving the airbag system in my 2021 Honda Pilot. I was involved in a motor vehicle accident on February 3, 2026 in Atlanta, GA. The collision was a direct frontal impact with another vehic…
auto idle stop stalled at a red light causing my car to not move and having to shut off my car in the middle of traffic. Once i tried to turn back on it wouldnt start at first. i had to do this twice in order for the car to come back on.
The following warning lights: adaptive cruise control problem, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation system, road departure mitigation problem, auto high beam problem
The car engine autorestart causes all sorts of problems. We have repeatedly had the warning come on and the engine stop while at a light or paused in moving traffic. We have replaced the battery and other parts. The safety issue is that the car totally stops while in traffic and…
The auto idle start-stop feature has been failing for many years without being resolved. Honda has done updates and updated the fuel injection software without improvement. I have also replaced the battery as recommended. I continue to get stuck at stop lights and intersections w…
The following warning lights: adaptive cruise control problem, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation system, road departure mitigation problem, auto high beam problem. Honda estimates over $2000 to repair? From what I understand there are many other Honda's with these issues!…
The windshield camera has malfunctioned causing 5 different safety warnings to appear and these functions are unavailable now. It has been evaluated by a dealership and they claim that it has to be replaced at a cost of $2100. This is a pretty widespread issue in these Pilots wit…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Honda Pilot.
2021 Honda Pilot Recalls
8 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Honda Pilot. 8 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2021 Honda Pilot Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2021 Honda Pilot reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 379 owner complaints, 12 crash-related complaints, and 8 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2021 Honda Pilot shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Pilot?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (106 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (89 complaints). #3: Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB (84 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Honda Pilot?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Honda Pilot?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2021 Honda Pilot, NHTSA complaints include 12 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 379 total complaints. 8 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Honda Pilot have any recalls?▾
Yes. 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2021 Honda Pilot. A major recall area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. 8 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2021 Honda Pilot?▾
The 2021 Honda Pilot shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Honda Pilot reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2021 Honda Pilot based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.