2023 Honda Pilot: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2023 Honda Pilot? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 99 complaints, with Electrical Faults as the top reported area.
2023 Honda Pilot Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2023 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. 4 trims analysed.
2023 Honda Pilot Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2023 Honda PILOT SUV AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
14.3% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
14.3% 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 2023 Honda Pilot has 99 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Electrical Faults. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Honda
- Model
- Pilot
- Model year
- 2023
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 99
- Crash-related complaints
- 2
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 19 / 25
- 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 2023 Honda Pilot Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
Steering Defects
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB, Steering Defects. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2023 Honda Pilot?
The 2023 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 2023 Honda Pilot
Inspection Focus
- Inspect electrical systems, including infotainment and sensors.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering and brake components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the forward collision avoidance system before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect electrical systems, including infotainment and sensors.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering and brake components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the forward collision avoidance system before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2023 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 2023 Honda Pilot are concentrated in electrical faults, forward collision avoidance, and steering defects. With 99 total complaints and 5 recalls, the data suggests potential issues in these areas, though the low confidence level and limited sample size warrant caution.
- Electrical faults account for the highest number of complaints at 24.
- Forward collision avoidance (AEB) complaints total 16, indicating a recurring theme.
- Steering defects and brake system issues each have 15 and 14 complaints respectively.
- Electrical Faults
- Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
- Steering Defects
All 2023 Honda Pilot Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Honda Pilot. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 24 | 1 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 16 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tether | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Lower Anchor (On Car Seat Or Vehicle) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other/I Am Not Sure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 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 2023 Honda Pilot. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
I was stopped at a stop light on a very busy road. The vehicle went into Auto Idle shut down. When the light turned green, I attempted to press the gas but the engine was completely stalled and would not restart. I had to put the vehicle in park, turn off the vehicle, and complet…
Description: While using cruise control at highway speed and winter weather conditions, the cruise control system suddenly and unexpectedly disengaged without adequate warning. The vehicle experienced rapid deceleration and I lost control, resulting in multiple spins, a near coll…
Seatbelt sensory goes off in the middle row right passenger staying seatbelt not connected. Seatbelt is connected and the alert will not cut off.
The third row seat belt buckles on driver side and passenger side have been replaced due to failing to register when a child is seated and buckled in that row causing the vehicle alarm to go off notifying me that the child is unbuckled when they are not. I have been to the dealer…
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rearview mirror console located near the front windshield became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon inspecting the area, the rearv…
The driver seat has come unsecured from the vehicle and has been loose and rocky like a rocking chair . Was at the dealer twice for repair
Seatbelt sensors for the passenger second row dinging off and on when seatbelt is buckled. Also the light coming on that says emergency brake unavailable.
3rd row seat headrest stays folded and won’t lock into place.
Car has been serviced at same dealership I purchased from. All service up to date, Gas type shell gas brand used 95% of the time. (Noticed November 2025)issue a month after recommended transmission flush and an engine oil change. Rough idling (especially when temp below 60⁰) and …
The seat belt alarm keeps going off as if the seat belt is not buckled even though it is buckled. The first issue was when I had the car less than a yr. The middle row right side had this problem and the dealer replaced the seatbelt. Now at 38k miles, the middle row middle seat s…
The driver seatbelt was soaking wet after a rainstorm. The vehicle does not have a sunroof. Upon further inspection the airbag and its electronics were also soaked in water. It has never been in an accident or had any work done to it. There is a factory installed roof rack(Sport…
The car is making a knocking sound while driving at low speeds (ex. Pulling into the garage, reversing into a parking spot) while turning the wheel. The 2023 Pilot is currently at the dealership being inspected. I have come across many other posts, with video, confirming this exa…
Rear seat belt indicator and alarm go off continuously when the seat is occupied and when the passenger is buckled by the seat belt. While the passenger is buckled, anytime they shift it causes the indicator light to come on and the alarm to sound. This defeats the purpose of hav…
The car seat snug lock feature in the forward facing position does NOT create a snug fit and becomes loose over time. BOTH of my turn2me seats do this. Purchased on the same day. We recently forward faced my daughter due to maxing out the rear facing limits. We have installed w…
Rear/third-row seatbelt warning activates repeatedly even when passenger is properly buckled. Issue has been present shortly after vehicle purchase. Dealer refuses inspection without charging diagnostic fee. Safety system is unreliable and distracting while driving.
Multiple false "unbuckled seatbelt warning" regarding the rear seat belt being unbuckled when it was not. Alarm sounds and lights up warning on drivers display board. This alarmed the driver during movement on multiple occasions, causing unnecessary distraction. Driver somet…
A few moments after I purchased my 2023 Honda Pilot I noticed that I began getting car sick while driving. I purchased the car at night and it was a long drive home, so I figured it was due to dehydration or something else. During the day however, I noticed it again. Upon careful…
El carro tiene fallas con el sistema eléctrico de frenos y no arranca.
While driving on U.S Highway 521 in South Carolina, the vehicle experienced SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED BRAKING AND VIOLENT SHAKING even though there were no cars or obstacles directly in front of me. The sensation was so strong it felt as if the car had been rear-ended, but there was no …
My 2023 Honda Pilot has had persistent issues with the steering system since it was purchased new. The problems manifest as knocking noises in the steering column, although no warning lights appear. The Honda dealer has replaced the steering rack three times. A rattling noise is …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2023 Honda Pilot.
2023 Honda Pilot Recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2023 Honda Pilot. 5 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.
2023 Honda Pilot Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2023 Honda Pilot reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 99 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2023 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 2023 Honda Pilot?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (24 complaints). #2: Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB (16 complaints). #3: Steering Defects (15 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2023 Honda Pilot?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2023 Honda Pilot?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2023 Honda Pilot, NHTSA complaints include 2 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 99 total complaints. 2 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2023 Honda Pilot have any recalls?▾
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2023 Honda Pilot. A major recall area is STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK. 5 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 2023 Honda Pilot?▾
The 2023 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 2023 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.