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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Honda Pilot2003–2026

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🚙 SUV
Honda Pilot
2003–2026
C+
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
2.9/yr · seg. median 0.0
Safety
High
0 inj.
Open Federal Investigation ×3
Engineering Analysis: engine and engine cooling
50% of EA investigations historically become recalls
91
Recalls
0
Complaints
2021
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2011
24
Years Analyzed
91
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Honda Pilot

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK5yr old
2021
Good Buy · 74/100
Reliability69/100
Value window84/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#2 PICK6yr old
2020
Good Buy · 69/100
Reliability61/100
Value window83/100
Recalls3
Complaints0
#3 PICK10yr old
2016
Good Buy · 66/100
Reliability69/100
Value window59/100
Recalls1
Complaints0

Honda Pilot Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2011

7 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2004

6 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2005

6 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 4 past investigations into the Pilot became recalls.

OPEN · EAEngineering Analysisopened Mar 2025NHTSA #EA25004
no restart after auto start/stop engages
Component: engine and engine cooling:engine:crank/camshaft position sensor · affects 2016–2025
⚠ Historically, 50% of EA investigations became recalls — an in-depth Engineering Analysis — the most serious stage, just before a recall decision.
OPEN · PEPreliminary Evaluationopened Oct 2025NHTSA #PE25017
inaccurate rear passenger seat belt warning status
Component: seat belts · affects 2023–2024
⚠ Historically, 30% of PE investigations became recalls — a Preliminary Evaluation of a potential safety defect.
OPEN · PEPreliminary Evaluationopened Aug 2025NHTSA #PE25008
engine failure
Component: engine · affects 2016–2020
⚠ Historically, 30% of PE investigations became recalls — a Preliminary Evaluation of a potential safety defect.
Recently concluded investigations
RQ24013 · engine · closed Aug 2025Closed, no recall
PE22005 · engine and engine cooling · closed Mar 2025Closed, no recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 13, 2026.

Honda Pilot — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202610——
69
36
57
Good
202530——
61
51
58
Caution
202450——
49
64
54
Avoid
202340——
55
74
62
Caution
202200——
69
81
73
Excellent
202110——
69
84
74
Good
202030——
61
83
69
Caution
201950——
49
79
60
Avoid
201830——
61
73
65
Caution
201700——
69
66
68
Excellent
201610——
69
59
66
Good
201530——
61
52
58
Caution
201430——
61
46
56
Caution
201360——
44
41
43
Avoid
201250——
49
37
45
Avoid
201170——
44
34
41
Avoid
201060——
44
34
41
Avoid
200950——
49
34
44
Avoid
200840——
55
34
48
Caution
200740——
55
34
48
Caution
200650——
49
34
44
Avoid
200560——
44
34
41
Avoid
200460——
44
34
41
Avoid
200350——
49
34
44
Avoid

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the Pilot compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 74).

Best: 2021
2021 · 742022 · 732020 · 692018 · 652023 · 622019 · 602025 · 582026 · 572024 · 54

2013–2017

Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 68).

Best: 2017
2017 · 682016 · 662015 · 582014 · 562013 · 43

Pre-2013

Older Pilot models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution
2007 · 482008 · 482012 · 452003 · 442006 · 442009 · 442004 · 412005 · 41

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Pilot to buy?+

The 2021 Honda Pilot scores highest on our Buyer Score (74/100) — combining a reliability score of 69/100 with a value score of 84/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which Pilot years have the most problems?+

The 2011, 2004, 2005 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2011 Pilot leads with 7 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common Pilot problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Honda Pilot.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar suv vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every Pilot year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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