Honda Pilot Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Honda Pilot model year (2003–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Honda Pilot Years to Avoid
2 recalls · 1259 complaints
33 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 1331
6 recalls · 168 complaints
110 reported injuries
99 reported deaths
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 901
5 recalls · 741 complaints
14 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 784
Best Honda Pilot Years to Buy
0 recalls · 22 complaints
Main area: STEERING
Problem score: 22
2 recalls · 69 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 77
2 recalls · 67 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 85
Found the right year? Verify that specific Pilot with a free VIN report.
Honda Pilot — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 22 | — | — | 22 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 3 | 183 | 13 | — | 218 | Good |
| 2024 | 4 | 74 | 1 | — | 88 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 3 | 129 | — | — | 138 | Good |
| 2022 | 2 | 177 | 5 | — | 193 | Good |
| 2021 | 4 | 396 | 7 | — | 422 | Good |
| 2020 | 4 | 409 | 1 | — | 423 | Good |
| 2019 | 5 | 741 | 14 | — | 784 | Caution |
| 2018 | 3 | 332 | 4 | — | 349 | Good |
| 2017 | 1 | 684 | 6 | — | 699 | Caution |
| 2016 | 2 | 1259 | 33 | — | 1331 | Avoid |
| 2015 | 2 | 69 | 1 | — | 77 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 2 | 67 | 6 | — | 85 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 4 | 198 | 4 | — | 218 | Good |
| 2012 | 6 | 124 | 18 | — | 178 | Good |
| 2011 | 7 | 191 | 29 | — | 270 | Good |
| 2010 | 7 | 77 | 7 | — | 112 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 6 | 88 | 8 | — | 122 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 6 | 85 | 8 | — | 119 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 6 | 145 | 3 | — | 169 | Good |
| 2006 | 6 | 168 | 110 | 99 | 901 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 11 | 477 | 36 | — | 582 | Caution |
| 2004 | 8 | 323 | 27 | — | 401 | Good |
| 2003 | 7 | 422 | 34 | 1 | 516 | Caution |
All 24 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Honda Pilot Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Pilot models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 22 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2015Mid-decade Pilot units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2015 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Pilot models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Pilot should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2016 Honda Pilot if possible. It has 2 recalls, 1259 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 1331 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Pilot to buy?+
The 2026 Honda Pilot is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 22. It has only 0 recalls and 22 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Pilot has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2015, 2014 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Honda Pilot Research
Check a Specific Honda Pilot VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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