2019 Honda Pilot VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

The 2019 Honda Pilot has mixed reliability. There are 11 recalls and 794 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Honda Pilot. Severity signals include 12 crash-related complaints and 5 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Electrical System (223), Unknown Or Other (102), Engine (96).

Pilot reliability snapshot

56/100

Latest model-year reliability score

3.5/5

RepairPal rating (medium)

$542

Avg annual repair cost vs $573 category avg

#13/26

Ranking in midsize SUVs · better than 50% of peers

Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.

Used-car research

Research the Honda Pilot before checking the VIN

Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.

Best year to buyReliability, price and listing depth combined Years to avoidThe weakest years and stronger alternatives Common problemsComplaint patterns across model years Recall historyNHTSA campaigns grouped by model year Resale valueObserved prices, mileage and depreciation Maintenance & repair costYearly repair cost, reliability rating and segment rank

Most-reported 2019 Honda Pilot issues

Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.

Electrical System223
Unknown Or Other102
Engine96
Power Train77
Fuel System, Gasoline71
Fuel Propulsion System54

Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2019 Honda Pilot

Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.

Test infotainment system for freezing or blackouts
Check for engine knocking or unusual noises
Verify operation of forward collision avoidance systems
Inspect for transmission hesitation or shudder during acceleration
Ensure fuel injectors have been replaced or are functioning properly
Test auto idle stop function for proper restart
Check for any unresolved recalls related to the vehicle

What owners reported

2019 Honda Pilot owner complaints in detail

Owners have reported 12 crashes, 5 fires and 15 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 Honda Pilot. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.

Owner complaints223

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report frequent issues with the 2019 Honda Pilot's electrical system, particularly involving the infotainment and safety systems. Common symptoms include the infotainment screen freezing, blacking out, or displaying error messages such as "Network Communication Lost," which affects features like navigation and the backup camera. Multiple owners describe problems with the Auto Idle Stop feature, where the engine fails to restart after stopping, posing a stalling risk in traffic. Additionally, there are reports of the forward-facing camera failing, causing multiple Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) warnings and malfunctions. These issues often appear within the first few years of ownership and can lead to significant safety implications, such as loss of vehicle control or increased crash risk.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints102

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2019 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the rear-view camera, describing distorted images with colors such as yellow, purple, and green, which obscure visibility and potentially increase the risk of accidents. Complaints also highlight problems with the vehicle's infotainment system, including flickering displays, error messages like "MOST Net off," and complete screen blackouts that affect backup camera and hands-free phone functionality. Multiple owners detail safety-related malfunctions, such as the vehicle unexpectedly shifting to neutral or stalling during stops, which have led to near-miss incidents and one reported injury. These issues often begin to emerge after a few years of ownership, with some reports noting occurrences as early as 2022. Buyers should be aware of these potential safety and functionality concerns when considering a used 2019 Honda Pilot.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints96

ENGINE

Owners report frequent issues with the 2019 Honda Pilot's engine, primarily involving connecting rod and rod bearing failures. Symptoms commonly described include knocking noises, engine stalling, and complete engine failure, often necessitating engine replacement. These problems are noted at varying mileages, with some occurring as early as 38,000 miles and others beyond 100,000 miles. Additionally, the auto-idle stop system is mentioned as problematic, with multiple owners experiencing the engine not restarting after stopping, posing potential safety risks in traffic. Two complaints involve engine fires, highlighting a severe safety implication. Buyers should be aware of these issues, especially concerning engine reliability and potential repair costs.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints77

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2019 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the vehicle's transmission and power train, particularly a hesitation or stutter during acceleration, and sudden loss of propulsion at highway speeds. Typical symptoms include the vehicle shifting into neutral unexpectedly, rough or delayed shifting, and the vehicle automatically shifting to park or neutral when stopped. These issues often occur around 60,000 to 70,000 miles, though some reports mention problems starting earlier. Safety implications are significant, with reports of crashes and injuries due to unexpected loss of power and control, highlighting concerns for potential buyers.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports

Owner complaints73

FUEL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2019 Honda Pilot frequently report issues related to the fuel system, with a significant number of complaints mentioning difficulties in starting the vehicle and unexpected stalling. Symptoms often include illuminated check engine lights, abnormal engine noises, and in some cases, strong gasoline odors. These problems are commonly reported around mileage ranges of 50,000 to 110,000 miles. A notable concern is the delay in recall repairs, with multiple owners indicating parts unavailability for the necessary fixes, which may contribute to recurring issues. Additionally, one complaint involves a fire, highlighting potential safety risks associated with these fuel system problems.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints54

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Owners of the 2019 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the fuel injectors, often associated with dashboard warnings such as "Emissions System Problem" and trouble codes like P0430 and P219B. These problems typically manifest as engine hesitation, stalling, reduced fuel economy, and hard shifting, with some reports occurring around 49,000 to 54,000 miles. Many complaints highlight that vehicles experiencing these issues are not covered under existing recalls or service bulletins, despite exhibiting similar symptoms. Additionally, there is one reported incident involving a crash and an injury, emphasizing potential safety risks. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and verify if the vehicle's VIN is covered under any relevant recalls or service bulletins.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints45

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners of the 2019 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the vehicle's forward collision avoidance systems, primarily due to failures of the front multi-purpose camera. Common symptoms include warning lights for Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, and Collision Mitigation System, often accompanied by complete system inoperability. Complaints suggest these issues typically arise between 22,000 and 125,000 miles. Some owners mention repair costs exceeding $2,000 for camera replacement and calibration. While two complaints involve crashes, the reports primarily focus on the disabling of safety features, which could pose risks during vehicle operation.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints18

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2019 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the automatic braking system erroneously engaging without nearby traffic, leading to sudden stops and near rear-end collisions. Complaints also often describe brake pedal problems, such as excessive travel, a mushy feel, and the need for significant pressure to achieve effective braking, with some reports mentioning the pedal going to the floor. These issues are noted across various mileages, with some instances occurring as early as the first days of ownership. Safety implications include two reported injuries and multiple accounts of near-miss accidents, particularly when the automatic braking system activates unexpectedly. Buyers should be aware of these recurring brake-related issues when considering this vehicle.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports

Owner complaints9

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owners of the 2019 Honda Pilot report multiple issues related to vehicle speed control, primarily involving sudden unintended acceleration and unexpected braking. Complaints frequently mention episodes where the vehicle accelerates without pedal input, sometimes reaching high RPMs, and instances where the vehicle brakes sharply for no apparent reason, often when adaptive cruise control is engaged. These issues are reported at varying mileages, with some occurring shortly after purchase and others after significant use, such as around 71,000 miles. Safety implications are notable, with one incident leading to a crash and injury during unintended acceleration while parking. Prospective buyers should be aware of these patterns and consider the potential for unexpected vehicle behavior.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints4

AIR BAGS

Owners of the 2019 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with airbag deployment during crashes. Complaints often describe airbags failing to deploy in front-end collisions, with one owner noting the airbag system seemed to attempt inflation but did not fully deploy, resulting in head injuries. Another owner reports a complete lack of airbag deployment in a highway collision despite significant impact. These incidents have occurred during various driving conditions, including city streets and highways, and have resulted in multiple injuries. Buyers should be aware of these safety-related concerns when considering this vehicle.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 5 injury reports

2019 Pilot recalls (11)

Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2019 Pilot. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGNHTSA 23V751000Nov 13, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
Consequence: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 23V431000Jun 15, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
STRUCTURE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESNHTSA 21V932000Nov 29, 2021
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
Consequence: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 21V215000Mar 25, 2021
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
TIRESNHTSA 21V165000Mar 11, 2021
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Consequence: Overcured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation, which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2021. Owners may contact American Honda Motor Co. customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UA2.
BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 20V439000Jul 28, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 20V440000Jul 28, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence: A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Y7Y.
STRUCTURENHTSA 19V784000Oct 31, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Pilot and 2019 Passport vehicles. The front frame left and right side upper members may not have been welded completely to the unibody. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 219, "Windshield Zone Intrusion."
Consequence: In the event of a crash, incomplete body welding may provide inadequate protection to occupants, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing welds, free of charge. If the vehicle is identified as missing welds, the dealer will offer to repurchase the vehicle or provide a similar replacement vehicle. Owner notification began November 6 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X6J.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGNHTSA 19V298000Apr 12, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
Consequence: Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.
STRUCTURENHTSA 18V848000Nov 28, 2018
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Honda Ridgeline and Pilot vehicles. The mounting holes for the clip that secures the right center pillar trim panel may be larger than intended. In the event of a crash necessitating right side curtain air bag deployment, the clip may not hold the center pillar trim panel in position and it may potentially interfere with the curtain air bag deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection," and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the curtain air bag does not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket on the right center pillar that will securely hold the center pillar trim clip, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is D3D.

Used-market value

2019 Honda Pilot resale snapshot

66.1%estimated value retained after 5 years

720listings in the model-level benchmark

$24,998median asking price from 60 listings

Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.

Compare Honda Pilot value by year →Full Honda Pilot market analysis at CarResaleValue →

2019 Honda Pilot on the road

135,008 2019 Honda Pilot units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.

How the 2019 Honda Pilot stacks up against rivals

The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.

Toyota Grand Highlander

Reliability: 88/100·Rivalry score: 95

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Mazda CX-90

Reliability: 72/100·Rivalry score: 93

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Hyundai Santa-FE

Reliability: 75/100·Rivalry score: 90

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KIA Telluride

Reliability: 78/100·Rivalry score: 90

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Reliability verdict for the 2019 Honda Pilot

The 2019 Honda Pilot posts a 62/100 reliability score versus a 75/100 segment average, placing it below average and signaling a mixed track record. The gap to the class norm suggests higher-than-typical buyer exposure to problems compared with most peers.

Issue reports are not confined to a single system. Electrical concerns lead, but notable activity also shows up across engine, powertrain, and fuel-system areas, with a meaningful share falling into unknown or other classifications. That spread points to broad-based reliability variability rather than one clearly isolated weak spot. Recall activity is elevated, adding to overall complexity for this model year, which is also a facelift/refresh year.

Overall, the data supports a moderate-to-elevated reliability risk profile for the 2019 Pilot.

What you get in a 2019 Honda Pilot report

Available title brand history

Odometer readings & rollback detection

Accident & damage records

Auction sales with photos

Open safety recalls

Theft & stolen vehicle check

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2019 Honda Pilot — Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Honda Pilot reliable?

How many recalls does the 2019 Honda Pilot have?

11 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2019 Honda Pilot. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

What are the most common 2019 Honda Pilot problems?

The most-reported 2019 Honda Pilot problem areas are: Electrical System (223), Unknown Or Other (102), Engine (96).

Should I run a VIN check on a 2019 Honda Pilot?

Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2019 Honda Pilot, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.