Owners have reported 11 crashes, 1 fire and 7 injuries to NHTSA for the 2021 Honda Pilot. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints95
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2021 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving the infotainment screen and the Auto Idle Stop feature. Complaints often describe the infotainment screen going black, impacting the functionality of the rearview camera, with some owners experiencing these issues around 32,000 miles. The Auto Idle Stop feature is reported to cause the engine to stall and fail to restart promptly at traffic stops, which poses a potential safety risk due to the possibility of rear-end collisions. Additionally, some owners note failures with safety sensors, such as the forward-facing camera, which can disable crash-avoidance systems. These issues highlight potential safety implications, especially in traffic or when relying on safety features.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints48
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2021 Honda Pilot frequently report issues related to the Auto-Idle-Stop system, which causes the engine to shut off and fail to restart, particularly at stoplights or in traffic. Symptoms include the vehicle stalling, shifting to neutral, and requiring multiple attempts to restart, often necessitating the use of the start/stop button or placing the car in park. Additionally, some owners mention problems with the infotainment system, particularly with Apple CarPlay, where audio skips and stutters, affecting navigation and calls. These issues typically occur without warning and are reported by some owners to occur at various mileages, with no specific pattern. Safety implications include potential crashes due to engine stalling in traffic, although only one crash and one injury are reported.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints36
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2021 Honda Pilot frequently report failures in the forward collision avoidance systems, particularly involving the front-facing camera and collision mitigation braking system. Typical symptoms include unexpected braking or "BRAKE" warnings even when no obstacles are present, and multiple safety features such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist becoming inoperative. Many complaints note these issues occurring around 50,000 to 78,000 miles, with some owners experiencing problems in vehicles as young as three years. Safety implications include one reported crash and one injury due to sudden braking. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, especially if considering a vehicle with higher mileage.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints32
ENGINE
Owners of the 2021 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the engine's auto start-stop system, which often fails to restart the engine after stopping at traffic lights, leading to stalled vehicles and traffic disruptions. Complaints describe symptoms such as the engine shutting off unexpectedly, requiring manual restart procedures, and the engine not responding when the brake is released. These issues are reported across various mileage ranges, including vehicles with less than 30,000 miles. Additionally, some owners mention severe engine failures, such as rod bearing failures and engine seizing, often without prior warning lights, which have resulted in sudden power loss and, in one instance, a crash and injury. These patterns suggest potential safety implications, particularly in traffic or at high speeds, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints24
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2021 Honda Pilot frequently report issues related to air bag recalls, specifically concerning unavailable parts for repair, with many indicating that the manufacturer has not provided a timely solution. Complaints often mention the air bag warning light illuminating and the need for the SRS control unit and weight sensor replacement, typically around 41,000 miles. Three complaints involve crashes, with one describing the air bags deploying unexpectedly while driving, resulting in a collision with a parked car. Another crash report involves unintended acceleration, though no air bags deployed in that incident. These reports highlight potential safety concerns for prospective buyers, especially regarding air bag functionality and repair delays.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints22
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2021 Honda Pilot commonly report issues with the vehicle's power train, particularly involving transmission and engine problems. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle unexpectedly shifting into neutral or failing to accelerate, often accompanied by warning lights or error messages. These issues typically occur around 30,000 to 90,000 miles, with some reports of engine misfires and limp mode activation after extended driving. Safety concerns arise from incidents where the vehicle stalls in traffic or fails to restart after the Auto Idle Stop feature engages, with one report involving a crash and injury. Prospective buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially if considering a used model with similar mileage.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints17
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2021 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, which unexpectedly engages without any apparent obstruction, often while driving at highway speeds or on clear roads. This phantom braking is described as sudden and hard, with multiple reports of near rear-end collisions as a result. Affected vehicles range from low mileage to over 40,000 miles, indicating the issue may not be linked to vehicle age or wear. Additionally, some owners report brake system failures, including instances where the brakes did not engage, leading to crashes with injuries. These complaints suggest potential safety risks, particularly related to unexpected braking and brake failure, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints17
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2021 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the side mirrors, particularly the driver's side, where complaints describe shaking, vibrating, and distorted images. These symptoms often occur after recall repairs, with some owners noting that mirrors become distorted or blurry, making it difficult to see traffic clearly. The shaking is more pronounced at higher speeds, and the distortion can cause discomfort such as headaches. Additionally, some owners report the mirrors detaching from their mounts, leading to compromised visibility. These issues typically emerge shortly after purchase or following recall work, with some incidents reported at low mileage. Safety implications are noted, as poor visibility can hinder safe driving, although no crashes are directly mentioned in the complaints.
Owner complaints12
TIRES
Owners of the 2021 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with Continental CrossContact LX Sport tires, specifically concerning sidewall ruptures and tread degradation. Complaints often describe sudden tire blowouts or visible tears in the sidewall, sometimes occurring without any apparent road hazard. These issues are noted at varying mileages, with some reports as early as 2,200 miles and others around 30,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as several owners mention loss of control or near-miss incidents due to tire failures. Used car buyers should be aware of these tire-related problems and consider inspecting the tires for similar issues.
Owner complaints3
STEERING
Owners of the 2021 Honda Pilot report issues with steering, primarily involving difficulty in steering and vibrations. Complaints frequently mention that the steering becomes hard or unresponsive, with one owner noting the vehicle shifting left and right unexpectedly. Another common symptom is the steering wheel trembling and vibrating at certain speeds, specifically between 37 mph and 62 mph. These issues often occur around 9,000 miles and persist despite attempts at repair. Some owners express safety concerns, describing the driving experience as hazardous due to the vehicle and steering wheel shaking.
