I had the front passenger side airbag recall completed on my vehicle on July 1, 2026. In August, approximately August 14 error messages started occurring whenever I cranked my vehicle. The error messages were collision mitigation system problem, road department mitigation system problem, auto high beam problem, adaptive cruise control problem, lane keeping assist problem. I was able to have the vehicle inspected at Stokes Honda in Beaufort and was told that it was the front facing camera failure. I have owned this vehicle for 2 years with no issues.
The worst 2021 Honda Pilot problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical139
- Driver assistance123
- Engine120
- Airbags33
- Visibility31
- Brakes28
- Transmission25
- Fuel system24
- Tires13
- Acceleration8
- Seats6
- Suspension6
- Body5
- Lights4
- Steering4
- Wheels2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Honda Pilot
Adaptive cruise 34Collision warning 34Lane assist 34Stalling 33Backup camera 30Start-stop 25Headlights 21Check engine light 18Engine failure 18Won't start 15Knocking 13Loss of power 12Warning lights 12Screen failure 8Jerking 8Airbag light 7Hesitation 7Fuel pump 6Phantom braking 6Sunroof shattered 6Misfire 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2021 Honda Pilot mention
U3000 3
Recalls 10
Structure: frame and members
- What is wrong
- American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
- Risk
- Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on beginning June 10, 2026.
Recall number 26V365000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- Risk
- Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous the federal safety agency recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning May 29, 2026.
Recall number 26V332000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- Risk
- An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Recall number 24V064000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 the federal safety agency recall numbers 21V‑215 and 20V‑314.
Recall number 23V858000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
- Risk
- Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
Recall number 23V458000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: display function
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 23V431000 · Recall details
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
Recall number 23V174000 · Recall details
Tires
- What is wrong
- American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain 2021 Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental CrossContact LX Sport 245/50R20 102 H tires with DOT serial number A376 D3K9 2920 and mold numbers S-421920 and S-421921. The tires may have been cured for a time beyond the specification limits.
- Risk
- Over-cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a 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 the tires that have the affected DOT serial number and mold number, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is U8Y.
Recall number 20V725000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 20V439000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 20V440000 · Recall details
See all 10 recalls for the 2021 Honda Pilot
Defect investigations
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.the federal safety agency has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
EA25004
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Honda Pilot 100
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Dealer Message
- The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the...
- Dealer Message
- One or more accessory running board lights are flickering or not working due to a faulty running board...
- Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart...
- The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor...
- The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the...
- Customer complaint of the A/C not blowing cold air due to Oil/Refrigerant leak from the A/C compressor...
- MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power
- Customer complaint received regarding the A/C not blowing cold air due to an oil/refrigerant leak from the...
2021 Honda Pilot fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 20 | 27 | 23 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | AWD | 19 | 26 | 22 |
What 2021 Honda Pilot owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
2021 Honda Pilot EX-L, 3.5L V6. The engine cranks slowly and is sluggish to start when restarted after a short stop of roughly 10-30 minutes (for example, running errands). After the vehicle sits an hour or more, it starts normally. The condition appears tied to engine heat-soak. The battery has been tested and ruled out as the cause. This is a repeat of a prior problem. The vehicle previously received Honda's repair for the idle stop no-restart condition under Service Bulletins A23-010/23-009, including starter assembly and starter relay replacement and a valve adjustment. The slow hot-restart symptom has returned since that repair. This matches the condition under the federal safety agency investigation EA25004, where owners report the problem returning after the campaign repairs. Safety risk: Slow or failed restarts when the engine is warm could leave the vehicle and occupants stranded, including in traffic or unsafe locations. With Auto Idle Stop, a weak restart could also cause the engine to fail to restart at an intersection. Dealer: Scott Clark Honda performed the work the first time. I have an appointment with Hendrick Honda for Tuesday 11/10 Warning lamps or messages: None The vehicle is available for inspection on request. Video of the slow crank can be made at any point as it’s every time I drive.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted by phone.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the Auto Idle Stop system repeatedly failed to restart the engine after stopping. During the failure, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on multiple occasions, where the battery and starter were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no assistance, referring the contact to the dealer for additional diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was unknown.
A cascade of warning errors suddenly appeared in my 2021 Honda Pilot. Lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, collission mitigation system, auto high bean, and road departure mitigation problem. The brake system light is also lit up. My mechanic said it is a "millimeter wave error" caused by one of the front cameras. After researching this, it seems that this is a common problem, and there is an active lawsuit.
I am filing this complaint as a proactive safety measure regarding my 2021 Honda Pilot EX-L, equipped with the 3.5-liter V6 engine. I am deeply concerned about the severe manufacturing defect involving connecting rod bearing failures that cause sudden, catastrophic engine stalling and total loss of motive power while driving. This exact defect was the subject of the federal safety agency Recall Campaign 23V‑751. However, Honda arbitrarily restricted that recall to select 2016, 2018, and 2019 model years. As a current owner of a 2021 model year vehicle utilizing the exact same J-Series V6 engine architecture, my vehicle is suffering from the exact same underlying vulnerability but is entirely excluded from safety protections and repair remedies. A sudden engine failure at highway speeds poses an extreme and immediate safety risk to myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road. I am submitting this to formally urge the federal safety agency to expand its current investigation into Honda’s V6 engine failures and force American Honda Motor Co. to expand Recall 23V‑751 to include the 2021 Honda Pilot fleet before a catastrophic failure occurs.
My wife operates a 2020 Honda Pilot Touring, purchased new and currently with approximately 60,000 miles. The vehicle's automatic idle stop/start system intermittently shuts the engine off while stopped in traffic but fails to restart when the driver releases the brake and attempts to proceed. The driver must shift the vehicle into Park and manually restart the engine, leaving the vehicle unexpectedly immobilized in active traffic. The vehicle was previously brought to Atamian Honda in [XXX], in spring 2026 for this same defect. Honda performed a corrective repair, but the identical failure has returned approximately six months later. The driver now feels compelled to manually disable the automatic idle stop feature every time she starts the vehicle to avoid another failure. We believe this represents a serious, unresolved safety defect and are particularly concerned that the condition has recurred after a previous manufacturer-directed repair. We request that the federal safety agency document this repeated post-repair failure and consider it in its ongoing evaluation of Honda idle-stop restart safety issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The car alarm goes off on its own,and the dashboard lights flash even when the car is turned off ,this continues until the battery dies and the car won’t start. I’ve taken it to the mechanic several times and no codes come up; I’ve replaced the battery with a new one twice.
On four occasions, my 2021 Honda Pilot SE AWD (VIN [XXX]) has shut off at a stop under the Auto Idle Stop system and then failed to restart, leaving the driver stranded. The incidents happened on XXX, XXX, XXX, and XXX in and around [XXX]. Component: The starter system and the Auto Idle Stop engine restart function. Honda has acknowledged this exact condition in Service Bulletin 23-009 and Warranty Extension 23-009/23-010 (“Engine Does Not Auto Restart After Entering Auto Idle Stop”). The listed remedy is a software update, a valve adjustment, and replacement of the starter assembly and starter relays. The vehicle and the original starter are available for inspection on request. Safety risk: The engine shuts off at stops as designed, then will not restart. The vehicle is left disabled at intersections and in traffic with no warning, which puts the driver and passengers at risk of being rear-ended and stranded. My wife has been stranded four times. Idle Stop turns itself back on every time the car is started, so the driver’s only protection is remembering to switch it off manually on every trip. The fourth failure happened when she forgot. Dealer confirmation: The Honda dealer in [XXX] has performed Product Update 23-008, the PGM-FI Idle Stop software update XXX, and a valve adjustment XXX. The failure has continued after both repairs. The dealer has not replaced the starter assembly and relays, which is the remaining step of Honda’s published remedy. Manufacturer involvement: American Honda Customer Relations has opened Case #XXX and is “reviewing” my request. Honda has not inspected the vehicle directly. No police or insurance inspection has taken place. Warning signs: The failure to start is random when auto start is not disabled, and motor is hot. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The auto idle stop feature will turn my engine off like it's supposed to, but then my engine dies when I try to accelerate again. This is happening more and more. I would allow my car to be inspected. My car tried to roll backward into the car behind me today, and I have held up traffic each time this has happened. I have seen on chatrooms that other honda pilots have this problem. No one has inspected my vehicle. This time my car went into neutral and flashed an alert that my car was now in neutral.
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Other model years
200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2021 Honda Pilot
Is the 2021 Honda Pilot reliable?
Owners have filed 458 complaints about the 2021 Honda Pilot, 1.7 times a typical Pilot model year.
What is the 2021 Honda Pilot year score?
The 2021 Honda Pilot scores 50 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Honda Pilot: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Honda Pilot?
Electrical system, with 139 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles. Next is driver assistance (123).
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Pilot have?
10 recalls, covering structure, air bags and fuel system, gasoline.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Honda Pilot electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 20V440000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Honda Pilot have the most electrical problems?
The Honda Pilot model years with the most electrical complaints are 2016 (583 complaints), 2019 (267 complaints) and 2017 (266 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Honda Pilot get?
Official estimates for the 2021 Honda Pilot range from 22 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 20 city and 27 highway.
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