Complaint volume
456 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Honda Pilot Complaints
456 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Honda Pilot, grouped by component category.
456 Total complaints
10 Crash reports
5 Fire reports
10 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are electrical system, engine, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 10 crash reports, 5 fire reports, 10 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 143 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 15,413 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to electrical system, engine, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Honda Pilot?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2020 Honda Pilot
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Honda Pilot complaints?
10 Crash
5 Fire
10 Injury
0 Fatality
11 Towed
6 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Honda Pilot complaint categories?
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 87
ENGINE 38
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 36
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 16
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 15
POWER TRAIN 15
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE 13
456 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | When the 2020 Honda Pilot sits for over 3-6 days, the battery goes dead. I have brought it to the Honda Dealership and they have checked out the battery and alternator and say it's working properly. I have jumped the Honda Pilot 6 times because of a dead battery and had the battery replaced once. Never had a vehicle ever do this before. Very dangerous for anyone parking and flying from an airport. Unbelievable!!!!!! This has been going on since we purchased NEW! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I passed a walker on my side of the road by slowly moving over the center line to the other lane to give the pedestrian a wide birth. The lane departure migration system was turned on. I did not use a turn signal. There was not a car behind me or approaching me in the opposite lane. The car started to warn me I was going out of my lane by shaking the wheel and flashing a brake/lane departure warning at me. I ignored it since I didn’t want to hit the pedestrian and continued to move into the other lane. Then the car took over the wheel, braked and brought me almost to a complete stop suddenly. If a car had been following behind me, I would have been rear ended. I no longer trust the lane departure warning system. If I forgot to use a turn signal on the highway or suddenly had to leave my lane on the highway to avoid a car or object, this system could cause a serious accident. Thank you! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Over the last few years, after a long highway drive of approx. 20 miles when I stop and sit and idle, a strong gasoline smell is entering the vehicle via the HVAC Heating system. Also, after the same longer drives, when I return home, turn off and park the suv in my garage, shortly after my garage smells of gasoline as well from the Front Passenger side of the suv nearest the hood cowl. It does not happen 100% of the time but this winter it has occurred more frequently (a few times a week) during our Mon-Fri commutes. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The automatic collision avoidance system continually gives false warnings, shaking the steering wheel and beeping, while flashing a brake warning. This occurs even if there is no other traffic on the road, which could cause an accident by startling the driver when it unexpectedly activates. The automatic brakes are also overly aggressive, which could cause a rear end collision. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The automatic emergency braking system will sometimes just start flashing as if there is an object in front of me. There are no objects in front of me and it would flash. There has been 2 occasions where the vehicle would slam on the brakes and then release even though no objects are on the road. This has happened at least 10 times where the warning would flash. Also, the adaptive cruise control would slam on the brakes even though we are following at a safe distance. Of all the times I have used the ACC, the car would slam on the brakes 80% of the time. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The infotainment system makes a popping/crackling sound. The dash display and infotainment display flickers on and off at times. This condition makes impedes the use of the the user controls and feedback systems. The vehicle went in for service on October 15, 2021 to have a technical service bulletin update implemented. The vehicle started exhibiting the issue again on February 9, 2022 in a much more extreme and severe way. It went back for service on February 15, 2022 to have the original work "inspected". The dealer said everything was fine and did nothing. Honda as implemented a couple of Technical Service Bulletins, but no permanent fix has been implemented. The dealer mentioned that they apply this TSB to approximately 2 Pilots per day. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My Honda often displays the brakes warning and on rear occasion apply brake in response to oncoming traffic on two-lane roads. I already went with onboard camera recalibration at one of the safe glass location but this problem persist on narrow two-lane roads. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | I was driving and a LOUD cracking popping noise started coming from the dash. The stereo went dead and the instrument panel went dead. I was startled at the noise and almost lost control of the car. I can’t see my speed or other functions of the car. Honda has no permanent fix for this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Since new, the audio/navigation system has repeatedly turned off and on, had crackling noises emitted from the speakers and issues system warnings. I retuned my first Pilot for the same issues and now this Pilot is demonstrating the same issues. I have had the vehicle at the dealer several times and they just say that it’s common with this vehicle model and the Passport with navigation systems. HONDA national service does not return calls and this issue is noted on many HONDA forums. This condition is unacceptable and dangerous. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Stopped and put the car in park and the entire vehicle shut completely down. No electrical power. Wouldn't start up again. Took about 3-5 minutes before I could restart it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Head unit has supposedly been "fixed" already, still losing all electronics, black out screen, loud and startling popping noises. Been asking Honda to fix for months, assigned a case, they just do not seem to care and now vehicle is undrivable due to loud, startling sound that may cause an accident, as well as not knowing if any of the safety electronics are working or not. It almost sounds like shorting out and that means possibility of electrical fire. Honda is dragging their feet doing ANYTHING on this obviously as this has been going on for months. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My vehicle was recalled twice before 2,500 miles for wiring harness connector issues (snapping, popping, crackling). I was told I could lose visibility with all dash functions, navigation, radio, etc. After the first and second recall service fix I continued to experience the same symptoms. I opened a case with Honda in June, 2021, and notified my local dealer. The Honda case number is 12314702. I have heard nothing from either Honda and my local dealer, and I am concerned nothing is being done on this issue and I will lose visibility of my dash at some point, putting myself and family in danger. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | To whom it may concern, VEHICLE: 2020 Honda Pilot Touring Purchase Date: 9/9/2020 After purchasing a 2020 Honda Pilot Touring brand NEW, the vehicle began to make a crackle sound via speakers. Then we began to notice the entire infotainment center would cut out displaying a "Network Communication Lost" and "MOST Net Off" message. The music, radio, dvd player, aux, dash board electronics would no longer work until the vehicle is stopped and restarted. Upon reboot, the same thing will occur once you hit a bump or just randomly will show same message. Below is a timeline of occurrences. Timeline 12/29/20; Dropped vehicle off to Chantilly Honda to resolve problem - dealer replaced "fakra connectors". Problem occurred shortly after. 04/21: Received notice from Honda Inc. of MOST Bus Network Connectors recall 06/21/21: Dropped vehicle off to Chantilly Honda because dash was going out. In addition, vehicle lost 80% of power on major highway and had to be pulled over to avoid accident. We were stuck driving 20mph on the NJ turnpike in the middle lane. THIS IS DANGEROUS. VERY SCARY INCIDENT. 8/5/21: We filed a claim with Honda Inc to resolve situation b/c now this has become a safety hazard. 10/26/21: Newly designed Honda Issued connectors were installed via Chantilly Honda. 11/4/21: Vehicle displays "Network Communication Lost" error again on infotainment/dash. We have not been able to resolve this dangerous recall with Honda. After many phone calls and requests to speak with managers, nothing has been done. We are out of options and would like to receive counsel from the state. Thank you in advance, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | EQUIPMENT | I have constantly had to bring my car in again for the same problem since I bought it brand new in May 2020. On September 22, the audio/entertainment system completely shut down—it stopped playing music from the device connected to it and would not connect to a new device. The console then went completely black, and the audio system began to crackle incessantly, even when I turned it off. When I turned off the ignition and restarted the car, there was an error message on the display: “No Audio Connection” This had already happened multiple times since I had brought the car in for this problem a year prior. In some cases, I lost all displays, meaning I had no GPS, speedometer, fuel indicator, or other safety indicators. Each time I called and/or I brought the car to the dealership, I was told that sometimes the system just crashes and that I should “reset it by restarting the car, just like an iPhone.” However, this has never actually worked. In every instance, I had to restart the car 2-5 times and hope that the system would correct itself. Usually it did not, and I would just have to wait for hours or even days before the entertainment system would spontaneously begin functioning again. When it happened in September, I brought the car in and demanded that something be done. After a day, a service advisor called me and said the previous repair from a year ago was done incorrectly, which led to recurring problems with the wiring harness. You can imagine how furious I was since I had to bring the car back several times during the first ordeal in 2020. Fast forward another 24 days (October 16), and the same problem occurs. When I lividly informed the service department that I was having problems again, I was informed that this is a common issue with 2019 and 2020 models (citing a lawsuit that was filed against Honda). The dealer was fully aware that these cars have this problem that pose a severe threat to passenger safety, yet it continues to sell them. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES | The contact owned a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 55 mph the brake pedal was applied however failed to respond the vehicle crashed into a fence. The wheel assembly detached. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The driver sustain muscle injuries and medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. The air bags deployed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | 18,000 |
| Nov 2021 | SUSPENSION | The contact leased a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the front end and rear end of the vehicle wobbled while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer who diagnosed that no alignment issues were found. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 8,000 |
| Nov 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My 2020 Honda Pilot has stalled 4 times in the past two weeks after the auto engine idle occurs at a red light. The engine will shut off automatically, but when I lift my foot from the brake, the car engine does not turn back on, and the car shifts into park, and acts as if stalled. In order to get the car to restart, I have to power down completely, open the driver side door(!!!) and “reset” the whole system before I can apply the brake and press the ignition button. Even then a couple of times it doesn’t start for me doing that, and I have to cycle through the entire process a second time. This happened to me with my 3 children in the car twice on very busy (50mph) roads, and is incredibly dangerous. The second major issue I have noticed, but less frequently (about 3-4 times in the past 6 months), is that the auto braking system will randomly alert and apply the brakes while I’m driving down a straight road with no traffic in front of me! Needless to say, terrifying. This thankfully only lasts a few seconds before I regain control of the car, but also incredibly dangerous. I am scheduling service with Honda to evaluate ASAP, but I have read *many* accounts of the exact same problem online and every single person says Honda has never been able to find any cause. Some say replacing the battery helps, others say the stalling issue remains after battery replacement. If we can’t solve this problem, or have the auto engine idle completely and permanently disabled, I will be selling this car very soon. 16,104 miles driven as of today. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | N/a | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES, AIR | The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle at the local dealer and leaving the parking lot, the brake sensor message was illuminated, and the wheels began to vibrate and jerk slightly to the left and right. The contact also stated the radio was resetting independently. The contact took the vehicle back to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the camera sensor to be refocused and to replace the audio system. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure daily. The contact took the vehicle back to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the camera sensor to be refocused and the audio system replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience a failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,700. | Crash: No Fire: No | 11,700 |
| Oct 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I'm reaching out to you because I have no options and am completely frustrated. After looking into it (simple google search), I know I'm not alone. There appears to be hundreds (or thousands) of 2020 and other year Honda Pilots where the Infotainment system is failing. It begins with "pops" & "crackles" and just keeps getting worse. Also, intermittently, you will get error messages or a blank screen which could be dangerous. The problem comes and goes which makes it even more frustrating. I have personally taken my 2020 Pilot Elite (MSRP near $50,000) into my local Honda dealer 4 times already. Ten days after the most recent "repair" it has started all over again. In the past they have admitted they really don't know how to fix it and just keep replacing harnessing and wiring. They want me to bring it in AGAIN for a 5th time. Why should I bring it in when they clearly have no fix? The Pilot was purchased from Shottenkirk Honda (Cartersville, GA) in May 2020 and currently has around 30,000 miles on it. . My father lives in another state and he asked his local Honda dealer if they knew of the issue. They quickly admitted they did and again, admitted they don't know how to remedy it. If you do any simple research you will see it over and over. You can start with this simple Google search: honda pilot infotainment problems. As I said, I haven't found anyone who states it's been fixed permanently. I do appreciate the efforts and kindness of my local dealership (Shottenkirk) but at what point will Honda step up and do something of substance to fix the issue or replace the vehicles? This, in my opinion, is not a "Shottenkirk" problem, it is a "Honda" problem. I have tweeted Honda North America and Honda Customer Service and simply got a reply that says they've created a file and will look into it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | EQUIPMENT | Have had numerous occasions where the Center Display Console Screen has gone completely blank when driving ( Nav, audio & driver systems integration items). A Bigger problem is that on ONE occasion on the highway, the Driver's Main Display Screen has also gone completely blank at the same time as the center display -- i.e. TOTAL LOSS OF SPEED INFO AND ALL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS. It takes almost 2 minutes for the screens to "reboot" and come back to normal. Honda has released several TSBs regarding the center display console, MOST network connection and audio issues but nothing I am aware of about the Main Drivers Display failure. This is a totally random & intermittent condition but a severe Safety Issue when the driver's main screen goes out . I'll be going to the dealer soon but this issue has been around on various Hondas for quite awhile with little apparent fanfare from Honda?? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | TIRES | I have 2 years old Honda Pilot 2020 Touring original tires 245/50 R20 with 16900 miles on them and the front tires already start delaminating and chunk off (please see attached pictures). As you can see 2-year-old rubber looks like it's much older. Possibly the rubber compound is not what it should be. Did not found this DOT # in recall yet only the close ones, looks like the recall should be wider. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | EQUIPMENT | The center led screen and all components cut out and reboot many times while driving. This includes backup camera, hands free phone communication and navigation. Radio is also non functioning during this time. Honda has referred this fix as fakra components. Items have been replaced or worked on 4 times as of September 7th 2021 and the system failed again already today Sept 8th 2021. The first incident occured 1 week after purchase and this is the fifth time it will need repair in less than 1 year, although dealer service has told me there is nothing else they can do until Honda comes up the a fix. Apparently this occurring on several years of high end pilots. I contacted Honda today and started the process for a case number. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES | The large amber Brake warning indicator on the dash and the associated buzzer comes on giving a false positive indication periodically in two way traffic even on straight roads with adequate traffic separation. There is no specific pattern to getting this false indication and it is very annoying. I am concerned that it could also automatically apply the brakes when it is not necessary. In my normal commute of 20 miles it may occur five or more times. I have read online that other 2020 Honda Pilot owners are having the same problem and that dealers have been unable to correct it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | I have been dealing with the issue of my stereo crackling for over a year. The first appt is listed below. I have taken my car in 4 different times for this issue and am still as of today waiting on the part to come in to fix my car. I had an appt today and was told that the part was in and after dropping off my car was told the part is not in stock and they don't know when it is coming in. This is a dangerous and unsafe driving situation. The navigation turns off, the radio completely shuts off including my dashboard so I don't know how fast I am going. The crackling noise continues if the car is on or off. This is very distracting and loud especially since you cannot control the level of the noise. I think waiting a year for this to be resolved has been long enough and I expect the dealership to step in and provide some options. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |