Complaint volume
469 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
469 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Honda Pilot, grouped by component category.
469 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 144 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 15,993 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 88
ENGINE 41
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 37
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 16
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 16
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE 15
POWER TRAIN 15
469 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Aug 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | When vehicle is on, in drive-braked-or parked status, an incremental sound of electrical crackling and popping increasingly develops both in noise level and intensity, and emits throughout the vehicle. Culmination of this erratic electrical activity results in a loud chromatic/bursting "crack" sound and shutdown of the audio system. Component - appears to be in the wiring harness and electrical system connections. Safety Issue - total distraction to driver's attention, disturbing, and alarming concern to passengers. Problem Confirmed or Reproduced - Yes. Diagnostic errors captured and recorded on multiple occasions, with shutdown randomly occurring. Warning and Appearance - No warning or apparent related catalyst is evident. First occurrence at 7,000 miles and continues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The paint of my car started chipping on the hood roof of the car and moved to the top of my car, making spots all over my car. the front chrome part of the car has started to wrinkle and is looking as it will be peeling soon as well. The radio part inside the car is also wrinkling, on top. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The vehicle makes uncontrolled loud noises. It is very intermittent and sounds like loud cracking/exploding of windshield. It sometimes startles the driver and makes the driver cringe. Leading to uncontrolled movement of steering wheel. Potential hazardous. Honda has acknowledged that there is a problem with several hundred thousand cars and done service bulletins (A19030B Version 3) and others. Our car now has been in for the same problem 7 times. Twice a specialist was working on the car in the last 22 months but the problem persists and is getting worse by the month. This is unacceptable and can lead to an accident but Honda does not want to take responsibility. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | "Upgraded" from Odyssey to Pilot. The rear tailgate is motorized, like our old Odyssey. Unlike the Odyssey, when something collides with the motorized tailgate, there is nothing that stops the closure. When unloading the trunk, I pressed the button to close. I reached back into the vehicle to grab one more item and it hit my head and kept closing. It did not stop. Afterwards, I tried multiple times for it to reverse and the force needed to trip the safety is excessive for what would be considered safe. Knowing what the Odyssey was like, this is a major safety hazard. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | TIRES | March 2021 - car pulling to right, took to dealership & they did alignment, problem persisted, returned to dealer April 22, 2021, still pulling right, they said they swapped front tires left to right and pull diminished, service manager indicated a tire belt/band problem & could go flat or have a blowout, two front tires replaced at 34579 miles on 70000 mile tires, found out about Honda recall UA2 for same problem with Continental Tires but my VIN not on recall list. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | EQUIPMENT | the vehicles bus connectors where called have been taken to 3 different dealer ships to get fixed an problem still has not been resolved. the cars display screen and rear view camera has absolutely no power sometimes will turn on when I first start vehicle but will turn off completely while driving nothing is visible. reversing I can't see objects and while driving have gotten lost since gps will completely turnoff and I can use my phone while driving. the bus connectors will pop constantly while driving. I have all documents stating the cars been seen and different things have been done to get fixed no warning problem started April 18th | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | EQUIPMENT | The electrical system including the rear camera, dash board speed display, hands free phone system radio intermittently goes blank and resets randomly during operation of the vehicle. Two Honda dealers have attempted repairs unsuccessfully and continue to try changing parts. Failure during driving is distracting and potentially hazardous to the vehicle occupants and other vehicles near them. Honda can or will not give me any assurance that this problem will not cause problems with other electrical component of the car that are more safety critical. The dealer tells me they are waiting on parts and Honda Customer service sends me to a case managers voice mail who does not return calls. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Vehicle brakes automatically when operating at highway speeds when passing a vehicle that is either moving slowly or stopped in a turn lane waiting to turn left. Occurs when Collision Mitigation System is in both the on and off position and when cruise control is engaged and disengaged. This has occurred approximately twice a month since purchasing new in July of 2020. Vehicle also breaks when encountering an approaching vehicle on the highway while going around a corner when turning to the right. One time the vehicle behind me almost hit me and had to go onto the shoulder to avoid a collision. I reported this to the Honda dealer in the winter months and they said it was likely caused by road salt. It's now June and there is no road salt and problem is still occurring. The orange break indicator when on turning the automatic breaking. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while offloading items from the trunk, the trunk door independently closed and hit the contact in the head. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | 11,000 |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | On April 4.7.2020 I visited The Honda Dealer to report my dashboard and control console shutting off while driving. On 4.14.2020 I again visited the Honda Dealer to report a problem related to the same issue since it was not repaired. On 5.4.2020 I emailed the asst service manager about the backup camera going black/off. On 4.21.2021 I returned to the Honda Dealer again for the entire control display/camera display shutting off and crackling from the audio system. The dealer is not writing my concerns when the vehicle is inspected, I believe to deny the issue and avoid lemon law. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | We purchased a 2020 Honda Pilot EXL AWD. The collision mitigation system engages arbitrarily, no vehicles or obstacles in front of me and the system activates. Honda Dealership said they can't find a problem. However, there is a class action lawsuit against Honda, filed in California, for this and other problems with their safety system. Most Recently drove the car on a 560 mile trip, the collision mitigation system warning came on 5 times when there were no cars or obstacles in front of me. Hopefully NHTSA can apply some pressure on Honda to address this issue. It is VERY FRUSTRATING when you have problems with a new vehicle and HONDA will not correct them. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED AS THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. EACH TIME, THE CONTACT WOULD COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESUME NORMAL DRIVING SOON AFTER FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT UPON APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD AS THE BRAKE MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HONDA OF TOMBALL (22727 TX-249, TOMBALL, TX 77375) ON THREE OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME THE MECHANIC WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |