Complaint volume
388 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
2021 Honda Pilot Complaints
388 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Honda Pilot, grouped by component category.
388 Total complaints
12 Crash reports
1 Fire reports
7 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 unknown or other, electrical system, engine. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 12 crash reports, 1 fire report, 7 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 41 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 34,816 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to unknown or other, electrical system, engine?
- 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 2021 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.
2021 Honda Pilot
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Honda Pilot complaints?
12 Crash
1 Fire
7 Injury
0 Fatality
12 Towed
4 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Honda Pilot complaint categories?
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 38
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 35
ENGINE 30
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 27
AIR BAGS 22
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 19
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE 16
VISIBILITY/WIPER 16
TIRES 13
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 11
388 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | I am having an issue with the start stop function on my 2021 Honda Pilot. When active, the start stop struggles to restart after it is engaged at a stop light. There have been two instances in the last two weeks where the vehicle did not restart on its own and needed to be restarted manually. Spoke to the dealer service team and they indicated there were no known recalls and it would be out of pocket for me to diagnose and repair. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | My wife was driving our 2021 Honda Pilot with 102,000 on the interstate when the check engine light came on and the engine began to lose power. She was fearful of being hit by other traffic due to engine dying in middle of mutiple lanes of traffic. The engine began to have a knocking sound. We shut off engine and had it towed to Southpoint Honda in Durham NC. We were told it has a rod knock, the engine failed. It is about to seize and we need to replace the engine. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The infotainment screen blacks out completely and sporadically, but as of recent, almost daily. Sometimes for about 3-5 minutes. When this happens, the rearview backup camera is completely disabled, creating a blind-spot safety hazard, violating Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111. This issue directly impacts back over prevention and driver visibility. I have multiple videos of this occurring. In 2023, a Honda dealership performed the MOST Bus/FAKRA connector safety recall on this vehicle. That manufacturer recall remedy has FAILED, and the exact same safety defect has returned. I did schedule the vehicle for a formal diagnostic inspection at a Honda dealership this Friday to pull the network communication error codes. There were no warning lamps or warning messages prior to the system blacking out. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | STEERING | Steering rack and pinion worn with approx 38,000 miles. Dealerships (2) advised the” clunking” was “normal” on the model. Another dealership advised it was more likely the CV-axles worn. Took to two independent garages who advised steering rack was bad. I advised them the dealer stated it was CV-axles. They stated the axles were fine. No wrecks, no driving off-road, and no driving in a manner that would cause failure. 2 years of asking about the clunking noise (now at 54,000 miles) and no ownership or accountability by the OEM for garbage parts. A steering rack should not be worn out in 5 yrs or 54,000 miles. I have my late father’s 1977 truck and it still has the original steering from the day he bought it in the fall of 1976. Forums and many other owners tell me it’s a safety concern and I agree. If Honda thinks sub-par steering components are ok… then I’ll be sure to replace every aircraft component on the executive jets with the same cost savings. It’s not insignificant parts, theirs is truly placing cost savings per unit above lives of people. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ENGINE | The engine shut off as I was leaving a stop sign and stopped working as I was driving the vehicle.The car shut off and I had a very limited amount of time to pull off to the side which I was halfway able to do and was halfway on one lane and halfway on the shoulder. During this time the car had switched to neutral but since the problem had not occurred before and there was no engine lights on, I tried to turn the car back on and was left unable to shift to neutral again and was stranded in the lane with children in the vehicle. We had to have it towed to the dealer. They confirmed it was an engine failure. Our car is around 5 years old and has been well maintained and is only around 60000 miles or less. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle's rear brakes rub significantly to the point of prematurely wearing out the brake pads. Additionally, the instrument panel is failing and displaying all warning lights, and the side mirrors flicker while driving. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed to be NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V439000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,670. | Crash: No Fire: No | 75,670 |
| May 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The vehicle experienced failure of the air conditioning system caused by an A/C compressor shaft seal leak on my 2021 Honda Pilot. The issue was diagnosed and confirmed by both an independent mechanic and an authorized Honda dealership. The dealership confirmed that the recommended repair is replacement/repair of the compressor shaft seal consistent with Honda Service Bulletin (TSB) 23-050. The vehicle and failed component are available for inspection upon request prior to repair. The failure created a safety concern because the inability to properly operate the air conditioning and defrost system can reduce driver visibility due to windshield fogging and create unsafe driving conditions during warm and humid weather. Excessive cabin temperatures can also negatively impact driver concentration and passenger safety during travel. Prior to visiting the dealership, my mechanic identified the likely issue as an A/C compressor shaft seal leak and advised me to bring the vehicle to Honda because it appeared to be a known manufacturer issue. The Honda dealership later confirmed the same defect after completing a paid diagnostic inspection. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent mechanic and an authorized Honda dealership service department. A case has also been opened with Honda Corporate regarding the issue and denial of coverage assistance though was told it could take several days to weeks to be resolved. Prior to the failure, there were no warning lamps or dashboard warning messages displayed. The first symptom was the air conditioning system no longer cooling properly when first used during warmer weather around May 2026. Because the A/C system had not been used during the winter months, the problem only became apparent once temperatures increased and the system was needed again. This appears to be a known issue already acknowledged by Honda through the publication of TSB 23-050 covering 2021 Honda Pilot models. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | About a month ago, I started my Pilot and the dash lit up. The adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane keeping assist, Lane departure, forward collision warnings all flashed on the dash- no previous warnings. Subsequently, the cruise control will not work at all. I had the system scanned by a Honda certified mechanic and it showed and internal cameral failure. This is a known issue across many Hondas and is a very costly repair at close to $2000. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2026 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | I purchased my Honda Pilot 2021 5 years ago. Currently still making payments on it. The Collison Mitigation system warning sign came up on my dashboard about 1 year ago. After that warning sign came on 4 others popped up. Road Departure Mitigation system, Auto high-Beam problem, Adaptive cruise control problem, and lane keeping assist problem. Having all these warning signs come pop up on dashboard is very distracting while driving. Non of these controls are working and I have taken it to Honda to do an inspection. Since, its out of warranty I have to pay out of pocket $2,137.63 to get multipurpose camera unit replaced. Let alone this vehicle is still not paid off. I've also had issues with the starter shutting off while driving. It had a recall and I did get it replaced but I'm still having issues. This is a serious safety problem due to it shutting off while on the street. I been in life threating situations due to this problem. Honda needs to make sure there vehicles are safe for customers. T | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | The vehicle has routinely had issues restarting from auto idle. When the vehicle turns off in traffic at a stop or stopped at a red light, then it will not restart and the vehicle will essentially be dead for several minutes and unable to be turned on or moved. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | Infotainment system doesn't work, including maps, and backup camera. I have read this is a common problem, but Honda isn't doing anything about it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | When driving.car I hear crackling noice. I did research it has to do with electrical wiring under the dash. It effects all information on the display screen can not access maps direction phone calls won't work,effect radio from working,causes panel lights not to work heater & AC display information won't work caused ac & heater not working. Defrost won't work caused windshield to fogged up could not see through windshield lucky I did not crash or harm any cars It doesn't happen everyday but it has been happening more It could catch on fire.Problem been occurring since 2023.Happens all the time at least 3-5 times a week. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Engine started knocking and within a couple days my wife was left stranded. The vehicle went into limp mode with check engine light flashing, and would not accelerate. The vehicle stopped completely in the middle of the road and lost all power, which could’ve caused a major accident. Scheduled maintenance and oil changes has been kept up by me. I had the vehicle towed to a trusted shop and was informing that there were metal shavings in the oil filter. They inspected the top end of the engine and everything was normal. The only indication is that the problem is internal to the engine. There is a recall for Honda Pilots up to model year 2020 but I believe this issue is affecting vehicles up to 2022. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Braking system and cameras defective. Vehicle will flash BRAKE when nothing is in roadway. This will also cause vehicle to hard brake. When on interstate, cruise control no longer functions properly due to camera sensors reading a vehicle is in front of my vehicle when there is no other vehicle near. This causes braking system to activate and/or slow the cruise control down. This is a major safety risk for everyone involved, especially my children in the vehicle. This is a known Honda issue. This needs remedied before someone gets hurt and a lawsuit ensues. Fix the braking system and cameras! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Front camera needs to be replaced. According to several Honda forums, this is a very common problem requiring the front camera to be replaced. All safety features requiring the camera no longer work. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2026 | AIR BAGS | My wife was driving at about 40mph and hit a curb while driving straight. The car’s swerved and hit the front right and right rear tire with the curb. The right side curtain airbag deployed. This vehicle was taken to the Honda dealership a few months ago to address the exact same problem that was addressed through a safety recall with a sensor that was supposedly replaced but the Honda dealership in Waco Texas. I am requesting assistance to hopefully get the vehicle inspected and repaired at no cost by the dealership. This should not be happening. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE | There is a problem with the camera that is disabled my brake system features. I am hearing this is a known issue with many of these cars | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | TIRES | I am reporting a safety defect involving Continental CrossContact LX Sport tires, size 245/50 R20 used on my 2021 Honda Pilot. These tires are not currently included in the existing Continental recalls, but they are showing the same types of failures described in NHTSA recall 21T‑001 and related Continental bulletins. Specifically, my tires developed cracking/localized tread wear/vibration and visible separation in the tread/sidewall area. This matches the recall descriptions of carcass breaks and belt‑edge separations that can cause sudden air loss or partial/full tread and belt loss, leading to loss of vehicle control and increased risk of a crash. I believe these tires were manufactured with a similar defect and should be investigated and included in the recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Auto idle stop activated at a stop light for the 2nd or 3rd time over a few years. Lifted foot off the break and stalled, the car went into Park and I could not put it into neutral or drive. The odometer screen looked like it does when the engine is on. The battery light was on. I tried to turn down the radio and the volume didn't work. I tried pressing the ignition button to turn off the car entirely but it didn't work the first couple of tries. Once I was able to completely turn it off, it struggled to turn over when I tried to start the engine, which I've never had happen, but did turn over. Dealership wanted to charge $325 for a few hours of diagnostics which we declined. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING | There is an electrical malfunction which causes all of the electrical components to flash on/off, glitch. This has occured while driving but primarily when the vehicle is parked and unattended. I’m afraid it can short and cause a fire. The vehicle will turn istelf on and off repeatedly and rapidly while unattended. This has been going on for 2 years with our vehicle and not under warranty. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My vehicle has failed to restart several times with the auto idle start feature enabled while stopped at a stoplight. I was in a turning lane the first time it happened, so other vehicles had to make a left hand turn from a lane that was meant to go straight to get around me. The starter has not been inspected There weren't warning lamps prior to the auto start feature not working. When the car would not turn back on. I had to put the car in park, turn off "Accesory mode", turn the car back on, and put the car back in drive. There have been several other instances the car has hesitated to restart, but it does. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | AIR BAGS | I am submitting this letter as an official complaint regarding a potential safety defect involving the airbag system in my 2021 Honda Pilot. I was involved in a motor vehicle accident on February 3, 2026 in Atlanta, GA. The collision was a direct frontal impact with another vehicle at approximately 35 mph. The vehicle sustained damage with repair estimates over $8,000. Despite the nature of the crash, the airbags did not deploy. However, post-accident diagnostic information reported by the auto body repair shop indicates that the vehicle’s computer system recorded the airbags as having deployed. This discrepancy raises serious safety concerns, as the system appears to have registered a deployment event that did not physically occur. This could indicate a malfunction in the airbag control module, sensors, wiring, or software. A failure of this kind prevented the proper airbag deployment in a crash where it was needed, posing a significant risk to my safety. To my knowledge, the airbag system had no prior warnings or indicators of malfunction before the accident. Directly following the accident an error appeared on the screen behind the steering wheel stating "Airbag System (SRS) Problem." The vehicle is currently at the body shop and available for inspection. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Auto start-stop feauture turned on at complete stop at traffic light. When light turned green and pressed the gas pedal to accelerate, engine did not turn back on. It had put vehicle into neutral and would not allow vehicle to shift into any other gear. Had to shut off engine and turn on vehicle an additional 3 times to get the engine to start again and into drive. This has happened twice before within the last year with the auto start stop feauture when it turns on at a complete stop. I usually press button to turrn off auto start stop feature to prevent this known issue from happening but forgot to turn feature off. Honda wants to charge $300 to diagnosis problem with auto start stop feature due to problem being known but no recall issued. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | auto idle stop stalled at a red light causing my car to not move and having to shut off my car in the middle of traffic. Once i tried to turn back on it wouldnt start at first. i had to do this twice in order for the car to come back on. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE | The following warning lights: adaptive cruise control problem, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation system, road departure mitigation problem, auto high beam problem | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |