Complaint volume
403 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
403 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Honda Pilot, grouped by component category.
403 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 42 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 36,320 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 40
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 37
ENGINE 33
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 29
AIR BAGS 22
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 20
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE 16
VISIBILITY/WIPER 16
TIRES 13
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 11
403 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When driving the collision mitigation and brakes come on for no reason. Once when driving down a two lane road with a car coming in the opposite direction in their lane and I was in mine, the car braked. Then once getting on a road nothing coming nor any other vehicle around the vehicle did a hard brake. I just purchased the car last month and it just started happening. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Inside rearview mirror(adhesive detched and air bubble is between windshield and rearview mirror) a crack had since developed exactly dead center where the rearview mirror has come detached. Problem has not been confirmed with dealer. Not yet. December 7th (when I noticed a few weeks ago, i went back into my camera roll and looked for pictures of my car and I found one where I can see the air bubble between the mirror and windshield before the crack had formed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Audio system popping noise affecting the dashboard system and audio system not working loss of power controls to use any of the systems digital components including speed control backup camera entire audio system | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The Entertainment system makes popping and crackling sounds and will cut out. This is very distracting while driving. It does not allow you to use the screen at all including to view backing up. I contacting Honda Corp and was told to get a formal diagnosis which is scheduled for June 16, 2023. Was also told this has happened many times before in other models of pilots. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The driver side door doesn’t open when unlocked. You have to hit the lock button multiple times before the door can detach from the driver side panel. And the door doesn’t shut when you close it. Something wrong with the lock. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I purchased the vehicle brand new in 2021. At this time I don't feel safe driving the vehicle due to the following issues I'm having: The automatic braking system will engage without notice. On 5/20/23 I was at driving at 60 MPH at 2:00am and the car slammed on the brakes for no reason, there was NO other vehicles on the road in front of me or besides me at the time of the incident. On 5/21/22 I was driving around 45MPH and I went next to a vehicle that was parked on the should of the road, When I approached the vehicle the brakes engaged almost causing a collision with the vehicle that was driving behind me witch it happen to be a Semi Truck. 12/22/22 While driving on HWY 18th the vehicle brakes engaged for reason or warning while driving on straight line. This happens 99% of the time when I drive the vehicle. The warning yellow braking light would illuminate and the steering wheel will shake or vibrate for no apparent reason when cars are coming the opposite way. This is extremely scary situation to have in a brand new vehicle. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership in hope of repair but nothing has been done. I started having this concerns a month or so after the vehicle was purchased, and the only solution I was given by the dealership was to disengage the auto braking program, But I don't think that's the solution. This coming Thursday 5/24/23 the vehicle will be inspected. ( this will be the second or third time the vehicle will be in the shop due to the same issue. Thank you for taking the time in reviewing my concern. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When driving the collision mitigation and brakes apply , flash dash and shake wheel violently. Almost loss of vehicle control. Almost not drivable on 2 lane roads This happens multiple times during any driving. This has been ongoing since Purchase and has been reviewed by Honda dealer without correction. Only recourse was replace controls at owner cost even while under new car warranty | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEATS | Last week the the security alarm went off for no reason. The following day, I arrived to work and parked my car. 45 minutes later, I am notified my headlights were on. I ALWAYS keep my headlights on AUTO so they never should have been on. After I started my car for a minute, everything seems fine. 3 hours later, I hear an alarm in the parking lot but did not think it was my vehicle. I leave work and go to outside and realize my alarm has been going off for a couple of hours. I go to open my vehicle and try to start the car but all the whole dashboard lit up and the speakers were popping and making horrible noises. I could not get the car started and my driver seat kept moving on its own. I called Honda of Murfreesboro and they advised that I needed to get my vehicle towed. I receive a call the next day and I was told that it had an electrical malfunction and the entire keyless access control unit needed to be replaced along with the connector ends. I have had several issues with the 2021 Pilot and this takes the cake. First it was the auto/stop at a red light and it completely shut off the engine. I had to turn the vehicle off and shift to park and then start the car. Also my "warning brake" lights come on randomly which alarms me and it will shift the car over. I also have had some issues with getting on an entrance ramp and the car doesn't want to pick up speed and I push the gas and the RPM's rev. This vehicle is unsafe. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The Auto Idle Stop is defective on this vehicle and has resulted in multiple incidents where the vehicle stalls after the break is applied in sitting traffic. I have had near collision experiences that pose a severe safety risk. The car jolts forward after releasing the break at an intersection, and immediately becomes immobile. This has happened in sitting traffic, at intersection and more dangerously, while trying to make a left turn which has left me stranded in the middle of busy intersections at risk of nearly being hit by moving traffic. Honda has done the software update on the vehicle and yet, this continues to happen. Honda needs to be held liable as this will result in injury and/or death to consumers. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Sunroof exploded while driving down highway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I’ve purchased my Honda pilot 2021 Brand New within the last two months. My car is CMBS has initiated, breaking for oncoming objects that were nonexistent or when on coming traffic was passing me in the other lane, causing my vehicle to break abruptly nearly causing an accident followed by all Honda, sensing features such as forward, collision collision lane assist us cruise control assist to driving along with automatic head beams. High beams. Are no longer functional. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | TIRES | I was researching recalls on my 2021 Honda Pilot and came across NHTSA Campaign number 20V725000. When i inspected my tires I can confirm that they are the ones in question as they are the Continental CrossContact LX Sport tires with tire size 245/50 R20 102H and DOT serial number of A376. When I brought the vehicle into the dealership over the weekend they were dismissive and stated they only have one recall on the vehicle. I have explained my concern to a body shop previously and they recommended I do some research to see if any recalls are in effect, to my surprise I located this from NHTSA. I showed them the NHTSA campaign number 20V725000 and they were dismissive. I went on to inform them that my tires match what is outlined and this is a safety concern for me. I have had issues with the tires losing pressure and I have had them rotated on a regular basis. I have not looked specifically at the spare tire, but I am asking that to be remedied as well if I have a full size spare that matches the recall. The tires have lost air suddenly where I have had to go into a tire shop or a gas station to add air routinely on occasion. It is hit and miss when it needs to happen and the weather is consistent, so now sudden change in temperatures to warrant this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When driving the collision mitigation and brakes apply causing steering wheel shake and braking WITHOUT passing of vehicles. This happens multiple times during driving. This has been ongoing since June 2022 and has been reviewed by Honda without correction. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Loud, consistent, cracking sound along the base of the windshield along dashboard. Sounded as if the entire windshield would crack and shatter. Happened at least 3 separate instances, seems to be temperature related and on longer car rides. Once during NE winter with heat cranking it began to make the cracking sound. It was terrifying as I was unsure if the windshield would shatter and implode on us. I turned the heat off and opened windows to cool interior of the car. That made the sound stop. The car has not been inspected yet and unsure if they could recreate problem in the shop. Would probably need heat of engine over a long period and internal heat turned all the way up for a long period of time. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Collision warning system goes off when no vehicles present. Steering wheel starts shaking and brake flashes on dash display. This has happened several times before. Date of last incident recorded. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving in stop and go traffic, the Auto START/STOP feature malfunctioned causing the vehicle to lose electrical power and shut off. During the failure, the display and instrument panel became inoperable. Additionally, the turn signals were inoperable, and the shifter could not be shifted to neutral. Triple AAA was called to the scene and was able to get the vehicle restarted by recharging the battery. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted, and a service appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The contact referenced the NHTSA Investigation: PE22005 and indicated that the vehicle experienced a similar failure. The failure mileage was 29,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 29,000 |
| Feb 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION | 2021 Honda Pilot Black Edition with 37,007 miles. Navigation screen will display "Network Communication Lost" and "MOST Net Off" before completely shutting down for 5-10 minutes at a time, only to do the same thing after resetting. This is a known issue for Honda, hence Technical Service Bulletin 20-058 to cover a range of vehicles, including my 21 Pilot; most older covered vehicles are at 5 years 60k miles, but because my vehicle is newer, it isn't covered and is limited to 3 years 36k miles. I am having to pay out of pocket for these repairs. Contacted Honda and they couldn't help, stating my vehicle is out of warranty. It makes no sense to cover older vehicle but not a newer one when these issues are known and reported under TSB 20-058. Honda complaint Case # 13646867. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The brake light come out for no reason | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | There is speaker cracking noise and monitor goes black when using navigation. This is distracting and dangerous do to myself as a driver and others. It is distracting and concerning that a new vehicle goes crazy and Honda has no idea how to fix this. I have taken the vehicle to get serviced 4 times and still there is no resolution. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The CMBS regularly activates with the brake warning lights, audible, and steering wheel shaking. There has never been anything in front of the vehicle when the CMBS activates. Most recently, the CMBS activated and applied the brakes when driving approximately 40 mph for no reason. Obviously, the safety of the driver and all passengers are at a risk of an accident caused by the CMBS' faulty activation, as well as any other people and/or property involved. We have been complaining to the dealership regularly since we purchased the vehicle over 2 years ago, to no avail. The dealership states they have not been able to confirm or reproduce the CMBS' faulty activation. No one other than the dealership has inspected the vehicle for this problem. The CMBS is on by default, so the only option until repaired is to remember to deactivate the CMBS every time the vehicle is use, by every driver. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | STEERING,VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently shifted to the left and right. Additionally, the passenger's side front mirror was shaking abnormally. Additionally, and the driver's side front window made abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed as needing a wheel alignment. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 9,000 |
| Jan 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | Front windshield broke while the vehicle was sitting in the parking lot. I was staying overnight at a hotel. When I went to bed the car was fine. When I got up the next morning the windshield was broken. The car had been parked all night and it was in a secure area. The windshield broke on its own. My insurance paid for the broken windshield. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | SUSPENSION | Rear sub-frame welds failed. On January 1st 2023 while driving the vehicle a loud noise was observed. We got an appointment at the local Honda service center and we were told in fact it was the sub-frame and that Honda is refusing to cover this under the factory warranty. We are almost 500 miles from home and have a two year old vehicle with a broken sub-frame | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | TIRES | I have Continental cross contact 245/50 R20 104H. Upon 1 year inspection of the vehicle I was told all 4 tires need to be replaced and the vehicle is failing inspection. At the time the vehicle, which is a newer lease, had 30k miles on it. I’ve never owned a vehicle of any kind that has needed 4 new tires in just over 1 year. The garage is saying he has seen this issue before because the tires are too soft for the type of vehicle. I’ve managed to find the identical tires recalled just 2 weeks before the tires on my vehicle. I found recall date 2920 and my tires are 3120. It’s hard to image the same tire, manufacturer, and location didn’t have a recall issue they were unaware of just 2 week Ma later. It seems more likely it hasn’t been reported yet with that date. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | TIRES | The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Crosscontact LX Sport, Tire Size: 245/50R/20, DOT: A376D3K92321. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and the contact was able to pull over and notice that both front and rear passenger’s side tires experienced blowouts on the sidewall of both tires. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the tires were replaced. The vehicle manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to reach out to the tire manufacturer for assistance. The tire manufacturer was contacted but the contact received no response. The failure mileage was 29,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 29,000 |