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NHTSA Federal Consumer Defect Registry

2021 Honda Pilot Owner Complaints (418)

Analysis of 418 verified consumer complaints submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Filtered and clustered by vehicle subsystem to identify genuine recurring mechanical and electrical flaws.

Total Complaints
418
Defect Clusters
7 Categories
Avg Failure Range
60k mi
Est. Repair Cost
$280 – $850
Defects & ProblemsSafety Recalls10Owner Complaints418
Switch Pilot Model Year Complaints
2025188 reports2024108 reports2023132 reports2022142 reports2021418 reports2020477 reports2019880 reports2018436 reports2017910 reports20161684 reports2015108 reports2014116 reports
NHTSA Defect Subsystem Breakdown

2021 Pilot Failure Distribution by Vehicle Subsystem

100% Normalized Telemetry
38%26%16%12%
Engine & Powertrain:38%
Electrical & Sensors:26%
Steering & Suspension:16%
Brakes & ABS Hydraulics:12%
Airbags & Body Structure:8%
Clustered Telemetry

Top Defect Complaint Groups (7)

Ranked by NHTSA Frequency
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM & BATTERY166 Verified Complaints

Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports

Critical Severity

Reported Symptoms: Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight, Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts, Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings

Median Failure Mileage60,000 milesIQR: 28,518 – 93,000 mi
Estimated Repair Cost$280 – $850 (Source: MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model)
Associated Fault Codes
ENGINE & COOLING143 Verified Complaints

Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports

Critical Severity

Reported Symptoms: Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving, Abnormal oil burning / consumption, Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing, Engine overheating / coolant loss

Median Failure Mileage80,500 milesIQR: 55,050 – 91,500 mi
Estimated Repair Cost$950 – $3,200 (Source: MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model)
Associated Fault Codes
BRAKING SYSTEM & ABS99 Verified Complaints

Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports

Critical Severity

Reported Symptoms: Spongy or hard brake pedal travel, ABS / Brake warning light illuminated, Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration

Median Failure Mileage25,935 milesIQR: 21,409 – 32,875 mi
Estimated Repair Cost$350 – $1,100 (Source: MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model)
Associated Fault Codes
TRANSMISSION & DRIVETRAIN62 Verified Complaints

Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports

Critical Severity

Reported Symptoms: Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse, Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration, Transmission slipping between gears

Median Failure Mileage72,000 milesIQR: 55,050 – 91,500 mi
Estimated Repair Cost$1,400 – $3,800 (Source: MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model)
Associated Fault Codes
STEERING & SUSPENSION51 Verified Complaints

Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports

Critical Severity

Reported Symptoms: Sudden loss of electric power steering assist, Steering wheel pull or highway wander, Clunking / knocking noise over bumps

Median Failure Mileage20,028 milesIQR: 9,209 – 38,000 mi
Estimated Repair Cost$450 – $1,400 (Source: MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model)
Associated Fault Codes
AIRBAGS & SAFETY RESTRAINTS35 Verified Complaints

Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports

Critical Severity

Reported Symptoms: SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated, Passenger occupant classification sensor failure, Seat belt retractor lockup

Median Failure Mileage27,105 milesIQR: 18,157 – 36,052 mi
Estimated Repair Cost$400 – $1,200 (Source: MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model)
Associated Fault Codes
FUEL SYSTEM & INJECTION5 Verified Complaints

Fuel Pump Pressure Loss & Fuel Delivery Defect Reports

Medium Severity

Reported Symptoms: Sudden loss of propulsion power at highway speeds, Extended engine cranking / failure to restart, Fuel odor near fuel tank / engine bay

Median Failure Mileage77,000 milesIQR: 77,000 – 77,000 mi
Estimated Repair Cost$650 – $1,250 (Source: MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model)
Associated Fault Codes
Full Reliability Report2021 Pilot Common ProblemsFederal Safety Recalls2021 Pilot Recalls (10)All Generation YearsPilot Multi-Year Hub