2021 Honda Pilot Safety Report
2021 HONDA PILOT Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Honda Pilot
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Honda Pilot. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (8) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (369) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Honda Pilot with 84 complaints and 6 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Honda Pilot before buying across this generation. |
Honda Pilot Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Honda Pilot years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Honda Pilot | 111 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Honda Pilot | 444 | 9 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Honda Pilot | 95 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Honda Pilot | 810 | 11 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Honda Pilot | 84 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Honda Pilot | 413 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Honda Pilot Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Honda Pilot, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
37 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Honda onlyElectrical System
34 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Honda onlyEngine
28 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Honda onlyForward Collision Avoidance
25 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Honda onlyAir Bags
21 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Honda onlyElectrical System,Engine
18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine issues Honda onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Honda Pilot
Reliability Score
The 2021 Honda Pilot receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Honda Pilot
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Honda Pilot
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Honda Pilot:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags A recall has been issued for airbag system issues in certain 2021 Honda Pilots. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Recalled due to electrical system malfunctions causing dashboard lights to flash and infotainment screens to fail. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Frequent warning light appearances suggest potential system malfunctions. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes A recall has been issued for service brake issues in certain 2020-2021 Civics and 2020-2023 Ridgelines. |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Honda Pilot:
Issues with the electrical system are the most common problem reported.
Frequent warnings from the forward collision avoidance system are a common issue.
Airbag system recalls are a concern for some owners.
Service brake issues are reported but less frequently.
Recall Details for the 2021 Honda Pilot
The following 8 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Honda Pilot by NHTSA:
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
Consequence: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
Summary: American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain 2021 Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental CrossContact LX Sport 245/50R20 102 H tires with DOT serial number A376 D3K9 2920 and mold numbers S-421920 and S-421921. The tires may have been cured for a time beyond the specification limits.
Consequence: Over-cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace the tires that have the affected DOT serial number and mold number, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is U8Y.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence: A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Y7Y.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi...
Consequence: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Honda Pilot
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Honda Pilot with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
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.
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 c...
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 cr...
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 befor...
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.
The following warning lights: adaptive cruise control problem, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation system, road departure mitigation problem, auto high beam problem
The following warning lights: adaptive cruise control problem, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation system, road departure mitigation problem, auto high beam problem. Honda estimates over $2000 to repair? From what I understand there are many other Honda's with these issues! With these items not functioning, it defeats many of the safety features we bought the car for. Exact date of when it ...
The auto idle start-stop feature has been failing for many years without being resolved. Honda has done updates and updated the fuel injection software without improvement. I have also replaced the battery as recommended. I continue to get stuck at stop lights and intersections which is a safety hazard. This most recently occurred on 3/7/26.
The car engine autorestart causes all sorts of problems. We have repeatedly had the warning come on and the engine stop while at a light or paused in moving traffic. We have replaced the battery and other parts. The safety issue is that the car totally stops while in traffic and we have almost been hit multiple times as we try to restart the car. You have to put the car in park and restart the e...
The windshield camera has malfunctioned causing 5 different safety warnings to appear and these functions are unavailable now. It has been evaluated by a dealership and they claim that it has to be replaced at a cost of $2100. This is a pretty widespread issue in these Pilots with varying mileage. I would expect much better from a Honda product.
Vehicle Information: 2021 Honda Pilot Elite Component: Forward Collision Avoidance: Camera System Lane Departure: Lane Keeping Assist Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Failure Description: The windshield-mounted forward-facing camera (Lane Keeping Assist System / Honda Sensing camera) failed without warning on my 2021 Honda Pilot Elite. This camera is mounted behind the windshield and c...
While driving vehicle downshifted with no warning and went into neutral. Was driving on a busy street. Was not able to shift back into drive. When car stops was not able to put it into park. No previous warning of anything wrong. No engine light, battery etc. illuminated on the dash. Earlier that day did hear from time to time a tick or tap like noise that had not been heard before. Car had to be ...
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the infotainment screen and the rearview camera screen intermittently failed to activate while the vehicle was shifted into reverse. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V431000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. T...
The backup camera feeds to the infotainment screen integrated into the radio. This screen intermittently fails to illuminate and does not allow the backup camera feed to be be visible rendering the backup camera inoperable.
The Honda Pilot completely lost power on my husband's way home from work in a snow storm. It would not start but it did yesterday. It sounds like clinking/clunking when started but stalls out if you try to put it in drive or reverse. It has a brand new battery. But otherwise it had to be towed and is now sitting. It didnt give any warning signs or lights on the dash until after it completely broke...
After driving the vehicle for a few hours during a very cold day, as we got off an exit ramp. We then turned onto the next road in our travels and the check engine light went off and blinked. The vehicle went into limp mode. Pulled the vehicle over, turn the car off and then back on and everything worked just fine. Had an oil change already scheduled for 2 days later. Brought the vehicle in f...
I believe I have a fuel pump issue. My car has stalled on multiple occasions while trying to pull out of my driveway. There is at least a quarter tank of gas. I have had to get gas in a gas can and add it to the tank and then it would start. I now make sure I always have at least a half a tank of gas. On three separate occasions when the auto idle stop turns the car off at a light, the car does no...
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the engine was idling and with the gear shifter in the park position, the contact reached into the vehicle from the front driver's door, and suddenly the vehicle began to slowly roll backwards. The contact was pushed to the ground, causing the front driver's side wheel to roll over the contact's right leg. The vehicle continued to ...
I am submitting this complaint to formally report a serious and widespread safety defect involving the front-facing camera system on my 2021 Honda Pilot. This defect has resulted in multiple safety system failures and has placed myself, my passengers, and other motorists at unacceptable risk. The front camera on my vehicle does not function as designed, which has caused the complete loss or repea...
While my husband was taking our daughter to school on 01/05/2026 around 6:00am, a warning message flashed on the radio screen: "EMISSIONS SYSTEM PROBLEM: The engine is not operating properly. Avoid high speeds and visit your dealer as soon as possible. If the indicator is blinking, stop in a safe place where there are no flammable objects. Turn off the engine for 10 minutes or more to let it cool....
Showing 20 of 369 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 Honda Pilot
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor
Opened 2025-03-26
On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Honda Pilot
Has the 2021 HONDA PILOT been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 HONDA PILOT has 8 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 HONDA PILOT have?
The 2021 HONDA PILOT has 369 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 8 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 HONDA PILOT?
The 2021 HONDA PILOT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 HONDA PILOT?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 HONDA PILOT involve unknown or other (37 complaints), electrical system (34 complaints), engine (28 complaints). Other affected components include forward collision avoidance, air bags, electrical system,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2021 HONDA PILOT have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 HONDA PILOT in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 HONDA PILOT have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 HONDA PILOT in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 HONDA PILOT?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 HONDA PILOT.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 HONDA PILOT?
8 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 HONDA PILOT. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 HONDA PILOT?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 HONDA PILOT is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 369 complaints, 8 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 HONDA PILOT?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 HONDA PILOT are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (37 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (34 complaints), 3. ENGINE (28 complaints), 4. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (25 complaints), 5. AIR BAGS (21 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 37 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 HONDA PILOT?
Be aware of potential electrical system and forward collision avoidance system malfunctions. Check for recalls and have issues addressed promptly. The 2021 HONDA PILOT has 369 NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 HONDA PILOT?
The 2021 HONDA PILOT receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 369 owner complaints, 8 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbags and Electrical System.
What are the known issues with the 2021 HONDA PILOT?
Known issues with the 2021 HONDA PILOT include: Airbags, Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance, Service Brakes. These are based on patterns found across 369 NHTSA complaints. 8 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2021 Honda Pilot?
The most common issues are electrical system malfunctions and forward collision avoidance system warnings.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Honda Pilot?
Yes, recalls have been issued for airbag system and electrical system issues.
What should I do if I experience electrical system issues?
Check for recalls and have the vehicle inspected by a professional.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential electrical system and forward collision avoidance system malfunctions. Check for recalls and have issues addressed promptly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Honda Pilot
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Honda Pilot. The data includes 369 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 8 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 8 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Honda Pilot an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16