The Lemon IndexHonda Pilot.
The best Honda Pilot years are 2010, 2009, 2008. Years to avoid: 2016, 2020, 2019. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 117, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2003 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2010.
Quick answers.
Is the Honda Pilot a good car?
Not overall: it draws more complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 117; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2010 and the worst is 2016.
What are the best Honda Pilot years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2010, 2009, 2008.
What Honda Pilot years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2016, 2020, 2019.
How many recalls does the Honda Pilot have?
195 safety recalls across the 23 model years we track. Most: 2005 (15), 2003 (14), 2004 (13). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Honda Pilot problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name electrical, engine and transmission & drivetrain most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 114 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 148 | airbags (17%) | 14 | — | 17 |
| 2004 | 56 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 67 | service brakes, hydraulic (12%) | 13 | — | 17 |
| 2005 | 54 | 1.9× fewer complaints than average | 54 | suspension (19%) | 15 | — | 17 |
| 2006 | 36 | 2.8× fewer complaints than average | 38 | tires (21%) | 10 | — | 17–18 |
| 2007 | 46 | 2.2× fewer complaints than average | 52 | tires (23%) | 9 | — | 17–18 |
| 2008 | 23 | 4.3× fewer complaints than average | 24 | visibility (17%) | 9 | — | 17–18 |
| 2009 | 18 | 5.6× fewer complaints than average | 26 | seats (15%) | 9 | — | 18–19 |
| 2010 | 15 | 6.7× fewer complaints than average | 23 | electrical (17%) | 10 | — | 18–19 |
| 2011 | 76 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 103 | brakes (26%) | 11 | ★★★★☆ | 18–19 |
| 2012 | 64 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 83 | engine (23%) | 9 | ★★★★☆ | 20 |
| 2013 | 82 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 126 | engine (34%) | 6 | ★★★★☆ | 20 |
| 2014 | 37 | 2.7× fewer complaints than average | 47 | wheels (23%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 20 |
| 2015 | 27 | 3.7× fewer complaints than average | 36 | brakes (22%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 20 |
| 2016 | 340 | 3.4× the average car's complaints | 428 | electrical (41%) | 8 | ★★★★★ | 21–23 |
| 2017 | 132 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 177 | engine (25%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 21–23 |
| 2018 | 48 | 2.1× fewer complaints than average | 77 | electrical (18%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 21–23 |
| 2019 | 211 | 2.1× the average car's complaints | 305 | electrical (46%) | 13 | ★★★★★ | 21–23 |
| 2020 | 233 | 2.3× the average car's complaints | 270 | electrical (57%) | 11 | ★★★★★ | 21–23 |
| 2021 | 158 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 218 | automatic emergency braking (33%) | 10 | ★★★★★ | 22–23 |
| 2022 | 72 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 98 | automatic emergency braking (37%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 21–23 |
| 2023 | 112 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 146 | seat belts (23%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 20–22 |
| 2024 | 95 | about average | 116 | seat belts (22%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 20–22 |
| 2025 | 265 | 2.6× the average car's complaints | 210 | automatic emergency braking (36%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 20–22 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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