The Lemon Index2011 Honda Pilot.
The 2011 Honda Pilot is better than average by owner complaints: 103 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 76, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 18 to 19 mpg combined. The best Honda Pilot year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 293 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda Pilot year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 19K to 84K miles on the car (200 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 38K–120K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 20K–57K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 22K–71K miles
Recalls 11
- airbags 2019
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high …
- airbags 2019
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 11 recalls
- airbags 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2013
One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.
- seat belts 2011
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 PILOT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 13, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2011.
- suspension 2010
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 HONDA ACCORD V6 AND MODEL YEAR 2011 HONDA PILOT VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 77 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- "dealer message - today, june 30, 2015, american honda is announcing a warranty extension for…
- The engine shuts off, power on, but in accessory; never use conventional wheel & tire assemblies
- "service bulletin - american honda is extending the warranty on the front suspension rear…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Pilot SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Honda Pilot SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Steering wheel vibrates when braking at or near 65 mph, loss of control.
2011 Honda Pilot owner · NHTSA complaint 10502803
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Honda Pilot reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 76; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Pilot year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2011 Honda Pilot problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (26%), suspension (16%) and steering (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Honda Pilot have?
11 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Honda Pilot get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2011 Honda Pilot safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2011 Honda Pilot problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 19,600 and 84,800 miles. The middle report was at 46,400 miles, from 200 complaints.
Does the 2011 Honda Pilot have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Honda Pilot cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Honda Pilot have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Pilot year is better than the 2011?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2015 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works