The Lemon Index2025 Honda Pilot.
The 2025 Honda Pilot is so far one of the worst years by owner complaints: 210 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 265, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about automatic emergency braking, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 20 to 22 mpg combined. The best Honda Pilot year is 2010.
Early read
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 210 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda Pilot year. 2025 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 2K to 17K miles on the car (24 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 4
- brakes 2025
The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position.
- seat belts 2025
The third-row passenger seat belt assembly may not function, due to incorrect routing that traps the seat belt behind the passenger side panel.
- fuel system, gasoline 2025
A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
Show all 4 recalls
- fuel system, gasoline 2024
The fuel filler neck tube and fuel filler pipe may separate, allowing fuel to leak.
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 35 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Warning message when a malfunction
- Service Bulletin - When initiating a remote engine start command using the HondaLink…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenNo restart after auto start/stop engages2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda PILOT SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Honda PILOT SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Random misfires in engine cylinders, excessive jerking
2025 Honda Pilot owner · NHTSA complaint 11662969
More owner reports
Uncommanded braking at approximately 35 mph. 7-8 instances. All on same 1mile stretch of road.
NHTSA complaint 11684122
my vehicle since the first week verhicle stops for no reason comes into a sudden dangerous stop the vehicle in the highway turn off and vehicle take off on its own 0 to 40 miles on its own
NHTSA complaint 11756979
Quick answers
Is the 2025 Honda Pilot reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 2.6× the average car's complaints per car sold, against other 2025 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 265; 100 is average). The best Honda Pilot year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2025 Honda Pilot problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (36%), electrical (21%) and steering (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2025 Honda Pilot have?
4 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2025 Honda Pilot get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2025 Honda Pilot safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 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 2025 Honda Pilot problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,800 and 17,900 miles. The middle report was at 8,200 miles, from 24 complaints.
Does the 2025 Honda Pilot have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2025 Honda Pilot cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2025 Honda Pilot have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Pilot year is better than the 2025?
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