2021 Honda Pilot: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Honda Pilot: 10 recalls, 439 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
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Recalls
10 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Backup camera, Electrical Vehicle recall #20V440000 · 2020 · 499,344 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Backup camera, Electrical Vehicle recall #20V439000 · 2020 · 607,786 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020.
Tires Vehicle recall #20V725000 · 2020 · 214 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #23V174000 · 2023 · 339,404 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #23V431000 · 2023 · 1,209,673 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #23V458000 · 2023 · 124,077 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #23V858000 · 2023 · 2,490,460 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024.
Airbags Vehicle recall #24V064000 · 2024 · 750,114 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall.
Airbags Vehicle recall #26V332000 · 2026 · 98,892 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura tlx, 2019-2024 rdx, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 mdx, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda ridgeline, 2017-2022 pilot, 2019-2021 passport, 2018-2026 odyssey, 2019-2022 insight, 2019-2021 hr-v, 2018-2020 fit, 2020-2022 cr-v hybrid, 2017-2022 cr-v, 2017-2018, 2021 civic type r, 2017-2021 civic hatchback, 2016-2020 civic coupe, 2016-2022 civic, 2017-2022 accord…
Why it matters: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026.
Suspension, Body & structure Vehicle recall #26V365000 · 2026 · 880,514 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear subframe May corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Why it matters: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (130): the most common themes are electrical failure (47), stalls / loses power (38), warning light on (26).
- Engine (107): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (47), electrical failure (35), warning light on (23).
- Forward collision avoidance (98): the most common themes are warning light on (16), electrical failure (10).
- Other / unknown (82): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (21), electrical failure (17).
The 2021 Honda Pilot has 439 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 24 Pilot model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 389). Complaints peaked in 2025 (128 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 32,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (492 complaints, 11 recalls), 2022 (163 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S9) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S9) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Honda Pilot.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Honda Pilot have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Honda Pilot. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Honda Pilot problems?
Owners have filed 439 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (130), engine (107), forward collision avoidance (98).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Honda Pilot get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (S9)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Honda Pilot repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.