2020 Honda Pilot
Common Problems
Ranked from 237 federal NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
40 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Infotainment System Malfunction
39complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe infotainment system frequently malfunctions, causing the screen to go black, pop, or freeze, and affecting other connected devices.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V440000
- 2
Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunction
38complaintsHigh severityOtherThe forward collision avoidance system frequently triggers false alarms, causing the steering wheel to shake and the car to brake unexpectedly.
Related recall: 20V067000
- 3
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
27complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine unexpectedly stalls while idling due to the stop-start system failing to restart the engine properly.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Electrical System Failure Causing Dashboard and Infotainment Blackouts
23complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe infotainment system and dashboard frequently black out, causing loss of critical vehicle information and entertainment.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V440000
- 5
Electrical System Causing Audio and Display Issues
22complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe electrical system causes intermittent audio issues and display malfunctions, including blackouts and random reboots.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V440000
- 6
Infotainment System Crashing and Display Issues
21complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe infotainment system frequently crashes, causing the entire dashboard display to go black or reboot, affecting speedometer and other critical information.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V440000
- 7
Auto Engine Idle Stop System Failure
20complaintsHigh severityEngineThe auto engine idle stop system repeatedly fails to restart the engine after stopping at a traffic light.
- 8
Engine Stalling During Idle
20complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine frequently stalls during idle mode, especially when using the auto start-stop feature, leading to potential safety concerns.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Speakers Making Persistent Popping and Cracking Sounds
20complaintsMedium severityElectricalSpeakers produce persistent popping and cracking sounds, even when the audio system is off, leading to intermittent loss of audio and navigation functions.
Related recall: 20V440000
- 10
Vehicle Speed Control and Dashboard Malfunctions
20complaintsHigh severityElectricalSpeedometer and other dashboard displays intermittently go blank or reboot, causing loss of critical driving information and potential safety issues.
Related recall: 20V440000
- 11
Infotainment System Malfunctions
9complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe infotainment system frequently malfunctions, leading to the loss of audio, navigation, and other functions during operation.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V440000
- 12
Lane Departure Warning System Malfunctions
9complaintsMedium severityOtherThe lane departure warning system frequently malfunctions, leading to the activation of multiple warning lights and the disabling of safety features.
Related recall: 20V067000
- 13
Transmission Issues Causing Gear Shifting Problems
9complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission produces grinding or rumbling sounds during cruising and shifting, leading to lurching and difficulty in gear changes.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Auto-Idle System Failure
8complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe auto-idle system intermittently fails to restart the engine after stopping at a red light, leaving the vehicle dead in traffic.
Related recall: 20V440000
- 15
Auto Start/Stop System Failure
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe auto start/stop system intermittently fails to restart the engine after stopping, causing the vehicle to stall.
- 16
Electrical System Crackle and Reboot Issues
7complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe infotainment system and other electrical components intermittently shut down, reboot, or produce crackling noises.
Related recall: 20V440000
- 17
Fuel Pump Failure
7complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe fuel pump intermittently fails, causing the vehicle to stall or lose power.
$500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V858000
- 18
Transmission Issues
7complaintsHigh severityTransmissionTransmission shudders and fails to shift smoothly, leading to jerking and stalling, especially at lower speeds.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Battery Drain and Shutdown Issues
6complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe vehicle's battery drains rapidly, causing the engine to shut down and fail to restart.
$150–$700est. parasitic-drain diagnosis + battery · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V440000
- 20
Brake Malfunction Causing Intermittent Stalling
6complaintsMedium severityBrakesThe brake system intermittently malfunctions, causing the vehicle to stall while driving, especially when applying brakes.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Stop-Start System Malfunction
6complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe stop-start system causes the vehicle to unexpectedly shut off or fail to restart.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V440000
- 22
Electrical System Malfunction
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalVarious electrical system components, including the audio system and sensors, malfunction or fail to operate correctly.
Related recall: 20V440000
- 23
Forward Collision Avoidance System False Positives
5complaintsMedium severityOtherThe forward collision avoidance system falsely activates the emergency braking system in the absence of any oncoming traffic.
Related recall: 20V067000
- 24
Lane Departure and Forward Collision Avoidance System Failure
5complaintsHigh severityElectricalLane departure and forward collision avoidance systems intermittently fail, disabling critical safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.
Related recall: 20V440000
- 25
Infotainment System Unresponsiveness
4complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe infotainment system frequently freezes, goes blank, or produces crackling noises, rendering it unusable.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V440000
- 26
Rear View Camera Malfunction
4complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe rear view camera intermittently fails to operate correctly, leading to impaired visibility and potential safety risks.
$250–$800est. backup camera replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V440000
- 27
Brake System Malfunction
3complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake system occasionally malfunctions, causing phantom braking or loss of control under clear conditions.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 28
Brake System Malfunctioning with False Collision Alerts
3complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe collision mitigation system frequently triggers false alerts, causing sudden brake application without any hazard present, potentially leading to accidents.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 29
Brake Warning Light Malfunction
3complaintsMedium severityOtherThe brake warning light erroneously illuminates in situations where no brake application is needed.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V067000
- 30
Crackling Audio System
3complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe audio system produces crackling and popping noises, potentially distracting the driver and affecting the functionality of safety features.
Related recall: 20V440000
- 31
Engine Stalling During Long Drives
3complaintsLow severityEngineThe engine stalls during long drives and fails to restart, requiring jump-starts.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 32
Automatic Emergency Braking System Overreaction
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe automatic emergency braking system reacts excessively, applying the brakes without any oncoming traffic.
Related recall: 20V067000
- 33
Engine Failure During Driving
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine unexpectedly stalls during driving, creating a dangerous situation for the occupants and other drivers.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 34
Engine Knocking and Sputtering
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine develops a knocking sound and sputters, leading to a rough ride and potential engine failure.
- 35
Fuel System Malfunction Leading to Loss of Power
2complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe vehicle loses motive power and requires a long period to restart after stalling, nearly resulting in accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V858000
- 37
Seat Belt Malfunction
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe driver’s side seat belt fails to lock securely, posing a potential safety hazard during sudden stops or accidents.
Related recall: 20V067000
- 38
Sunroof Explosion
2complaintsHigh severityOtherThe sunroof explodes without warning, posing a significant risk of injury or accident due to flying glass shards.
Related recall: 20V067000
- 39
Transmission Juddering and Difficulty Shifting
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences juddering and difficulty shifting gears, especially on inclines, requiring frequent maintenance.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 40
Transmission Stalling During Downshifts
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences stalling during downshifts, especially on icy or slippery surfaces, increasing the risk of loss of control.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.