High Risk / Avoid NHTSA Record ID #2020-honda-pilot

2020 Honda Pilot Problems & Recalls

Comprehensive defect analysis based on official US Federal safety databases.

← Compare All Pilot Years
Defect Risk Score
100 / 100
Year to Avoid
Owner Complaints
493
Filed with NHTSA
Safety Recalls
11
Free Dealer Fixes
Incidents Reported
15
10 Crashes • 5 Fires
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2020 Honda Pilot Top Failure Categories

Distribution of driver complaints across vehicle components according to federal taxonomy.

Electrical System 41%
202 reported failures
Driver Assist & Tech 11.4%
56 reported failures
Engine & Cooling 10.3%
51 reported failures
Unknown Or Other 9.7%
48 reported failures
Powertrain & Transmission 6.5%
32 reported failures
Fuel System 4.5%
22 reported failures
🚨 Official Federal Campaigns

Official Safety Recalls for 2020 Honda Pilot (11)

Dealer Repairs are 100% Free
NHTSA Campaign #20V439000 Component: Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Defect Summary: 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 such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Safety Hazard: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.

NHTSA Campaign #20V440000 Component: Electrical System

Defect Summary: 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."

Safety Hazard: 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.

Free Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Y7Y.

NHTSA Campaign #20V067000 Component: Equipment:Other:Labels

Defect Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles. The certification label may have been printed with ink that can be wiped away with a solvent, removing the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) information.

Safety Hazard: If the operator is unable to refer to the label information, the vehicle may be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is B6T.

NHTSA Campaign #21V165000 Component: Wheels & Tires

Defect Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Safety Hazard: Overcured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation, which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Free Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2021. Owners may contact American Honda Motor Co. customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UA2.

NHTSA Campaign #19V784000 Component: Body & Structure

Defect Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Pilot and 2019 Passport vehicles. The front frame left and right side upper members may not have been welded completely to the unibody. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 219, "Windshield Zone Intrusion."

Safety Hazard: In the event of a crash, incomplete body welding may provide inadequate protection to occupants, increasing the risk of an injury.

Free Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing welds, free of charge. If the vehicle is identified as missing welds, the dealer will offer to repurchase the vehicle or provide a similar replacement vehicle. Owner notification began November 6 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X6J.

NHTSA Campaign #23V174000 Component: Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior

Defect Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. 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."

Safety Hazard: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.

NHTSA Campaign #23V431000 Component: Back Over Prevention:Display Function

Defect Summary: 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."

Safety Hazard: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Free Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.

NHTSA Campaign #23V858000 Component: Fuel System

Defect Summary: 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.

Safety Hazard: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

NHTSA Campaign #24V064000 Component: Airbags & Restraints

Defect Summary: 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 suppress the air bag as intended.

Safety Hazard: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Free Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

NHTSA Campaign #26V332000 Component: Airbags & Restraints

Defect Summary: 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 Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Safety Hazard: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Free Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

NHTSA Campaign #26V365000 Component: Body & Structure

Defect Summary: American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

Safety Hazard: 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.

Free Remedy: 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 remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.

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🗣️ Real Driver Reports

Verified NHTSA Owner Complaints

Excerpts of actual incident reports submitted to the federal Office of Defects Investigation (ODI).

ODI #11774329 • Driver Assist & Tech 10/28/2026

"The front facing camera failed. Cruise control doesn’t work. Emergency braking doesn’t work. Lane departure warnings and lane keeping assistance doesn’t work. Forward collision warning doesn’t work. The forward facing camera failure was confirmed by an independent mechanic. Warning lights in the driver’s display show that the safety features are no..."

ODI #11769729 • Driver Assist & Tech 10/07/2026

"On October 7, 2026, at approximately 131,425 miles, my 2020 Honda Pilot Elite suddenly displayed multiple Honda Sensing safety-system failures simultaneously without prior warning. The vehicle displayed Adaptive Cruise Control Problem, Lane Keeping Assist Problem, Collision Mitigation System Problem, Road Departure Mitigation System Problem, and Au..."

ODI #11769429 • Electrical System 10/06/2026

"Honda Pilot 2020 sensing multipurpose camera failure. DTC U3000-49"

ODI #11768803 • Driver Assist & Tech 10/04/2026

"When driving in normal conditions on a 2 lane road and passing oncoming vehicles the ‘auto emergency brake’ will flash on screen and briefly slow/attempt to apply brakes. Very intermittent, no consistency with other conditions such as weather, traffic flow or driving conditions. Concern - safe driving conditions are interrupted causing driver dis..."

ODI #11767715 • Electrical System 09/29/2026

"My front sensor camera has malfunctioned which is causing numerous failing safety systems such as lkas, adaptive cruise control and automated braking."