Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2026 Honda PilotRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 29 owner complaints for the 2026 Honda Pilot. Most complaints involve steering (15) and seat belts (5). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jul 2026
Owner complaints
29
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.

SuspensionReported Jul 2, 2026NHTSA 26V424000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

29 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2026 – Oct 2026
  1. Steering15
  2. Seat belts5
  3. Air bags3
  4. Power train3
  5. Electrical system2
  6. Engine2
  7. Suspension2
  8. Forward collision avoidance1
  9. Lane departure1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Pilot model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003746
2004544
2005679
2006268
2007211
2008133
2009134
2010111
2011293
2012172
2013272
2014116
2015109
20161,725
2017937
2018442
2019927
2020493
2021452
2022172
2023148
2024117
2025216
202629
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

15 reports
“The vehicle has a critical, severe multi-system factory safety defect involving structural steering/alignment and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) software. 1. STRUCTURAL DEFECT: From the time of delivery, the vehicle had out-of-specification factory alignment causing extreme handling instability, violent chassis/brake vibrations under acceleration/braking, and severe, premature tire rubber scrubbing/burning. Hayward Honda documented factory alignment failure on July 9, 2026, at 1,615 miles. AutoNation Honda Fremont documented severe vehicle pulling and drifting on September 4, 2026, at 2,533 miles. 2. LIFE-THREATENING ADAS SOFTWARE CRASH: The Honda Sensing Suite, specifically Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), intermittently malfunctions, short-circuits, and drops connection. On a high-speed bridge en route to San Francisco Airport, while traveling with my teenage son, the automated steering suddenly and violently jerked completely out of the lane to the left, attempting to collide with an adjacent vehicle. A fatal crash was avoided solely by instantaneous manual driver physical intervention to overpower the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11772821

Seat belts

5 reports
“Seatbelt warning chimes sound multiple times in error after passengers previously buckled in the rear exit the vehicle. This is very alarming to the driver when resuming driving after a passenger dropoff for passengers riding in the back.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2026Seat beltsODI 11774819

Air bags

3 reports
“When turning steering there is a clicking noise almost like a spring clicking on a gear. It is sound like it is coming from under the middle part where the airbag sits. Not sure if it is the airbag mechanism that it is the attached to the steering or a faulty clock spring.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2026Steering, Air bagsODI 11764493
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S10)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Pilot FWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900402
Pilot AWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050415
Pilot AWD Touring/Elite/Black
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050422
Pilot AWD TrailSport
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
182320$3,200444
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
HONDA PILOT SUV N/A AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.3%
Overall
5 / 5
HONDA PILOT SUV N/A FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 22067Vehicle 22066
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2026 Pilot questions

How many recalls does the 2026 Honda Pilot have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2026 Honda Pilot problems?

Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (15), seat belts (5), air bags (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 Honda Pilot get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Honda Pilot at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2026 Honda Pilot?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Honda Pilot 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026