Suspension: rear
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.
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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Pilot model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 746 |
| 2004 | 544 |
| 2005 | 679 |
| 2006 | 268 |
| 2007 | 211 |
| 2008 | 133 |
| 2009 | 134 |
| 2010 | 111 |
| 2011 | 293 |
| 2012 | 172 |
| 2013 | 272 |
| 2014 | 116 |
| 2015 | 109 |
| 2016 | 1,725 |
| 2017 | 937 |
| 2018 | 442 |
| 2019 | 927 |
| 2020 | 493 |
| 2021 | 452 |
| 2022 | 172 |
| 2023 | 148 |
| 2024 | 117 |
| 2025 | 216 |
| 2026 | 29 |
“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…”
“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.”
“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.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot FWD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 402 |
| Pilot AWD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,050 | 415 |
| Pilot AWD Touring/Elite/Black Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,050 | 422 |
| Pilot AWD TrailSport Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
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.
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.
The EPA rates the 2026 Honda Pilot at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Honda Pilot 5 out of 5 stars overall.