The largest SUV from Honda to date, the Pilot, has been a steady seller of the brand too, despite its bland and minivan-ish design. The 2020 Honda Pilot remains unchanged and has faced a total of 158 complaints along with 5 recalls to date. The infotainment system of the latest model has seen the highest number of complaints while issues related to the powertrain and safety systems make up the rest of the total complaints lodged. The base LX trim of the 2020 Pilot starts at $32,645, making it a competitive price tag in the fiercely competitive segment. The SUV goes head-to-head against some prominent rivals such as the Ford Explorer, the Subaru Ascent, and the Toyota Highlander.
Honda Pilot user complaints and problems
Electrical problems
- Infotainment system malfunction with crackling and popping sounds: Thousands of 2020 Honda Pilot owners were affected by the infotainment system malfunction issue and there has been negligence from the brand regarding the same. The major problems faced by the owners were that the infotainment system started to make loud popping and electrical crackling sounds through the speakers. The incidents would occur suddenly while driving, distracting the driver. In several cases, the infotainment system would malfunction and would reboot in a continuous loop, disabling the advanced driver-assist systems as well.
Safety problems
- Brake failure: Several owners faced issues with the brakes of their 2020 Honda Pilot SUVs. The reports mention that while driving and braking, the brake pedal of the affected vehicles went to the floor with reduced braking power, and the brake warning sign illuminated the instrument cluster. On a few occasions, the brakes completely failed to engage with the pedal floored, resulting in a crash.
- Forwarded collision mitigation system malfunction: A handful of owners complained about the forward collision mitigation system of their vehicles malfunctioning. The owners said in their reports that while driving, the system would activate randomly by slamming the brakes even at highway speeds, risking the safety of the occupants.
2020 Honda Pilot recalls
|
S.No. |
Recall Date |
NHTSA Campaign ID |
Issues noticed |
Additional remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
October 31, 2019 |
19V784000 |
Incomplete Body Welding |
In the event of a crash, incomplete body welding may provide inadequate protection to occupants, increasing the risk of an injury. |
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 on November 6, 2019. |
|
2 |
February 6, 2020 |
20V067000 |
Certification Label Ink Can be Wiped Away |
If the operator is unable to refer to the label information, the vehicle may be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash. |
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2020. |
|
3 |
July 28, 2020 |
20V440000 |
Delayed or Inoperative Rearview Camera/FMVSS 111 |
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. |
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 on September 23, 2020. |
|
4 |
July 28, 2020 |
20V439000 |
Instrument Panel Software Incorrect/FMVSS 101/111 |
Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash. |
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2020. |
|
5 |
March 11, 2021 |
21V165000 |
Tire Failure may Cause Sudden Air Loss |
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. |
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2021. |
Should you buy a used Honda Pilot?
The Honda Pilot enjoys a steady customer base due to its impressive safety scores, spacious and practical cabin, comfy ride, and great resale value. Yes, the crossover did face some niggles and issues in the recent past and the latest infotainment system issues have been troublesome for plenty of owners as well. A used example of the Pilot makes great sense in general and you’d require to pay that extra attention while inspecting the vehicle from a trusted dealer.
