The most-reported Pilot run is 5FNYF6H97GB (2016 builds) with 43 complaints, 11× the typical run. Engine problems make up 26% of reports; 2016 is the worst model year at 9 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 64 recall campaigns for Pilot model years 2003–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Honda Pilot has 2,227 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Pilot complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5FNYF6H97GB•••••• | 2016 | 1 | — | |
| 5FNYF6H94GB•••••• | 2016 | 1 | 1 | |
| 5FNYF6H08GB•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| 5FNYF6H07GB•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| 5FNYF6H9XGB•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| 5FNYF6H00HB•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 5FNYF6H92HB•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 5FNYF6H53GB•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| 5FNYF6H90GB•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| 5FNYF6H51GB•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| 5FNYF6H91GB•••••• | 2016 | 2 | — | |
| 2HKYF18573H•••••• | 2003 | 6 | — |
Each of the other 2,215 Pilot runs has 31 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 466 Pilot VINs so far, most often 2026, 2025, 2016 builds; 5 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Honda Pilot the gap between build years is 6.4×: a 2016 car draws 9 complaints per run, a 2010 one 1.4.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 9 | — | |
| 2025 | 206 | 75 | 11 | |
| 2024 | 116 | 58 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 146 | 59 | 3 | |
| 2022 | 163 | 87 | 6 | |
| 2021 | 440 | 125 | 14 | |
| 2020 | 489 | 120 | 10 | |
| 2019 | 904 | 130 | 13 | |
| 2018 | 432 | 108 | 9 | |
| 2017 | 914 | 144 | 9 | |
| 2016 | 1681 | 187 | 22 | |
| 2015 | 104 | 70 | 7 | |
| 2014 | 102 | 70 | 7 | |
| 2013 | 241 | 97 | 11 | |
| 2012 | 152 | 84 | 15 | |
| 2011 | 255 | 115 | 24 | |
| 2010 | 98 | 69 | 9 | |
| 2009 | 109 | 75 | 6 | |
| 2008 | 122 | 73 | 11 | |
| 2007 | 177 | 107 | 8 |
Heaviest year here is 2016 at 9 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1.1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 26% of everything Honda Pilot owners report: Engine, 2,291 of 8,694 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18 | 38 | |
| Electrical System | 28 | 38 | |
| Power Train | 27 | 6 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 20 | 10 | |
| Air Bags | 117 | 4 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 16 | 7 | |
| Service Brakes | 72 | 3 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 16 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 64 recall campaigns on the Honda Pilot; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2022. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 18V268000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2012 |
| 26V365000 | Structure:frame And Members | 2016–2022 |
| 23V858000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2015–2021 |
| 19V378000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2009–2015 |
| 19V502000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2009–2015 |
| 26V332000 | Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger | 2017–2022 |
18V268000 was opened in 2018 on cars built from 2003: 15 years on the road before the recall.
The Pilot against its rivals
The Pilot draws 3.9 complaints per production run; the Hyundai Santa Fe 3.4, the Volkswagen Atlas 2.5 and the Acura MDX 2.7. That is the highest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Pilot | 8,694 | 2,227 | 3.6% | |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 7,010 | 2,088 | 4.6% | |
| Volkswagen Atlas | 1,961 | 788 | 1.8% | |
| Acura MDX | 3,013 | 1,116 | 4.2% |
How serious were they
Of the 8,694 reports on the Honda Pilot, 3.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Honda Pilot | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 8,694 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 311 (3.6%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 93 (1.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 440 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 104 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 38% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Honda Pilot share of that is 8,694 complaints over 2,227 runs, 0.78% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Honda Pilot VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 8,694 NHTSA complaints from 2,227 Pilot runs and 64 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Pilot production run has the most complaints?
5FNYF6H97GB, a 2016 build, with 43 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Pilot run has 3.9.
Which Pilot years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2016 is heaviest at 9 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.1.
Does the Pilot get more complaints than the Hyundai Santa Fe?
Yes: 3.9 complaints per production run for the Pilot against 3.4 for the Hyundai Santa Fe.
How many Pilot complaints involve a crash?
3.6% of 8,694 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 93 involved a fire.
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