Last updated: 2026-04-20

2026 Honda Pilot
RELIABILITY SCORE: 81/100 (EXCELLENT)

2026 Honda Pilot Reliability Report

The 2026 Honda Pilot scores 81/100 ("Excellent") with a complaint rate below the segment average. Data shows a dependable ownership experience across 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

Recalls

0

Complaints

0

Complaint Rate

0per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$542

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,700–$3,000

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity70/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity100/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.

Generation & Refresh (US)

Refresh Year

2026 received a 2026 model year facelift update for the Fourth generation (YG1/2; 2023).

  • Changes: Redesigned front fascia; Updated interior technology.
  • Year 4 in this generation (2023–present).
  • 4th generation Pilot (US).

What this means for buyers

Refresh years bring updates but can also introduce new issues. Check early recall data before buying.

2023: Fourth generation (YG1/2; 2023) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2026: This Model Year (Refresh)

2026 received a 2026 model year facelift update for the Fourth generation (YG1/2; 2023).

Should You Buy the 2026 Honda Pilot?

The 2026 Honda Pilot earns an Excellent 81/100 reliability score. 2026 received a 2026 model year facelift update for the Fourth generation (YG1/2; 2023).

At 0 per 10,000 vehicles sold, its complaint rate sits below the SUV segment average, and most owners report a trouble-free ownership experience.

A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, new or used.

See also the 2025 Honda Pilot for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • +Strong reliability score
  • +$31 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize SUVs
  • +Low major repair risk (13%)
  • +No recalls issued
  • +Below-average complaint rate for SUV

Cons

No recurring complaint themes yet.

Compare 2026 Honda Pilot With

Recall Overview

0

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2026 Honda Pilot — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

0

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 4.6

LowAvgHigh
Very Low

Safety Incidents

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2026 Honda Pilot? Check its history first

Every 2026 Honda Pilot has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2026 Honda Pilot NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 4/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 15.5%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, 3rd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, 3rd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row, 3rd row)Driver Monitoring System (No)Automatic High Beams (Standard)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Honda PilotRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$542

vs $573 avg for midsize SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.5

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

13%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Pilot
$542
Category Avg
$573
All Vehicles
$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

Honda Pilot Resale Value

The Honda Pilot is estimated to retain about 66.1% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.

This benchmark covers the Honda Pilot model overall and is not specific to the 2026 model year.

Value Retained
66.1%

after 5 years

Depreciation
33.9%

over the same period

Listings Analyzed
720

U.S. used-car listings

Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.

Explore Honda Pilot depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

20–22 MPG

Running cost: $3,250–$3,550/yr

Fuel + repair

18–19 city / 23–27 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
Pilot FWD 3.5L 6-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S10)192722$2,700
Pilot AWD 3.5L 6-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S10)192521$2,850
Pilot AWD Touring/Elite/Black 3.5L 6-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S10)192521$2,850
Pilot AWD TrailSport 3.5L 6-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S10)182320$3,000

Best & Worst Honda Pilot Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Honda Pilot Years to Buy

The best Honda Pilot year is 2026 with a reliability score of 81/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2024 (72/100) and 2023 (72/100).

Top Pick
81
Excellent

2026

(Current Model)

0Recalls
0Complaints
72
Good

2024

6Recalls
82Complaints
72
Good

2023

5Recalls
93Complaints

Honda Pilot Years to Avoid

The worst Honda Pilot year is 2019 with a score of 56/100, primarily due to electrical system (223) issues.

Honda Pilot Reliability Score Trend

Honda Pilot reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 74/100 compared to 61/100 for older years.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Honda Pilot reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201863/100Good
201956/100Mixed
202060/100Good
202163/100Good
202272/100Good
202372/100Good
202472/100Good
202571/100Good
202681/100Excellent

Honda Pilot Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
2026(selected)81/100+10Excellent00
202571/100-1Good4111
202472/1000Good682
202372/1000Good593
202272/100+9Good3105
202163/100+3Good8358
202060/100+4Good9431
201956/100-7Mixed11794
201863/100Good5408

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Honda Pilot reliable?
Yes, the 2026 Honda Pilot is considered highly reliable with a score of 81/100 ("Excellent"). It has 0 recalls and a complaint rate below the segment average, placing it among the more dependable vehicles in its class.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 Honda Pilot?
There aren't enough owner complaints to establish common problem patterns yet for the 2026 Honda Pilot. This may reflect limited time-on-road or reporting volume for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2026 Honda Pilot have?
The 2026 Honda Pilot has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.
Is the 2026 Honda Pilot expensive to maintain?
The 2026 Honda Pilot is expected to have below-average maintenance costs at $542/year, which is $31 less than the midsize SUVs average of $573. Its high reliability score of 81/100 and complaint rate below the segment average suggest that unexpected repairs are uncommon.

Don’t buy a 2026 Honda Pilot without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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