Last updated: 2026-04-20

RELIABILITY SCORE: 72/100 (GOOD)

2026 Honda Pilot Reliability Report

Name: 2026 Honda Pilot
Brand: Honda

The 2026 Honda Pilot has a predicted reliability score of 72/100 based on prior model year data. Early data shows 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

0per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$542

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,700–$3,000

The Verdict

Consider

Based on historical reliability patterns, predicted to score 72/100 — worth considering.

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 has a predicted reliability score of 72/100 ("Good") based on prior model year performance. This prediction is based on Fourth generation (YG1/2; 2023) reliability data.

So far: 0 recalls, 0 owner complaints. No owner-reported issues on file yet.

Prior model years suggest dependable ownership. Confirm all recall repairs are completed, and consider a pre-purchase inspection for used examples.

See also the 2025 Honda Pilot for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable predicted reliability based on prior model years
+$31 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize SUVs
+Low major repair risk (13%)
+No recalls issued

Cons

−Score is a prediction — real-world data still developing

Compare 2026 Honda Pilot With

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

Predicted: 75/100

Predicted

2026 Mazda CX-90

Predicted: 51/100

Predicted

2026 Volkswagen Atlas

Predicted: 59/100

Predicted

2026 Toyota Highlander

Predicted: 72/100

Predicted

2026 Nissan Pathfinder

Predicted: 75/100

Predicted

Recall Overview

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

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 4.6

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

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.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2026 Honda Pilot NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

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

3.5

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.

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

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Pilot FWD 3.5L 6-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	19	27	22	$2,700
Pilot AWD 3.5L 6-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	19	25	21	$2,850
Pilot AWD Touring/Elite/Black 3.5L 6-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	19	25	21	$2,850
Pilot AWD TrailSport 3.5L 6-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	18	23	20	$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

Based on reliability index score

The best Honda Pilot year is 2024 with a reliability score of 72/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2023 (72/100) and 2022 (72/100).

Top Pick

Good

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.

Mixed

2019

11Recalls

794Complaints

See full Honda Pilot years-to-avoid analysis

Honda Pilot Reliability Score Trend

Honda Pilot reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 72/100 compared to 61/100 for older years.

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

Honda Pilot reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	63/100	Good
2019	56/100	Mixed
2020	60/100	Good
2021	63/100	Good
2022	72/100	Good
2023	72/100	Good
2024	72/100	Good
2025	71/100	Good

Honda Pilot Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	72/100 (predicted)	—	Predicted	0	0
2025	71/100	-1	Good	4	111
2024	72/100	0	Good	6	82
2023	72/100	0	Good	5	93
2022	72/100	+9	Good	3	105
2021	63/100	+3	Good	8	358
2020	60/100	+4	Good	9	431
2019	56/100	-7	Mixed	11	794
2018	63/100	—	Good	5	408

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Honda Pilot reliable?

The 2026 Honda Pilot has a predicted reliability score of 72/100 ("Good") based on prior model year data. So far there are 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file. This is a prediction — the actual score will be available once more real-world data accumulates.

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. Based on prior model years, review known issues from previous years to understand potential problem areas.

How many recalls does the 2026 Honda Pilot have?

The 2026 Honda Pilot has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.

How is the predicted score calculated?

The predicted score of 72/100 is calculated by averaging reliability scores from prior model years of the same generation. When generation data is unavailable, the average of the most recent model years is used. The prediction updates automatically as new data becomes available.

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

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.

Repair Costs

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

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.

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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