2021 Honda Pilot: Problems & Reliability
The 2021 Honda Pilot has 454 NHTSA owner complaints, 99 manufacturer service bulletins, and 10 recall campaigns on federal record, led by electrical system and engine issues. Among the 12 Honda Pilot model years with federal records, it ranks 5th by combined complaint and bulletin volume.
Sources: NHTSA complaints (ODI), manufacturer service bulletins, recall campaigns, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Updated 2026-11-05 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
454
NHTSA complaints
99
Service bulletins
10
Recall campaigns
—
Avg. buyer-paid
Most-reported problem areas on the 2021 Honda Pilot
Electrical System — 137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
Engine — 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
Forward Collision Avoidance — 99 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
How the 2021 compares to adjacent years
Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Honda Pilot years to avoid.
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FAQ
Is the 2021 Honda Pilot reliable?
The 2021 Honda Pilot has 454 NHTSA owner complaints, 99 manufacturer service bulletins, and 10 recall campaigns on federal record, led by electrical system and engine issues. Among the 12 Honda Pilot model years with federal records, it ranks 5th by combined complaint and bulletin volume. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Honda Pilot?
The most-reported problem areas for the 2021 Honda Pilot in NHTSA owner complaints are electrical system, engine, forward collision avoidance. Service bulletins (99 on file) show what the manufacturer issued repair guidance for.
Does the 2021 Honda Pilot have recalls?
Yes — 10 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2021 Honda Pilot. Recall completion is VIN-specific: run the exact VIN to see whether the work was actually done on the car you're considering.
Is the 2021 Honda Pilot a good year to buy?
The 2021 sits mid-pack among Honda Pilot model years on the federal record; the 2024 and 2015 years have the cleanest records. Judge the specific car: run the VIN and get an inspection.
How do I check a specific 2021 Honda Pilot before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.