2020 Honda Pilot
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 488 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 23 Pilot model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 10 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, frame and membersJun 4, 2026
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
Campaign 26V365000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerMay 21, 2026
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Campaign 26V332000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerFeb 1, 2024
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Campaign 24V064000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, display functionJun 15, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
Campaign 23V431000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, rearview mirrors/devices, exteriorMar 16, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
Campaign 23V174000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresMar 11, 2021
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
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 April 22, 2021. Owners may contact American Honda Motor Co. customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UA2.
Campaign 21V165000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareJul 28, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
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 September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Y7Y.
Campaign 20V440000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraJul 28, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
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 September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.
Campaign 20V439000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 6, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles. The certification label may have been printed with ink that can be wiped away with a solvent, removing the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) information.
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 March 24, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is B6T.
Campaign 20V067000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, bodyOct 31, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Pilot and 2019 Passport vehicles. The front frame left and right side upper members may not have been welded completely to the unibody. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 219, "Windshield Zone Intrusion."
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 November 6 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X6J.
Campaign 19V784000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: forward collision avoidance
85 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 2, 2022
The automatic collision avoidance system continually gives false warnings, shaking the steering wheel and beeping, while flashing a brake warning. This occurs even if there is no other traffic on the road, which could cause an accident by startling the driver when it unexpectedly activates. The automatic brakes are also overly aggressive, which could cause a rear end collision.
Forward collision avoidance, Feb 24, 2022
The automatic emergency braking system will sometimes just start flashing as if there is an object in front of me. There are no objects in front of me and it would flash. There has been 2 occasions where the vehicle would slam on the brakes and then release even though no objects are on the road. This has happened at least 10 times where the warning would flash. Also, the adaptive cruise control would slam on the brakes even though we are following at a safe distance. Of all the times I have used the ACC, the car would slam on the brakes 80% of the time.
Forward collision avoidance, Feb 2, 2022
My Honda often displays the brakes warning and on rear occasion apply brake in response to oncoming traffic on two-lane roads. I already went with onboard camera recalibration at one of the safe glass location but this problem persist on narrow two-lane roads.
Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 4, 2021
My 2020 Honda Pilot has stalled 4 times in the past two weeks after the auto engine idle occurs at a red light. The engine will shut off automatically, but when I lift my foot from the brake, the car engine does not turn back on, and the car shifts into park, and acts as if stalled. In order to get the car to restart, I have to power down completely, open the driver side door(!!!) and “reset” the whole system before I can apply the brake and press the ignition button. Even then a couple of times it doesn’t start for me doing that, and I have to cycle through the entire process a second time. This happened to me with my 3 children in the car twice on very busy (50mph) roads, and is incredibly dangerous. The second major issue I have noticed, but less frequently (about 3-4 times in the past 6 months), is that the auto braking system will randomly alert and apply the brakes while I’m driving down a straight road with no traffic in front of me! Needless to say, terrifying. This thankfully only lasts a few seconds before I regain control of the car, but also incredibly dangerous. I am scheduling service with Honda to evaluate ASAP, but I have read *many* accounts of the exact same problem online and every single person says Honda has never been able to find any cause. Some say replacing the battery helps, others say the stalling issue remains after battery replacement. If we can’t solve this problem, or have the auto engine idle completely and permanently disabled, I will be selling this car very soon. 16,104 miles driven as of today.
Forward collision avoidance, Jun 14, 2021
Vehicle brakes automatically when operating at highway speeds when passing a vehicle that is either moving slowly or stopped in a turn lane waiting to turn left. Occurs when Collision Mitigation System is in both the on and off position and when cruise control is engaged and disengaged. This has occurred approximately twice a month since purchasing new in July of 2020. Vehicle also breaks when encountering an approaching vehicle on the highway while going around a corner when turning to the right. One time the vehicle behind me almost hit me and had to go onto the shoulder to avoid a collision. I reported this to the Honda dealer in the winter months and they said it was likely caused by road salt. It's now June and there is no road salt and problem is still occurring. The orange break indicator when on turning the automatic breaking.
Forward collision avoidance, May 17, 2021
We purchased a 2020 Honda Pilot EXL AWD. The collision mitigation system engages arbitrarily, no vehicles or obstacles in front of me and the system activates. Honda Dealership said they can't find a problem. However, there is a class action lawsuit against Honda, filed in California, for this and other problems with their safety system. Most Recently drove the car on a 560 mile trip, the collision mitigation system warning came on 5 times when there were no cars or obstacles in front of me. Hopefully NHTSA can apply some pressure on Honda to address this issue. It is VERY FRUSTRATING when you have problems with a new vehicle and HONDA will not correct them.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 17, 2021
MY 2020 PILOT HAS SEVERAL ISSUES. 1. THE DASHBOARD AND INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM BLACKOUT. IN SEPT 2020, HONDA REPLACED THE MOST MODULE AND SAID THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, MY INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM AGAIN WENT BLANK (3/6/2021), I HAD NO BACK UP CAMERA OR INFORMATION. THIS FIX OBVIOUSLY DID NOT WORK. I TOOK VIDEO ON MY PHONE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HONDA, THEY WOULD NOT LOOK AT MY VIDEO AND SAID THAT THEY NEEDED TO RECREATE IT (3/26/21). THEY DID NOTHING. I ALSO GOT THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE SEVERAL DAYS LATER (3/12/21), "UNFORTUNATELY, COM.HONDA.TELEPHONYSERVICE HAS STOPPED." I ALSO SHOWED THIS TO THE HONDA SERVICE CENTER, THEY SAID INTERESTING, WE HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT. THEY DID NOT WANT MY PICTURE, AND COULD NOT RECREATE, SO THEY DID NOTHING. THE CRACKLING/POPPING NOISE IS ALSO BACK AFTER IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED, WITH THE HONDA REPAIR. THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THIS EITHER, SO THEY DID NOTHING. 2. I HAVE ISSUES WITH THE FORWARD COLLISION BRAKING, AUTO SENSING. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND WHEN DRIVING ON TWO LANE ROADS, HEAD ON TO THE OTHER TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY BRAKES. WHEN DRIVING OVER TWO LANE BRIDGES, WHICH I DO OFTEN, IT BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES A TRIP TRYING TO GET OVER THE BRIDGE. THIS IS NOT SAFE. ONE TIME I WAS ON 66 IN VA (1/27/21), AT NIGHT, AN 18 WHEELER WAS COMING OFF AN EXIT RAMP, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE. THE VEHICLE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND DROPPED MY SPEED APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH FOR NO REASON. THE 18 WHEELER WAS STILL ON THE EXIT RAMP. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. THE BRAKE SENSING IT TOO SENSITIVE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR THIS, THEY COULD NOT RECREATE AND TOLD ME TO TURN IT OFF. THAT IS NOT AN ANSWER. IF A VEHICLE HAS SAFETY OPTIONS, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE THEM AND NOT BE TOLD TO TURN THEM OFF! THE 2020 PILOT HAS A LOT OF ISSUES THAT ARE NOT BEING FIXED. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 28, 2021
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE DAY 1. IT BEGAN WITH THE SUNROOF LEAKING AND CAUSING PUDDLES IN THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER FLOORS. THAT ISSUE REQUIRED 4 TRIPS TO THE DEALER. THE SPEAKERS THEN BEGAN POPPING AND THE RADIO AND DASH WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. FIXING THAT HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED 5 TIMES AND THE RADIO STILL CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED FALSE CRASH SENSING AND ONCE, THE AUTO BRAKING SYSTEM MADE ME COME TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP WHILE GOING ABOUT 45MPH AND NO ONE WAS EVEN AROUND ME. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND IS NOW BECOMING A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS MY WIFE WHO REGULARLY DRIVES IT IS NOW PREGNANT. SHE IS SCARED TO DRIVE IT AND HONDA IS UNWILLING TO HELP SOLVE THE ISSUES.
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Mar 11, 2021
PILOT WAS PARKED AND WHEN I WENT TO GET IN IT TO LEAVE, I NOTICED THE REAR WINDOW LOOKED WEIRD. WALKED AROUND BACK AND THE BACK GLASS HAD JUST EXPLODED. GLASS WAS BULGING WITH A LARGE MISSING PIECE. IT WAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THRU AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS A BIG PIECE MISSING WHERE A REAR DEFROSTER MODULE WOULD BE LOCATED. THE GLASS WAS STILL CREAKING WHEN I REALIZED THIS HAPPENED. IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY SOMETHING HITTING IT AS THERE WAS NOT GLASS IN THE INSIDE. I THINK IT WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR DEFROST WHICH WAS NOT ON AT THE TIME. GLAD IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING. JUST HAPPENED, BUT IF I KNOW HONDA, THEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES. "NOT OUR FAULT".
Forward collision avoidance, Feb 18, 2021
FALSE COLLISION WARNINGS AND FAILS TO ALERT TO ACTUAL POTENTIAL COLLISIONS. ALERTS AND REACTS TO NON-EXISTENT COLLISIONS CAUSING UNNECESSARY ANXIETY AND REACTIONS BY DRIVER. SPEEDS VARY FROM 35 MPH TO 60+. FAILURE TO REACT WAS ON HIGHWAY AT A SPEED IN EXCESS 55 MPH. OCCURS ON CITY AND HIGHWAY. MULTIPLE INCIDENTS PER MONTH,