Car Yearsto Avoid

2020 Honda Pilot Problems

What owners have reported about the 2020 Honda Pilot, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2020 Honda Pilot a good year?

It's one of the worst years for the Pilot. Owners have filed 492 complaints with NHTSA, the 4th most of 18 Pilot model years. The most reported problems involve the electrical system, engine and emergency braking system.

492 complaints 11 recalls, 4 crash risk 4th worst of 18 Pilot years

Top 2020 Honda Pilot problems

1

Electrical problems

214 complaints (44%) name the electrical system, most often the instrument cluster / panel and rear compartment / trunk.

Complaints 214 · Usually at 1,000–6,000 miles · Recall 20V440000, 20V439000

2

Engine problems

104 complaints (21%) name the engine, most often the catalytic convertor.

Complaints 104 · Usually at 6,000–76,000 miles

3

Emergency braking problems

89 complaints (18%) name the emergency braking system, most often the automatic emergency braking and warnings.

Complaints 89 · Usually at 3,000–50,000 miles

4

Fuel system problems

54 complaints (11%) name the fuel system, most often the fuel pump and fuel injection system.

Complaints 54 · Usually at 36,000–76,000 miles · Recall 23V858000

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Engine 21%
Unknown or Other 19%
Emergency Braking 18%
Fuel System 11%
Lane Assist 9%
Transmission 7%
Brakes 5%
Acceleration 3%
Backup Camera 2%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (142 of 492). The amber line is the middle value, about 5,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2020 Honda Pilot recalls

Rear, Frame and members

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.

Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT.

Recall 26V365000 · Jun 2026

Front passenger

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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK.

Recall 26V332000 · May 2026

Passenger seat sensor may fail to suppress airbag

Injury risk

The front passenger seat weight sensor can crack and short circuit, so the airbag may not turn off when it should. An airbag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: The dealer will replace the seat weight sensors free of charge, and this recall is being carried out in phases.

Recall 24V064000 · Feb 2024

Fuel pump

Can stall

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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD.

Recall 23V858000 · Dec 2023

Rearview camera image may not appear

Crash risk

A faulty cable connector can keep the rearview camera image from showing on the display, so the vehicle does not meet federal rear visibility rules. Without the camera view, the driver can't see behind the vehicle well, which raises the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: The dealer will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the cable connector at no charge.

Recall 23V431000 · Jun 2023

Side mirror glass may detach

Crash risk

The heating pads behind both side mirrors may not be bonded properly, so the mirror glass can come loose. Losing that glass cuts your view behind and beside the car, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: Your dealer will replace both side-view mirrors at no cost to you.

Recall 23V174000 · Mar 2023

Overcured tires can fail suddenly

Crash risk

Some tires were baked in production for too long, which can weaken the sidewall or cause the belts to separate. This can cause sudden air loss or tread loss, leading to a loss of vehicle control and a higher risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: The dealer will inspect all four tires and replace any that need it, free of charge.

Recall 21V165000 · Mar 2021

Camera, Software

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.

Fix: Honda will notify owners that updated software is available.

Recall 20V440000 · Jul 2020

Instrument panel software can hide critical gauges

Crash risk

Incorrect software in the instrument panel control module can blank out key information such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear position until the next ignition cycle, and it can stop the rearview camera image from appearing. Driving without these displays raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will reprogram the instrument panel control module software at no charge.

Recall 20V439000 · Jul 2020

Labels

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.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the certification label, free of charge.

Recall 20V067000 · Feb 2020

Body

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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V784000 · Oct 2019
Check your VIN for open recalls

Get an email when your 2020 Honda Pilot gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2020 Honda Pilot, you'll hear about it the same week.

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Pilot years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

2020 Honda Pilot problems by system

Common questions

Is the 2020 Honda Pilot a reliable year?

It's one of the worst years for the Pilot. Owners have filed 492 complaints with NHTSA, the 4th most of 18 Pilot model years. The most reported problems involve the electrical system, engine and emergency braking system.

What are the most common 2020 Honda Pilot problems?

Owners most often report problems with the electrical system, engine, emergency braking system and fuel system. 214 complaints (44%) name the electrical system, most often the instrument cluster / panel and rear compartment / trunk.

At what mileage do 2020 Honda Pilot electrical system problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 1,000–6,000 miles, with a middle value near 2,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2020 Honda Pilot have?

11. Rear, Frame and members (26V365000); Front passenger (26V332000); Passenger seat sensor may fail to suppress airbag (24V064000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2020 Honda Pilot?

Ask for service records covering the electrical system, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2015, 2010 and 2024 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.