Honda Pilot
22 model years from 2005 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2005–2026
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Latest engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Best MPG
- 17–23 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2025)
- Recalls
- 54 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2016 (1,720)
- Fewest problems
- 2015
- Interest
- 11,561 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 Pilot in brief
The 2026 Honda Pilot is a small SUV offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 200 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,522 lb (Sport /EX-L 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 27 highway), 27% worse than the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.
The Honda Pilot has 22 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2026, classed as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD.
Its most efficient year was 2022 at 23 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 17 to 23 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the engine (2,193), electrical system (1,720), unknown or other (1,114).
Buying used? 2015 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2016 is the year to avoid.
2019 has the most recalls (13); all years together count 54 campaigns and 7,057 owner complaints.
How the 2005 Pilot compares
The 2005 Honda Pilot is a SUV - offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 188 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,425 lb.
About the Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating manufactured by Honda since 2002 for the 2003 model year. Primarily aimed at the North American market, the Pilot is the largest SUV produced by Honda. As of 2025, the Pilot is manufactured in Lincoln, Alabama, and the Pilot was produced in Alliston, Ontario, until April 2007. The first generation Pilot was released in April 2002 as a 2003 model.
From the Wikipedia article "Honda Pilot", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 Pilot pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 27% below the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG.
Best and worst years to buy used
2015 Pilot
108 owner complaints · 4 recalls · 1 fire report · 6 crash reports
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2016 Pilot
1,720 owner complaints · 8 recalls · 10 fire reports · 23 crash reports
Most reported: Engine
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
Pilot changes by model year
- 2023
- New body dimensions: 3.5 in longer, wheelbase +2.8 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- 2019
- Lightest version 157 lb heavier
- 2016
- New body dimensions: 3.6 in longer, wheelbase +1.6 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Best combined MPG up from 20 to 23
- NHTSA overall rating up from 4 to 5 stars
- 2014
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
- 2009
- New body dimensions: 2.7 in longer, wheelbase +3.5 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- 2008
- Lightest version 168 lb lighter
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 22 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 200 in | 4,522 lb | Not rated | 1 | 27 |
| 2025 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 200 in | 4,522 lb | ★★★★★ | 4 | 216 |
| 2024 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 200 in | 4,522 lb | ★★★★★ | 6 | 116 |
| 2023 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 200 in | 4,522 lb | ★★★★★ | 5 | 146 |
| 2022 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 196.5 in | 4,259 lb | ★★★★★ | 5 | 170 |
| 2021 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 196.5 in | 4,259 lb | ★★★★★ | 10 | 450 |
| 2020 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 196.5 in | 4,259 lb | ★★★★★ | 11 | 492 |
| 2019 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 196.5 in | 4,259 lb | ★★★★★ | 13 | 921 |
| 2018 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 194.9 in | 4,255 lb | ★★★★★ | 7 | 440 |
| 2017 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 194.9 in | 4,255 lb | ★★★★★ | 4 | 936 |
| 2016 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 194.9 in | 4,255 lb | ★★★★★ | 8 | 1,720 |
| 2015 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 20 MPG | 191.3 in | 4,513 lb | ★★★★★ | 4 | 108 |
| 2014 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 20 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,559 lb | ★★★★★ | 3 | 105 |
| 2013 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 20 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,537 lb | Not rated | 6 | 185 |
| 2012 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 20 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,537 lb | Not rated | 9 | 106 |
| 2011 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,537 lb | Not rated | 11 | 190 |
| 2010 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,537 lb | Not rated | 10 | 78 |
| 2009 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,337 lb | Not rated | 9 | 80 |
| 2008 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 188.2 in | 4,456 lb | Not rated | 7 | 84 |
| 2007 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 188.2 in | 4,425 lb | Not rated | 7 | 118 |
| 2006 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 188.2 in | 4,425 lb | Not rated | 7 | 149 |
| 2005 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 17 MPG | 188.2 in | 4,425 lb | Not rated | 11 | 220 |
Alternatives to the 2026 Pilot
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota 4Runner | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Ford Explorer | 24 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2026 Toyota Highlander | 35 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2026 GMC Yukon | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Honda. How we calculate this →





