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2015 Honda Pilot

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

Honda Pilot
Pictured: 2025 Honda Pilot. Photo: SIGSauerP365XL, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD LX/Special Edition/EX-L Res/Touring, 4dr SUV FWD LX
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
20 combined · 18 city / 25 hwy
Length
191.3 in
Curb weight
4,312–4,513 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Few owner complaints108 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 321 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 20 MPG combined, 17% below the 2015 small SUV average of 24 MPG.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 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 191 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,513 lb (4dr SUV AWD LX/Special Edition/EX-L Res/Touring).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 25 highway), 17% worse than the 2015 small SUV average of 24 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2015

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Pilot — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Pilot →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD LX/Special Edition/EX-L Res/Touring191.3 in78.3 in72.8 in109.4 in66.9 / 66.9 in4,513 lb55/45
4dr SUV FWD LX191.3 in78.3 in72.8 in109.4 in66.9 / 66.9 in4,312 lb55/45

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Pilot 2WD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 20-17%$3,350433
Pilot 4WD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdAll-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20-12%$3,350447
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $4,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24 MPG2015 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2015 Honda Pilot SUV 4WD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★16.4%
2015 Honda Pilot SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★17.4%
StandardElectronic stability control
Not availableForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2015 Honda Pilot SUV 4WD
Frontal crash test — 2015 Honda Pilot SUV 4WD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2015 Honda Pilot SUV 4WD
Side crash test — 2015 Honda Pilot SUV 4WD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2015 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Honda Pilot (this car)20 MPG★★★★★4
2015 Toyota 4Runner19 MPG★★★★★9
2015 Ford Explorer23 MPG★★★★★8
2015 Toyota Highlander28 MPG★★★★★1
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee25 MPG★★★★★9
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe23 MPGNot rated4
2015 Volkswagen Touareg23 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (4)

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Dec 18, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2,490,460 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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. 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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 27, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V502000 · 9,555 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 16, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V378000 · 19,138 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Risk
An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Sep 27, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V661000 · 1,355,406 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Honda Pilot is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

108Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
12Injuries reported
46,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine22
Unknown Or Other19
Service Brakes11
Power Train11
Air Bags11
Structure › Body10
Electrical System9
Visibility/Wiper6
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/06: 123/08: 123/11: 124/01: 224/03: 124/04: 124/06: 224/09: 224/10: 124/11: 124/12: 125/01: 225/02: 125/04: 125/05: 125/06: 125/08: 225/09: 226/02: 126/03: 226/05: 126/06: 126/07: 126/09: 123/0624/0124/0624/1125/0225/0626/0226/06max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Honda Pilot buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 22 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Service Brakes — 11 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Power Train — 11 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 46,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Honda Pilot. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Pilot years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Pilot22200 inNot rated127
2025 Pilot22200 in★★★★★4216
2024 Pilot22200 in★★★★★6116
2023 Pilot22200 in★★★★★5146
2022 Pilot23196.5 in★★★★★5170
2021 Pilot23196.5 in★★★★★10450
2020 Pilot23196.5 in★★★★★11492
2019 Pilot23196.5 in★★★★★13921
2018 Pilot23194.9 in★★★★★7440
2017 Pilot23194.9 in★★★★★4936
2016 Pilot23194.9 in★★★★★81,720
2014 Pilot20190.9 in★★★★★3105

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Honda. How we calculate this →