Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Honda Pilot, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 23 | 17% |
| Unknown or other | 12 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 7% |
| Steering | 8 | 6% |
| Engine | 6 | 4% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 4% |
| Visibility | 6 | 4% |
| Steering | 4 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 3% |
| Power train | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I own a 2023 Honda Pilot. On two separate occasions while the vehicle was being driven, the vehicle experienced multiple system warnings and a significant loss of steering assistance. The first incident occurred before
NHTSA complaint: Steering
While driving to work this morning. Rate of speed under 45 mph with no apparent issues. Suddenly warning lights on the dash lit up and steering became difficult. Three separate information warnings: Lane Keeping assist p
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The engine required a short block replacement at approximately 40,000 miles. There was a severe knocking sound and the dealer diagnosed heavy scoring and abnormal wear present on the front bank cylinder walls. The result
NHTSA complaint: Power train
My Moonroof shade shattered all the way back, left(driver side) plastic went bad and it broke.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Known design defect under Special Coverage for some vehicles, but does not include my VIN for a 2020 Chevy Traverse. Full details are provided in the attachment, including photos of the broken exhaust weld bracket and co
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The 2nd row passenger side seat belt buckle sensor begins to report "un-buckled" status that cannot be remediated by re-buckling the belt. Honda replaced the same belt buckle twice already for the same issue. First defec
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
Rear 2nd row seats give false warning when the kids car seats are buckled but constantly give warning that seat belts are not buckled properly. Haven’t received any recall & dealer won’t fix the issue under warranty
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
Left middle row seat belt sensor is indicating unbuckeled when it is buckled. Dealer is asking over $500 to repair. I hae also read about other sensor alerts on 2023 and 2024 for left side as well.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2023 Honda Pilot. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Pilot vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the gear box assembly may contain a loose ball bearing, which can result in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up.
Risk: A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured se
Risk: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Passport and 2023-2025 Pilot vehicles. The fuel filler neck tube and fuel filler pipe may separate, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the fuel filler neck tube and pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
Risk: An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 82 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 63 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 39 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 23 of them (17%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 82/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2023 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.