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#BS-2023-HONPIL-40CD2023 Honda PilotProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 224 owners and 5 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 224 complaints, 5 crashes, 3 fires, and 5 recalls.
Top reported problems
battery failure
2 complaints • Severity 9/10
various navigation system issues
1 complaints • Severity 4/10
abs sensor fail
1 complaints • Severity 6/10
engine control unit ecu
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
trunk stopped opening
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
34 owners reported seat belts issues — failures commonly reported around 18K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (13 reports) • Median: 18K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Seat Belts (34 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2023 Honda Pilot: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Seat Belts Issues
Seat Belts complaints account for 15% of all reports filed for the 2023 Honda Pilot, with 34 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 18,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 18K-mile mark.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 13% of all reports filed for the 2023 Honda Pilot, with 28 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2023 Honda Pilot, with 19 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2023 Honda Pilot, with 17 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2023 Honda Pilot. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (5 recalls)
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
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.
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
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 seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems."
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2023 Honda Pilot NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (2)
2 investigations still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
Inaccurate Rear Passenger Seat Belt Warning Status
SEAT BELTS
The worst model year for the Honda Pilot is the 2003 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is transmission.
2023 Honda Pilot vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD)
This vehicle
224
Class avg
155
Complaint volume is roughly in line with other small sport utility vehicle 2wd vehicles from 2023.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 224 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 5 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated . NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Honda Pilot Model Years
View all Honda Pilot years →2023 Honda Pilot: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2023 Honda Pilot Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 224 owner reports. Know before you buy.