2020 Honda Pilot Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report electrical and infotainment problems — crackling and popping from the speakers, screens going blank, and messages such as "network communication lost" — usually within the first few thousand miles. A second, larger group describes the engine losing power or stalling, often around the fuel pump recall, and a third group reports the collision-mitigation braking system activating when the road ahead is clear. The complaints are filed at low mileage for the electronics and at higher mileage for fuel and transmission concerns.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Speakers pop and screens go blank or reboot

   • 173 complaints (35%)
   • median 2,250 mi at 0.8 yrs old (90 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Complaints describe crackling and popping from the speakers, even with the radio off, followed by the infotainment screen showing "network communication lost" and the gauge cluster going dark. Owners say the speedometer, backup camera, radio and navigation can all drop out while driving, sometimes returning after a reboot and sometimes staying blank. Some report dealers replaced a wiring harness or applied software updates, and several say the symptom came back afterward. Mostly reported in the first few thousand miles, sometimes within days of purchase and in vehicles with under 5,000 miles.

   Recall 20V440000Recall 20V439000Recall 23V4310003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the dealer has applied the network and instrument panel software updates and whether a wiring harness has been replaced. On a test drive, listen for speaker crackle and watch whether the screens flicker or reboot.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We purchased brand new in june 2020. After less than one month, we began hearing popping & crackling from the speakers. The res began freezing to the point that the dvd player would not work at all. Popping & crackling continued intermittently, to the point where the infotainment screen would display no connection on everything--carplay, siriusxm, fm radio, etc. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11341783, filed 2020-07, 1,000 miles

   “We purchased brand new in april 2020. After less than one month, we began hearing popping & crackling from the speakers. The res began freezing to the point that the dvd player would not work at all. Popping & crackling continued intermittently, to the point where the infotainment screen would display no connection on everything--carplay, siriusxm, fm radio, etc. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11342590, filed 2020-07, 700 miles
2. 2
   Forward collision avoidance

   Collision-mitigation braking activates with nothing ahead

   • 213 complaints (43%)
   • median 5,000 mi at 1.0 yrs old (46 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,284 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Complaints describe the vehicle flashing a red brake warning or applying the brakes when there is no vehicle or object in front, including while passing a truck in a curve or when a car is in an adjacent lane. Owners also report adaptive cruise control slowing abruptly for a vehicle slightly slower than the set speed, and some say the dealer told them the system was working as designed or that they should turn it off. Reported from very low mileage up to about 15,000 miles, at city and highway speeds and in adaptive cruise control.

   What to check: Drive at highway speed with adaptive cruise control on and see whether the system slows or warns without a target ahead; ask whether the forward camera and radar have been recalibrated or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Multiple times this vehicle indicates that my car has crossed center line when it hasn't and has activated one or more safety features including an alarm and steering wheel shaker. Today my vehicle actually applied the brakes when another car was approaching me in the opposite lane. I have had car into dealership 1 time for these issues and they said it was fixed.”

   NHTSA complaint #11367000, filed 2020-10, 10,000 miles

   “I was driving down the highway , had the cruise control set . 75 no other cars around when is slammed the breaks and the screen flashed a big red brakes box . Scared the life out of me . At random times the red brakes box with pop up”

   NHTSA complaint #11306908, filed 2020-02, 1,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Engine stalling or losing power, fuel pump related

   • 74 complaints (15%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle hesitating, losing motive power or stalling while driving, sometimes with the check engine light and a gasoline smell. Several complaints say the dealer diagnosed fuel injectors and connected parts while a fuel pump recall was outstanding, and owners note the recall part was not yet available. Others connect rough running or check-engine codes to fuel delivery. Typically reported between about 30,000 and 60,000 miles, with several owners mentioning the fuel pump recall being open at the time.

   Recall 23V8580001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether recall 23V858000 was completed and keep the paperwork; if the vehicle hesitates or stumbles on a test drive, have the fuel delivery system checked before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated before returning to normal functionality; however, the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel injectors, relating the failure to a faulty fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11602953, filed 2024-07, 50,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 25-35 MPH and passing a vehicle on the left side of the vehicle, the vehicle stopped independently. The contact stated that the failure occurred while another vehicle was driving on the lane that was on the right side of the vehicle. The brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11705355, filed 2025-12, 98,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh transmission sound and shift concerns

   • 54 complaints (11%)
   • median 17,500 mi at 3.3 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe a grinding or metallic clunk around 20–50 mph when easing off the accelerator as a shift occurs, with the vehicle lurching. Owners say dealers flushed and refilled the transmission fluid or repositioned a bracket, which reduced but did not eliminate the noise. Other complaints describe the transmission failing to engage reverse or dropping into limp mode with warning lights. Reported from a few thousand miles up to roughly 50,000–130,000 miles.

   What to check: On a test drive, ease off the throttle around 45–50 mph and listen for grinding or clunking; ask for transmission service records and whether any repair has been attempted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission grinding gears sound at about 45-52mph when easing off the gas and a shift occurs. Car tends to lurch when this happens. Happens just about anywhere you can cruise around 45-50mph. Dealer attempted fix with Honda USA, but they only reversed a transmission bracket and replaced transmission fluid. Now it is muffled, but exactly the same otherwise. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11404207, filed 2021-03, 5,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that upon arriving at the destination and attempting to reverse into a parking space, the transmission failed to shift into reverse even though the gear shifter was in reverse. The vehicle failed to shift back into drive, prompting the contact to turn off and restart the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality and the contact continued driving the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11644649, filed 2025-02, 52,000 miles

Buying note. Check that open recalls for the fuel pump, rear camera and instrument panel software have been completed, and ask for records of any electrical harness or software work. A test drive at highway speed, with adaptive cruise control on and the radio off, will surface most of what owners report on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.