2020 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 101about this part
- Share
- 21%of 492 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,650miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 101 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Honda Pilot, 21% of the 492 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,650 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Brakes are too low and soft.idling is rough during cold start.I brought to the dealer last september 28,2020 but dealer did nothing.technician said there is nothing wrong with it.the dealer is holler Honda in orlando florida.this is my fourth Honda and only experience this.brakes are like that all the time.always stopping too close to the vehicle in front of me.”
NHTSA complaint #11362286, filed 2020-10, 4,100 miles“I got this car only 1 week; I heard the noise from steering wheel and the problem when I hit gas and shift the transmission. On july 13, I drop the car to fix for 2 days. Then, only 2 week after I have experienced cannot hit gas and I cannot hit the brakes. The all engine light, break light, tsa light and other 3 lights is coming. I have to tow my car to dealer shop. This car is bad car”
NHTSA complaint #11344095, filed 2020-08, 3,000 miles“Bought new 2020 black edition Honda Pilot on may 2,2020 with 11 miles on it. It caught on fire on 6/15/20 after driving only 3 miles I noticed a bad burnt smell as I was entering a parking garage, not thinking it was my car because it was new and there were no display lights indicating anything. I then noticed smoke coming from my hood about 30 seconds later. I immediately parked and turned engine off. Got out of vehicle to see a fire ball drop from under the front of my hood. There had been no previous alerts on the car panel that anything was wrong. …”
NHTSA complaint #11340204, filed 2020-07, 400 miles“I've taken my vehicle in 4 times now for electrical issues and the sensors randomly going off. Today while driving, I got a notification of an engine system problem as well as an emissions failure and awd failure. I purchased my vehicle brand new from the dealership and this will now be the 5th time going in for electrical issues and now whatever this engine failure is. The dealership is closed right now so I do not have a full diagnosis but the warning on the screen tells me to limit driving and keep the car off due to potential fire. This should absolutely be investigated.”
NHTSA complaint #11388590, filed 2021-01, 8,300 miles“Purchased my 2020 Pilot on 12/30/2019 in fresno, ca. Recently this month december 2020, I started hearing a cracking and popping noise from the speakers. The popping noise happens whether or not music is on. I also started hearing this weird noise that almost sounded like there was a compressor in my vehicle. I did some research on several Honda Pilot threads and it seems to be the AC compressor and the speakers. Apparently the wiring harness needs to be changed. I've looked over the NHTSA website and seen multiple complaints regarding the speakers popping issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11383844, filed 2020-12, 15,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11020578Jul 7, 2025Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or…
- 11005272Jul 20, 2024Service Bulletin - MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more common…
- 11002716Jun 19, 2024Service Bulletin - The MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more…
- 11000142May 1, 2024Service NewsDue to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulation change starting with 2019 vehicles, American Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) On-Board…
- 10167157Oct 28, 2019Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2019-2020 Odysseys, Passports & Pilots with a customer complaint of the auto idle stop inop. To…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2025 | 33 | 15% |
| 2024 | 11 | 9% |
| 2023 | 13 | 9% |
| 2022 | 36 | 21% |
| 2021 | 112 | 25% |
| 2020 | 101 | 21% |
| 2019 | 240 | 26% |
| 2018 | 157 | 36% |
| 2017 | 476 | 51% |
| 2016 | 778 | 45% |
| 2015 | 22 | 20% |
| 2014 | 31 | 27% |
| 2013 | 79 | 29% |
| 2012 | 35 | 20% |
| 2011 | 31 | 11% |
| 2010 | 28 | 25% |
| 2009 | 35 | 26% |
| 2008 | 10 | 8% |
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 22 | 8% |
| 2005 | 48 | 7% |
| 2004 | 22 | 4% |
| 2003 | 25 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2020 Honda Pilot
214 complaintsOther or unknown
95 complaintsForward collision avoidance
89 complaintsFuel system
54 complaintsLane departure
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
12 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsEquipment
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology