2021 Honda Pilot Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 136about this part
- Share
- 30%of 450 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 136 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Honda Pilot, 30% of the 450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving for about an hour on the freeway the sound to my bluetooth audio quit. Then the apple carplay would not connect. When I got to the grocery store tryin to maneaver into a parking spot the backup camera did not work when I put in reverse. At first I thought I had pressed park instead of reverse but that was not the case. Not until I parked, shut the vehicle off and restarted it did everything start working properly ( at least for now). The vehicle has approximately 1500 miles on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11374713, filed 2020-11, 1,500 miles“This seems to be an on going problem for many Honda owners according to the forums. My Adaptive Cruise Control, lane keeping assistant, collision mitigation, road departure mitigation, and auto high beams have all gone out after going to the car wash. I have cleaned the windshield but I find it crazy that this is a common problem and there is no recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11655288, filed 2025-04“There is an electrical malfunction which causes all of the electrical components to flash on/off, glitch. This has occured while driving but primarily when the vehicle is parked and unattended. I’m afraid it can short and cause a fire. The vehicle will turn istelf on and off repeatedly and rapidly while unattended. This has been going on for 2 years with our vehicle and not under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11726753, filed 2026-03“The heat stopped working last year when parked. To the point where it's blowing out cold air. I brought it to the dealership and they told me nothing is wrong. It appears to be the thermostat which I now have to replace on my own. Also the transmission slips randomly and I was told that could not be repeated either. Yet the car only has 90,000 miles, this should not be occurring.”
NHTSA complaint #11625133, filed 2024-11“My push start is not starting the car. Then while driving the car will shut off on parkway, at a light and won't start. This has been going on since I purchased the vehicle 9/23 I have warranty and th auto dealership keep acting like they fixed it yet the haven't. This is the most dangerous issue. We can die getting hit from behind or the car can catch fire keep pushing start button and not turning on”
NHTSA complaint #11642404, filed 2025-02Related recalls
- 20V439000Jul 28, 2020Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control…Covers: Honda Pilot 2019–2021, Odyssey 2018–2020, Passport 2019–2020
Related service bulletins
- 11025607Nov 7, 2025Service Bulletin - The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the correct position on the charger due to software…
- 11021956Aug 7, 2025Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025 Passport Blacks, TrailSports & 2019-2022 Pilots with a customer complaint of the…
- 11009193Oct 8, 2024Service Bulletin - The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the correct position on the charger.
- 11008043Sep 21, 2024Service Bulletin - The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the correct position on the charger.
- 10234629Apr 12, 2023Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on initial startup after precipitation and sub-freezing temperatures. Water can enter the starter motor, and when temperatures drop…
- 10231048Jan 25, 2023Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can…
- 10229678Jan 6, 2023Dealer Message - During development, the idle stop enable criteria was mis-set allowing idle stop to improperly engage while battery health is low. Under certain circumstances…
- 10229677Jan 6, 2023Service 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…
- 10229676Jan 6, 2023Service 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…
- 10229675Jan 6, 2023Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2025 | 45 | 21% |
| 2024 | 11 | 9% |
| 2023 | 28 | 19% |
| 2022 | 40 | 24% |
| 2021 | 136 | 30% |
| 2020 | 214 | 44% |
| 2019 | 266 | 29% |
| 2018 | 85 | 19% |
| 2017 | 266 | 28% |
| 2016 | 581 | 34% |
| 2015 | 13 | 12% |
| 2014 | 9 | 8% |
| 2013 | 9 | 3% |
| 2012 | 22 | 13% |
| 2011 | 26 | 9% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 9 | 7% |
| 2007 | 22 | 10% |
| 2006 | 18 | 7% |
| 2005 | 57 | 8% |
| 2004 | 60 | 11% |
| 2003 | 129 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2021 Honda Pilot
112 complaintsForward collision avoidance
98 complaintsOther or unknown
85 complaintsLane departure
44 complaintsAir bags
32 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
19 complaintsTires
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 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