UsedScore

2026 Honda Pilot: Too new to judge

The 2026 Honda Pilot has been on the road for 11 months, short of the five years we need to rate it. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA so far. That's 1.5× the rate other Pilot years drew in their first 11 months, per vehicle sold.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the steering (50% of complaints).

Complaint index
1.5×
partial: first 11 months
Rank
Not ranked
rated after five years
Complaints
22
in 11 months so far
Recalls
1
campaign
4th generation, 2023–today · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2023 Honda Pilot Touring

Photo: 2023 Honda Pilot Touring · Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Steering50% · 11 complaints
  2. Air bags14% · 3 complaints
  3. Powertrain14% · 3 complaints
  4. Seats and belts18% · 4 complaints
  5. Suspension9% · 2 complaints
  6. Brakes5% · 1 complaints
  7. Electrical5% · 1 complaints
  8. Speed control5% · 1 complaints
  9. Other27% · 6 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Steering

Many owners of this model report a persistent clicking or rattling noise when turning the steering wheel, which some link to the clock spring or cable reel. Dealer repairs have sometimes failed to permanently resolve the noise, and one owner described a brief loss of power steering assist.

Warning signs:
Owners notice audible clicking or spring-like noises when turning the wheel, especially at low speeds or full lock, sometimes with stiff or binding steering feel.
What shops did:
Dealers have replaced the clock spring or cable reel assembly and adjusted steering column trim, though several owners report the clicking noise returned after repair.

“The vehicle experiences an audible clicking, rattling, and binding sensation during normal steering wheel rotation.”

“Steering wheel started making a clicking noise after a couple hundred miles. Dealer replaced clock spring and wrapped in felt tape.”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (1)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 26V424000July 20263,933 vehicles

    Suspension: rear · Structure: frame and members

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.

    Risk: Loose rear subframe bolts can lead to a loss of vehicle stability or rear subframe detachment, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

NHTSA has no service bulletins on file for the 2026 Pilot.

Questions owners ask

Is the 2026 Honda Pilot reliable?
The 2026 Honda Pilot has been on the road for 11 months, short of the five years we need to rate it. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA so far. That's 1.5× the rate other Pilot years drew in their first 11 months, per vehicle sold. Ratings compare Pilot years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2026 Pilot problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the steering (50%), the air bags (14%) and the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (14%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2026 Honda Pilot been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2026 Honda Pilot, the most recent in July 2026 (suspension). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Honda. The 2026 Honda Pilot on NHTSA.gov · How we rate