The Honda Pilot hit US streets in 2002 and has been steadily growing more sophisticated over the years. Multiple facelifts and equipment upgrades have led up to the much-anticipated release of the 2020 model. This stately SUV features attractive styling in and out, the latest infotainment system, and endless reliability.
Despite its dependable build, the 2020 Honda Pilot is not immune to problems. In fact, it already has several recalls on the books along with a handful of TSBs. If you are considering adding this car to your stable, take a look at these notices to learn all you can about its potential needs. That way, you can go into the purchase with confidence that you are making the right choice.
Recalls for the 2020 Pilot
When issues go beyond simple malfunctions to actually going against standards or impacting safety, the auto manufacturer has to issue a recall and fix the problem right away. The Honda Pilot for 2020 already has the following recalls on its record, though more could arise as time goes on.
Weld Imperfections in the Frame
Missing or incomplete frame welds triggered the first recall for the 2020 Honda Pilot. During manufacturing, the upper members at both sides were not fully welded to the unibody on certain vehicles, creating weak points in the build. Since that poses serious risk during a crash, the fault results in noncompliance with multiple Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
The problem cannot be easily fixed, so dealers only offer to buy back the SUV or provide a replacement. Not all vehicles were affected, however, so techs may just inspect the welds to confirm they are complete and release it back to you. You can then continue driving your vehicle with the confidence that it is structurally sound.
Faulty Certification Label
Certification labels let you know how much you can load in your vehicle, so you avoid damaging its suspension and other systems. Since overloading could even result in a collision that causes minor to life-threatening injuries, it is important to pay close attention to capacity limits.
Unfortunately, on this model, the labels were printed in an ink that easily wipes away when cleaning with a solvent. At that point, the blank label lacks the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating, leaving you clueless about what your SUV can handle.
Thankfully, replacement of the label can easily resolve this issue, as the new ones have ink that does not disappear when wiped down. You can then reference the label as needed to avoid overloading your Pilot.
Rearview Camera Display Malfunction
The multi-angle rearview camera comes standard on all 2020 Pilot trim levels. This year, some of them have a programming error that makes the screen go on the fritz at crucial moments. The improper functioning of the screen puts it out of compliance with federal standards and can potentially lead to a collision.
A simple software update can remedy the issue in an instant and without any hardware changes needed. If you are DIY savvy, you can update the software yourself using the instructions mailed to you. Otherwise, all it takes is a trip down to the dealer to get a quick update and be on your way.
Instrument Panel Display Defect
The Pilot’s instrument panel keeps you well informed about a host of critical info you need on your drives. At a glance, you can learn your current speed and the gear you are in plus other pertinent data, like your engine oil pressure.
The current software can briefly make the panel go blank, effectively leaving you in the dark until the next ignition cycle. This can prove distracting and increase your risk of getting into an accident.
If this starts happening, then you definitely need to have the software updated to the newest version. Your dealer can complete the update at no charge to keep you well informed on all your drives.
Although these four recalls are the only ones on the books for the 2020 Honda Pilot, new ones can roll out any time. You should always stay alert for new recalls as they occur to keep your vehicles in great condition through the years.
Technical Service Bulletins
Technical service bulletins, or TSBs, work a bit differently than recalls. Since they do not pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of occupants, the identified issues are handled a bit more casually. Many are not even addressed unless owners have a related problem with the vehicle. They can give you a clear understanding of the issues to expect when owning the Honda Pilot, so they are well worth a look from time to time.
Structure
When in good working order, the running board lights illuminate your way in and out of the vehicle at night. They also look great, too. But all that goes out the door when they do not come on when the door opens, which is common on the 2020 Pilot. So much so that Honda issued a TSB stating that this model has a defective running board light assembly. In order to fix it, techs must check the fuses and connections, then replace the running board lights if everything else looks good.
Engine
As 2020 Pilot owners issued complaints about their auto idle stop system not working as intended, Honda set out to figure out why. They sent out a TSB to all Honda dealers, letting them know of their investigation and how they can help.
In their instructions, they ask that the dealer inform them of any such complaints before performing repairs, so they can send out an expert to take a look. With that, they can hunt down the cause of the problem and figure out how to best fix it. Once they find an appropriate repair method, they will release another TSB letting techs know about it in full.
On Pilots equipped with the V6 engine that uses variable cylinder management, the lower gaskets can fall apart or come out of the groove. When that happens, the front rocker arm control valve starts to leak and could leave the engine starved of oil. Honda sent out a TSB warning technicians of this issue and indicating how to best fix it. They just have to watch the video to learn the procedure, then correct the gasket issue using the presented techniques.
Electrical
A variety of electrical issues have cropped up in this model, resulting in a wide range of TSB alerts for technicians. The first set of alerts addresses popping and crackling sounds coming from the speakers. Although they are still investigating the cause, techs are instructed to check the MOST Bus Network for faults.
A supplement TSB came out soon after that warned techs to avoid adjusting the MOST connector pins, however, as it proved ineffective in resolving the problem. They can use the provided video and posts to track down the cause instead, though a sure-fire fix has not been released quite yet. In the end, they may end up needing to reroute the harness to eliminate electrical interference and resolve the issue.
Another TSB refers to an accessory CD player error that occurs after an over-the-air system update. It indicates that the CD player hardware is not defective and may just need a reset. Your technician will re-initialize the hardware to restore its function and resolve this issue for you.
Apple CarPlay can potentially cause issues by either staying on well after turning off the ignition or not working altogether. It may also pop up an error message when you try to switch your audio source. For now, technicians can only remove the fuse or disconnect the battery to trigger a software reset. The system should start working normally again, though the repair might not be permanent.
Another software issue can cause the Display Audio screen to show the incorrect time. The software pushes the time off by just one hour, potentially causing confusion as it occurs randomly. Fixing this issue is as easy as updating the software program with the newest update.
Seats
The Honda Pilot for 2020 has three rows of seating, providing tons of space for all your passengers. When putting in the second row of seats, manufacturers may have put in a non-threaded bolt hole rather than a threaded one. Then, when the normal bolts go through, they do not have anything to bite into, leaving the seat unsecured.
Although not all vehicles have this issue, every last one needs an inspection to make sure. If the problem is found, technicians can easily repair it by swapping out the existing bolts with self-tapping ones. The self-tapping mechanism will create threads in the walls of the smooth bolt hole to secure the seat in place. Then, you can drive in confidence that all your passengers are safe and secure in their seats, no matter where they sit in your vehicle.
As Honda discovers issues with the 2020 Pilot, they will continue to release TSBs for their technicians’ review. You can always access these notices to keep up to date on the problems your vehicle may have. It is a good idea to look at them before making a purchase as well to see if there are any major issues on the horizon. You can then make an educated decision on whether or not that particular car, truck, or van model is right for your needs.
How to Get Recall and TSB Repairs on Your 2020 Pilot
If you want to check on the recall status of a 2020 Pilot, you’ll love to hear that Honda makes it easy. Just go to the Honda Recall Lookup tool and enter the full 17-character vehicle identification number, or VIN. The system will let you know if the recalls have already been addressed by an authorized dealer. If not, you just have to schedule an appointment with a dealer to have the repairs completed for free.
Technical service bulletins work a bit differently, as they are used as a reference point for technicians. Cars under warranty usually have TSB repairs done for free, while those outside the warranty period may not. You can check with the dealer to learn if they have already been fixed and how to proceed if not. Many times, the issues are not addressed until the problems arise, as they do not always occur on all vehicles listed under the bulletin. This approach saves you from an extra trip to the shop and keeps your car on the road when you need it.
While you are checking over the vehicle in question, you can perform a VIN check with Vehicle History to learn even more about it. Your search will reveal any hidden problems with that SUV in particular, including its accident history.
