While not as durable as some of the vehicles it shares underpinnings with, the Pilot continues the Honda tradition of reliability and should last over 10 years or 150,000 miles and beyond with few headaches.
Key Points
- The Honda brand landed second in a recent study of cars most likely to reach 200,000 miles. Though the Pilot was not included in the study’s list of 16 vehicles likely to hit that mileage milestone, the Pilot’s platform-mate, the Honda Odyssey minivan, did.
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Pilot has been a good performer in terms of reliability with fewer than 100 complaints on 2014 and later models.
- There is one black mark against the Pilot’s reliability record: A class-action lawsuit was settled in 2013 for an engine issue affecting over 1.6 million vehicles. According to the lawsuit, 2009-2013 Pilots equipped with the 3.5-liter V6 might experience an engine misfire and/or excessive oil burning.
- The average yearly repair cost for newer Pilots is $542, which compares favorably to the Ford Explorer’s $732 in annual repairs.
- It isn’t the most exciting vehicle on the market, but the Honda Pilot is a reliable and affordable SUV that should keep the average driver happy for a decade or more of faithful service, easily reaching over 150,000 miles with proper maintenance.
Hitting 150,000 Miles or 10 Years of Drivability shouldn’t be a Problem for any Honda Pilot Owner who Drives an Average of 14,000 Miles per Year
Honda has a great reputation for reliability across its entire lineup, and the Pilot is no exception. The Honda Pilot wasn’t on the list of 16 vehicles mentioned in iSeeCars‘ study of the Longest-lasting Cars to Reach 200,000 Miles and Beyond, but the Honda Odyssey, which shares a platform and some powertrain components with the Pilot, landed 13th on the list.
If you take care of a Honda Pilot, it should reward you by hitting at least 150,000 miles on the odometer before any major repairs need to be performed.
If you drive an average amount of miles per year–which, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, is roughly 14,000 miles–a 10-year service life from a newer Pilot model is a reasonable expectation.
A nationwide search on Autotrader shows an impressive number of Pilot models with well over 150,000 miles and many examples deep into the 200,000 range. Though it’s possible for Pilots to eclipse the quarter-million-mile mark, it’s around this time that the repairs may begin to exceed the value of the vehicle.
Honda Pilot has Fewer Registered Consumer Complaints Than Competitors, and Most of its Recalls Don’t Affect SUV’s Longevity
The Honda Pilot generally has fewer complaints registered with the NHTSA than competitors like the Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Traverse. Also, the SUV is nearly on par in this metric with its biggest rival, the Toyota 4Runner.
The NHTSA does list higher recalls for some Pilot model years, including 10 recalls for 2010, 11 for 2011, and nine for 2012. But most of them are related to the Takata airbag inflator recall and not to the vehicle’s reliability.
That said, if the Pilot you’re looking at buying still has an open recall for this issue, it should be addressed before the vehicle is sold for the safety of you and your passengers.
Watch Out for 2009-2013 Honda Pilots Suffering from Excessive Oil Consumption and Engine Misfires
In 2013, Honda settled a class-action lawsuit that claimed many Honda models built from 2009–2013 with the 3.5L V6 suffered from issues related to the engine’s variable cylinder management system.
The suit stated that customers were experiencing engine misfires, excessive oil burning, and premature spark plug fouling issues. In extreme cases, the engine’s piston rings failed, causing internal damage requiring engine replacement.
Honda Pilot models from 2009-2013 were affected by this issue. As part of the settlement, Honda extended the powertrain warranties on these models for eight years (from time of purchase or lease) with no mileage limitation.
Newer Models Also have Reliability Issues Over 2018 & 2019 Pilots’ Malfunctioning Engine Timing Belt, and 2016-2019 Models’ Front Hood Opening While Driving
Since the sport utility vehicle’s introduction, the Honda Pilot has proven to be a durable midsize SUV for many buyers. But there are a few issues to watch out for on certain model years.
The NHTSA lists a recall on 2018 and 2019 Pilots for an issue relating to the engine’s timing belt, which can have its teeth separate from the belt, causing it to fail.
The timing belt keeps the engine’s crankshaft and camshaft rotation in sync. If this component fails, it will, at the very least, leave you stranded. And at worst, cause catastrophic internal damage to the engine.
Honda Pilots from 2016 through 2019 are also affected by a recall relating to the front hood latch, which may fail and cause the hood to open while driving, obstructing the driver’s view.
Aside From the Takata Airbag Issue, the Honda Pilot has Few Problems, Offering Solid Reliability and Longevity Lasting Over 150,000 Miles or More than 10 Years
Though there are a few trouble spots to watch out for, the Honda Pilot is a great pick for a long-lasting midsize SUV.
Annual maintenance on the Pilot shouldn’t cost you much more than $500, which is on par with the Toyota 4Runner, and about $200 less than the Ford Explorer.
While it isn’t the most exciting choice on the market, the Pilot is a sound pick for an SUV that can meet all your hauling and foul-weather driving needs while keeping your wallet happy for a decade or more of faithful service, easily reaching over 150,000 miles with proper maintenance.
Photos: Honda
