
2011 Honda PILOT
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Honda PILOT has 389 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 366. The most common issue is air bags problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: i make reference to 2011 honda pilot recall from nhtsa: 10v640000 of 12/16/2010. since i bought a similar vehicle on 12/11/2010, i would like to find out if my car is included in this recall. i wrote to the manufacturer address in california several weeks ago requesting information about this matt. There are 11 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 10 fire reports filed.
389
Total Complaints
11
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
AIR BAGS
68 complaints- • I MAKE REFERENCE TO 2011 HONDA PILOT RECALL FROM NHTSA: 10V640000 OF 12/16/2010. SINCE I BOUGHT A SIMILAR VEHICLE ON 12/11/2010, I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF MY CAR IS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I WROTE TO THE MANUFACTURER ADDRESS IN CALIFORNIA SEVERAL WEEKS AGO REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MATT
- • PURCHASED BRAND NEW PILOT IN JUNE 2011. AROUND NOON I WAS DRIVING DOWN ON STRETCH OF ROAD AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN I SAW A VEHICLE WITH A TRAILER MOVING AHEAD OF ME. AS I APPROACHED TO PASS THE VEHICLE IT APPEARED TO SLOW DOWN AND STARTED TURNING LEFT AHEAD ON THE ROAD. THE TRAILER IT WAS HAULING DID NO
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE ENTIRE FRONT END
“I MAKE REFERENCE TO 2011 HONDA PILOT RECALL FROM NHTSA: 10V640000 OF 12/16/2010. SINCE I BOUGHT A SIMILAR VEHICLE ON 12/11/2010, I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF MY CAR IS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I WROTE TO THE MANUFACTURER ADDRESS IN CALIFORNIA SEVERAL WEEKS AGO REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MATT”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2011 Honda PILOT
Based on 280 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 42K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
BRAKES
ENGINE
SUSPENSION
ELECTRICAL
SPEED CONTROL
TRANSMISSION
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (11)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Honda PILOT
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Honda PILOT
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Honda PILOT Service Intervals
Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2011 PILOT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 389 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐AIR BAGS: I MAKE REFERENCE TO 2011 HONDA PILOT RECALL FROM NHTSA: 10V640000 OF 12/16/2010. SINCE I BOUGHT A SIMILAR VEHICLE ON 12/11/2010, I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF MY CAR IS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I WROTE TO THE MANUFACTURER ADDRESS IN CALIFORNIA SEVERAL WEEKS AGO REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MATT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: WHEEL SENSOR WIRES ON 2011 HONDA PILOT ARE EXPOSED AND UNPROTECTED UNDER THE VEHICLE WHICH WHEN DAMAGED, DISABLE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA), AND THE VARIABLE TORQUE MANAGEMENT (VTM-4) SYSTEMS. EXPOSED WIRES ARE PRONE TO BE CUT OR DAMAGED BY ROAD DEBRIS AND HAZAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: 2011 HONDA PILOT EX-L, ENGINE IS HUMMING WHENEVER THE SPEED IS UP TO 50 MILES/HOUR. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SUSPENSION: MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING HOME ON THE NIGHT OF JUNE 2ND, 2010 AND WERE TURNING ON THE STREET WE LIVE ON WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL JUST LAID OVER. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THEY THOUGHT THAT EITHER THE BOLTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AT THE FACTORY OR POSSIBLY THEY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 11 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Honda PILOT — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 389
- Recalls
- 11
- Fire reports
- 10
- Crash reports
- 28
- Injury reports
- 37
- Segment avg
- 366
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Honda PILOT