BestCarRank
Honda

2014 Honda PILOT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2014 Honda PILOT has 151 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 366. The most common issue is engine problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: when the variable cylinder management kicks in at 2000 rpm the engine vibrates. it does this constantly when the eco green light comes on. very distracting and annoying. also is a problem in my sisters 2013 pilots. dealer knew it was a problem but would not disclose until after i purchased the c. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

9 crash reports 6 injuries

151

Total Complaints

3

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

34 complaints
23%
  • WHEN THE VARIABLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT KICKS IN AT 2000 RPM THE ENGINE VIBRATES. IT DOES THIS CONSTANTLY WHEN THE ECO GREEN LIGHT COMES ON. VERY DISTRACTING AND ANNOYING. ALSO IS A PROBLEM IN MY SISTERS 2013 PILOTS. DEALER KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT DISCLOSE UNTIL AFTER I PURCHASED THE C
  • WHEN CRUISING IN MY 2014 HONDA PILOT EX-L AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON RELATIVELY FLAT TERRAIN, THERE IS A LOW FREQUENCY VIBRATION AND RUMBLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO THE VCM FEATURE OF THE ENGINE. IT IS POSSIBLE THIS COULD GET WORSE AND CAUSE SOME ENGINE DAMAGE. *TR
  • TWO INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FIRST ON JANUARY 31, 2014, THE SECOND ON MARCH 25, 2014. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY FIVE MILES PER HOUR. IN BOTH SITUATIONS THE CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP WITH THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED. SUDDENLY, THE RPM
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

WHEN THE VARIABLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT KICKS IN AT 2000 RPM THE ENGINE VIBRATES. IT DOES THIS CONSTANTLY WHEN THE ECO GREEN LIGHT COMES ON. VERY DISTRACTING AND ANNOYING. ALSO IS A PROBLEM IN MY SISTERS 2013 PILOTS. DEALER KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT DISCLOSE UNTIL AFTER I PURCHASED THE C

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2014 Honda PILOT

Based on 86 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 31K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
40
30-60K
27
60-100K
11
100-150K
6
150-200K
2
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 29K mi · 14 reports
0-30K
7
30-60K
3
60-100K
2
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 14K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
1
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 25K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
4
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
1
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
1
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

WHEELS

Later than typicalmedian 40K mi · 14 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
10
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
1
200K+
0

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 (3)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE27/09/2018

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 2014 Honda PILOT

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,401
Per month
$200
Per mile
20.0¢
MPG
20
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,667/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,920/yr

Based 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 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2014 Honda PILOT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,585
Full coverage / month
$132
Liability only / year
$626
vs US avg
-5%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.98x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1585

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda PILOT Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2014 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500
WHEELS(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 151 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: WHEN THE VARIABLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT KICKS IN AT 2000 RPM THE ENGINE VIBRATES. IT DOES THIS CONSTANTLY WHEN THE ECO GREEN LIGHT COMES ON. VERY DISTRACTING AND ANNOYING. ALSO IS A PROBLEM IN MY SISTERS 2013 PILOTS. DEALER KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT DISCLOSE UNTIL AFTER I PURCHASED THE C

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TIRES, SEATS, AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TIRES AND PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • WHEELS: ISSUES: 1 - STEERING CONSTANTLY VIBRATES AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45MPH. SMOOTH ROADS HIGHER VIBRATIONS. THIS VIBRATION INCREASES TO EXTENT THAT YOU FEEL THAT YOU ARE LOOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR AT SPEED ABOVE 70MPH AND YOU CAN SEE THE STEERING VIBRATING. SO EFFECTIVELY, YOU CANT DRIVE YOU CAR BEYOND 70MPH.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW HONDA PILOT-NAVI 2014 ON JULY 3 2014. 1 WEEK AFTER THE PURCHASE THERE WAS A MAJOR WATER LEAK INSIDE THE NEW 2014 VEHICLE!.. WATER WAS LEAKING INSIDE FROM A BIG RAIN STORM AND I DO HAVE A VIDEO AND PICS TO SHOW YOU. THE NEXT DAY SPACE COAST HONDA WAS CALLED WHERE I PURCHASED T

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
151
Recalls
3
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
9
Injury reports
6
Segment avg
366

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2014 Honda PILOT