Is the 2020 Honda PILOT reliable?

The 2020 Honda PILOT has 756 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Honda PILOT?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (203 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (143 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (102 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Honda PILOT?

Yes, there are 11 recall(s): BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, TIRES, STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR, BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS. Contact any Honda dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Honda PILOT?

The 2020 Honda PILOT gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Honda PILOT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Honda PILOT is approximately $1,652/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Honda PILOT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Honda PILOT has 756 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 366. The most common issue is electrical problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: we've had 3 hondas and have been very loyal honda fans for, claiming to never buy another brand. we bought our pilot brand new and loved it. we're at 3700 miles and having major electrical issues. the speakers crackle and pop loudly constantly, with the audio on or off so there's no way to get a bre. There are 11 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 10 crash reports 13 injuries

756

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

203 complaints

27%

• WE'VE HAD 3 HONDAS AND HAVE BEEN VERY LOYAL HONDA FANS FOR, CLAIMING TO NEVER BUY ANOTHER BRAND. WE BOUGHT OUR PILOT BRAND NEW AND LOVED IT. WE'RE AT 3700 MILES AND HAVING MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE SPEAKERS CRACKLE AND POP LOUDLY CONSTANTLY, WITH THE AUDIO ON OR OFF SO THERE'S NO WAY TO GET A BRE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING OR IN PARK THE PROBLEMS COULD OCCUR 5 MPH OR 70 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, ODOMETER, RADIO AND NAVIGATION SCREEN TURNED BLACK. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE "NO AUDIO CONNECT" AND "CHECK TUNER" WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMI
• PLEASE NOTE: ALL OF THE PROBLEMS OCCURRED ON OUR 2019 PILOT WHICH WE TURNED IN AS A "LEMON". NOW WE HAVE SAME PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2020 PILOT. SCREEN BLACKS OUT SHOWING SPEEDOMETER SO WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST WE ARE DRIVING. GAS GAUGE GOES BLACK SO WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS WE HAVE. SCREEN GOES B

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“WE'VE HAD 3 HONDAS AND HAVE BEEN VERY LOYAL HONDA FANS FOR, CLAIMING TO NEVER BUY ANOTHER BRAND. WE BOUGHT OUR PILOT BRAND NEW AND LOVED IT. WE'RE AT 3700 MILES AND HAVING MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE SPEAKERS CRACKLE AND POP LOUDLY CONSTANTLY, WITH THE AUDIO ON OR OFF SO THERE'S NO WAY TO GET A BRE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Honda PILOT

Based on 219 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 4K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

178

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 89 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 3K mi · 33 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 3K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 13K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 42K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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)

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA28/07/2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Risk: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Honda PILOT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/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

Show:

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 2020 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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,652

Full coverage / month

$138

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-1%

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 rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1652

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 2020 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 756 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: WE'VE HAD 3 HONDAS AND HAVE BEEN VERY LOYAL HONDA FANS FOR, CLAIMING TO NEVER BUY ANOTHER BRAND. WE BOUGHT OUR PILOT BRAND NEW AND LOVED IT. WE'RE AT 3700 MILES AND HAVING MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE SPEAKERS CRACKLE AND POP LOUDLY CONSTANTLY, WITH THE AUDIO ON OR OFF SO THERE'S NO WAY TO GET A BRE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK-UP CAMERA AND DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATOR CORRECTLY WHILE IN REVERSE OR IN MOTION, WITH AN ABNORMAL NOISE BEING HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GERALD HONDA OF MATTESON (5505 AUTO CT, MATTESON, IL 60443) WHERE I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: AS PER OTHER DRIVERS OF 2019 PILOTS AND ODYSSEYS, THE SCREENS ON MY NEW 2020 VEHICLE HAVE GONE OUT, WHILE DRIVING, RENDERING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING SPEED, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. DASHBOARD REBOOTS SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. BACKUP CAMERA IS NOT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: BOUGHT NEW 2020 BLACK EDITION HONDA PILOT ON MAY 2,2020 WITH 11 MILES ON IT. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 6/15/20 AFTER DRIVING ONLY 3 MILES I NOTICED A BAD BURNT SMELL AS I WAS ENTERING A PARKING GARAGE, NOT THINKING IT WAS MY CAR BECAUSE IT WAS NEW AND THERE WERE NO DISPLAY LIGHTS INDICATING ANYTHING. I
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)