2021 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How engine ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 400 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Honda Pilot overview page.
What owners report
“The issue is with a restart after the car engaged the auto idle stop feature. Outside temperature was about 43F, Car had been driven earlier…”NHTSA complaint 11496885 — filed 12/10/2022
“My 2021 Honda Pilot's Idle-Stop System has been failing at random and dangerous times. The engine shuts off when Idle-Stop is engaged and as expected…”NHTSA complaint 11491937 — filed 11/02/2022
“My car, a 2021 Honda Pilot, has a feature called "Idle-Stop" where the engine stops when the break is depressed, when the break is released…”NHTSA complaint 11485404 — filed 09/20/2022
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Honda Pilot have engine problems?
Engine is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2021 Honda Pilot: 92 of 400 complaints on file (23%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2021 Honda Pilot have in total?
400 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 12 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 8 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's engine category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
