2014 Honda Pilot Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026

Excellent

Ranks 1st of 21 Pilot years we score.

Owner complaints: 116; 6 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 13.0; 84,619 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.33×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 30; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 3
NHTSA crash rating: 4★; overall, out of 5

← 2013 Pilot 2015 Pilot →

Should You Buy the 2014 Honda Pilot?

Yes. Our reliability score for the 2014 Honda Pilot is 82 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 1st of the 21 Pilot years we score.

The most reported problem is paint and rust, mostly paint peeling (20 of 116 complaints). Owners also complain about the wheel rim and piston rings or cylinders. 30 of the 116 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 3 recalls. Honda also offers 3 warranty extensions that may still apply, for white paint peeling (roof and tailgate) and white paint peeling (roof and tailgate). NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2013 scores 78.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 19-055 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Excellent reliability score of 82
About a third of the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Paint and rust: paint peeling20 complaints
Wheel rim: shattering or cracking12 complaints
Piston rings: rough running or misfires11 complaints

How the 2014 Pilot Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.27×	−4
Everyday problems	0.48×	−3
Problems in the last two years	0.48×	−6
Recalls	0.65×	−5
Score		82

What Owners Report

We read all 116 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2014 Honda Pilot, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Paint and rust: paint peeling
20 complaints (17%)
Paint peeling, paint flaking and paint worn off. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 77,000 miles.
Wheel rim: shattering or cracking
12 complaints (10%)
Shattering or cracking and a leak. In 11 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 35,000 miles.
Piston rings: rough running or misfires
11 complaints (9%)
Rough running or misfires, burning or using oil and a failure. 8 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 105,000 miles.
Brakes: vibration or shudder
8 complaints (7%)
Vibration or shudder, loss of braking and warped. 4 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. Median mileage when it started: about 29,000 miles.
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
5 complaints (4%)
Rough running or misfires. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: being stranded.
Ignition coils or spark plugs: rough running or misfires
5 complaints (4%)
Rough running or misfires and plug fouling. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 105,000 miles.
Shifter or park: the car rolling away
5 complaints (4%)
The car rolling away. All 5 describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 19,000 miles.
Variable cylinder management (VCM): vibration or shudder
5 complaints (4%)
Vibration or shudder. Median mileage when it started: about 8,000 miles.
ABS: warning lights
4 complaints (3%)
Warning lights and a failure.
Engine: sudden acceleration
4 complaints (3%)
Sudden acceleration, stalling and hesitation. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 1,000 miles.
Engine failure
4 complaints (3%)
A failure that needed a new part. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often a tow.
Transmission: vibration or shudder
4 complaints (3%)
Vibration or shudder, unusual noises and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 27,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
4 complaints (3%)
Sudden acceleration and surging. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 13,000 miles.
Uneven tire wear: pulling or wandering
3 complaints (3%)
Pulling or wandering and out of alignment. Median mileage when it started: about 1,000 miles.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
3 complaints (3%)
Water leaking in. Median mileage when it started: about 1,000 miles.

Show 14 more problems

Several warning lights at once
3 complaints (3%)
The system not working when needed, problems that come and go and warning lights.
Noise (cause not stated)
3 complaints (3%)
Unusual noises.
Steering: unusual noises
3 complaints (3%)
Unusual noises and vibration or shudder. Median mileage when it started: about 1,000 miles.
Tires: hydroplaning
3 complaints (3%)
Hydroplaning, vibration or shudder and ply delamination. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 48,000 miles.
A/C: weak cooling
2 complaints (2%)
Weak cooling and a feature that stopped working.
Airbag warning light
2 complaints (2%)
Warning lights.
Alternator or charging failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part.
Cooling system: not shutting off
2 complaints (2%)
Not shutting off and oil mixed into coolant.
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2 complaints (2%)
Burning or using oil.
Exterior lights: warning lights
2 complaints (2%)
Warning lights.
Door lock actuators: stopped working
2 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working.
Seat belts: tightened around occupant
2 complaints (2%)
Tightened around occupant and snapped up when released. Both describe a serious outcome, most often an injury.
Stall (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Stalling. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Taillights or brake lights: stopped working
2 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working.

Reported Once (33)

Show the 33 problems reported once

12V battery failure
A/C compressor: smoke or a burning smell
Airbag inflator (rupture risk or Takata): exploded after deployment
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
Blower motor: works on and off
Brake calipers failure
Cylinder head gasket failure
Door latches: not opening or unlocking
Engine mounts failure
Engine oil leak
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
Ignition or push-button start: works on and off
Instrument cluster: stopped working
Loss of power (cause not stated)
Passenger airbag sensor: warning lights
Cylinder head: shattering or cracking
Door and fender misalignment: damage
Driver door light: stopped working
Hydroplaning (cause not stated)
Oil seal failure
Vehicle disabled failure
Yaw rate sensor: warning lights
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
Power liftgate failure
Sunroof failure
Timing belt failure
Timing chain or camshaft: unusual noises
Valve train: unusual noises
Wheel bearings failure
Windshield: shattering or cracking

How the 2014 Honda Pilot Compares With Other Years

The other Pilot years of the 2nd generation, 2009 to 2015, and the years just before and after it. When two scores are less than 3.5 points apart, treat them as about the same.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2016	Avoid	52	3.6×	95.8	8	Auto idle stop system: the car not starting
2015	Not scored	–	–	9.8	4	Brakes: loss of braking
2014 This year	Excellent	82	0.33×	13.0	3	Paint and rust: paint peeling
2013	Good	78	0.47×	20.2	6	Paint and rust: paint peeling
2012	Excellent	80	0.35×	12.5	9	Brakes: vibration or shudder
2011	Good	78	0.39×	15.2	11	Brakes: vibration or shudder
2010	Good	79	0.35×	13.7	10	Control arm bushings: a leak
2009	Good	78	0.34×	13.6	9	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2008	Good	79	0.33×	12.6	7	Seats: parts breaking or coming apart

See every Pilot year

2014 Honda Pilot Recalls

A recall can cover some or all cars of this model year. Look up a specific car by its VIN at NHTSA to see which recalls are still open on it.

Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V502000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 36% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 19V378000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 16, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V661000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 27, 2018. By the first quarter of 2020, 78% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Honda Warranty Extensions and Programs

Repairs Honda agreed to cover or update outside a recall. Whether one applies depends on the VIN and the conditions listed. A Honda dealer can confirm.

Warranty extensionHonda 19-055
White paint peeling (roof and tailgate)
The problem:
The factory Taffeta White paint on the roof or tailgate can peel off. The paint is too thin in some places.
The fix:
A Honda dealer has a certified body shop repair the peeling roof or tailgate paint for free.
Who qualifies:
The roof or tailgate paint must be peeling. Honda must approve each paint repair first. Rock chips, scratches, dents and crash damage are not covered. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
7 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 19-057
White paint peeling (roof and tailgate)
The problem:
The factory White Diamond Pearl paint on the roof or tailgate can peel off. The paint is too thin in some places.
The fix:
A Honda dealer has a certified body shop repair the peeling roof or tailgate paint for free.
Who qualifies:
The roof or tailgate paint must be peeling. Honda must approve each paint repair first. Rock chips, scratches, dents and crash damage are not covered. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
7 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 15-045
Front suspension lower arm bushings
The problem:
The rubber bushings in the front suspension rear lower arms can crack from heat and ozone. They then make noise or leak fluid.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the lower arm bushings for free. Owners who paid earlier can be repaid if they meet the listed requirements.
Who qualifies:
The bushing must make noise or leak fluid. Cars with a salvage or branded title are not covered. Coverage passes to later owners.
Coverage:
7 years or 100,000 miles from the original purchase date, whichever comes first.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 19-003 and 20-016
Front passenger's airbag inflator
2 programs with the same terms. Which one applies depends on the VIN.
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
19-003: Covered until September 30, 2028.
20-016: Covered until January 31, 2030.
Bulletin 19-003 (PDF)Bulletin 20-016 (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2014 Pilot ratings on NHTSA.gov.

SUV 4WD and SUV FWD

Overall4/5

Frontal crash4/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2014 Pilot, from its recalls, Honda's programs and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V502000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V378000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 18V661000

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

19-055: white paint peeling (roof and tailgate)
19-057: white paint peeling (roof and tailgate)
15-045: front suspension lower arm bushings

On the Test Drive

Check the paint and the underbody for rust or peeling clear coat.
Ask how often oil is added between changes, and watch for blue smoke at startup.
Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Paint and rust
Wheel rim
Piston rings or cylinders
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Pilot Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.