2015 Honda Pilot Reliability Report

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

Not yet
scored

Not scored

Too new for a score. Here is what owners and NHTSA have reported so far.

Owner complaints: 109; 4 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 9.8; 107,179 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: –
Serious outcomes: 33; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 4
NHTSA crash rating: 4★; overall, out of 5

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Should You Buy the 2015 Honda Pilot?

We do not score the 2015 Honda Pilot. Too few were made for a reliable rate, so we show the facts only.

The most reported problem is the brakes, mostly loss of braking (11 of 109 complaints). Owners also complain about paint and rust and piston rings or cylinders. 33 of the 109 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 4 recalls. Honda also offers 2 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.

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

No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
2 Honda warranty extensions may cover repairs

Cons

Brakes: loss of braking11 complaints
Paint and rust: paint peeling9 complaints
Piston rings failure6 complaints

What Owners Report

We read all 109 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Honda Pilot, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Brakes: loss of braking
11 complaints (10%)
Loss of braking, vibration or shudder and spongy pedal. 6 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. In 6 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 4 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 6,000 miles.
Paint and rust: paint peeling
9 complaints (8%)
Paint peeling and paint chipping. Median mileage when it started: about 76,000 miles.
Piston rings failure
6 complaints (6%)
A failure, rough running or misfires and early wear. 5 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 119,000 miles.
Control arm bushings: a leak
4 complaints (4%)
A leak and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 67,000 miles.
Engine: surging
4 complaints (4%)
Surging, stalling and a loss of power. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Steering: pulling or wandering
4 complaints (4%)
Pulling or wandering, loose feel when turning, wheel off-center and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of steering control. Median mileage when it started: about 99,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
3 complaints (3%)
No deployment in a crash, warning lights and deployment with no crash. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem.
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
3 complaints (3%)
Rough running or misfires and a stored fault code. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Ignition coils or spark plugs: rough running or misfires
3 complaints (3%)
Rough running or misfires, a failure that needed a new part and damage.
Screen and audio: works on and off
3 complaints (3%)
Problems that come and go. Median mileage when it started: about 20,000 miles.
Power liftgate: not opening or unlocking
3 complaints (3%)
Not opening or unlocking, parts breaking or coming apart and closed on a person. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Rearview camera: stopped working
3 complaints (3%)
A feature that stopped working and unusable in rain until cleared.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
3 complaints (3%)
Shattering or cracking. Median mileage when it started: about 75,000 miles.
Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
3 complaints (3%)
Harsh or delayed shifts and slipping. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Airbag warning light
2 complaints (2%)
Warning lights and a failure that needed a new part.

Show 11 more problems

Engine failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part and stalling. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a tow.
Engine oil leak
2 complaints (2%)
A leak.
Fuel system: warning lights
2 complaints (2%)
Warning lights and a leak.
Headlights: stopped working
2 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working and foggy covers, inadequate illumination.
OEM jack: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and insufficient lift.
Connecting rod bearings failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
A loss of power and hesitation. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
2 complaints (2%)
Deployment with no crash and warning lights.
Shifter or park: the car rolling away
2 complaints (2%)
The car rolling away and shifts into neutral when bumped. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a crash.
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
2 complaints (2%)
The system acting on its own. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Windshield wipers: a leak
2 complaints (2%)
A leak and a failure that needed a new part.

Reported Once (36)

Show the 36 problems reported once

A/C condenser failure
Alternator or charging failure
Ball joints and control arms: unusual noises
Cabin odor or mold: a bad smell
Cooling system: overheating
Cylinder head gasket failure
Engine oil consumption: rough running or misfires
Engine sensors or computer: stalling
Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
Exterior lights: reverse lighting too dim
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
Fuel pump: a leak
Fuel leak
Heater: stopped working
Horn: stopped working
Ignition or push-button start: sticking or stiffness
Loss of power (cause not stated)
Compass: flashing
Cylinder head: shattering or cracking
Fire under the hood (cause not stated)
Fuel injection control module
Immobilizer system: the car not starting
Rear window wiper blade: parts breaking or coming apart
Spare tire carrier cable: parts breaking or coming apart
Tire jack supplied with vehicle: locking up
Water sheeting over windshield (design): vision obscured by sheet of water
Sway bar links failure
Stall (cause not stated)
Car not starting (cause not stated)
Struts or shocks failure
Sunroof: water leaking in
Tires: sidewalls flattening out
Valve train: reduced power or limp mode
Variable cylinder management (VCM): vibration or shudder
Vibration (cause not stated)
Windshield: shattering or cracking

How the 2015 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 This year	Not scored	–	–	9.8	4	Brakes: loss of braking
2014	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

2015 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.

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V858000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 18, 2023. By the second quarter of 2026, 73% 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 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)
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 Investigations

Defect investigations by NHTSA that cover this model year, with what they found.

Engine failures outside the scope of an engine recall
Closed without a recall
NHTSA's recall query tested whether Honda recall 23V-751 was wide enough. That recall covers 3.5-liter V6 engines with a crankshaft defect. The query covered 2018-2020 Odysseys, 2015-2020 Pilots and 2017-2019 Ridgelines. NHTSA found Honda had set the scope properly and closed the query in August 2025. It moved the complaints to PE25-008.
NHTSA RQ24013 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Nov 8, 2024 to Aug 20, 2025

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2015 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 2015 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.

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump NHTSA 23V858000
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)

On the Test Drive

Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
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.

Ask the Seller

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

Brakes
Paint and rust
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.