Honda Pilotby Kevauto—CC-BY-SA-4.0
Honda is known for being a relatively reliable vehicle manufacturer overall and has produced some of the most reliable vehicles on the road today. But not all Hondas are known to be a great choice if you're looking for a more reliable vehicle rather than a cheap one or a cash advance. If you're considering getting a Honda Pilot, for example, you might be concerned about the Honda Pilot's mixed reliability reports.
This is a big problem, as consumers who don't know what to expect when buying a vehicle don't have the opportunity to prepare for their vehicle's overall reliability.
Depending on who you ask and when you ask, the Honda Pilot is either one of the most reliable vehicles Honda has ever produced, or one of the least reliable.
Let's take a closer look to see if the Honda rider is reliable or if the rumors of his failures are true.
Is Honda Pilot reliable?
As far as official ratings go, at this point the Honda Pilot has managed to maintain average reliability scores, making it neither the best nor the worst vehicle Honda has to offer. It is considered an intermediate option not only by its manufacturer, but also compared to its competitors.
That said, the Honda Pilot's high affordability may make it more attractive, even if it's not as reliable as other options from Honda or other manufacturers.
However, the Honda Pilot has stiff competition as one of its biggest natural competitors is the Toyota Highlander. Unfortunately for the Pilot, both the Toyota and the Highlander tend to have incredibly high reliability ratings, making the Pilot less attractive and making it all the more important that it be a reliable choice if you're going to choose it over the competition.
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Unfortunately, the waves of complaints about the Pilot have reduced its reputation among consumers, if not its actual reliability scores among experts.
Let's take a look at the Honda Pilot's strengths and weaknesses and see how it stacks up against other vehicles on the market and its competitors.
Honda rider strengths
While the Honda Pilot has had a dubious reputation throughout the vehicle's launch and different lines, newer models seem to have solved some of the reliability issues that plagued previous generations.
The Hondas themselves seemed to have reliability issues between 2015 and 2017, which the brand appears to have corrected in 2018 and for future releases. That said, the 2018 redesign earned impressive reliability scores from Consumer Reports and other experts. It also looks like the 2021 model will prove to be an impressively reliable option.
The Honda Pilot is relatively reliable, with average fuel efficiency, reasonably good brakes, and a set of effective safety features that make it easier and safer to drive.
The Honda Pilot is also more comfortable than many of its competitors. Also, like other Honda models, the Pilot is known to be a good choice for taller drivers and passengers.
However, Honda Pilot components are not known for their great reliability or great fragility. Instead, they are just average and need average maintenance to survive.
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Weaknesses of the Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot's biggest weakness is the line's history. Like many Honda models, the Pilot has a questionable reliability record. It's a great SUV when it's a good model year, but it's a terrible SUV when you get a bad model launch.
There's nothing particularly exciting or innovative about Pilot either. That means their mixed reliability isn't balanced by impressive features or anything that makes them more efficient than other vehicles.
Although its fuel efficiency is relatively good, its maintenance requirements are neither higher nor lower than other vehicles. It is no faster than its competitors and no more or less comfortable than its best competitors.
Ultimately, while there aren't many known complaints with the newer Honda Pilot models, that doesn't mean it's any more reliable than its predecessors in the lineup.
How long should you expect a Honda Pilot to last?
Honda riders have an average lifespan for an SUV. You can expect most Honda Riders to go at least 150,000 miles before needing serious repairs, and some Riders last up to 250,000 miles before needing repairs.
However, it is relatively rare for a Honda Pilot to reach 300,000 miles in good condition. At the very least, Honda riders that reach 300,000 miles have typically had their fair share of repairs and maintenance and may even have some major components replaced.
That said, if you're willing to pay for those component replacements and other major repairs, Honda riders can go on for a long time after some serious work.
At the same time, Honda Pilots aren't always worth the repairs they need as they get older. Sometimes, even when the repair costs less than the vehicle's value, it's still worth buying a new car simply because the Pilot will need more repairs more often than the alternatives.
How can you increase the reliability of a Honda Pilot?
The best thing you can do to increase the reliability of a Honda Pilot is to stay on top of maintenance and look into preventative maintenance options whenever possible. This is important because the better a Honda Pilot is maintained, the better its fuel efficiency, braking performance, suspension and even transmission.
One of the Honda Pilot's weaknesses is that they don't stand up to even light neglect very well, so maintenance schedules are even more important than average.
It's also important to note that pilots don't do well without being driven regularly. You shouldn't leave your Honda Pilot sitting idle, which means that repairs need to be done quickly so that you can continue to drive the vehicle and keep it in good condition.
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Final Verdict: Is the Honda Pilot Reliable?
The Honda Pilot offers average reliability, at least for the newer models, but you can't expect it to perform better than average or longer than its competitors. The Pilot is unlikely to outperform its competition and may not perform as well as some of the higher performance options.
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FAQs
Is Honda really reliable? ›
Overall, RepairPal awards Honda vehicles a 4.0 out of 5 when it comes to safety and reliability—that's number 1 out of the 32 car brands they currently survey!
Is Honda a trusted brand? ›The reputation of Japanese automakers is undeniable. Included in that conversation are Honda and its sister company, Acura. But what makes Honda cars so reliable? There are several factors including manufacturing standards and engineering philosophies that make Hondas so dependable.
How many miles does it take for a Honda to break down? ›You could get from 200,000 to 300,000 miles with a Honda Civic before it completely breaks down or requires extensive repairs.
What is Honda's reputation? ›Honda has a well-deserved reputation for making well-built, well-engineered cars, and that holds true across its entire lineup. Fuel-efficient and spacious, most Hondas are both enjoyable to drive and boast solid reliability. The mid-size Accord family sedan, a longtime 10Best award winner, is Honda's bread and butter.
Which is better Honda or Toyota? ›Toyota reliability, you're in the right place! When evaluating the safety and reliability of each brand, both brands consistently score relatively high. Toyota typically wins in reliability while Honda has stronger safety ratings according to Automotive News.
What car brand is the most reliable? ›What is the most dependable car brand? Here are the brand rankings based on the number of problems per 100 vehicles, according to J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. vehicle dependability study. The industry average is 186. The highest-ranking premium brand was Lexus, and Kia was the highest-ranking mass market brand.
What company is better than Honda? ›According to Automotive News, Toyota typically comes out ahead in Consumer Reports' annual Auto Reliability Survey, beating out other automakers including Ford, Mazda, and Honda.
Is there a lawsuit against Honda? ›On September 28, 2022, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against American Honda alleging that it sold thousands of vehicles equipped with a flawed Idle Stop feature.
Which is more reliable Toyota or Honda? ›Honda and Toyota are comparable in terms of reliability among affordable car brands. RepairPal identifies Honda as the most reliable brand, while Consumer Reports and iSeeCars prefer Toyota as the most dependable marque. However, some models, like the Honda HR-V and Toyota Land Cruiser, are objectively reliable.
Do Honda engines last long? ›A Honda that is well-maintained and cared for can easily take on over 200,000 miles, making it a stalwart vehicle. Of course, you may be wondering how long it would actually take you to reach 200,000 miles.
Which car lasts the longest mileage? ›
The highest mileage car on record is Irv Gordon's 1966 Volvo P1800S, with over 3 million miles. There were even two electric cars in the study. The Tesla Model S has a potential lifespan of 133,998 miles and the Nissan Leaf 98,081.
Can a Honda last 500000 miles? ›The Honda Civic earned its reputation as a reliable daily driver early on. Older model years can easily last over 100,000 miles, and some have pushed odometers past 500,000 miles. But the increasing complexity of modern Civics could affect long-term reliability.
Which Honda car is best? ›| Honda Car Model | Ex-showroom Price In Delhi* |
|---|---|
| Honda Amaze | ₹8,66,500 lakh - ₹10.13 lakh |
| Honda WR-V | ₹8.76 lakh - ₹11.79 lakh |
| Honda City | ₹11.16 lakh - ₹15.11 lakh |
| Honda City 4th Generation | ₹9.29 lakh - ₹9.99 lakh |
The first reason why you should buy a Honda is its reputation for building durable cars that perform exceedingly well. Right across the entire Honda lineup, you'll find cars that are long-lasting, fuel-efficient, and fun to drive. Honda's reputation for producing durable vehicles is well-deserved.
Who is Honda's main competitor? ›Honda competitors include Audi, Chrysler, General Motors, Polaris Inc. and Nissan. Honda ranks 1st in Product Quality Score on Comparably vs its competitors.
What is the most reliable Honda engine? ›The Honda K20 and K24 are some of the most reliable engines ever built. They come in vehicles from 2000 to around 2015, like the Civic, Acord, Acura, and more. The K20 (i-VTEC) is an inline 4-cylinder, 2L engine making - depending on other components - making 150-221 HP/131-151 lb-ft.
Is Mazda as good as Honda? ›Both brands have been known to produce quality products. Honda and Mazda both maintain top marks for reliability and are found within the top 5 in Consumer Report's Most Reliable Brand rankings. Both brands also offer the same 3yr/36,000-year limited warranty as well as a 5yr/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Are Hondas expensive to maintain? ›Is a Honda expensive to maintain? No. According to RepairPal, Honda vehicles cost, on average, $428 for annual maintenance and repairs. Compared to the industry average of $652, Hondas are more affordable to maintain than many other cars.
What car is number 1 reliability? ›According to this trusted organization, the most reliable cars for 2021 are from brands such as Audi, Buick, Hyundai, and Toyota. The Consumer Reports study is based on surveying more than 400,000 people who own current-generation vehicles made within the last three years.
What is the #1 best car brand? ›BMW narrowly beat out Subaru, the winner of the 2022 ranking. Despite BMW taking the lead, Consumer Reports said the other brands at the top indicate consumers don't have to go luxury to get a high-ranking vehicle.
What is the least reliable vehicle? ›
10 Least Reliable Cars
Full-size pickup trucks are the least reliable vehicle category, receiving an average score of 30. The following 10 models were found to have the greatest risk of problems, according to Consumer Reports: 2023 Jeep Wrangler (Reliability Score: 24). 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE (Reliability Score: 23).
Using a rating based on an average of 345 models, Honda scored 4.0 out of 5.0 for reliability, making it number one out of 32 major auto manufacturers.
What is the high end brand of Honda? ›Acura would serve as Honda's luxury arm and Lexus, Toyota's. Acura has always leaned sporty: It arrived on the scene in 1986 hawking the tagline “Precision crafted performance” and offering Honda's first V6-powered vehicle, the Legend.
Is Nissan as good as Honda? ›The Consumer Reports Brand Reliability rankings put Honda in the top five. Nissan was ranked 13th. In addition, the Honda HR-V placed 5th in Consumer Reports individual model ranking for 2021.
Which Honda has oil dilution problem? ›You may be asked to join an ongoing class action lawsuit if you own or lease a Honda vehicle equipped with a turbo direct injection engine, these include the Honda Accord, Civic, or CR-V from model years 2019-2022. Older Honda models from 2016-2018 may also be affected by the engine oil dilution issue.
What Honda cars are faulty? ›The recalled vehicles are the 2017-2020 Honda CR-V SUV, 2018-2019 Honda Accord and Accord Hybrid sedans, 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey minivan, 2019 Honda Insight sedan, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX SUV. Due to a manufacturing issue, the front seat belt buckles might not latch properly, a defect that gets worse over repeated use.
What car manufacturer has the most lawsuits? ›The most-sued automaker is General Motors.
Why are Honda's so expensive? ›Naturally, the strong demand and low supply drive up the cost of secondhand cars even further. As for Honda, the automaker had to raise the prices of its vehicles this year because operating, labor and material costs have also increased.
Which SUV is better Honda or Toyota? ›Price and quality: Honda SUVs are generally more expensive than their Toyota competitors, but they tend to include more standard features. Reliability: Toyota's is known for reliability, though Hondas SUVs aren't far behind in this regard.
Do Honda vehicles last long? ›On average, Hondas have a lifespan of 200,000 to 300,000 miles. Hondas maintain their value well and often have many more years of life in them well past the 200,000-mile mark. Because of this, Hondas are hot in the used car market and usually get snatched up pretty quickly—at reasonable prices.
Do Honda cars last a long time? ›
A Honda will last 15-20 years if not more in some cases. This generally puts the cars somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000 miles. Some Honda vehicles like the Honda Accord, Civic and Odyssey are in the top ten longest lasting cars in the world.
Is Honda more reliable than Chevy? ›Like many other Japanese brands, Honda has built a reputation for producing very reliable cars. Likewise, Chevrolet, particularly its trucks, has had its fair share of long-running vehicles. The latest JD Power brand dependability ranking has Honda placed 24th, while Chevy placed 10th.
What car has the best longevity? ›The highest mileage car on record is Irv Gordon's 1966 Volvo P1800S, with over 3 million miles. There were even two electric cars in the study. The Tesla Model S has a potential lifespan of 133,998 miles and the Nissan Leaf 98,081.
How many miles is too many for a used Honda? ›Considering that a properly maintained Civic can potentially last 150,000 to 200,000 miles, anything below 80,000 miles is considered good mileage. If you can find a used Civic that had a careful owner who mostly drove on the highway or in the countryside, it can be a safe choice even if it has reached 100,000 miles.
What lasts longer Toyota or Honda? ›Honda and Toyota are comparable in terms of reliability among affordable car brands. RepairPal identifies Honda as the most reliable brand, while Consumer Reports and iSeeCars prefer Toyota as the most dependable marque. However, some models, like the Honda HR-V and Toyota Land Cruiser, are objectively reliable.
What is the best long lasting Honda? ›The Accord might be the model with the greatest longevity for potential owners looking for the longest-lasting Honda car on the market. According to iSeeCars, the Honda Accord has a potential lifespan of around 226,168 miles.
What is the most miles on Honda? ›This bulletproof Honda stayed in the owner's family for two generations, ending at 1.16 million miles. The original owner kept the car until his death, and in his will, he passed it down to his son, who kept driving it until it reached that critical seven-digit mark.
What is the longest lasting car brand? ›The Toyota vehicles also consistently last longer than any Honda. According to statistics based on consumer reports, Toyota is the second most reliable automaker after Mazda, and Corolla is the most reliable model. Honda didn't even make it to the top 10 for average reliability.
Does Honda have the best engine? ›Honda sets the standard for reliable, hard-working engines. Our engines are built with high-quality components designed for optimum performance in the harshest environments.