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2026 Honda Pilot: common problems and reliability
Too new to grade yet.
22 owner complaints, most about steering. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 2026 Pilot?The 2026 Honda Pilot has 22 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are steering and seat belts. Owners most often flag transmission problems (varies by generation): 2002-2003 models have "junk" transmissions; 2005-2008 models can experience torque converter shudder; 2023+ models with the 10-speed automatic exhibit jerkiness, gear hunting, and poor low-speed programming.
Safety record for the 2026 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2026 Honda Pilot vehicles (US, public record).
Too new to grade: we score a model year once it has been on the road for 3 years. How we score it
Is 2026 a good year for the Pilot?
Across the 24 Pilot model years we track, complaint volume runs from 109 (2015) to 1,703 (2016). With 22 complaints, the 2026 Pilot sits below the model's median of 268.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2026 Pilot
suspension:rear
Campaign 26V424000Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, practicality, and driving experience. The Pilot is consistently praised as a durable, high-mileage family vehicle capable of reaching 250,000+ miles with proper maintenance.
- RecurrentTransmission problems (varies by generation)
2002-2003 models have "junk" transmissions; 2005-2008 models can experience torque converter shudder; 2023+ models with the 10-speed automatic exhibit jerkiness, gear hunting, and poor low-speed programming.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Pilot. See the full Pilot owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Pilot listings typically run $17,700–$29,885.
Other Pilot model years
Compare every Pilot year side by side to see how 2026 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Pilot against its rivals
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