HONDA PILOT · model year

2011 HONDA PILOT

384 NHTSA complaints, 44 crash reports, and 11 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011HONDAPILOT carries 384 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 44 crashes, 14 fires, 45 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 PILOT is air bags with 67 filings, followed by service brakes (39) and steering (34). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 11 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 77 investigation files overlapping the 2011 PILOT, and 9 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

384
Complaints
44
Crashes
14
Fires
45
Injuries
0
Deaths
2011 HONDA PILOT — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2011 HONDA PILOT. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

384 filings

Crashes Reported

44 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS67
SERVICE BRAKES39
STEERING34
SUSPENSION33
ENGINE31
UNKNOWN OR OTHER22
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL17
POWER TRAIN17
STRUCTURE:BODY15
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10
WHEELS8
SEATS7
SEAT BELTS7
VISIBILITY/WIPER7

Recalls (11)

17V54500031/08/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have in

18V66100027/09/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississipp

19V50200027/06/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-201

18V26800026/04/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b

16V34600024/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and Pilot

13V01600018/01/2013

AIR BAGS

Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.

10V64000016/12/2010

SUSPENSION

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 HONDA ACCORD V6 AND MODEL YEAR 2011 HONDA PILOT VEHICLES. THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT DAMPER BRACKET TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND THE SPINDLE NUTS ON THE PILOT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF ST

19V37800016/05/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009

17V03000010/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Hond

11V46800009/09/2011

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 PILOT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 13, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE STITCHING THAT SECURES THE END OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER LAP SECTION OF THE SEATBELT MAY BE INCOMPLETE OR MISSING.

18V04200009/01/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehi

Recent Complaints

20260120AIR BAGS

Unknown

20251027SERVICE BRAKES

Malfunctioned the brake the pedal and the seatbelt it was on Friday to I was driving after I yield drive there was few cars head of me ON A distance now I am trying to start slowdown early can't find the brake so I press the pedal with force when the pedal reaches to the floor slim stop right behind the car of me I will say 99% inch away to touch the car in front of me and the seatbelt even help me back and the all way have trying to move to other direction on when driving shifting unstable I don't fell save at all when I'm driving that specially driving to work at night for me that car need to have a state inspection and a complete repair before the dealership sold that car to me

20251027SEAT BELTS

Malfunctioned the brake the pedal and the seatbelt it was on Friday to I was driving after I yield drive there was few cars head of me ON A distance now I am trying to start slowdown early can't find the brake so I press the pedal with force when the pedal reaches to the floor slim stop right behind the car of me I will say 99% inch away to touch the car in front of me and the seatbelt even help me back and the all way have trying to move to other direction on when driving shifting unstable I don't fell save at all when I'm driving that specially driving to work at night for me that car need to have a state inspection and a complete repair before the dealership sold that car to me

20250904VISIBILITY

The contact’s wife owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the rear window unexpectedly shattered. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20250728ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 55,653 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 225,000.

Mileage: 225,000

20250626SERVICE BRAKES

Break pedal goes to the floor

20250429ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 150,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 166,000.

Mileage: 166,000

20250408UNKNOWN OR OTHER

He sold me the Honda 2011 pilot the defective transmission I bought it from the person by marketplace when 1 week ago when I took it to change the transmission oil they told me that the transmission was damaged

20250401ENGINE

I was driving along [XXX] , wheb I came to a stop at the stoplight at the intersection of [XXX] The vehicle shut off and couldn't restart. I had to tow it to a garage where the engine is being repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20241223UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was hearing clunking in the back and brought it into the shop to get it checked out. I was told the rear subframe broke from being rusted/rotted out. I looked my car up to see if there were any recalls for it and found that there were recalls/buy backs for the same thing for 2003-2008 Honda pilots, 2007-2011 CR-V's and Ridgeline's in cold weather states, but not for my year of pilot even though it is the same issue wrong with the subframe. We tried contacting Honda, but after going back and forth with voice messages they told us there was nothing they can do because our year didn't have the recall. The pictures I uploaded are stills from videos taken. The videos can't be uploaded though this.

20231229FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The gas tank bands are rusting out, they are about to break causing the gas tank to fall and probably catch fire. The gas tank protector and gas tank guard are also rusted out to the point of falling off and crumbling rust.

20231207VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the rearview mirror was inoperable. The contact was unable to view objects in the rearview mirror. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rearview mirror had delaminated from the inside and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 246,632.

Mileage: 246,632

20230816ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V573000 (Electrical System) however, neither the VIN nor the year vehicle was included. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 318,000.

Mileage: 318,000

20230815AIR BAGS

Airbag light on.

20230802VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while in the process of parallel parking, he shifted into drive(D) and slightly depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle accelerated forward unintendedly and hit the rear driver's side fender of another unoccupied parked vehicle. The contact stated his foot was stuck on the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that he had to manually remove his foot from the accelerator pedal. The contact was able to continue driving. An unknown local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20230524ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Have a known hacker. They have shown experience on remote hacking using TimeStomping and ECM modifications. I work as an Amazon Delivery driver in Kentucky. My Hackers are my Employer and the Operations Manager. The same hacking to their company vehicles are being done to employees personal vehicles. Forced Limp Mode, Power distribution, Fake sensors malfunctions, and Alarm controls are reoccurring. My entire communications network is compromised. When I called Honda (888) 528-7876) from my Boost Mobile iPhone, the automated system did not recognize my T-Mobile Android phone number that is registered on MyHonda. The person I spoke to asked my name, Vin number, and then asked if the T-Mobile phone number is the one associated with my Honda Pilot. After I mentioned the automated system did not have that number, I was to my number popped up as a caller ID. 2 different phones on 2 different networks acting as one!?!? 05/24/2023 At 11:55 am, I travel from my work to tha gas station. I pu

20230524POWER TRAIN

Have a known hacker. They have shown experience on remote hacking using TimeStomping and ECM modifications. I work as an Amazon Delivery driver in Kentucky. My Hackers are my Employer and the Operations Manager. The same hacking to their company vehicles are being done to employees personal vehicles. Forced Limp Mode, Power distribution, Fake sensors malfunctions, and Alarm controls are reoccurring. My entire communications network is compromised. When I called Honda (888) 528-7876) from my Boost Mobile iPhone, the automated system did not recognize my T-Mobile Android phone number that is registered on MyHonda. The person I spoke to asked my name, Vin number, and then asked if the T-Mobile phone number is the one associated with my Honda Pilot. After I mentioned the automated system did not have that number, I was to my number popped up as a caller ID. 2 different phones on 2 different networks acting as one!?!? 05/24/2023 At 11:55 am, I travel from my work to tha gas station. I pu

20230524AIR BAGS

Have a known hacker. They have shown experience on remote hacking using TimeStomping and ECM modifications. I work as an Amazon Delivery driver in Kentucky. My Hackers are my Employer and the Operations Manager. The same hacking to their company vehicles are being done to employees personal vehicles. Forced Limp Mode, Power distribution, Fake sensors malfunctions, and Alarm controls are reoccurring. My entire communications network is compromised. When I called Honda (888) 528-7876) from my Boost Mobile iPhone, the automated system did not recognize my T-Mobile Android phone number that is registered on MyHonda. The person I spoke to asked my name, Vin number, and then asked if the T-Mobile phone number is the one associated with my Honda Pilot. After I mentioned the automated system did not have that number, I was to my number popped up as a caller ID. 2 different phones on 2 different networks acting as one!?!? 05/24/2023 At 11:55 am, I travel from my work to tha gas station. I pu

20230320ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

There must be some department that will resolve this safety issue. American Honda case # 13705515 . Largely unknown by most Honda owners is the built in DysFunction of all locks unlocking, all windows and moonroof opening by pressing unlock then again & hold. There are countless stories of damage and danger to customers vehicles like myself. No one uses this " feature " and in my case it happens in the middle of the night by itself for no reason. My 2011 Honda Pilot has been seriously rained inside of and snowed in causing interior damage as well as possible electrical damage, that is very well a safety issue. The immediate safety issue is that the vehicle is rendered open to any criminal who may hide inside to attack the owner, this is a breach of security that all vehicle owners expect their vehicle to stay locked and safe. Please help customers get Honda to reprogram all body module computers to delete this " function " at Hondas expense.

20230213STRUCTURE:BODY

Left side front windshield garnish / trim piece detached at highway speed and went airborne. Impacted following vehicle’s front windshield.

Compare 2011HONDAPILOT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 9 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 HONDA PILOT have?
The 2011 HONDA PILOT has 384 NHTSA complaints, 44 crashes, 14 fires, 45 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 HONDA PILOT?
The 2011 HONDA PILOT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 HONDA PILOT?
Yes, the 2011 HONDA PILOT has 11 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 HONDA PILOT?
The most-complained component for the 2011 HONDA PILOT is AIR BAGS with 67 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and STEERING.
Is the 2011 HONDA PILOT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 HONDA PILOT has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.