Is the Honda Pilot reliable?
40% of the 48 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 54/100 — it scores noticeably below average.
48
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections54/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10040%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 48 used Honda Pilots we inspected, this model scores noticeably below average — average condition 54/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
60%
Oil leaks · Engine
52%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
40%
Fluid leaks · Steering (hydraulic power)
38%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
35%
Share of inspected Honda Pilots where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 13%
Good 27%
Mediocre 35%
Poor 25%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
83%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
2%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
35%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
How long does a Pilot stay good?
Good cars by mileage
Share of Honda Pilots in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
More on Honda
Fit
32 cars · 72% good
CR-V
97 cars · 55% good
Odyssey
58 cars · 52% good
Civic
149 cars · 51% good
Accord
121 cars · 37% good
Other Honda models we've inspected — or see the full Honda profile.
Straight from recent Honda Pilot reports
2010 Honda Pilot · 121k mi — flagged: oil leaks, battery condition, fault codes recently cleared. Inspected Sep 9.
2016 Honda Pilot · 159k mi — flagged: low coolant / cooling system issues, oil leaks, battery condition. Inspected Aug 24.
The bottom line
Ignore the shine—eighty-three percent have at least one repainted panel—and start with the engine. Fuel trim is out of range on sixty percent of them, oil leaks nearly as often, and cleared codes pop up more than they should, so demand a live scan and a look underneath before you talk price. Then check power-steering fluid and the tires. Most of these sit in mediocre or poor shape, so if oil is seeping or the scan is messy, walk away; only a leak-free, code-clean Pilot with believable paint work is worth negotiating on.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used Honda Pilot?
The items we flag most often are fuel trim out of range (60%), oil leaks (52%), active error codes (40%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 35% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
Thinking of buying a Honda Pilot? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 48 inspections · updated Oct 1, 2026
