Is the Honda Pilot reliable?
40% of the 45 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 54/100 — it scores noticeably below average.
45
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections54/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10040%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 45 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
51%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
42%
Fluid leaks · Steering (hydraulic power)
38%
Lights not working · Equipment
33%
Share of inspected Honda Pilots where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 13%
Good 27%
Mediocre 33%
Poor 27%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
82%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
2%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
33%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%
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
31 cars · 71% good
CR-V
86 cars · 52% good
Odyssey
52 cars · 52% good
Civic
143 cars · 51% good
Accord
115 cars · 37% good
Other Honda models we've inspected — or see the full Honda profile.
Straight from recent Honda Pilot reports
2011 Honda Pilot · 133k mi — flagged: oil leaks, battery condition, fault codes recently cleared. Inspected Aug 21.
2017 Honda Pilot · 100k mi — flagged: oil leaks, fault codes recently cleared, fuel trim out of range. Inspected Aug 8.
The bottom line
A Honda Pilot sitting in front of you is more likely than not to have fresh paint on several panels and an engine already showing fuel-trim problems or oil leaks, so your first moves are a paint-thickness gauge and a live scan plus a look underneath for drips. Active codes and a wiped history appear often enough that you should insist on a full diagnostic printout before any price talk. Check the power-steering fluid and every light next. If the engine faults are already there, negotiate hard or walk away—the extra paint is usually just cosmetic, not a sign of structural repair.
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 (51%), active error codes (42%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 33% 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 45 inspections · updated Aug 22, 2026
