2019 Honda Pilot: Reliability, Recalls, Known Issues & Cost to Own

Data last updated 2026-07-04 · sources listed throughout · based on public NHTSA data

The 2019 Honda Pilot is a family-friendly SUV with a comfortable ride, spacious interior, and good safety features, though some owners report infotainment and transmission glitches. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2019 Honda Pilot. 848 owner complaints are on file with NHTSA for this model year. 8 known issue patterns are documented below, with frequency and the mileage windows where they typically appear. New, the 2019 Honda Pilot ranged from $31,450 to $48,020 depending on trim (base MSRP, before options and destination).

7/10

Strong track record

The 2019 Honda Pilot is a family-friendly SUV with a comfortable ride, spacious interior, and good safety features, though some owners report infotainment and transmission glitches.

Sources (1)

bayreviews.comhttps://www.bayreviews.com/2019-honda-pilot-suv/

Known issues

The auto idle-stop feature has been reported to fail, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly in traffic and creating a safety risk.

occasional · engine
The nine-speed automatic transmission in certain models may suffer from a programming defect causing rough and delayed shifting, loud noises during shifting, sudden harsh accelerations/decelerations, and a sudden loss of power.

commonly reported · transmission
Some vehicles were recalled due to a manufacturing error where the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, potentially damaging the engine.

isolated · engine
The infotainment system, including the central touchscreen and backup camera, can experience unresponsiveness, freezing, or display distorted images, posing a safety risk during parking maneuvers.

commonly reported · 21 NHTSA complaints · electrical
The 3.5-liter V6 engine may experience excessive oil consumption due to piston rings not sealing perfectly, leading to low oil levels between service intervals.

occasional · 4 NHTSA complaints · engine
The air conditioning system may stop blowing cold air due to refrigerant leaks, electrical climate control issues, or a faulty AC compressor.

occasional · 4 NHTSA complaints · hvac
Some 2019 Pilot models have experienced issues with the brake system, including squealing pads and a pulsating sensation through the brake pedal, often indicating warped brake rotors.

occasional · 3 NHTSA complaints · brake
Owners have reported a high-pitched whine or droning noise from the CVT transmission during acceleration, especially when climbing grades or merging onto highways.

occasional · 16 NHTSA complaints · transmission

Based on public NHTSA complaint data and AI synthesis: patterns, not guarantees.

Sources (6)

imba.missouri.eduhttps://imba.missouri.edu/2019-honda-pilot-issues-0497524499.html
m.carcomplaints.comhttps://m.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Pilot/2019/electrical/electrical_system-2.s…
repairpal.comhttps://repairpal.com/honda/pilot/2019/brakes-making-noise
m.carcomplaints.comhttps://m.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Pilot/2019/engine/engine.shtml
repairpal.comhttps://repairpal.com/symptom/honda/pilot/2019/ac-not-working
community.cartalk.comhttps://community.cartalk.com/t/honda-pilot-2019-overheating-ac-stops-working…

Recalls & safety

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2019 Honda Pilot. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

STRUCTURE:BODY #19V784000 · 31/10/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Pilot and 2019 Passport vehicles. The front frame left and right side upper members may not have been welded completely to the unibody. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 219, "Windshield Zone Intrusion."

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing welds, free of charge. If the vehicle is identified as missing welds, the dealer will offer to repurchase the vehicle or provide a similar replacement vehicle. Owner notification began November 6 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X6J.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD #21V932000 · 29/11/2021

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.

Remedy: Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS #18V848000 · 28/11/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Honda Ridgeline and Pilot vehicles. The mounting holes for the clip that secures the right center pillar trim panel may be larger than intended. In the event of a crash necessitating right side curtain air bag deployment, the clip may not hold the center pillar trim panel in position and it may potentially interfere with the curtain air bag deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection," and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket on the right center pillar that will securely hold the center pillar trim clip, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is D3D.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA #20V439000 · 28/07/2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE #20V440000 · 28/07/2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Remedy: Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Y7Y.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP #21V215000 · 25/03/2021

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER #26V332000 · 21/05/2026

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP #23V858000 · 18/12/2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION #23V431000 · 15/06/2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL #23V751000 · 13/11/2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS #19V298000 · 12/04/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.
TIRES #21V165000 · 11/03/2021

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2021. Owners may contact American Honda Motor Co. customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UA2.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS #26V365000 · 04/06/2026

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.

Whether a recall is still open on a specific car depends on its VIN. Check it free at NHTSA's VIN lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls), or ask the seller for proof the repair was done.

NHTSA crash test (NCAP)

Overall	★★★★★ 5/5
Frontal crash	4/5
Side crash	5/5
Rollover	4/5

View on nhtsa.gov

Pros & cons

Pros

The 2019 Honda Pilot offers a versatile and roomy interior with spacious rear seats, making it a family-friendly vehicle.
The Pilot provides a smooth and compliant ride in most conditions, contributing to overall comfort.
The updated infotainment system includes a physical volume knob and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, addressing previous complaints.
Comfortable ride, refined 3.5L V6 power and competitive fuel economy for a three-row SUV.
The V6 engine is powerful and efficient for a vehicle of its size.
The 2019 Pilot comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features, including collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Roomy, practical cabin seating up to eight with a large, flexible cargo area.
Strong resale value and available all-wheel drive.

Cons

Third-row access can be narrow, and adults may find thigh room limited in the third row.
The Pilot has a fairly high step up to get into the vehicle.
Push-button gear selector and early touchscreen with no volume knob frustrate some owners.
The nine-speed automatic transmission, while improved for 2019, is still not as smooth as the six-speed transmission found on lower trims.
Some owners have reported issues with the infotainment system, including connectivity problems and a complex user interface.
The 2016-2020 V6 is covered by a connecting-rod-bearing engine-failure recall (23V-751).
Honda Sensing camera failures and direct-injection fuel-injector issues are commonly reported.
The adaptive cruise control system can be overly sensitive and only works above 20 mph, which is not ideal for stop-and-go traffic.
The 2016-2018 ZF 9-speed automatic (Touring/Elite) is prone to harsh, jerky shifting and shudder; revised for 2019 and lower trims use a smoother 6-speed.

Trims & original pricing

Trim	Original base MSRP	New today	Engine	MPG
LX	$31,450	discontinued	3.5L V6	—
EX	$34,330	discontinued	3.5L V6	—
EX-L	$37,760	$44,695	3.5L V6	—
Touring	$42,520	$51,295	3.5L V6	—
Elite	$48,020	$53,695	3.5L V6	—

Prices are base MSRP for each trim's standard configuration. Options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid.

Sources (3)

iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/2019-honda-pilot-price
fueleconomy.govhttps://www.fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options?year=2016&make=Honda…
iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/honda-pilot-price

Depreciation

2019 entry trim from new same model bought new today

Move your cursor along the line to see the estimated value for any year.

Curve anchored at the entry-trim base MSRP ($31,450). Higher trims started higher (up to $48,020), and options added more.

Curve outlook: a typical 2019 loses roughly another 26% of its value over the next 3 years. These are estimates from public data, not a market-price claim.

Sources (2)

caredge.comhttps://caredge.com/honda/pilot/depreciation
iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/honda-pilot/resale-value

Cost to own

Routine maintenance	≈ $600–650/yr
Insurance (medium tier)	≈ $2,100–2,200/yr

National-average estimates based on public data. Your costs vary by region, driver, and condition.

Sources (1)

caredge.comhttps://caredge.com/honda/pilot/depreciation

Also consider

Toyota Highlander rated 5/10 similar feature set and good fuel economy
Volkswagen Atlas rated 4/10 more spacious for cargo and people
Nissan Pathfinder rated 6/10 strong value and competitive features

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2019 Honda Pilot have?

Documented issue patterns include: The auto idle-stop feature has been reported to fail, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly in traffic and creating a safety risk; The nine-speed automatic transmission in certain models may suffer from a programming defect causing rough and delayed shifting, loud noises during shifting, sudden harsh accelerations/decelerations, and a sudden loss of power; Some vehicles were recalled due to a manufacturing error where the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, potentially damaging the engine; The infotainment system, including the central touchscreen and backup camera, can experience unresponsiveness, freezing, or display distorted images, posing a safety risk during parking maneuvers. Frequency is based on public NHTSA complaint data: patterns, not guarantees.

Does the 2019 Honda Pilot have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns, affecting: STRUCTURE:BODY; STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD; STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS; BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Is the 2019 Honda Pilot reliable?

The 2019 Honda Pilot is a family-friendly SUV with a comfortable ride, spacious interior, and good safety features, though some owners report infotainment and transmission glitches.

How much did the 2019 Honda Pilot cost new?

Between $31,450 and $48,020 depending on trim. Those are base MSRPs for each trim's standard configuration; options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid.

Is the Honda Pilot expensive to maintain?

Estimated routine maintenance runs about $600–650/year.

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Estimates are based on public data: patterns, not guarantees. CarVitals is not affiliated with NHTSA, CarMax, AutoTrader, or Cars.com. Issue frequencies come from public NHTSA complaint data, which has no denominator, so they describe reporting patterns, not failure probabilities. Always have a used car inspected before buying. How we build these reports.