2023 Honda Pilot: Reliability, Recalls, Known Issues & Cost to Own
Data last updated 2026-07-04 · sources listed throughout · based on public NHTSA data
Redesigned and roomy with excellent ride and standard safety, but a first-year car: false seat-belt warnings, steering-rack noise, phantom braking and a steering gearbox recall temper it. 4 known issue patterns are documented below, with frequency and the mileage windows where they typically appear. New, the 2023 Honda Pilot ranged from $36,300 to $52,380 depending on trim (base MSRP, before options and destination).
This listing
Context from the listing you were viewing, not a market-price judgement.
Redesigned and roomy with excellent ride and standard safety, but a first-year car: false seat-belt warnings, steering-rack noise, phantom braking and a steering gearbox recall temper it.
Sources (3)
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=honda&model=pilot&m…
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=honda&model=pilot&m…
- truedelta.comhttps://www.truedelta.com/Honda-Pilot/reliability-114
Known issues
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Steering-rack knocking, creaking and clicking noises with some rack replacements; subject of a steering gearbox recall for a loose ball bearing that can cause loss of steering control.
occasional · 14 NHTSA complaints · typically 0k–30k miles · steering
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Honda Sensing automatic emergency braking activates with no obstacle present (phantom braking), often in rain or snow.
occasional · 11 NHTSA complaints · brake
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False "seat belt unbuckled" warnings and continuous chimes from faulty occupant/belt sensors, mostly on the middle and rear rows even when buckled.
commonly reported · 29 NHTSA complaints · typically 0k–20k miles · electrical
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Auto idle-stop restart hesitation, transmission jerkiness and occasional loss-of-power / stall events.
occasional · 7 NHTSA complaints · transmission
Based on public NHTSA complaint data and AI synthesis: patterns, not guarantees.
Sources (2)
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=honda&model=pilot&m…
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=honda&model=pilot&m…
Recalls & safety
Recall history hasn't been loaded for this model year yet.
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.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Composed, comfortable ride and easy-to-drive manners; handles better than most rivals in the class.
- Rugged new styling with an available TrailSport off-road trim.
- Generous standard Honda Sensing safety suite and solid Honda build quality.
- Spacious, family-friendly three-row cabin with class-leading cargo room and a clever removable middle seat.
Cons
- Early-build glitches: false seat-belt warnings, steering-rack noise and random electrical / warning-light faults.
- Subject to a 2023-2024 steering gearbox recall for a loose ball bearing.
- Phantom automatic-emergency-braking events reported with Honda Sensing.
Trims & original pricing
| Trim | Original base MSRP | New today | Engine | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX | $36,300 | discontinued | 3.5L V6 | — |
| Sport | $39,500 | $42,395 | 3.5L V6 | — |
| EX-L | $42,300 | $44,695 | 3.5L V6 | — |
| Touring | $46,800 | $51,295 | 3.5L V6 | — |
| TrailSport | $48,700 | $50,595 | 3.5L V6 | — |
| Elite | $52,380 | $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.
2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
Sources (3)
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/2023-honda-pilot-price
- fueleconomy.govhttps://www.fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options?year=2024&make=Honda…
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/honda-pilot-price
Depreciation
Move your cursor along the line to see the estimated value for any year.
This listing sits above the typical depreciation curve. Common for heavily-optioned cars and for 2021-2023 model years (pandemic-era pricing); the curve is anchored at base MSRP, which excludes options.
Curve anchored at the entry-trim base MSRP ($36,300). Higher trims started higher (up to $52,380), and options added more.
Curve outlook: a typical 2023 loses roughly another 25% of its value over the next 3 years. These are estimates from public data, not a market-price claim.
2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
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
Frequently asked questions
What problems does the 2023 Honda Pilot have?
Documented issue patterns include: Steering-rack knocking, creaking and clicking noises with some rack replacements; subject of a steering gearbox recall for a loose ball bearing that can cause loss of steering control; Honda Sensing automatic emergency braking activates with no obstacle present (phantom braking), often in rain or snow; False "seat belt unbuckled" warnings and continuous chimes from faulty occupant/belt sensors, mostly on the middle and rear rows even when buckled; Auto idle-stop restart hesitation, transmission jerkiness and occasional loss-of-power / stall events. Frequency is based on public NHTSA complaint data: patterns, not guarantees.
Is the 2023 Honda Pilot reliable?
Redesigned and roomy with excellent ride and standard safety, but a first-year car: false seat-belt warnings, steering-rack noise, phantom braking and a steering gearbox recall temper it.
How much did the 2023 Honda Pilot cost new?
Between $36,300 and $52,380 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. 2021-2023 cars held unusually high used values due to pandemic-era supply shortages, so comparisons to original MSRP read differently for these years.
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.