MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index
NHTSA crash test of the 2019 Honda Pilot

NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED

2019 Honda Pilot

Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.

13Recalls
855Complaints
4Investigations
ABOUT THE HONDA PILOT

The Honda Pilot is a three-row midsize SUV that has been a cornerstone of the family hauler segment for over two decades. Targeting households that need genuine eight-passenger capacity without stepping into truck-based territory, the Pilot competes in one of the most hotly contested spaces in the American market. It blends everyday practicality with Honda's reputation for refined engineering, making it a perennial consideration for buyers prioritizing space and safety.

VERDICT

The 2019 Honda Pilot earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 72 out of 100, an average result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. It has 13 recalls on record, reflected in the score.

WHO IT IS FOR
  • new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
  • urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY

Reviewers generally regard the Honda Pilot as one of the more polished and well-rounded three-row family SUVs in its class, praising its composed ride, practical interior packaging, and user-friendly technology. Most consider it a strong default choice for families, though some note that the competitive segment means buyers have several compelling alternatives worth cross-shopping.

NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk 16.4%

Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 13646

Index breakdown

Crash protection61/70
Avoidance tech10/10
Defect record1/20
Forward collision warning: StandardLane departure warning: StandardStability control: Standard

NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images

Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.

NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS26V365000

Risk: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

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 thi

Reported 2026-06-04

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER26V332000

Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

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

Reported 2026-05-21

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP23V858000

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Reported 2023-12-18

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL23V751000

Risk: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

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 mi

Reported 2023-11-13

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION23V431000

Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

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.

Reported 2023-06-15

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD21V932000

Risk: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Reported 2021-11-29

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP21V215000

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Reported 2021-03-25

TIRES21V165000

Risk: Overcured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation, which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

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.

Reported 2021-03-11

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA20V439000

Risk: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.

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.

Reported 2020-07-28

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE20V440000

Risk: A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Reported 2020-07-28

STRUCTURE:BODY19V784000

Risk: In the event of a crash, incomplete body welding may provide inadequate protection to occupants, increasing the risk of an injury.

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.

Reported 2019-10-31

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS19V298000

Risk: Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

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 c

Reported 2019-04-12

NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints

855 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.

13reported crash
5reported fire
15reported injuries
0reported deaths
Most-reported systemsElectrical System 250Engine 217Unknown Or Other 157Fuel/Propulsion System 108Forward Collision Avoidance 107Power Train 88

Other Pilot years

Rivals in SUV (2019)

Last verified 2026-07-02. Sources: NHTSA SafetyRatings (VehicleId 13646), recallsByVehicle, complaintsByVehicle for Honda Pilot 2019. Class rank 87 of 93 in SUV 2019. Methodology · Disclosure