NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Honda Pilot Safety Ratings
The 2021 Honda Pilot scores 75 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 10 recalls, and 398 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Honda Pilot presents a notable dichotomy in its safety profile, evidenced by a NHTSA Safety Index of 75/100, which places it in the Average band. While the vehicle demonstrated strong performance in crash-test evaluations and received full marks for its avoidance technology, these positive attributes are significantly counterbalanced by a weak defect record. The Pilot’s defect record score of 4/20 is directly attributable to 10 distinct recall campaigns, indicating a considerable number of reported issues.
The 2021 Honda Pilot received an overall 5-star NHTSA crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 75/100, derived exclusively from NHTSA crash-test, recall, and complaint data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Honda Pilot ranks 93 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 75 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 16.4% |
| Recalls on file | 10 |
| Owner complaints | 398 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 93 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Honda Pilot?
The 2021 Honda Pilot moved one point higher than the 2020 model, rising from a 74/100 to a 75/100 Safety Index, both within the Average band. That one-point gain is modest and does not signal a meaningful safety leap. What defines this specific model year is the tension between its strong crash-test performance and its defect record. NHTSA's NCAP testing produced a 5-star overall result, and the vehicle earns the full 10 out of 10 avoidance-technology points because forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control all come standard. However, the defect record sub-score of just 4 out of 20 is the single largest drag on the Index. Ten recall campaigns have been issued against this model year, touching structural integrity, two distinct air bag sensor problems, fuel delivery, and brake components. The 398 unverified owner complaints include an unusually high concentration around Forward Collision Avoidance at 87 alleged reports and Lane Departure at 37, which is notable given those systems score perfectly in the avoidance-tech sub-category. That contrast between test-bench performance and real-world consumer allegations is the defining safety story for this specific year.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Honda Pilot perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Honda Pilot achieved a 5 out of 5 star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Its side-impact protection earned a perfect 5-star score. Frontal crash protection and rollover resistance were rated at 4 out of 5 stars. The measured rollover risk for the Pilot stands at 16 percent, with dynamic tip testing concluding in a No Tip result.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15112
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Honda Pilot have any recalls?
Yes, the 2021 Honda Pilot carries 10 recall campaigns. Documented actions cover frame and structural members, two separate front-passenger occupant classification sensor issues in the air bag system, a gasoline fuel pump defect spanning a wide Honda model range, and a hydraulic brake master cylinder concern. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the provided campaign summaries, but owners should verify remedy status by VIN.
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. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888
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 were mailed July 7, 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) involve
Reported 2026-05-21
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER24V064000
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Reported 2024-02-01
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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER23V458000
Risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
Reported 2023-06-29
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
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR23V174000
Risk: Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
Reported 2023-03-16
TIRES20V725000
Risk: Over-cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a 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 the tires that have the affected DOT serial number and mold number, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is U8Y.
Reported 2020-11-20
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
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
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has received 398 unverified owner allegations for the 2021 Pilot. The most frequently reported components are the Electrical System with 113 alleged issues, the Engine at 92, and Forward Collision Avoidance at 87. These are consumer-reported claims, not established facts.
398 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Honda Pilot?
With 10 recall campaigns on record, anyone considering a used 2021 Honda Pilot must run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup before purchase. Confirming every remedy has been completed at a Honda dealer is a critical step, as verifying completion is the buyer's responsibility.
- The 2021 Pilot's defect record sub-score of 4 out of 20 is the primary reason the Safety Index stays in the Average band despite a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, a direct reflection of its 10 recall campaigns.
- Two separate recall campaigns address front-passenger air bag occupant classification sensors on this model year, one issued in early 2024 and a second in mid-2026, meaning air bag system checks are especially important when verifying remedy completion by VIN.
- Unverified owner complaints to NHTSA show 87 alleged issues specifically tied to Forward Collision Avoidance and 37 to Lane Departure, making those driver-assist systems a practical focus point for any pre-purchase inspection of this year.
- The 2021 model year is included in a structural frame recall covering certain 2016-2022 Pilots, a campaign with a 2026 issue date, which means this recall may still have open remedy slots for some vehicles currently in the used market.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Honda Pilot places
The 2021 Honda Pilot qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Honda Pilot safety questions
Was the 2021 Honda Pilot crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Honda Pilot, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 75 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Honda Pilot crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Honda Pilot earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 16.4%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Pilot have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 10 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Honda Pilot. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Honda Pilot?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 398 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Honda Pilot. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Pilot years
Rivals in SUV (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15112), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Honda Pilot 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 93 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.