NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2026 Honda Pilot Safety Ratings
The 2026 Honda Pilot scores 90 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Exceptional), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 1 recall, and 0 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2026 Honda Pilot achieved a perfect score in its evaluated avoidance technology. This robust performance in federal testing contributes to an Exceptional NHTSA Safety Index of 91/100. Furthermore, the model year shows a clean record, with zero recalls on file. By all available data, the 2026 Pilot demonstrates a strong commitment to occupant protection.
The 2026 Honda Pilot received a five-star overall crash rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 91/100, based on NHTSA crash-test and recall data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 143 SUVs from 2026 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2026 Honda Pilot ranks 54 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 | 90 / 100 (Exceptional) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 14.3% |
| Recalls on file | 1 |
| Owner complaints | 0 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 54 of 143 SUVs tested for 2026 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2026 Honda Pilot?
What separates the 2026 Honda Pilot from its immediate predecessor is a ten-point jump in the NHTSA Safety Index, rising from 81/100 in the Strong band for the 2025 model year to 91/100 in the Exceptional band here. That gap is driven by a near-perfect defect record score of 20/20, reflecting zero open recall campaigns, combined with a perfect avoidance-tech score of 10/10 for standard fitment of forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control. Crash protection contributes 61 of a possible 70 points, consistent with a four-star frontal result and a four-star rollover result pulling slightly below the five-star ceiling. The side-crash result, however, is a clean five stars. The rollover risk figure of 14 percent and the No Tip dynamic result reinforce the structural picture. No complaints have been filed with NHTSA against this model year, which limits the defect-signal data available but also means no pattern of alleged failures has emerged. The 2026 model year stands as the strongest federal safety snapshot this vehicle has produced in the two years covered by MotorCaliber data.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2026 Honda Pilot perform in crash tests?
The 2026 Honda Pilot achieved an overall five-star safety rating from NHTSA, demonstrating a clear strength in side-impact protection with a perfect five-star score. Frontal and rollover protection were each rated at four stars. The vehicle carries a 14 percent rollover risk, with the dynamic tip test returning a "No Tip" result, indicating optimal stability in that specific evaluation.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 22067
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2026 Honda Pilot have any recalls?
No recall campaigns are on file for the 2026 Honda Pilot. Zero recalls have been issued for this model year, meaning no park-outside advisories and no do-not-drive campaigns exist at this time. Shoppers should still run a VIN check through NHTSA's recall database, as campaigns can be opened at any point after a vehicle enters service.
SUSPENSION:REAR26V424000
Risk: Loose rear subframe bolts can lead to a loss of vehicle stability or rear subframe detachment, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is OOY. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 10, 2026.
Reported 2026-07-01
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2026 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has received zero owner complaints for the 2026 Honda Pilot. No reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths have been logged against this model year. Because the vehicle is new to market, the complaint record remains entirely blank, with no unverified allegations filed against any component.
0 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2026 Honda Pilot?
The 2026 Honda Pilot, as a current-model-year vehicle, currently shows no recalls on file. For owners of this model, the immediate priority should be establishing a habit of checking the vehicle's VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool. Recall campaigns can be initiated post-sale, making periodic checks essential even when a vehicle begins with a clean record.
- The 2026 Honda Pilot's Safety Index rose ten points over the 2025 model year, moving from the Strong band to the Exceptional band, the largest single-year gain in MotorCaliber's two-year data window for this vehicle.
- The defect record component scores a perfect 20/20 for 2026, reflecting zero recall campaigns on file, a result that directly drove the index improvement over the prior year.
- NHTSA's side-crash test produced a five-star result, while frontal and rollover protection each earned four stars, making side-impact protection the standout crash-test result for this specific model year.
- Zero owner complaints have been submitted to NHTSA against the 2026 Honda Pilot, leaving no unverified allegations on record for any component, though the newness of the model year limits the depth of that signal.
RANKINGSWhere the 2026 Honda Pilot places
The 2026 Honda Pilot qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2026 Honda Pilot safety questions
Was the 2026 Honda Pilot crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2026 Honda Pilot, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 90 out of 100, placing it in the Exceptional band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2026 Honda Pilot crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2026 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 14.3%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2026 Honda Pilot have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 1 vehicle recall is on file for the 2026 Honda Pilot. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2026 Honda Pilot?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 0 owner complaints are on file for the 2026 Honda Pilot. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Pilot years
Rivals in SUV (2026)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus GX 550 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus Rz 350e BEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus Rz 550e BEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander MHEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 22067), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Honda Pilot 2026.
- 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 54 of 143 in the SUV class for 2026.
- 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.