VehicleVerdict

2015 Honda Pilot problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2015 Honda Pilot is among the quieter years of the Pilot on NHTSA's books: 138 complaints (54% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (23), other (22), and electrical system (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

138

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Pilot years?

See all Pilot years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Honda Pilot problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2317%
Other2216%
Electrical System139%
Brakes129%
Airbags118%
Transmission118%
Body & Structure97%
Visibility & Wipers75%
Suspension75%
Fuel System64%
Lighting43%
Speed Control32%
Steering32%
Seat Belts21%
Driver Assistance21%
Seats21%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2015 Honda Pilot have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V858000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

19V502000AirbagsJune 27, 2019 · 9,555 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

19V378000AirbagsMay 16, 2019 · 19,138 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Consequence

An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

18V661000AirbagsSeptember 27, 2018 · 1,355,406 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. A BYSTANDER YELLED AT ME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. SHE SAW FIRE COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. SMOKE CONTINUED TO POUR OUT AND THEN THE WHOLE FRONT OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 17, 2018 · fire

THE COMPASS STARTED FLASHING I CALL THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT TO CALIBRATE IT BACK JUST DRIVE IN A CIRCLE ON A PARKING LOT. THAT WOULD WORK BUT THE FLASHING HAS APPEARED MORE OFTEN AND NOW IT WON'T GO AWAY. IT FLASHES ALL THE TIME AND IT IS DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 10, 2017 · crash

WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. A BYSTANDER YELLED AT ME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. SHE SAW FIRE COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. SMOKE CONTINUED TO POUR OUT AND THEN THE WHOLE FRONT OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 17, 2018 · fire

BRAKE PEDAL HAS BEEN SPONGY SINCE NEW. SELLING DEALER SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. THEY DID NOTHING. A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME, I HIT THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WHEN DOWN AND I HIT DEER $4,100 DAMAGE TO FRONT END? IF I PUMP BRAKE PEDAL ONE TIME I HAVE A SOLID PEDAL!

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 9, 2015 · crash

3RD TIME IN 12 MONTHS THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGINS FLASHING AND THE CAR BEGINS TO LOSE ACCELERATION POWER AND VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY. RECENT ISSUE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND AT A STOP LIGHT. THE PREVIOUS 2 OCCURRENCES IT IS DETERMINED TO BE AN ENGINE MISFIRE. THE LAST TIME…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 9, 2020

2015 Honda Pilot — common questions

Is the 2015 Honda Pilot reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 138 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Pilot year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2015 Pilot problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (23 complaints), other (22 complaints), electrical system (13 complaints).

Does the 2015 Honda Pilot have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Honda Pilot. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Honda Pilot under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Honda Pilot years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Pilot years to avoid are 2016, 2019, 2017, 2005, 2003, 2020, 2021, 2004, 2018, 2006, 2025, 2007, 2022, 2023, 2008, 2024. The cleanest record among Pilot years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2015 Honda Pilot?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Honda Pilot earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.