Is the 2019 Honda Pilot a bad year?
929 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 251, 8.1× a quiet Pilot year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 38k–96k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 3 of 251 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 Pilot owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 66,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 251 (27%) | 38k–96k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 199 (21%) | 42k–98k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 95 (10%) | 15k–71k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 267 (29%) | 3k–18k miles · mostly behind | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 43 (5%) | 3k–14k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Backup cameraSTANDS OUT | 42 (5%) | 29k–61k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 30 (3%) | 3k–15k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 18 (2%) | 3k–13k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Collision avoidanceSTANDS OUT | 129 (14%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assistSTANDS OUT | 74 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 24 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 13 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 66,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 929 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 20 say the car was towed.
178 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2 weeks ago, my car stalled as I was driving down the highway and attempting to pass another vehicle. I was going around 45 mph, the engine stalled, the speed dropped down to about 33 and would not let me accelerate.
I was coming to a stop at a red light and the car shut off . It flashed a transmission issue and emissions issue on the dash.
My 2019 Honda randomly brakes while I'm driving almost causing someone to rear end me, and other times almost causing me to be in accidents.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 66,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2019 Honda Pilot: 13
The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure. 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.
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash. Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine. A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving. A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production. 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.
Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. 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.
Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The front frame left and right side upper members may not have been welded completely to the unibody. In the event of a crash, incomplete body welding may provide inadequate protection to occupants, increasing the risk of an injury.
The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt. Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
The mounting holes for the clip that secures the right center pillar trim panel may be larger than intended. In the event of a crash necessitating right side curtain air bag deployment, the clip may not hold the center pillar trim panel in position and it may potentially interfere with the curtain air bag deployment. In the event of a crash, if the curtain air bag does not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 176
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 Honda Pilot. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart
Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications
MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power
Due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Neighbouring years
2018 Pilot: 442 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2020 Pilot: 494 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda Pilot year
2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Pilot years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2019 Honda Pilot a bad year?
929 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 251, 8.1× a quiet Pilot year. At 66,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 38k–96k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 3 of 251 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Honda Pilot?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (251), fuel system (199), transmission and drivetrain (95), electrical system (267), brakes (43). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 38k–96k miles.
How many recalls does the 2019 Honda Pilot have?
13 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 26V-365), Air bags (NHTSA 26V-332), Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-858), Engine (NHTSA 23V-751) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.