The Best and Worst Years of Honda Pilot: A Comprehensive Review

People who like SUVs really like the Honda Pilot. It’s good for families, dependable, and can do different things. But, it has had some tough times too. This story is about the best and hardest years of the Honda Pilot. We’ll find out why each year was special or tough.

The best years for Honda Pilot are generally seen as 2008 to 2015, and also the latest 2021 to 2023. These models are known for being reliable, tough, and having lots of space inside. They also come with advanced safety features that the older ones didn’t have. The worst years were 2003 to 2007. Some of these Pilots had issues with their transmission, electrical stuff, and engine. But remember, not all of them had problems, and most of them are reliable.

Introduction

The Honda Pilot is a mid-size SUV. It started in 2003 and families liked it right away. It’s roomy inside, rides comfortably, and always works well.

The first Pilot had two engines to pick from a 3.5L V6 or a 3.0L V6. It came in two versions: LX and EX. Critics and people who buy cars both liked the Pilot a lot, and Honda sold many.

In 2008, the new Pilot came out. It looked more modern, had a stronger engine, and was more fancy inside. This time, you could also get all-wheel drive. More people loved the second Pilot, and it became a top choice among mid-size SUVs.

In 2016, the third Pilot was here. It had an even nicer design, a fancier interior, and more things that come standard. Plus, you could now get a third row of seats. This Pilot still does great, and lots of people want it.

Read Next- You Need To Know Everything about the 2024 Honda Pilot.

What Makes People Like the Honda Pilot

• Trustworthy: The Pilot is known for not breaking down. People always say it’s dependable, and that’s a big deal.
• Feels Good: Driving or riding in the Pilot is comfy. There’s a lot of space inside, and the seats are nice, even on long trips.
• Cool Stuff: The Pilot has lots of cool things, like a sunroof, heated seats, a camera that helps you see behind you, and a GPS. It’s also got safety things like a warning if you start to leave your lane or if you’re getting too close to the car in front.
• Good Deal: The Pilot doesn’t cost too much for what you get. It’s priced fair compared to other SUVs like it. And it has many nice features for the price.

The Best Years of Honda Pilot

• 2008: The 2008 Pilot was the first to have an all-wheel drive. It got better in many ways – a stronger engine, smoother ride, and fancier inside. Great for families who wanted a tough and comfy SUV.

• 2011: In 2011, the Pilot got cool updates. It looked different in the front and back and had a new inside too. Plus, the new engine used less fuel. A good choice for those who wanted a SUV that’s friendly with gas.

• 2016: The 2016 Pilot was totally new. It looked more modern, had more space inside, and had smarter technology. Perfect for people who wanted a stylish and tech-savvy SUV.

The Worst Years For Honda Pilot

According to NHTSA reports, and consumers Review reports. 2003 To 2007, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020 are the worst years for Honda Pilot. Because these Models years have got many more recalls and complaints. That’s why, these are the worst years for Honda Pilot.

Interior comfort and spaciousness improvements

Feature	2003 Model	2023 Model
Front legroom	40.1 inches	41.3 inches
Front headroom	38.9 inches	40.3 inches
Second-row legroom	37.7 inches	39.3 inches
Third-row legroom	29.5 inches	32.0 inches
Cargo space behind third row	16.5 cubic feet	18.5 cubic feet
Cargo space behind the third row	46.8 cubic feet	83.9 cubic feet

 Read next- View the Best and Worst Years for BMW 3 Series Sedan.

Notable Changes and Upgrades

• 2008: The Pilot got a big makeover in 2008. It looked more modern outside and got fancier inside. Plus, a new engine made it use less fuel.

• 2011: In 2011, the Pilot got some updates. It got a new face and cool taillights on the outside. Inside, it got better technology like a camera for looking behind and Bluetooth.

• 2016: The Pilot got another big change in 2016. It got tougher on the outside and more comfy inside. Also, a new engine made it perform better and use less fuel.

• 2020: In 2020, the Pilot got a little update. It got new lights outside and a touchscreen inside. It also now works with phones like Apple and Android.

• 2023: Big changes came in 2023. The Pilot got a new look in the front and back, and inside it became fancier. A new engine also made it perform better and use less fuel.

Significant updates that have occurred during the Honda Pilot’s production

Year	Exterior Updates	Interior Updates	Technology Updates	Safety Updates
2008	Major redesign	The new front fascia, taillights, and wheels	New engine, Bluetooth, and rearview camera	New side-curtain airbags
2011	Mid-cycle refresh	New front fascia, taillights, and wheels	Rearview camera standard, new technology features	New Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning systems
2016	Major redesign	The new front fascia, taillights, and wheels	New interior layout, standard touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto	New Lane Keeping Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control systems
2020	Minor update	New headlights and taillights	The new front fascia, taillights, and wheels	New Road Departure Mitigation system
2023	Major update	The standard touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto	New interior layout, standard Honda Sensing suite of safety features	New Traffic Jam Assist system

Read Next- Know when will the 2025 Honda Pilot be available.

Consumer Feedback and Ratings

2003-2007 Model Years

• Good Things: People liked the roomy inside, the comfy ride, and how well it worked. They also liked the price and all the things it came with.
• Issues: Some folks didn’t like how much fuel it used. Others had trouble with the transmission and electrical stuff.
• Solutions: Honda fixed these issues in newer models. They made it use less fuel, and they made the transmission and electrical stuff more dependable.

2008-2015 Model Years

• Good Things: People liked how it looked outside, the strong engine, and how it used less fuel. They also liked the safety features that came with it.
• Issues: Some folks found the third-row seat a bit small, and the blind spot system had issues.
• Solutions: Honda made the third-row seat more spacious in later models and made the blind spot system better.

2016-Present Model Years

• Good Things: People liked the modern look, the room inside, and the strong engine. They also liked the safety features and the all-wheel drive option.
• Issues: Some folks thought it was a bit pricey, and there were problems with the infotainment system.
• Solutions: Honda improved the infotainment system in newer models and made a more affordable version called the LX.

Awards and Recognitions

 The safety awards and crash test ratings for the Honda Pilot

Model Year	IIHS	NHTSA
2008	Top Safety Pick+	5-star
2011	Top Safety Pick+	5-star
2016	Top Safety Pick+	5-star
2020	Top Safety Pick+	5-star
2023	Top Safety Pick+	5-star

Best-in-class accolades for the Honda Pilot in various categories

Category	Award
Safety	IIHS Top Safety Pick+
Fuel economy	EPA-estimated 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway
Cargo space	83.9 cubic feet behind second row
Passenger space	160.5 cubic feet
Value for the money	U.S. News & World Report Best SUV for Families award

Longevity and Mileage

Long-term durability and performance of Honda Pilot models in relation to mileage

Model Year	Reliability	Durability	Mileage Rating
2003-2007	Generally reliable	Generally durable	Good
2008-2015	Very reliable	Very durable	Excellent
2016-Present	Reports suggest reliability and durability are on par with previous generations	Early reports suggest durability is excellent	Excellent

FAQs

1. What are the best years of the Honda Pilot?

The top years for the Honda Pilot are generally seen as 2008 to 2015. These models are known for being reliable, tough, and having lots of space inside. They also come with advanced safety features that the older ones didn’t have.

2. What are the worst years of the Honda Pilot?

The worst years were 2003 to 2007. Some of these Pilots had issues with their transmission, electrical stuff, and engine. But remember, not all of them had problems, and most of them are reliable.

3. What are some of the most common problems with the Honda Pilot?

• Transmission: Some Pilots might have transmission issues, like slipping or pausing. Fixing these can be costly.
• Electrical: Lights blinking or gauges acting strange could be electrical problems.
• Engine: Watch for oil leaks or overheating. Serious engine problems can lead to a breakdown.

4. How can I avoid buying a Honda Pilot with problems?

• Buy from a trusted seller: Go to a dealer you trust. They’ll know if a Pilot has problems.
• Check before you buy: Get a check done before buying. It can catch problems early.
• Choose a certified used Pilot: A certified used Pilot is checked by Honda and comes with a warranty.

5. What should I look for when buying a used Honda Pilot?

• Check the history: Look at the history report for any accidents or damage.
• Mileage matters: A Pilot with high mileage might give you more trouble.
• Inspect inside and out: Make sure both the inside and outside of the car are in good shape.
• Test drive it: Take it for a spin to see if it drives smoothly and quietly.