CarBrief

The 2011 Honda Pilot has The 2011 Honda Pilot has 293 owner complaints on file with NHTSA and 11 recalls, most of them about air bags[1][2][3]. Its NHTSA ratings and EPA fuel economy are covered below. from the EPA[4][5][6].

293owner complaints[1]
11recalls[2]
18–19MPG combined (EPA)[4]
4★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 293 owner complaints for the 2011 Pilot[1]. They mention 29 crashes, 5 fires and 31 injuries, and no deaths[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name several parts. Counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Air bags[7] 68 72,500
Brakes[8] 40 30,729
Engine[9] 36 50,000
Suspension[10] 34 45,487
Steering[11] 34 46,000
Electrical system[12] 26 47,000
Unknown or other[13] 22 87,000
Power train[14] 21 45,000

Air bags. This is the largest group. Its complaints name 14 crashes and 22 injuries[7]. In a sample of 12 of these complaints that we read, 5 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash and 3 describe an air bag that deployed and hurt or startled people in the car[7].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints, 5 describe a steering wheel that shakes when braking at highway speed[8]. Some owners paid for rotor work themselves. Another 3 describe the engine revving or the vehicle lurching forward at low speed[8].

Suspension. In a sample of 12 suspension complaints, 5 describe shaking when braking or driving, and 5 describe worn, leaking or bent parts such as bushings, rear arms and rods[10].

Engine. The engine group has 36 complaints, including 3 fires[9]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 3 describe the engine stalling or stopping while driving[9]. The rest are a mix of different issues[9].

The sample is small, so it shows what owners describe and not how often each problem happens.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2011 Pilot[2]. Newest first:

Several of the inflator recalls cover vehicles by where they were sold or registered, so check your VIN with Honda or a dealer to see which ones apply to your car[16][18][20][21].

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the 2WD Pilot at 17 city, 23 highway and 19 combined MPG, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550[4]. The 4WD Pilot is rated 16 city, 22 highway and 18 combined, at $3,700 a year[5]. Both use a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine, an Automatic 5-spd and regular gas[4][5]. The EPA fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[4].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive Pilot 4 stars overall, 4 for frontal crash, 5 for side crash and 4 for rollover[6]. Its rollover risk is 16.4%[6]. The front-wheel-drive Pilot also gets 4 overall, 4 frontal, 5 side and 4 rollover, with a rollover risk of 17.4%[25].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list shows a 2011 Pilot rated 250 hp, described as having an electric motor[26]. That listing gives no more engine detail, so treat it as a single data point.

These sizes are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada and may differ slightly from US models[27][28].

AWD (LX/EX/EX-L/Touring) FWD (LX)
Length[27][28] 191 in 191 in
Width[27][28] 78 in 78 in
Height[27][28] 73 in 73 in
Wheelbase[27][28] 109 in 109 in
Curb weight[27][28] 4,537 lb 4,328 lb

How 2011 compares with other years

2003: 720 complaints, 13 recalls20032004: 544 complaints, 12 recalls2005: 679 complaints, 13 recalls2006: 268 complaints, 8 recalls20062007: 211 complaints, 7 recalls2008: 133 complaints, 7 recalls2009: 134 complaints, 9 recalls20092010: 111 complaints, 10 recalls2011: 293 complaints, 11 recalls29320112012: 171 complaints, 9 recalls20122013: 271 complaints, 6 recalls2014: 116 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 109 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 1,716 complaints, 8 recalls2017: 935 complaints, 4 recalls2018: 440 complaints, 7 recalls20182019: 918 complaints, 13 recalls2020: 492 complaints, 11 recalls2021: 446 complaints, 10 recalls20212022: 166 complaints, 5 recalls2023: 146 complaints, 5 recalls2024: 116 complaints, 6 recalls20242025: 214 complaints, 4 recalls2026: 26 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Pilot model year. The 2011 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200372013
200454412
200567913
20062688
20072117
20081337
20091349
201011110
201129311
20121719
20132716
20141163
20151094
20161,7168
20179354
20184407
201991813
202049211
202144610
20221665
20231465
20241166
20252144
2026261

NHTSA has 293 complaints and 11 recalls for the 2011 Pilot[2]. Among the 2006 to 2015 model years, 2011 has the most complaints. The closest is 2013 with 271, then 2006 with 268 and 2007 with 211[2]. The 2010 model has 111 complaints and the 2012 model has 171[2].

For recalls, 2011 has more than 2012 (9), 2013 (6) and 2010 (10)[2]. Earlier years 2003 to 2005 had more complaints (720, 544 and 679), and some later years, such as 2016 with 1,716, had far more[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so use them to compare years of the Pilot and not to compare with other models[2].

Should you buy a used 2011 Pilot?

The 2011 Pilot has more complaints than any other year from 2006 to 2015 and a long recall list, mostly about passenger air bags[2][3]. Before buying, check the VIN for open recalls, because the 2017 inflator recall mentioned that parts were not yet available when it was filed[20]. Ask about brake and suspension shaking on a test drive, since owners describe it in complaint samples we read[8][10]. NHTSA rates it 4 stars overall[6][25], and fuel economy is 18 to 19 MPG combined[6][4][5]. Treat it as a car that needs a careful check, not one to avoid or rush into.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Honda Pilot?
Owners filed the most NHTSA complaints about air bags (68), brakes (40), engine (36), suspension (34) and steering (34)[7][8][9][10][11]. In samples we read, brake and suspension complaints often describe shaking when braking[8][10].
How many recalls does the 2011 Honda Pilot have?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls, 9 of them about air bags, plus one on seat belt stitching and one on front suspension bolts[2][3][23][24].
What is the gas mileage of a 2011 Honda Pilot?
The EPA rates the 2WD Pilot at 19 MPG combined and the 4WD at 18 MPG combined[4][5].
How safe is the 2011 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA gives both the AWD and FWD versions 4 stars overall and 5 stars for side crash[6][25].
Is the 2011 Pilot a better buy than other Pilot years?
It has more complaints than any other model year from 2006 to 2015, with 293 complaints[2].[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat that as a rough guide.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 293 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Honda Pilot (29 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 31 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Pilot model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 19V502, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Pilot 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. EPA rating for Pilot 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 68 complaints name the air bags component group (14 crashes, 1 fires, 22 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 40 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,729). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 36 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 34 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,487). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 34 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 26 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 22 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 21 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Recall 19V378, filed May 16, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 18V661, filed September 27, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 18V268, filed April 26, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 18V042, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 17V545, filed August 31, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 17V030, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 16V346, filed May 24, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 13V016, filed January 18, 2013: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  23. Recall 11V468, filed September 9, 2011: Seat Belts › Front › Webbing. NHTSA recall database
  24. Recall 10V640, filed December 16, 2010: Suspension. NHTSA recall database
  25. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  26. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Honda Pilot with electric motor: rated 250 hp. www.epa.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PILOT 4DR SUV AWD LX/EX/EX-L/TOURING: length 191 in, width 78 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 4,537 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PILOT 4DR SUV FWD LX: length 191 in, width 78 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 4,328 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.