2021 Honda Pilot fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

22 owners have reported fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems with the 2021 Honda Pilot, 5% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 53,591 mi.

Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion complaints
22
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Related recalls
1
Median mileage
53,591 mi

Specific components reported

Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion covers: Fuel system (gas/diesel), fuel pump, hybrid and electric propulsion and battery.

ComponentComplaints
Fuel/propulsion system22

Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion complaints across Honda Pilot years

12008132011542013352015151127201712519520195422202110520237152025
Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion complaints by model year. The 2021 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k10k–30k130k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 23V858000Dec 18, 20232,490,460 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    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.

    Risk: 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.

What owners say

  1. Filed Sep 29, 2026VAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    While driving with my family in my 2021 Pilot on the interstate at 75mph, I felt a shudder while in traffic. Fortunately, I signaled to get over and cars around me responded, because the check engine light flashed on and off and the car shut off. We had enough time to roll to the side of the interstate safely because drivers around me were aware and considerate. The car would not restart so we had to tow it. The Pilot has been evaluated by an independent mechanic who says…
    NHTSA complaint #11767883 · source
  2. Filed Jul 24, 2026NYElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    My current 2021 Honda Pilot (purchased used May 2024) is stalling out in live traffic - the most recent on XXX creating a massive safety hazard. (In addition, the engine is making the same exact clicking noise that the 2015 Honda VIN:[XXX] made right before the engine catastrophically seized on my way to work. That 2015 Honda Pilot seized due to a defective Variable Cynlinder Management (VCM) system. This defect was covered by a court-ordered federal class-action settlement…
    NHTSA complaint #11752657 · source
  3. Filed Mar 23, 2026IAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    My vehicle has failed to restart several times with the auto idle start feature enabled while stopped at a stoplight. I was in a turning lane the first time it happened, so other vehicles had to make a left hand turn from a lane that was meant to go straight to get around me. The starter has not been inspected There weren't warning lamps prior to the auto start feature not working. When the car would not turn back on. I had to put the car in park, turn off "Accesory mode",…
    NHTSA complaint #11726468 · source
  4. Filed Feb 2, 2026MNEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    After driving the vehicle for a few hours during a very cold day, as we got off an exit ramp. We then turned onto the next road in our travels and the check engine light went off and blinked. The vehicle went into limp mode. Pulled the vehicle over, turn the car off and then back on and everything worked just fine. Had an oil change already scheduled for 2 days later. Brought the vehicle in for it oil change and we told the Honda Mechanic (dealership) what just happened. His…
    NHTSA complaint #11714957 · source
  5. Filed Feb 2, 2026NJFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    I believe I have a fuel pump issue. My car has stalled on multiple occasions while trying to pull out of my driveway. There is at least a quarter tank of gas. I have had to get gas in a gas can and add it to the tank and then it would start. I now make sure I always have at least a half a tank of gas. On three separate occasions when the auto idle stop turns the car off at a light, the car does not restart when the brake is released and it slips the car into neutral (very…
    NHTSA complaint #11714935 · source
  6. Filed Dec 31, 2025WAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    We were driving our 2019 Honda Pilot and at a traffic light the car failed to restart after the auto stop-start system shut off the engine. This happened when I started to step on the gas so we could have been rear-ended by the car behind us. The brakes also appeared stuck when I tried to depress them so I could restart the car. There was no warning until the car refused to start, but the computer system did appear to do some sort of a reboot sequence.
    NHTSA complaint #11708058 · source
  7. Filed Oct 2, 2025CAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
    My Honda Pilot experiences a serious safety issue with the Auto Idle Stop feature. When the system engages at a stop (such as a red light), the vehicle sometimes fails to restart, leaving me stalled in traffic. This creates a dangerous situation for myself and other drivers. The problem appears to be related to the Auto Idle Stop system and/or the auxiliary battery. Many other Honda owners are reporting similar issues, which suggests this may be a widespread defect that…
    NHTSA complaint #11690959 · source
  8. Filed Sep 16, 2025OHFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    On the afternoon of Friday, August 29, 2025 while driving the Honda Pilot on a US Highway, the "Check Engine" light came on and the vehicle immediately experience a decrease in speed. Top speed on the highway suddenly became approximately 25 MPH and the Pilot became sluggish and was shaking. We had to drive with the vehicle's "flashing hazard lights" on due to the low speed on the 55 MPH highway speeds. Multiple alerts appeared on the vehicle information display panel. I was…
    NHTSA complaint #11687674 · source
  9. Filed Feb 13, 2025NJElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    My push start is not starting the car. Then while driving the car will shut off on parkway, at a light and won't start. This has been going on since I purchased the vehicle 9/23 I have warranty and th auto dealership keep acting like they fixed it yet the haven't. This is the most dangerous issue. We can die getting hit from behind or the car can catch fire keep pushing start button and not turning on
    NHTSA complaint #11642404 · source
  10. Filed Feb 6, 2025NJFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    On two occasions my car has stalled out and would not start. The engine turns over but it seems to not be getting fuel. There is still a quarter of a tank of gas in the car. After adding additional fuel and clearing the code P0087. The car runs. I brought the car to the dealership but they said there were no codes and there is nothing they can do. There are recalls for fuel related problems on Honda Pilots 2015-2020 this was issued 12/17/2023. There was a more recent recall…
    NHTSA complaint #11641079 · source
  11. Filed Jan 24, 202553,591 miORFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    my vehicle had died on the road, i had it towed to the local independent shop that does most of my repairs needed on our vehicles, it was diagnosed with a fuel pump issue, the shop checked for recalls on our 2021 Honda pilot and showed no recalls, i had them replace the fuel pump and repaired the issue, i kept possession of the old fuel pump and when i got the car home and started looking into the issues we were having, i found that there was a fuel pump recall on certain…
    NHTSA complaint #11638401 · source
  12. Filed Jan 15, 2025OHAirbagsElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    After contacting the dealer several times, I’ve been told the parts for the recall are unavailable and it has been more than 6 months. The recall is over air bags that may not deploy correctly. Additionally, the electrical panel is periodically going out, the electrical on the seat isn’t working, and the car charger isn’t working. Finally, the car hesitates when going from reverse to drive. It won’t go and then I have to press the accelerator hard and then the car jumps.…
    NHTSA complaint #11636155 · source

Other 2021 Honda Pilot problem areas

Back to all 2021 Honda Pilot problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology