A simple, sturdy pick from the older generation
The last year of the boxy second-generation Pilot has the fewest complaints per car sold of any recent year. It lacks newer safety tech and its 4-star rating trails later years, but it skips the engine and electrical troubles of 2016-2017.
Updated November 2026 · based on 109 owner complaints and 4 recalls
80 81% below the Pilot average
4 free to fix at a dealer
Every Pilot year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Top problems and what they cost
Misfires and check engine light
Worn spark plugs or sticking piston rings can cause sputtering and a flashing check engine light.
Fix: Spark plugs and coils $250 to $600; ring repair $2,500 or more.
Engine
Peeling paint
White pearl paint peeling on the roof and hood is a common cosmetic complaint.
Fix: Repainting a panel $400 to $1,000.
Body
Musty smell from the AC
Mold in the AC system causing odor.
Fix: Evaporator cleaning $100 to $250.
Air conditioning
Recalls
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2015 Honda Pilot
- Confirm the three air bag inflator recalls and the fuel pump recall show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2015 Pilot has 4 recalls on record, listed below.
- Watch for a flashing check engine light on the test drive.Warning lights should come on briefly at start and then go out. One that stays on means the car has stored a fault, and a parts store can read the code for free.13 of the 109 owner complaints about the 2015 Pilot involve the electrical system (12%).
- Run the AC and smell for mildew.Water stains or a musty smell mean a leak from the sunroof, rear window or a clogged A/C drain. Leaks can damage wiring and cause mold.10 of the 109 owner complaints about the 2015 Pilot involve doors and latches (9%).
Questions
Is the 2015 Honda Pilot reliable?
A simple, sturdy pick from the older generation. The last year of the boxy second-generation Pilot has the fewest complaints per car sold of any recent year. It lacks newer safety tech and its 4-star rating trails later years, but it skips the engine and electrical troubles of 2016-2017.
How many recalls does the 2015 Honda Pilot have?
4 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Honda dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2015 Honda Pilot problems?
Misfires and check engine light; Peeling paint; Musty smell from the AC.
Crash rating shown for the 2015 Honda Pilot SUV 4WD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.