Used 2020 Honda Pilot Consumer Reviews
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Major Electrical Issues
Frustrated Mom, 06/24/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
143 of 147 people found this review helpful
This is the first time I have ever wrote a review but I feel compelled to do so to prevent others from my experience. I have been a loyal Honda owner for over 20 years and owned over 6 Hondas in my life. My vehicle will be brought into the shop for a third time today for very loud popping noises which now resulted in a complete shutdown of the entertainment system and a temporary blanking out of the speedometer. The situation cannot be resolved thus far with the manufacturer having been engaged by the dealership already. The car has been driven for less than 5,000 miles and owned for 4 months. I wish I had seen other reviews prior to purchasing the vehicle so I wanted to write this to hopefully prevent another Mom from making the mistake I did. Extremely disappointed in Honda.
Crackling noise infotainment
Jose Jeddery, 05/15/2020
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
105 of 108 people found this review helpful
I purchased a 2020 Honda Pilot with Nav & RES with 24 miles. At 177 miles, a crackling sound and static radio sound began. A week later, the infotainment and the odometer screen would go black and restart within 15 seconds or less. On a typical drive, the infotainment would go dark three times. As soon as it restarted, the crackling hideous sound began again. I took it to the dealership and stated that it was an antenna problem. They ordered one, and as soon as I pulled out of the shop, the system rebooted and the crackling sound started again. I made a u-turn in their parking lot and left it there. It has been two days and mentioned something about an electrical harness. Before you sign any papers, make sure you drive the vehicle considerable to make sure the issues won't be there. Hopefully, it will be resolved soon. I wonder what are my options for the near future if this problem can't be fixed by the dealership and Honda Corp. does not have an answer to this problem.
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2020 Honda Pilot for sale near you
Showing 3 of 73 listings
- Touring 4dr SUV w/Rear Captain's ChairsMSRP: $24,41616 mi away
- Elite 4dr SUVMSRP: $32,99813 mi away
- EX-L 4dr SUVMSRP: $27,04516 mi away
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Electrical issues
CGmz, 05/04/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
149 of 156 people found this review helpful
I looked forward to owning a Honda Pilot and purchased a 2020 touring in Nov 2019. By Jan 2020 loud crackling noises coming from the speakers at random times and radio turned off. I took it in to dealer and said they had to reboot and reconnect wires. It solved the problem but 2 months later same problem and now the dashboard and infotainment center turns off and says network connection lost! If you read other owner reviews lately a lot of similar issues. Back to the dealer I go and hope Honda comes up with a solution! I like everything else but having dashboard turn off is a major issue! I am not one to write reviews good or bad but felt if this could help someone avoid the headache/hassle..
Excellent Choice
Sam Dovels, 03/19/2020
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
146 of 157 people found this review helpful
The Pilot in general is a fantastic SUV. I am a bit picky, so I have to nit-pick a little. I'm migrating from an Odyssey, so it's an adjustment for me, especially in the cargo department. I have the EX-L model, with smaller wheels (although so-so design) than the Touring, which helps for a smoother ride. I love the EX-L because it still uses the regular shifter (not push-button gear selector), and it still uses the excellent 6-speed automatic, which is better than the 9-speed in higher models. While the ride is pretty smooth & quiet, it's still not up to Traverse or Highlander (and now Telluride) quality. Unlike many critics, I happen to love the high seating position with a commanding view, and I LOVE the armrests - the only 3-row SUV that offer it. I appreciate the memory seats as well. Seats are very comfortable, but the large console in front intrudes leg room for the center passenger in the middle seat. I would like to have 4-way lumbar support (the Odyssey has it). The rear seat is tolerable, but nowhere as comfortable as a minivan. The backup camera quality at daytime is crystal clear, but grainy at night. When it rains, the raindrops often blocks the view (it should be pushed in deeper). The stereo system is surprisingly good. Remote starter works well & from quite a distance. I would love to have some feedback on the fob. I appreciate the cap-less gas tank; tire pressure indicator; the clock sets itself automatically, even without a built-in GPS system. I also love the red needles on the gauges. Some minor cons: The sun visors cannot always block the sun, especially at the A-pillar. I'd love knobs for the A/C rather than switches. Rear A/C vents is not the best, and would love the controls to be on ceiling, otherwise rear passengers may push the controls by mistake (I locked it for that reason). I like PRDN on the dash so you know which mode you are. As of now you only one letter at a time. The "Honda Sensing" system is very nice but far from perfect. I can't seem to shut off the annoying steering wheel vibration when going outside a lane. Too many false positives on the "BRAKE" message. The adaptive cruise is braking too aggressively. The Accord has a more sophisticated system, like all-speed follow for the adaptive cruise, traffic sign recognition, etc. The Accord also has a better infotainment system, with more actual buttons surrounding the screen. It also have an Analog gauge view instead of the digital cluster. I'd love to have them all on the Pilot. The steering wheel size is pretty big, probably the biggest of any full-size SUV, which makes steering more cumbersome. Give me a Civic size wheel, and add the 2/10 bumps for improved grip. Steering feel is so-so, my old Civic was excellent, even the odyssey had sharper acceleration & steering. In comparison, the Pilot feels a bit clumsy & slow. The volume control buttons on the steering wheel is not too intuitive. Placing volume buttons under the steering wheel (like Chrysler) is so much better. As mentioned above, I would love more cargo room. The Chevy Traverse is currently the best in this regard. I'd also want more cubbies and storage pockets. I would like the wipers to cover another 2 inches or so, it's leaving out way too much, which hampers visibility especially in a snow. I would love a heated windshield and a wiper de-icer which is offered on the Canadian models. Same is with "low washer fluid" indicator. About the infotainment. While light-years better than Honda's previous 2-screen layout, it still have many shortcomings. I would like to have a "divided" screen which show at once many functions, like fuel/mileage info, media, Bluetooth, GPS, etc. Toyota also have a 3-day weather forecast. There should be a top bar always visible (even when in Reverse) with time, date, day of week & outside temperature. I use a USB with a collection of music. To use this system is again very cumbersome. You can't switch to next/previous folder. You can't see the list of the tracks being played. I would love to be able to go back to the album list in middle of playing. When selecting something in a long list, hitting the back button will take you back to the top of the list, not to the folder where you came from. Also the player is not fully gap-less. Bluetooth quality just sucks. I don't use it anymore after countless complains. I tried it with many phones and they all work great on other cars. There is also missing a REDIAL function to the Bluetooth. The engine start/stop button is way too bright red. It should be dimmer and same color as other switches. The cup-holders are useless for smaller size cups. In my Odyssey, there was rubbers to hold tight any size cup. The side windows need a more powerful defrost. I would like all 4 windows Auto up/down. I would love shopping bag hooks behind the driver's seat & rear seat. Visible wiper settings on LCD like Hyundai is very nice. Steam warms up legs, not the feet.
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Bunch of electric issues
Wric, 06/05/2020
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
80 of 87 people found this review helpful
My pilot has got only a bit over 1000 miles when the cracking and popping sound occurred. Not long after that, the infotainment system keeps showing 6 or 7 issues like engine problem, power steering problems...etc when I start the engine. Now the car is in dealership for analysis. If they can’t fix it, I will probably claim that as a lemon and request a refund.
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Pilot Elite Awesomeness
Ginger¥, 01/26/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Elite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
This is my third Pilot. The roominess and ability to never have to worry how I am going to fit my family for a trip or how I will bring home any purchase I make is wonderful. The comfort in this 2020 model is superior. I feel a little spoiled by the heated steering wheel and cooling/heated seat. The second row captains seat are heated also which my passengers love. I don’t plan to ever own anything but a Pilot. The value compared to similar, higher priced SUVs is what sold us on this model.
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Do Not get the 9 Speed Transmition
Loyal Honda Owner, 10/10/2019
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
65 of 72 people found this review helpful
I love my pilot. I love everything about it. I have a touring edition, 2019. At low speeds there is a very noticeable and annoying gear shift jolt. It always happens at low speeds and evidently is between 1st and 2nd gear. Honda is aware of this in the 9 speed transmissions but refuses to fix it. I will reconsider buying another Honda in the future even though we have been loyal Honda owners for decades.
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Crackling noise on 2020 Honda Pilots
Jenn, 01/04/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Black Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
69 of 77 people found this review helpful
Do Not Buy this Car! Mine has been at the dealership for 3 weeks. Crackling in the windshield due to electrical issue. Honda does not have a fix for the issue. Currently troubleshooting on mine. This is also an issue with Passports. Save yourself the headaches and buy another car.
Speakers crackle and pop
Jr, 07/18/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/Rear Captain's Chairs (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
24 of 26 people found this review helpful
Don't buy a Honda Pilot until Honda fixes a known issue with their infotainment system. We purchase a brand new 2020 Honda Pilot Touring edition and within the first week we had to take it in for service for issues with the speakers crackling and popping constantly. We have had to take it in three times and everytime they try to fix it, it has progressively gotten worse. This appears to be an issue with some Honda cars since 2018.
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Wonderful ride
Joel Lockridge, 10/09/2019
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/Rear Captain's Chairs (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
40 of 45 people found this review helpful
The Honda Pilot Touring package for 2020 has a very surprising feel of a heavier mid to large size SUV. Handles extremely well is very road worthy. Low road noise and cruising is nice and what you should expect from a Honda. Besides the heated mirrors, Blue Ray DVD, and many tech savvy add ins, the hands free rear gate just adds to the lineup of extras. You'll be glad you considered.
2020 Pilot Touing AWD Very Good and Nice So Far
BillyB, 06/30/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
Nine months into our 2020 Pilot Touring AWD. So far my wife and I are more than pleased with almost every aspect of it. The good: The ride is smooth, stable, and handles well for a large SUV. The exterior features good paint (white), good fit and finish, and nice trim. The interior is typical Honda, very nice, but not quite luxurious. Performance wise, power is good, but in ours you have get really down into the gas pedal to get it going. After two trips into snow country, we are very happy with the AWD performance. Although we didn't drive in really heavy snow during these trips, we were satisfied with it on snow covered roads, stable and sure-footed, and gave us the impression it could handle much worse. On one particular road it zipped right up a snowy, icey hill and driveway that had always been trouble for our previous AWD vehicle. The bad: Like many others, we had problems with the Infotainment system, with the oft reported static and rebooting. It always came back on after less than a minute and worked good until the next instance. Interestingly, navigation started right back on the track to our destination. A known problem, a visit to our Honda dealer solved this problem after an extensive re-routing of the associated wiring and taking several days to do complete the work. The problem hasn't recurred in the three months since. Comments: Some have mentioned the 9-speed trans mission. There's nothing wrong with it, just sometimes you know it's working. Using the sport mode and using the shifters on the steering wheel is where you notice a "slight" pause when manual downshifting on mountain roads, kind of like it's thinking about it. Although we haven't yet had to haul a trailer, if we need to I'd like a little more towing ability than comes stock. Of course, adding a transmission cooler gets it up to 5000 pounds. If you don't tow, it's not a problem. Overall: we are very satisfied with our Pilot and glad we bought it. I'd certainly recommend it to others and if fact have to a friend who bought an identical Pilot Touring (minus the AWD) and says it's a wonderful vehicle.
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My 3rd Pilot!
Uncle Bruce, 04/21/2020
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
Our first Pilot was an '07, second was a '14 and now a 2020. Every one is better than the one before. This new 2020 is an EXL AWD and rides and drives like a dream! I would say that my 2014 had a little more "off road" nature to it and was a little more "rugged" looking but also drove very. However, this new 2020 is much nicer and rides more like our Odyssey (our second car) I really like the updated infotainment system which also is like our 2018 Odyssey. We have only had it a few weeks but it honestly feels like a completely different automobile from my 2014. Our Odyssey has Honda's updated 9 speed transmission but my Pilot kept its 6 speed which I really like! Would recommend to anyone wanting or needing a mid-size SUV.
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Rattles
Bill, 11/29/2019
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
30 of 34 people found this review helpful
The car is good in every way except that there are rattles from the doors and dash. I'm not talking about when you hit a pothole but on any road that is not glassy smooth. I have never had a new car with this problem. I have 1000 miles so far and need to take it in to see what the dealer can do. My wife says it does not bother her but it drives me crazy. If you're looking to buy one I would try to find a slightly rough road to test for noise problems.
Pilot less than expected
Dennis T, 11/16/2019
2020 Honda Pilot Elite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
45 of 52 people found this review helpful
The adaptive cruise brakes firmly when it senses the car in front , slows the car, then accelerates until it is in range of the car in front and then repeats this. Very uncomfortable to and fro sensation. The lane change warning came on when the was snow partially covering the road. Front collision came on when making a left turn. The vehicle is very sensitive to cross winds. Even with no wind the steering wheel requires constant pressure, it does not like to simply track straight. Now, the infotainment system is hanging up phone calls and occasionally randomly just making calls.
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Meets Expectations
John, 01/03/2020
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
29 of 33 people found this review helpful
For the price range the Honda Pilot EX-L is a reasonable purchase. The exterior styling is plain, little thought was put into it, a more rugged exterior appearance would be nice. However, the interior is well thought out and stylish. The engine on this model could have had a bit more horse power and torque for the vehicle’s size. Regarding the engine’s performance, the MPG could be better. The suspension is not as smooth as I had thought or expected. Extra USB ports should be standard for middle and 3rd row seats. The radio should also be able to detect a phone connected to more than just 1 USB port. The power windows are slow when going up, at times I don’t think they will close. With the 3rd row seats up, the rear cargo space has just enough for about 4 to 5 grocery bags. A rear cargo cover should also be standard. As for the side view mirrors, they should both tilt down when reversing, regardless of the side mirror adjustment switch selection. Those are just a few annoyances but my biggest peeve is that the spare tire is outside and underneath the vehicle unprotected from the elements. When I eventually get that flat tire and I have to get on my knees on a wet or cold snowy surface to get to the spare, there will be many expletives coming from my mouth.
Design issue!!!
Al, 11/29/2020
2020 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I looked into all 3 row midsize SUVs. Pilot checked all the marks in my list. It has roomier interior than Highlander and more leg room in the 3rd row than some full size SUVs. I really like the new Highlander but they lowered the height 2 inches for 2020 redesign and that makes it look like a tall station wagon. I currently own a 2006 pilot so I know what issues these vehicles may have in the long run. I was hoping that over 14 years Honda has learned it's lesson and fixed the design problems that they had in the first gen pilot by now but they have not. First the engine uses timing belt so be ready to pay 1k in belt change in 7 years or 100 k miles. The belt change cannot be ignored since if it breaks engine will be scrap. Second is the non sense VCM that deactivate some is the cylinders, this is supposedly to save 1-2 mpg at the expense of oil consumption, spark plugs fouling ,.... Why not leave an option in the setting for the owner to be able to deactivate it? Read on piloters.org and see how people have to purchase a 3rd party part to deactivate it. Another issue is with the valves itself that like 1970 vehicles it needs to be adjusted at some point, another 1k maintenance bill. To top it off Honda added GDI to the engine that causes valve carbon buildup. Thankfully my 2006 does not have this " technology". Toyota has both port and direct injection to overcome the issue. If you are planning to keep the car no more than 5 years or do not mind spending big $$$ on preventative maintenance this is the car for you otherwise look somewhere else this car is designed to keep the service department of Honda dealerships busy.
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A lot of problems
John, 10/30/2020
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV AWD w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I noticed spots of rust around 3 of my door trims, and they eventually had to replace all 3 doors because there was a huge rusting problem inside the doors. The screen wouldn't shut off one time no matter what I did, I had to disconnect the battery for it go shut off. The sensors are bad, when I am driving around a curve with oncoming traffic, the sensor goes off thinking it's a head-on collision. Recently new problem, is that the sensors around the car keep going off for no reason. A week later only the top left sensor goes stays on. The car is cleaned and there's no dirt or anything obstructing the sensors. I've only had the car for 8 months and there's a ton of issues already. Good thing I leased this vehicle, I am definitely not buying another pilot again!
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Night Rider
2020nightrider, 09/23/2019
2020 Honda Pilot Black Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
27 of 31 people found this review helpful
Recently purchased the 2020 black edition and this SUV has it all! Rides smooth and handles well. Only thing I don’t like it how little the tires are, but those can be changed out in the future. Love my night rider!
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2020 Honda Pilot AWD Touring Edition 7-seater
KB, 12/04/2019
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/Rear Captain's Chairs (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
21 of 24 people found this review helpful
Based on ~2500 miles of driving after initial purchase. 1. Drives quietly and smoothly. The rough shifting of the 9-speed transmission noted in previous years appears to have been resolved as the automatic shifting is almost imperceptible. Handles nicely for a vehicle of its type. Handles well in the snow if you drive cautiously. Very little driver fatigue! 2.Gas mileage has been better than expected. I am averaging ~24.5 mpg based on a relatively equal mix of city and highway driving on regular octane gasoline. 3. The first two rows have excellent and comfortable seating and the heated seats work well. The third row seat has decent leg room but with with three small adults the width is a little "snug" 4. Heating system works quickly and evenly distribute the heat throughout the vehicle 5. The LED head-lights have do an excellent job of lighting the road ahead with a broad area of lighting. 5. The electronic system works well and is reasonably intuitive. Very nice quality sound system. Overhead entertainment system is easy to use. 6. The Honda-Sense safety system is a bit "twitchy" as has been noted by previous drivers but is tolerable. For example, the brake warning will occasionally activate in response to a car coming in the other direction, especially Overall. we are very satisfied with the vehicle and hope it will be a reliable vehicle over time! We would recommend this to anyone considering a 3-row SUV for family or long trips. So far, good value for its price point!
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2020 Honda Pilot EX-L
Tom, 11/01/2019
updated 11/17/2023
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
So far this is a great car.. Smooth ride, good acceleration, very comfortable and quiet. Went to get another Odyssey which we love, but decided on a Pilot. The wife has some back and leg issues and did not think that she could get in and out of it easily based on her experiences with my son's 2007 Pilot. To her surprise, getting in and out is very easy for her and that made the sale. We liked the size of the Pilot and its excellent roominess. So far good gas mileage and no issues. Averaging 23.5 mpg. Still a great trouble-free vehicle after 4 years.
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Pilot had potential if it didn't shut down
Josem930, 04/10/2020
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
19 of 22 people found this review helpful
We love the car as a family vehicle, it has all that's needed. 8 seats most of the bells and whistles but the radio goes out of service, then it says network connection lose, then it shuts down all displays including the one that tells you all the important details like your mph speed.
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Great Ride
Brian 01, 11/18/2019
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
The Honda Pilot is the best driving carsI have had over the years. All the new technology is relatively easy to figure out due to a well written user manual. The Pilot feels very solid and firm handling on the road. Excellent buy for the money!
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Electrical/Honda sensing false alerts/transmission
Frustrated pilot owner, 09/10/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Honda quality has slipped. The first 12 months of ownership has been disappointing. Transmission replacement Required followed by software updates. MOST network wiring issues causing speaker popping. Poor fit of chrome trim around upper window frames. Poor fitting front bumper, condensation in one head light, front brake rotors warped, airbag module rattle in steering wheel, glitchy infotainment preset software, won’t select at times, Honda service quality mediocre at best. Will consider Toyota next time.
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Better than Before
Mick, 09/15/2019
2020 Honda Pilot Black Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
21 of 26 people found this review helpful
Pilot drives and handles as expected the overall look of the SUV is vey good and the captain chairs are comfortable. The one thing I did not like was the engine idle off when stopped as it takes a little time to get use to but works well.
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FRUSTRATION is the real name of this vehicle
Jo, 09/08/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Display, rear view image, blue tooth, radio, etc. all first had static and then went completely out. Left me without any of these while driving in a big city I was not familiar with and could not use Google map on phone while driving alone. Dealership kept car for 3 weeks, during which I found out there was a recall on it for this problem, which, by the way, Honda knew about in January because of letter sent by them to National Transportation Safety; also stated was that all vehicles manufactured prior to June 2020 were repaired prior to being shipped to Dealers....wrong. Day after picking up the vehicle, another problem with the display and the dealership kept the vehicle another 2 weeks. Turns out, Honda connectors, Honda wiring, Honda display system and program, Honda CD player all replaced, some twice. Advice.....don't buy one. Wish I had never set foot in the Honda dealership.
Perhaps a different perspective
Cliff, 02/06/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/Rear Captain's Chairs (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
28 of 36 people found this review helpful
So I hope this helps everyone that is still considering purchasing a vehicle. I am an Engineer and have worked in the car industry in some fashion since 2007. As a youth I worked as a lot tech for Honda and drove New and Used vehicles of every Make and model. I went on to work for GM, Ford and Honda as well as Acura and Finally Toyota. I am now back at Honda as an Inventory specialist. Dealing with new and used cars once again and faced with the need of a family SUV I must say I would only purchase a Honda or Toyota. PERIOD. My experience with the Highlander which I will be comparing I have seen some transmission issues that typically are fixed under warranty - but in some cases the transmissions are replaced with rebuilt transmissions. The 9sp is newer for the Touring which I am considering although Honda Partnered with ZF (whom has been designing trans for decades) and is a very solid transmission and shifting points are corrected by way of computer through Honda. This comes down to ride and tech. I feel for the money Toyota is just too expensive for the options that Honda gives you at the price point! Rear heated seats, Navigation, Rear -Entertainment and heated steering wheel as option! Since Honda holds the value pretty well the residual is good on the lease the 2020 Also Honda is offering $4,000 off through MFG to dealer incentives plus lease incentives Pilot was simply the best choice!
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Interior electrical issues
Michael & Melissa Timmerman, 07/24/2020
updated 01/27/2021
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
We purchased a new 2020 Honda Pilot Touring. After about 2 months the darn thing started making a crackling noise and strange sounds coming from the speakers. Now as the weather has gotten hotter we have experienced the the dash and the display consul will randomly go blank and then come back on about every 5 minutes. The display says loss of network connection just before it goes blank. I have taken this problem into our dealership 3 times to be corrected. It seems to be corrected for about 1 to 2 months then starts up again. So far I have been told there is not a solution as of yet to permanently correct this issue. We love the vehicle, but if Honda does not acknowledge this problem and correct it soon my next step is to be reporting to the NHTSA! The dash going blank is a possible Safety Issue. Please Honda get this issue corrected ASAP. Updated Honda factory finally sent a connector repair kit to our local Honda dealer (Tom Scott Honda in Nampa Idaho) they had the vehicle for a full day. Since the repair connectors have been installed we have not experienced the clicking noise in the speakers and dash display has not gone blank. I'm hoping Honda learned a lesson about using cheep connections in future wiring harnesses. As of now we are enjoying our Pilot it is a very good vehicle now!
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Nice SUV with clunky rear suspension
KB, 10/29/2020
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Test drive over all road types, ok on smooth roads. Honda cannot fix rear suspension clunk from right rear of vehicle. American Honda said normal characteristic.
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New Honda Elite
Jim Crouch, 10/25/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Elite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I love this suv until........the informant/radio system went nuts, crackling, flickering and blinking on and off. Haven't taken it to a dealer yet but, based on other comments on the internet, I'm worried bigtime if I've made a 50k mistake!
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The Honda-Link system-no updates as of 2022
CKB, 01/02/2020
updated 07/07/2022
2020 Honda Pilot Elite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
Very happy with the Pilot Elite's ride, performance, mileage, etc. Seats are a bit firm on long trips but tolerable. Occasional drag or bucking on low gear shifting of the 9 speed transmission. Occasional quirky issues with the "brake" warning. My big disappointment is with the inability to start my car from a distance using the Honda-Link. This is not new technology, it's been out for years as I have had it on my previous 2016 GMC and 2018 Rogue. But Honda does not have this available for a $50K Pilot Elite?? Honda only has this available on one of their smaller vehicles, so why not on all of them? They really need to keep up with technology, a computer upgrade should be able to make this perk available so we can start our vehicles with cell phones when outside of ranges for the key fob.
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Second to None!
Altria7, 10/28/2019
updated 11/04/2022
2020 Honda Pilot Elite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
If you are looking for a well built, roomy SUV, this is the one. Have owned for one year, 9,500 miles and all is well. No recalls, no issues. The 9 speed transmission has been updated for 2019 and works great. Comfort is excellent, tons of head room and leg room. We have reached 33mpg on one trip to Michigan with cruise set at 75 mph, 2 adults and luggage, otherwise average has been 28mpg most of time. Only couple of things I would change and those being NO STOP START FOR ENGINE!! We hate it and disable everytime we start vehicle, would like the ride to be a bit softer however its not a terrible riding vehicle, just would like a softer cushier ride. Would buy another one in a heartbeat, test drive for yourself and be the judge. UPDATED.....Going on 3 yrs of ownership w/28,459 miles on it. Car has been a flawless performer. Two recalls, one software update and one recall for the fuel pump which is not only Honda but many other automakers as well. Cannot complain. Would I change anything? Being the Elite trim model we do feel the interior could be a bit more upscale more befitting of a $50,000 vehicle. 4 year update: Well, 4 yrs coming up December 4th, 38,000 miles and ZERO issues! Couple of softwear updates, nothing else. Very happy with this vehicle!
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performed well
Gerry Guzman, 01/15/2021
updated 07/29/2024
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Bought car new in May 2020. Within 45 days of purchase and less than 1500 miles, started getting crackling sound from the sound system. The infotainment system completely failed before reaching 2k miles, together with steering wheel vibration when braking at speeds above 30 mph. Dealer performed necessary repair which was due to a bad interface cable. Rotor was turned and corrected the vibration. This is the second Honda I purchased in 3 years new from the floor. Honda would have to check on their brake supplier. Rotors had high spot at a very low mileage and was amplified by the use. But, issues were corrected under warranty not like my 2018 Odyssey for which I was being charged $175 to turn the rotors. Otherwise, car has performed fairly well and returns very good gas mileage and sure footed on the highway. The infotainment system failed again before reaching 2 years in service. Quite inconvenient to bring back and forth for the same issue twice in less than 24 months. Other than the occasional jerky 1-2 shifts, the transmission has been performing well. July 6, 2022, 2 years after the first incident, the infotainment system failed again, requiring the replacement of a cable that was over extended, which should've been corrected when it failed the first time in July or August of 2020 when the care has only been in service for 2 months. Otherwise, no other issues
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Worst waste of money ever
Amos Moses , 11/25/2019
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
60 of 91 people found this review helpful
It makes noises when your first crank it up noises that it should not be making the people at the dealership say that’s normal the air conditioner makes noises the compressor makes noises squealing and it won’t stop it drives me insane but they say it’s normal that that’s just part of owning a pilot. It rides rough it gets horrible gas mileage every time I have to get in it to drive I’ve actually put a piece of tape on my steering wheel with a note that reminds me to turn off that assistive Cruise control dangerous health hazard thing. My wife and kids won’t ride with me anymore because after it slammed on brakes for the second or third time and bounced them around the truck and spilled stuff everywhere they won’t get back in it. True story, 2 Lane Rd. daytime me of course I’ve got a big big gulp cup in my hand this damn truck slammed on brakes snatch the steering wheel and steered to the right because it thought the car coming to me in the other lane was going to hit me head on. What it did was almost put me in the Gulf of Mexico I’ve owned Honda‘s forever the orange one that was sitting on the floor where I bought my piece of crap SUV from was just like mine except that one was orange and mine was blue but I’ve been driving Honda‘s since 1976 and this is by far the worst and I’ve had them all I grew up with him CVCC, accord, CRX Si, prelude SI, civic SI multiples then I got married switch to minivans bigger SUVs I’ve had them all and this is the worst
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Good but has some issues
Sailingsoon , 11/11/2020
2020 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I like the room, acceleration, and handling. The gas mileage is very good overall, but for those owners reporting getting spectacular gas mileage — you’re not. The gas mileage computer is off by as much as 2.5 mpg. However I have gotten an overall average of around 24 mpg which I consider great after owning a pickup truck. The flaws that others have mentioned that I have experienced are: 1. Occasional false collision warnings when going around curves. 2. Occasional unnecessary hard breaking when using the adaptive speed control when closing on a vehicle ahead. This could be dangerous if a vehicle is close behind. 3. Suspension is good on most roads, but very harsh over speed bumps. Overall it is a nice vehicle but I am not sure if it will be as reliable as past Hondas. There were not many SUVs in this price range that I liked. The Explorer had blind spots and drove like a big vehicle. The Traverse drove nice but had a terrible quality reputation and was way overpriced. Nissan Pathfinder, no way with their quality rep. Same for VW. Subaru had a 4 cylinder and I wanted a 6. Mazda CX-9 was nice but 3rd row was too small and my past reliability experience with an upscale Mazda Millenia was not great. Maybe a Toyota Highlander would have been a better choice.
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LAME LANE ASSIST
Kevin, 01/04/2021
2020 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Three things I find a completely annoying about the Pilot. 1. Lane Assist: terrible following and doesn’t bring you back in the lane until you’re halfway out of it. Very jerky in comparison to other manufacturers in the same category. 2. Automatic Braking: Coming into a curve where there is a double yellow line I have had the brakes slammed on without my input numerous times, which is totally dangerous for the occupant(s) and for anyone following behind. 3. Center Console Armrest: There isn’t one, which leaves the left or right arm in the uncomfortable position of not knowing what to do. Swinging the armrest down removes room at the ribs, and a center console armrest would greatly increase storage capacity. Honda needs to bring this into the fold.
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Major electrical issues Honda has no fix
Deanna, 01/16/2022
updated 01/18/2023
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV w/Rear Captain's Chairs (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought a brand new Pilot touring. I was so excited, loved the third row ect. After only about 2,000 miles the infratainment system starts popping and cracking eventually leading to the radio not working most of the time. I contacted the dealer and they state that they are aware of the issues and that they don’t have a fix for it. Eventually they contact me and have me bring it in, they think they have a fix… but it was not fixed. I take it back again and they sent out a field agent. They took apart the whole inside to get to the electrical system, supposedly fixed. The fix only lasted about 2,000 miles, this happens and was taken back in and taken apart 3 more times. Again 1,500 miles later.. as I am driving down the highway at 65 miles an hour.. the entire dash goes black! No gauges, no anything. Again back to Honda.. taken apart, supposedly fixed and it happens again. Honda does not see this as a problem, they refuse to do anything as far as trade in and they do not see a problem because it is supposedly not a safety hazard. I disagree and for everyone’s safety, I suggest finding another vehicle. I have been a Honda supporter and driver for many years. I have owned 2 CRVs and an eElement and loved them all. I will never own another Honda.
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2020 Honda Pilot black edition
Janessa , 03/11/2022
2020 Honda Pilot Black Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I had very high hopes for this car, with 4 kids and two adults we needed something bigger than my 2017 Honda Accord. Bought the car brand new in 2020, I’ve always had electrical issues, especially during summer, my audio will go out or my garmin won’t even function, mid drive and all, as well as my back up camera if it gets too hot it won’t work. Second the sensors for cars are VERY sensitive, the front one will flash and try to brake if I’m on a two lane road with oncoming traffic, the reverse sensors are the same. The middle area in between the captains chairs is very narrow & not very much leg room. Other than that I enjoy how this car has performed it takes hits from 3 toddlers and a teenager in sports, we’ve taken it through the mud & snow and always a smooth ride.
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Honda reneged on warranty
Thomas Laster, 12/30/2021
2020 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
After 18 months and 16K miles, the passenger side under door panel fell off. The second one was loose and I removed it with my hand. Honda refused to replace it under their warranty. So this is costing me $300.
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honda pilot touring
cheema, 12/08/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV w/Rear Captain's Chairs (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Don't buy a Honda Pilot until Honda fixes a known issue with their infotainment system. We purchase a brand new 2020 Honda Pilot Touring edition and within the first week we had to take it in for service for issues with the speakers crackling and popping constantly. We have had to take it in three times and everytime they try to fix it, it has progressively gotten worse.
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Many Design Flaws
Unhappy Pilot owner, 10/05/2020
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
My husband bought this car to replace our 2014 Honda Pilot. What a mistake. I wish he hadn’t rushed into the purchase because there is no comparison in quality with this car. Poor purchase on our part. The windshield contains all the electronic navigation equipment so to replace it costs a small fortune. Have to buy the windshield warranty and hope you don’t have to replace more than twice which could be a challenge with freeway driving. The arm rest in the passenger side is the most uncomfortable I’ve ever experienced. For long trips I need to bring a pillow to rest my arm on. The sun visors are too small. The cruise control is unusable. If you are anywhere near another vehicle in front of you it will suddenly slow down 10 to 15 miles an hour even though there is plenty of space between you and the car in front. It is more of a station wagon feel than an SUV. Much smaller than the 2014 as well. Drive is ok but not as smooth as the 2014 model. The key fob feature is an annoyance as well. You can’t unlock all the doors at once, just the drivers door. Leaves me standing in the rain until the driver decides he can open all the doors.I don’t really like much at all about the car and wished we had not purchased it.
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2020 Honda Pilot EX does NOT have homelink
Paul, 08/17/2020
2020 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Please be aware 2020 Honda Pilot EX does NOT have homelink. You will not be able to open your garage door.
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Great car, a little pricey
Jason W., 02/24/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Elite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
Love this car and all its options. Purchased an Elite model, and I strongly recommend you haggle a lot. The options in this car such as navigation are vastly over priced considering that you likely already have navigation on your phone and with the apple play built in you don’t need their nav. Which is why they package it now with the entertainment system. I came from a 2012 Forester and the sheer anount of technology in this car is a bit overwhelming. Especially when backing up, it seems everything is constantly beeping or flashing at you. My kids like the entertainment center and rear sun roof (though it doesn’t open for air, only sunshine). My one complaint is that in driving it now for a month the milage is no where near what they state it is. I’m getting about 12-13mpg and for city driving they state it should be much higher. Econ button seems to do nothing to give more mileage in the city so just turn it off. Overall I’m very pleased with the amenities and style this car offers.
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Been 2 Dealership 4 Going on 5x Bc of Infotainment
Disappointed Honda Owner, 12/12/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Elite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Purchased the 2020 Honda Pilot Elite in November 2019. Almost immediately had crackling noises. Took a vehicle in due to the recall related to this issue. Received it back with further issues, which include the infotainment system showing a network communication lost message and then the whole system shutting down completely. In addition, when my calls go through the Hands Free Link, 90% of the time people can’t hear me bc of the static. It has been sent back to the dealership service center three subsequent times, and the issue has yet to be resolved. I received my vehicle back last Wednesday, and the following day the issue started again. I called Friday morning and was told to service Manager is out until Monday, so call back then. My insurance covers a loaner vehicle which unfortunately I’m having to drive a small metallic blue Honda Civic each time. It is total and complete insanity what Honda pilot owners are having to deal with. The service technicians attribute it wholly to Honda, saying that they are at the mercy of what Honda tells them to do, and unfortunately Honda can’t figure it out with my vehicle and many other angry Pilot owners. I purchased a Honda thinking it was a sensible vehicle to drive, because they are so reliable, but this situation has proven me incredibly wrong. I will not purchase another Honda again. I’m extremely disappointed with my Honda purchase and I’m considering trading it in and going with another brand.
Not exactly top of the line
2020 all black honda pilot, 11/28/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Black Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
There is something missing with the heating system. There is a clear draft under the driver's dash. When there is moisture on the windows, rolling them up+down does not clear them for visibility purposes. The sensors go off randomly saying to clear the windshield (+ it was clear, only a little rain + wipers were doing their job). Side crash sensors alarm occasionally when it's raining. While heated steering wheel is a great luxury, there are many cold spots. When on auto start, the car does not heat up well and windshield is not cleared of any ice or snow. It just feels like there's things missing, or they just stopped putting it together. A nice upgrade with the all black edition would be to make the Honda logo on the front also black (now silver) and to make the brakes locks seen through the wheels red.
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Bought a Pilot Elite over an Acura MDX
Marty M, 08/25/2020
2020 Honda Pilot Elite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Top trim compares very well to Luxury branded SUV's. The seats are comfortable, the ride is quiet and predictable, braking smooth and the engine has plenty of power. Carplay works well and the volume knob is where it should be. The heated rear captains seats are nice but the heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats are amazing. 590 watt sound system is impressive. Lots of storage, good visibility. Have not used the collision avoidance features thankfully but the adaptive cruise works as advertised.The Pilot is understated luxury.
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BAD Electronic issues
Amy S., 03/10/2021
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I purchased a 2020 Honda Pilot and loved it until the electronic screens for the entertainment system and speedometer screen started blacking out. I went to the dealership to have the recalls done and it did help for a few weeks. Yesterday while driving a highway, the radio went out and then the speedometer. For several miles I did not know what speed I was going. It come back on. However, the entertainment system is completely out now. It had been going off and on. Very disappointed with this. Honda knows there is an issue but they have no plan to replace the system at this time. Very disappointed in the electronic issues, but I love everything else about it.
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My 2nd Pilot and 6th Honda!
Alyssa, 06/30/2020
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Just traded in my 2019 Pilot LX for a 2020 EX-L I was ready for more features then what I had in the LX. I have always been a Honda person and this 2020 covers all I’ll ever need. From the ride quality, leather stitched seats, the finishes are definitely not cheap , the comfort is top notch, the infotainment system is easy to use and responsive to the touch, very little road noise. It’s one of my top vehicles I have owned and I’ve had quite a bit! You can’t go wrong with a Honda product...you still see a lot of the 1st generations in the road which says a lot about Honda products. Love it!
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Rice crispy speakers and scary ACC
Adam C, 11/09/2021
2020 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV w/Rear Captain's Chairs (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
First time I've written a review, but it needs to be said. This is our third Honda and it will be our last. I will give the car two "pros" we love the space and ride quality of our Pilot. It is a great family vehicle. Good stops there! Bad: The collision warning system is TERRIBLE. It goes off under normal drive conditions all the time. BRAKE! BRAKE! and there is not another car in front of us. The speakers pop and crack all the time. If we use Apple car play the infotainment system freezes up, goes blank, restarts, etc. Got online and found that it is static build up on some of the components. Quick battery disconnect and it should resolve, NOPE! still happened. It is dreadful! Also, the adaptive cruise control is very "touchy". If you are approaching another car on the road the ACC will brake HARD! I've adjusted the spacing allowed between cars to give it more time to slow down and that did not help. Runs up and slams on the brakes. We traded in an 2016 Odyssey we bought new. It had its own laundry list of issues! I think Honda has lost a lot of its quality. Honda motors will last forever, but they better get the electronic systems under control. Rented a Nissan Pathfinder and I can tell you it was night and day difference in the ACC and infotainment system. Come on Honda!
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Collision Avoidance Random False Alarms
DM, 10/23/2021
2020 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is a great car overall, but what Honda tried to do with the Collision Avoidance system doesn't work. They should at least give you the option to turn it off because I have random false alarms on this system about every day - especially on two lane roads.
Do you like Rice Krispies?
Greg, 10/06/2021
updated 03/09/2022
2020 Honda Pilot Elite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
2020 Pilot Elite. SUV has an inherent electrical problem which causes a terrible Snap, Crackle, & Pop noise. This noise occurs regularly but is yet intermittent and even persists when radio is off! You simply cannot get away from it. We are about to take it to the local dealership for the FIFTH time!!! They don’t know what it is or how to fix it! Had my father speak to a Honda dealer in another state (NJ) and they also admitted they don’t know the fix. Complete trial and error process. Google the issue for yourself but stay away from this turd of a vehicle. 3/9/22: 2020 Elite has been at dealership for a approx combined 60 days. Popping & crackling EVEN WHEN RADIO IS OFF! Entir info system randomly going blank and coming back on. After 5th time, they Finally fixed it (I think). We’ll, not actually fixed, just minimized to when using Bluetooth. Was told this week there is no known fix…they’ll let me know!! Actually said “turn off Bluetooth on my phone”. Wow! No financial relief. When I asked about replacement vehicle they said “not going to happen.” It’ll be 2 year in May, 2022…about 18 months of electrical problems. I’ll never buy a Honda again. Stay away from this turd.