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2026 Honda Pilot: safety, recalls and fuel economy

Tell us the exact 2026 Honda Pilot you want, and we ask every Honda dealer with one in stock near you for a written, itemized out the door price. Then we send the best number back to the others and make them beat it. You see every quote side by side and buy directly from the dealer you pick.

What to decide before dealers bid

The tighter your spec, the cleaner the bids. Pick the trim, the colors you'd accept, any packages you can't live without, and how far you'd travel or ship from. The Pilot is a SUV offered with gas power, so make the powertrain choice up front; it changes which cars on dealer lots qualify.

What each Honda dealer is asked for

One number in writing: the out the door price, broken into selling price, any dealer add-ons, doc fee, tax, and title and registration. That's what makes quotes comparable. A low selling price can hide paint protection, nitrogen, VIN etching or a market adjustment, which is why we read every line. Our add-on guide explains which ones you can refuse.

Pickup or delivery

A Pilot a few hours away can beat one down the street even after you add the cost of getting it home. We compare quotes by the total to your driveway, including an estimate for pickup or delivery, so a cheaper car far away and a nearby one are weighed fairly. Read buying a car out of state if the best quote isn't local.

What it costs

$499 total. $99 to start, refunded if we don't beat the best written quote you already have, and $400 only after the dealer's buyer's order matches the price you picked. Pricing and guarantee.

2026 Honda Pilot safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2025 Honda PILOT SUV AWD an overall rating of 5 of 5 stars in its 5-Star Safety Ratings program (NHTSA). These are NHTSA's ratings for the 2025 model; NHTSA usually carries ratings forward when a model isn't significantly changed, but check the current year before you buy.

TestRating
Overall5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash4 of 5 stars
Side crash5 of 5 stars
Rollover4 of 5 stars (14.3% rollover risk in NHTSA's model)

Safety technology NHTSA lists for this model: electronic stability control is standard, forward collision warning is standard, and lane departure warning is standard.

Recalls and owner complaints

NHTSA's recall database lists 1 recall for the 2026 Honda Pilot and 4 recalls for the 2025 model (NHTSA recalls). Recalls are repaired free at any franchised dealer, so ask the selling dealer to confirm in writing that every open recall on your VIN has been done before delivery.

CampaignReportedComponent
26V42400001/07/2026Suspension:rear
24V90000027/11/2024Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
25V03100023/01/2025Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
25V05600005/02/2025Seat Belts:rear/Other

Owners filed 207 complaints with NHTSA about the 2025 Pilot, most often about forward collision avoidance, electrical system, steering. Complaint counts rise with sales volume, so compare them between similar models rather than reading them on their own.

Fuel economy and powertrains

EPA figures for the 2026 Honda Pilot range from 20 to 22 MPG combined depending on the version (fueleconomy.gov). It's offered with all-wheel drive, front-wheel drive.

VersionDriveEngineCity / Hwy / Combined MPGRange
Pilot AWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
All-Wheel Drive3.5L 6-cyl19 / 25 / 21-
Pilot AWD Touring/Elite/Black
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
All-Wheel Drive3.5L 6-cyl19 / 25 / 21-
Pilot AWD TrailSport
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
All-Wheel Drive3.5L 6-cyl18 / 23 / 20-
Pilot FWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
Front-Wheel Drive3.5L 6-cyl19 / 27 / 22-

Compare the Pilot side by side with other models on safety, recalls and fuel economy.

Other Honda models

Shopping other SUVs too?

Questions

How do I get the best price on a 2026 Honda Pilot?

Get written, itemized out the door quotes from several Honda dealers on the same trim, then send the lowest one back to the others and give them a deadline to beat it. Compare totals, not monthly payments or discounts off sticker.

Do Honda dealers add extras to the Pilot?

Some do. Common ones are paint and fabric protection, nitrogen, VIN etching and market adjustments. Ask for them to be listed line by line and removed if you didn't ask for them. We flag them on every quote.

Can I buy a Pilot from a dealer in another state?

Yes. Tax and registration are generally handled for your home state, and you can drive it home or pay for delivery. We compare quotes by total cost to your driveway so distance is accounted for.

Is the 2026 Honda Pilot safe?

NHTSA rates the 2025 Honda Pilot 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 of 5 stars in frontal crash, 5 of 5 stars in side crash and 4 of 5 stars for rollover. Ratings can differ by drivetrain and body style, so check the exact version you're buying on NHTSA's site.

How many recalls does the Honda Pilot have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2026 Honda Pilot and 4 recalls for the 2025 model. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Before you take delivery, ask the dealer to confirm in writing that every open recall on your specific VIN has been completed.

What gas mileage does the 2026 Honda Pilot get?

EPA ratings for the 2026 Honda Pilot run from 20 to 22 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain. Pick the powertrain before dealers bid, since it changes which cars on the lot qualify.

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