Name: 2011 Honda Pilot
Brand: Honda

Paint And Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling)

"We purchased our 2011 Pilot new and have taken very good care of it. Beginning when the vehicle was about 6 years old, the premium Diamond Pearl White paint began peeling off around driver's side doors and windows. We had that part of the vehicle repainted at Honda repair facility. Since then, large amounts of paint have peeled off the tailgate, the roof, and now the passenger side and hood. We love the Pilot and have enjoyed virtually every feature of our Touring model -- except the paint. It seems to be a known issue with this particular paint, but Honda has taken no responsibility for it."

Anonymous, OH (2011 Honda Pilot Touring 3.5-L V6)

"This vehicle was manufactured in Alabama and is Diamond Pearl White in colour. In 2020 paint began peeling and flaking off the hood and roof and around the doors The tailgate began rusting in 2014"

Anonymous, NL (2011 Honda Pilot Touring 3.5-L V6)

"Paint finish has gone bad as usual on all Honda's I have owned. Interior arm rests and center console cover have been replaced overhead. Interior front lights don't work. Center console rolling door broke."

Anonymous, FL (2011 Honda Pilot EX 3.5-L V6)

"this has been painted on a shared basis with Honda and is starting to peal again"

Anonymous, CA (2011 Honda Pilot Touring 3.5-L V6)

"It started in 2023. And now the paint has faded really bad on the roof and hood."

Anonymous A., FL (2011 Honda Pilot Touring 3.5-L V6)

Rust

"Original tailgate rusted when car was only 5 years old. We bought a brand new OEM tailgate and had it installed. It rusted again. Honda refused to repair both times."

Anonymous, IL (2011 Honda Pilot Touring 3.5-L V6)

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

What Owners Say

Backup or other camera/sensors

"The backup camera stopped working this year. Too expensive to replace."

Anonymous, IL (2011 Honda Pilot Touring 3.5-L V6)

CD player

"Cd got stuck and dealer unable to remove. Only option is to buy a $1k new radio/cd/dvd/gps head unit"

Anonymous, NC (2011 Honda Pilot Touring 3.5-L V6)

Display screen freezes up

"The audio controls and display (not the LCD display -- it is fine) intermittently freeze up and display unintelligible characters on the display. When this happens I am able to control basic functions from the steering wheel, but can only select saved preset stations -- the tuning control on the panel does not work during these outages. I can't explain why, but it will revert back to normal on its own."

Anonymous, OH (2011 Honda Pilot Touring 3.5-L V6)

Steering And Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Shocks or struts

"This issue has become more noticeable and the repair costs vs the vehicles value makes it not worth the repair."

Anonymous A., FL (2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 3.5-L V6)

"When we got new tires, they said the shocks and struts needed replacing."

Anonymous, IL (2011 Honda Pilot LX 3.5-L V6)

Springs or torsion bars

"Probably normal wear too, but the dealer tells us the sway bar and bushings need replacement at 158K miles."

Anonymous A., ME (2011 Honda Pilot EX 3.5-L V6)

Steering wheel vibration

"I think there is something that needs to be fixed, but I thought I clicked vibration and making a noise, not alignment."

Anonymous, TX (2011 Honda Pilot LX 3.5-L V6)

Tie rods

"This has been an ongoing issue which is becoming increasingly noticeable"

Anonymous A., FL (2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 3.5-L V6)

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

What Owners Say

A/C compressor

"The AC compressor stopped working in 2020."

Anonymous, NL (2011 Honda Pilot Touring 3.5-L V6)

Evaporator

"This was an issue with a part under the dash. Not the entire evaporator just a part of it. It caused the ac to freeze up on extremely humid days."

Anonymous A., TX (2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 3.5-L V6)

Heater system

"We have winters, so heating is important, and it has had trouble putting out adequate heat. It may just be a thermostat issue (again?)."

Anonymous A., ME (2011 Honda Pilot EX 3.5-L V6)

Refrigerant leaks

"Last two years had to put refrigerant in the vehicles. Dye was placed only thing they could see was the pully that controlled the fan for the ac"

Anonymous, NJ (2011 Honda Pilot EX 3.5-L V6)

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

What Owners Say

Alarm or security system (excluding aftermarket systems)

"The key-fob button entry only works sporadically, forcing us to use the key to open the driver' side door. This makes things unsafe for my young daughter and Blind daughter and wife."

Anonymous A., AL (2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 3.5-L V6)

Keyless entry

"Entry / unlocking with the use of the key fob is sporadic as is activation of the security system. This forces an unsafe extended entry of my blind daughter, other daughter and wife."

Anonymous A., AL (2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 3.5-L V6)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

What Owners Say

Catalytic converter

"Alternator, broke down while on a road trip, fixed, no problem since. Changed O2 sensors and sparks. Heard noise in muffler and was told it's the catalytic. I've enjoyed my Pilot. Use it to haul a 2500 pound load, easy. Turning radius, excellent, on a dime. Ride, near luxury car less like SUV."

Anonymous, MI (2011 Honda Pilot LX 3.5-L V6)

Other/unsure

"Engine lights come on repeatedly. Solved temporarily"

Anonymous, NY (2011 Honda Pilot EX 3.5-L V6)

Noises And Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Air or water leaks

"Driver side column between door and windshield leaks during heavy rains. Asked dealer to replace strip on top of roof but they want to defer to a leak specialist who visits them once per week. But has cancelled a few times"

Anonymous, NC (2011 Honda Pilot Touring 3.5-L V6)

Squeaks or rattles

"Vehicle needs some work to the front end. Have some rattling estimate about 500"

Anonymous, NJ (2011 Honda Pilot EX 3.5-L V6)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

What Owners Say

CV joint

"It was very expensive to replace, but we also had to replace the alternator. I just didnt know which section that goes in."

Anonymous, TX (2011 Honda Pilot LX 3.5-L V6)

Driveshaft or axle

"4 to 5 months. Every time he took the car to the shop they said they could not find a problem"

Anonymous A., SC (2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 3.5-L V6)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Oil leaks

"Major oil leak on the top of the motor."

Anonymous A., FL (2011 Honda Pilot Touring 3.5-L V6)

"Noticed it about 18 months ago. Have had oil pan gasket and head gasket replaced but did not fix. Just dx as rear engine seal problem. Need to replace it. Probably a $1900 job."

Anonymous, FL (2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 3.5-L V6)

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

What Owners Say

Engine rebuild or replacement

"bad valve guides. OK after 5,000.00 repair"

Anonymous, MD (2011 Honda Pilot EX 3.5-L V6)

"The engine died I could not afford a new or used vehicle so I tapped my retirement account and replaced it."

Anonymous A., GA (2011 Honda Pilot EX 3.5-L V6)

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

What Owners Say

Seat controls - power

"Seat back would not move. Motor needed to be replaced."

Anonymous, PA (2011 Honda Pilot LX 3.5-L V6)

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

What Owners Say

Fuel pump

"Valve in the fuel pump that keeps fuel from running back into to tank from the fuel rail. Annoying problem that has plagued the vehicle for the last 5 years. It had progressively gotten worse and caused long start cycles after the vehicle sat for more than 3 to 4 hours."

Anonymous A., TX (2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 3.5-L V6)

Honda Pilot

Reliability

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

Paint And Trim

What Owners Say

In-car Electronics

What Owners Say

Steering And Suspension

What Owners Say

Climate System

What Owners Say

Electrical Accessories

What Owners Say

Exhaust

What Owners Say

Noises And Leaks

What Owners Say

Drive System

What Owners Say

Engine Minor

What Owners Say

Engine Major

What Owners Say

Body Hardware

What Owners Say

Fuel System/Emissions

What Owners Say

Transmission Major

Brakes

Transmission Minor

Engine Cooling

Engine Electrical

2011 SUVs Reliability

Honda vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability