2019 Honda Pilot
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2019 Honda Pilot.
What to watch for on the 2019 Honda Pilot
Timing Belt and Water Pump Service
The Honda 3.5L V6 uses a timing belt that must be replaced on schedule (usually with the water pump).
Which of these apply to your 2019 Pilot?
Your guide shows which apply to the exact car, and what to ask the seller.
Recalls on the 2019 Honda Pilot
Back over prevention: camera
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.
Electrical system: software
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.
Structure: hood
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.
10 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
What 919 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2019 Honda Pilot at a glance
- Trims
- Black EditionEliteEXEX-LLXTouring
- Engine
- 3.5L 6-Cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic 9-spd
- Drivetrain
- AWD, FWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Body style
- SUV
About the 3rd Gen
The 2016-2022 Honda Pilot is the third generation of the crossover and replaced the boxy body of its predecessor with a smoother, more car-like shape. The 3.5-liter J35 V6 gained direct injection, paired with a six-speed automatic on lower trims and a nine-speed automatic on Touring and Elite trims through 2018, after which a nine-speed became more widely used. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. Seating is for seven or eight depending on whether captain's chairs are fitted.
This generation brought a substantially quieter cabin, a much stiffer body, and the availability of Honda Sensing driver assistance across most of the range. The 2019 update revised the front-end styling, reinstated a physical volume knob after widespread complaints about the touch-based system, and retuned the transmission. The fourth generation that followed for 2023 moved to a ten-speed automatic and added a TrailSport off-road trim.
As a used buy, the third-generation Pilot is one of the more comfortable and refined three-row crossovers of its period. The nine-speed automatic drew the majority of owner complaints early in the run for hesitation and rough shifts, and Honda addressed it through software updates, so a car's service history matters when comparing model years. Variable Cylinder Management remains present on this engine and the same oil consumption considerations apply. Post-2019 examples with the revised infotainment are meaningfully better to live with.
Other Honda Pilot years
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Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 2019 Honda Pilot?
Owners have filed 919 complaints about the 2019 Honda Pilot with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. There are 13 recall campaigns covering this model year. Known problems on its engines include timing belt and water pump service. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 2019 Honda Pilot reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 13 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2019 Honda Pilot?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2019 Honda Pilot listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.