2021 Honda Pilot · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 26owner reports
- 21,869median miles
- $1,000median quote
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Jun 9, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
26 of the 425 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the brakes covers the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Pilot
Vehicle stability assist malfunction. Closed mar 15, 2013.
NHTSA summary
None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.
What owners paid
7 of the 26 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $350 to $2,000.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“Recently , I stated seeing CMBC failure in my 2021 Honda Pilot 2wd. My car has 41500 miles in it. I took car to dealer ship and dealer ship says they are no recalls i need to change my camera. i am not understanding it's like brand new car and not driven many miles. i research on google and there are so many pilot owners having same problems. Can this be recall?”
Filed Jun 13, 2025 · 41,500 miles
“It's been a while my vehicle acting up, the brake is not working the way it was, had complained to the dealer but stating everthing looks ok, but i know how my car drives, steering is getting hard something is wrong its not normal, I have another suv I can tell something mechanical is wrong”
Filed Nov 30, 2024
“Car in front of me stopped. My vehicle did not causing a rear end collision. I do not recall the brake warning flashing to alert me to brake. The automatic braking system did not seem to engage. Even though I pressed the brake pedal the vehicle did not seem to want to stop. It reminded me of a vehicle without power brakes. Nor did the wheels lock up or leave any skid marks from hard braking.”
Filed Sep 7, 2024
“when auto-idle engaged and car is stopped, it will not restart the car's engine. My safety was at risk because the event took place while I was in traffic with my family. The problem has not been reproduced. It is a problem known by Honda for many years. The vehicle has not been inspected. Unknown.”
Filed Jul 1, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 26 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 77 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 74 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 46 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 35 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 30 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 30 reports