Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Pilot.
The 2021 Honda Pilot is an SUV that relies on a 5.7‑quart engine oil capacity with 0W‑20 viscosity and is paired with an Automatic (S9) transmission, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 19/26/22 mpg. In terms of reliability, the model year logged 401 owner complaints, with the most frequent issue categorized as “Unknown Or Other” and was subject to ten recalls. Compared with the Pilot’s complaint history from 2003‑2025, the 2021 figure sits between the 2016 peak of 1,665 complaints and the 2024 low of 101, indicating a moderate reliability standing for this generation.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S9) |
| Overall length | 196.5 in |
| Overall width | 79.9 in |
| Overall height | 70.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 111 in |
| Curb weight | 4259 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 66.1 / 66.1 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 57/43 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 19 / 26 / 22 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Pilot of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Black Edition 3.5L V6 | 6.20 sec | 14.80 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2020 | Black Edition 3.5L V6 | 6.20 sec | 14.70 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | Elite 3.5L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.80 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2017 | Elite 3.5L V6 | 6.00 sec | 14.80 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2016 | Elite 3.5L V6 | 6.00 sec | 14.60 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2016 | Elite 3.5L V6 | 6.10 sec | 14.80 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2016 | Elite 3.5L V6 | 6.20 sec | 14.80 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2016 | EX 3.5L V6 | 6.20 sec | 14.80 sec | 280 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.7 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Honda DPSF-2 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.5 qt |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | Honda DPSF-2 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.92 qt |
| Engine Coolant | Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 1.95 Gallons |
| Engine Coolant | Honda Type 2 Coolant/Anti-Freeze |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 3.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 11.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s) | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s) | 16.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 55.0 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential Fill Plug | Use new washer: 35.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential drain Plug | Use new washer: 35.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 94.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | Use new washer: 32.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | Use new washer: 32.0 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | Use new bolts: 26.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | Transmission in Neutral or Park: 710 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | Transmission in Neutral or Park: 710 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | Checking Speed: 680 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.33-1.44 lbs |
| Oil Group | POE |
| Oil Type | RL85HM |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.33-1.44 lbs |
| Oil Type | Delphi RL85HM or equivalent |
| Oil Capacity | 4.29-5.17 oz |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 59.5 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 66.7 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 59.5-66.7 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | Fuel Pressure Gauge Connected: 60.0 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | Fuel Pressure Gauge Connected: 67.0 psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 10.1 minimum psi @ curb idle speed psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure RPM | 71.1 minimum psi @ 3,000 rpm's rpm |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: 53.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 25.0 ft-lbs |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Front: 101.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 65.0 ft-lbs |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6.4 |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.063 in |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 1.024; Rear: .354 |
| Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation | .0006" |
| Maximum Rotor Runout | .0016" |
| Maximum Drum Diameter | Parking Brake: 8.307" |
| 1 | 20.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90° | 20 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90° | 15 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 48.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60° | 48 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 48.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60° | 48 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°, Step 4: This step is for new cylinder heads only: 90°. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°, Step 4: If using new bolts tighten an additional 90° | 22 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
In 2021 the Pilot recorded 401 complaints, a decline from 469 in 2020 but still above the 132 complaints reported for 2022. Recalls numbered 10 in 2021, matching the 11 recalls of 2020 yet exceeding the 5 recalls of 2022, while investigations dropped to 1 from 4 in 2020. Across the generation, complaint volume has fallen sharply from the 2016 peak of 1,665 to single‑digit levels in recent years, placing 2021 in the mid‑range of that downward trend. The 2021 model’s top complaint categories are “Unknown Or Other” (39), Electrical System (36), Engine (33) and Forward Collision Avoidance (29), with 12 crash‑related and 1 fire‑related complaints logged. Given the modest complaint count and stable recall record relative to adjacent years, the 2021 Honda Pilot is a reasonably safe used‑vehicle choice.
All 401 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay… Remedy: Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda…
Showing 5 of 99 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A24-061 | 2025-11-06 | Electrical System | Service Bulletin - The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops… |
| ATI&08212025903 | 2025-08-21 | Visibility/Wiper | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025… |
| ATI&08072025902 | 2025-08-07 | Electrical System | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025… |
| A20-022 | 2025-07-31 | Structure | Service Bulletin - One or more accessory running board lights are flickering or not… |
| ATI&07242025904 | 2025-07-24 | Visibility/Wiper | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.7 qt of Honda 0W-20, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.