Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Honda Pilot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V174000 (VISIBILITY), 24V064000 (AIR BAGS), and under TSB: 0101T0. The contact stated that the dealer did not repair all the recalls. The contact stated that in the driver's side mirror, the image appeared wavy and resembled a funhouse mirror. The TSB regarding the coaxial cable terminal (FAKRA) was not repaired properly. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started there was an abnormal popping and crackling sound coming from the speakers. The contact returned the vehicle to the Service Department to have the vehicle re-examined; however, the dealer refused. In addition, the contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a distorted image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The dealer stated that the camera was on fish-eye mode. …
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V174000 (Visibility), but the failure occurred. The contact stated that the first time the driver's side mirror was replaced, the image in the mirror was distorted, severely compromising driver visibility. The contact stated that the mirror looked like it was made of plastic and not glass. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The driver's side mirror was replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the driver's side mirror was replaced. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that before the recall the driver's side mirror never experienced the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 - 30 MPH, a loud bang noise was heard. The contact stated that the sunroof glass had exploded, and glass shards came inside of the vehicle and landed on the contact's hair and clothing. There was no impact on the sunroof that could have caused it to shatter. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that a stone must have hit the sunroof and referred the contact to file a claim with the insurance company. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the driver's side exterior rearview mirror was shaking forcefully, and the contact was unable to see the road or other vehicles. The contact was able to drive to his destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The contact took the vehicle to a second dealer; Honda of Kenosha (12180 77th St, Bristol, WI 53104, [phone]) where it was diagnosed with needing the driver's side exterior rearview mirror to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but the repair was pending. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently shifted to the left and right. Additionally, the passenger's side front mirror was shaking abnormally. Additionally, and the driver's side front window made abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed as needing a wheel alignment. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that he had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 23V174000 (Visibility), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair. Following the repair, the contact became aware that the side-view mirrors were distorted, severely compromising side-view visibility. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated both exterior mirrors turned inward independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she positioned both mirrors but continued to experience a failure. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,300.
On 2 land roads especially with no other vehicles in view, the car will suddenly brake, flash the dash for emergency braking and violently shake the steering wheel back and forth and almost take it out of your hands. It was done this since new. Taken to dealer 11/15/21 for this issue, they "aligned it" and made it somewhat better but still did the braking and steering wheel shake on way home from dealer. We just put up with it as the vehicle cost so much. The dealer also replaced the windshield as it cracked within 3 months of new sitting in a parking lot. This again required another paid alignment of this system. They said windshield may have been defective buy we had to pay for it anyway, alignment was needed for avoidance system In may of 2023, the vehicle became un-drivable as it would kick the process off about every 30-50 feet. …
Driver side vehicle outside rear view mirror has separated from its' underlying mounting plate, while still being attached by a heating wire connected to the back surface of the mirror. Therefore it has been vibrating such that rearward visibility has been severely compromised and places both us and others at risk. It has now separated to the point that it is pulling out the wire and without tape will hang off it's housing. We have brought this issue to the attention of Hertrich Honda of Easton Md. as well as Honda. We are told by the dealer that this is a common issue on the Pilot and other models and that Honda has not provided a fix for the problem. In fact we are told by the dealer that there are no replacement components or mirrors available to fix the problem. Honda indicates that they are not aware of the problem. …
The side-view mirror on the driver's side of the vehicle vibrates to the point of the images not being clear. The vibration gets worse with increased speed. In addition, once the mirror is set and starts vibrating it does not remain in place. This is a safety hazard as driver sets mirror and when they look to see if a car is visible in the mirror is not showing proper location. Furthermore, the vibration of the mirror makes it difficult to see the image in the mirror. This incident occurred on a test drive vehicle while looking for a car and I was told this would be fixed. I indicated I wanted a different car and the car I ended up purchasing had the same issue. When I called the service department they told me this was a known issue and Honda was working on it. The service department did replace my side-mirror with a new one but that did not fix the issue.
Related recalls
Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2021 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2021 Honda Pilot, 7% of the model year's 446 complaints. The component named most often is rearview mirrors/devices › exterior (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Honda Pilot window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-174 (exterior, Mar 16, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Honda Pilot window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.