2021 Honda Pilot Backup Camera Recall (20V439)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · 607,786 vehicles · Reported July 28, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling 607,786 2021 Honda Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors." Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 20V439 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 20V439000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | T89 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | July 28, 2020 |
| Manufacturer | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| Vehicles | 2021 Honda Pilot |
| Units affected | 607,786 |
| Component | Back Over Prevention > Sensing System > Camera |
| Safety risk | Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Honda Pilot in recall 20V439?
Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle.
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 critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Pilot with recall 20V439?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Pilot shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the camera, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 20V439?
Recall 20V439 covers 607,786 vehicles: 2021 Honda Pilot.
NHTSA lists 607,786 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Honda | Pilot |
What is the fix for the Pilot backup camera recall?
Yes. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge.
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 customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.
When was recall 20V439 announced?
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) reported recall 20V439 to NHTSA on July 28, 2020.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| July 28, 2020 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 20V439000. |
This recall was filed 75 months ago. If your Pilot was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Pilot is part of recall 20V439?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 20V439 is open on your Pilot, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 20V439000 is open on your Pilot, it will be listed there, along with Honda recall number T89. You can also ask any Honda dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Pilot owners do about recall 20V439?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 20V439000 applies to your Pilot.
- Call a Honda dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the camera happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Pilot owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 435 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 7 of them about the rearview camera.
Since recall 20V439 was reported on July 28, 2020, owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the rearview camera on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the rearview camera and were received on or after July 28, 2020, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related rearview camera issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 435 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 7 of them involve the rearview camera. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Honda Pilot: 435 complaints in total, 7 about the rearview camera
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the infotainment system had turned off unintendedly while driving. Additionally, the rearview camera image was black while reversing.
2021 Honda Pilot owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11689148, filed September 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was blank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.
2021 Honda Pilot owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11693616, filed October 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the infotainment screen and the rearview camera screen intermittently failed to activate while the vehicle was shifted into reverse.
2021 Honda Pilot owner, NC, NHTSA complaint 11717058, filed February 10, 2026
Can recall 20V439 make my Pilot a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 20V439000 does not automatically make your Pilot a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Rearview camera faults are frequently fixed with a software update, but owners report the screen going black again weeks later. If that happens with your 2021 Honda Pilot, each return visit should be documented.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Honda Pilot has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Pilot been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Honda Pilot recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 20V439
Did the recall 20V439 fix work?
Since recall 20V439 was reported on July 28, 2020, owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the rearview camera on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 20V439000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Pilot is part of recall 20V439000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Is it legal to drive with a blank backup camera?
Federal safety rules require new vehicles to have a working rearview image, which is why camera failures are recalled. Have it repaired, and use mirrors and extra care until then.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 20V439000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Honda. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.