Is the Honda Pilot made in the USA?

Yes. The Honda Pilot is built in the United States, with final assembly primarily taking place at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, Alabama, for vehicles sold in the U.S. market. This article explains where the Pilot is produced, what that means for domestic manufacturing, and how “Made in USA” labeling applies today.

Where is the Pilot built?

The Honda Pilot that serves the U.S. market is assembled at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) in Lincoln, Alabama. This site is part of Honda’s North American manufacturing network and concentrates on producing large SUVs and related models for the North American region.

Alabama plant context

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama operates as a key production hub for several Honda models destined for U.S. buyers. The Pilot’s final assembly here emphasizes domestic production within the United States, aligning with consumer expectations for U.S.-built vehicles.

Non-US production and global supply

Honda maintains a global supply chain, with components sourced from multiple regions and, in some cases, assembled or finalized in different plants outside the United States. For U.S. buyers, the Pilot’s final assembly remains at the Alabama facility, which is why the vehicle commonly carries a strong domestic-assembly footprint in labeling and marketing for the American market.

What this means for buyers

For consumers, the main takeaway is that a typical Honda Pilot purchased in the U.S. is assembled in Alabama, supporting domestic manufacturing jobs. However, like most modern vehicles, it relies on a global supply chain for parts and components, which affects the overall domestic content of the vehicle.

FTC labeling and domestic content

Federal guidelines govern how manufacturers describe “Made in USA.” The FTC’s standard generally requires that a product be all or substantially all made in the United States to bear a strict “Made in USA” claim. Automakers, including Honda, often market vehicles as “assembled in the USA” with a majority of parts sourced from within or outside the U.S., reflecting the broader reality of international supply chains. The Pilot’s U.S. assembly aligns with these norms, but some components may come from suppliers located outside the United States.

Summary

The Honda Pilot is predominantly assembled in the United States at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, Alabama, making it a U.S.-built option in the midsize SUV segment. While final assembly is U.S.-based, the car’s parts and components come from a global supply network, illustrating the common tension between domestically assembled vehicles and multinational sourcing. For consumers, this means a mostly domestic production story with international sourcing that underpins modern automotive manufacturing.

Are Honda pilots made in the USA?

Yes, Honda Pilots are made in the USA, specifically at the Honda Manufacturing of Alabama plant in Lincoln, Alabama. The Alabama plant is the sole global producer of the Pilot and also builds the Odyssey, Ridgeline, and Passport.
 

• Assembly location: All Honda Pilots sold in the U.S. are built at the Honda Manufacturing of Alabama plant in Lincoln, AL. 
• Other vehicles made at the plant: The plant also produces other large Honda vehicles, including the Odyssey minivan, Ridgeline pickup truck, and Passport SUV. 
• Engine production: V6 engines for the Pilot are also made at the Alabama plant. 
• Parts content: The Honda Pilot has a significant amount of U.S. and Canadian parts content, according to a YouTube video from March 2025. 

How to tell if a Honda is US or Japan built?

It requires minimal deciphering, but the vehicle identification number, or VIN, indicates the car's production location. The first character in the VIN is part of a standardized 3-digit world manufacturer identifier or WMI. Generally, the first number or letter of the VIN signifies the vehicle's country of manufacture.

Are any Hondas made in America?

Yes, many popular Honda models, including the Accord, CR-V, Civic, Pilot, and Odyssey, are made in the United States. Honda has several manufacturing plants in the U.S. located in Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama, where they assemble these vehicles. 

• Ohio: Plants in Marysville and East Liberty are responsible for vehicles like the Accord and the Acura RDX and MDX. 
• Indiana: The Greensburg plant is another key U.S. facility for Honda. 
• Alabama: The Lincoln plant assembles models such as the Passport, Odyssey, and Pilot. 

What is the most common problem with the Honda Pilot?

The most common problem with the Honda Pilot is transmission failure, often caused by a faulty radiator that allows coolant to leak into the transmission fluid, leading to expensive damage. Other widespread issues include problems with the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system, which can cause unintended braking, and various electrical and infotainment system malfunctions.
 
This video discusses common problems in the second generation Honda Pilot, including airbag recalls and engine issues: 59sMJ100kYouTube · Sep 30, 2025
Transmission and cooling system

• Coolant-transmission fluid mixing: A radiator design flaw can cause coolant to leak into the transmission fluid, leading to transmission failure. 
• Symptoms: Drivers report shuddering, jerking, and sudden loss of power, with failures often occurring between 120,000 and 150,000 miles. 
• Solutions: Repairs are costly and can involve a full transmission replacement. 

Electrical and computer systems 

• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system: Some models experience the VSA system applying the brakes without driver input, which can be dangerous. This is often traced to a faulty yaw sensor. 
• Infotainment system: Issues like blank screens, malfunctioning wireless chargers, and inoperable backup cameras have been reported, particularly in newer models. 
• Auto start/stop system: The engine's auto start/stop system has been reported to malfunction, sometimes failing to restart the engine. 

This video highlights trending issues in the 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, including broken battery sensor wires: 1mBCauto_YouTube · Jan 30, 2025
Engine and emissions

• Engine issues: Some older models have had issues with engine sludge due to piston ring deterioration. 
• Emissions system: Warning lights may indicate a problem with the fuel injectors or catalytic converter. 
• Oil consumption: Some models have reported excessive oil consumption. 

You can watch this video to learn what the owner wishes they knew before buying the Honda Pilot, including infotainment and engine issues: 58sAdventure Gear TVYouTube · Apr 9, 2022
Other problems

• Brake issues: Warped front brake rotors causing vibration and problems with the anti-lock braking system have been reported. 
• Water intrusion: Some models have reported water leaks, particularly in the rear, which can cause electrical problems. 
• Airbag recalls: Certain model years, especially the second generation (2009-2015), have been affected by airbag recalls.