Honda Pilot vs Kia Telluride (2023-2026 vs 2020-2025): Which Should You Buy?

Both files score these a 7/10 and both say "buy it, after the recall homework" — this isn't a lopsided call. The difference is what kind of risk you're taking on. Every documented Pilot problem (FI-ECU stall recall, brake-pedal recall, fuel-filler recall, jerky-shift complaints) is a free dealer fix, but the 4th-gen is only 3 years old with zero 150k-mile data on its new DOHC V6 and 10-speed. The Telluride has 6 years of real-world mileage proving out its V6/8-speed, but carries two costs no recall touches: windshields that crack easily on 2020-2022 cars ($400-1,500, active class action) and oil consumption on some 2020-2021 V6s that can run $5,000-8,000 out of warranty. Buy a 2025 Pilot (outside every recall window) or a 2023+ Telluride (past the windshield/oil-consumption years) and you sidestep nearly everything documented on either file.

• •Pilot's known problems are 100% recall-covered free fixes ($0 out of pocket per the file); Telluride's recalls are also free, but its windshield cracking and V6 oil-consumption issues are NOT recall items and can cost real money ($400-1,500 and $500-8,000 respectively).
• •Telluride's 3.8L V6 and 8-speed have 6 model years of owner data behind them; Pilot's all-new DOHC V6 and Honda's 10-speed are unproven past ~100k miles per the file's own admission.
• •Both files name a clear low-risk year: Pilot 2025 sits outside all three major recall windows, Telluride 2024-2025 sits past the worst windshield and oil-consumption years (2020-2021).