The cabin air filter in a 2021 Honda Pilot sits behind the glove box on the passenger side of the dashboard. To replace it, you’ll lower the glove box, access the filter housing, and swap in a new filter.
Location and access
In this model, the cabin air filter is housed behind the passenger-side glove box. Access is gained by opening and lowering the glove box and then locating the small access panel on the side of the dash that leads to the filter housing.
Follow these steps to replace the cabin air filter safely and correctly.
- Open the glove box and remove its contents.
- Squeeze the sides of the glove box to release the stops and let the box drop down.
- Locate the cabin air filter housing on the passenger side of the dash behind the glove box and remove the housing cover by unclipping or unsnapping it.
- Carefully pull out the old cabin air filter and note the orientation of the airflow arrows.
- Insert the new filter with the arrows pointing in the direction of airflow (toward the interior of the cabin) and reseal the housing.
- Reattach the filter housing cover and push the glove box back up until it clicks into place.
With the replacement complete, run the HVAC briefly on fresh air or recirculation to verify proper airflow and check for any unusual odors or reduced performance.
Summary
For the 2021 Honda Pilot, the cabin air filter is located behind the passenger-side glove box. Access is achieved by lowering the glove box, removing the filter cover, and replacing the filter with proper orientation. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended replacement interval, but many owners replace the filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles depending on driving conditions and environment.