Honda Pilot Complaints (2025)

190 consumer complaints on file.

#11645771March 1, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Subject: Safety Complaint Regarding Adaptive Cruise Control Malfunction – 2025 Honda Pilot Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am filing a formal complaint regarding a recurring safety issue with my 2025 Honda Pilot, which I purchased in September 2024. The vehicle’s Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system frequently and unexpectedly turns off while driving on the highway, creating a serious road safety hazard. This issue has been happening intermittently since I bought the vehicle, and despite bringing it to Honda’s attention, they have not acknowledged or addressed the problem. The sudden deactivation of the ACC system can cause unexpected speed changes, forcing the driver to react quickly and potentially leading to hazardous driving conditions. Given the increasing reliance on driver-assist technologies, such malfunctions pose a risk to both the driver and other motorists on the road. I have reported this issue to my local Honda dealership, but they have not provided a permanent resolution. I am concerned that other Honda Pilot owners may be experiencing the same problem, which could indicate a widespread defect. Therefore, I urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter thoroughly and take appropriate action, including issuing a recall if necessary, to prevent potential accidents. Please confirm receipt of this complaint and inform me of any next steps. I am available to provide further details or documentation as needed. I appreciate your prompt attention to this critical safety concern. I also attached photos of the said issue. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643635February 19, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: RADAR
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 74 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 50 MPH. The message "Front Driver's Assist System Cannot Operate - Clean Area Some" was displayed. The contact stated while in the process of pulling over to the side of the road, the vehicle accelerated as needed. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front radar had gone into LIMP mode and was misaligned. The dealer realigned the radar. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that it was a known failure and that the front radar of the vehicle could become misaligned after hitting a pothole. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 1,172.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643577February 18, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My trunk is getting full of water every time is rain,and I haven’t even use my trunk and my vehicle is not even close to 2,000 mile,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643346February 18, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
When we have taken this vehicle on the highway or interstate, the Adaptive Cruise Control randomly disengages while driving and renders any cruise options unusable. When this happens the vehicle brakes hard while driving. The braking system also randomly brakes hard while driving, even if the cruise control is working. This is a huge safety concern as we are on the highway and interstate with several other vehicles around us. We are worried we will get in an impact collision from the rear. We have taken this vehicle to a certified Honda repair center four times for this specific concern and this 4th occurrence, the Pilot has been there for over 27 days with no resolution. This is a brand new vehicle and we have had this safety issue/faulty ACC since we purchased it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11642595February 13, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On Tues. Feb.11, 2025, I was at a stop light when the car went into reverse on it's own. Then, when driving, the car went into neutral on it's own. Again, at a stop light, the car went into reverse. I had the car towed to dealership that day. I was sent a msg. that the shifter is defective and that a new one would be ordered. There were two msgs. on the dash when this issue occurred. One stated a transmission problem and the other was a blind spot problem. I am currently waiting for the service dept. to get back to me. I had my two young grandsons in the car with me as well as my husband. It was terrifying.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11642425February 13, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
During the most recent weather, light snow, the sensor on the front of the car ices over and disables many of the safety features while driving. The driver will get a caution alert on the dash that says "some" safety features "May" be disabled. However, there is no information about which ones or why. This particular issue has happened multiple times in inclement weather. Also I know it's a problem as while in the dealership many were calling asking g about why this was happening. It is a danger to drivers. If they heated the "H" emblem, where the radar sensor is, it would not be a problem. I have included photos of the dash at the time along with photos of the emblem iced over and the general conditions outside at the time, very light snow
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641971February 11, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH in the rain, the Honda emblem became wet, and the driver assist features stopped working properly. The message displayed was sensor obstructed which may affect some of the driver assist features. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,700.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640067February 1, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hello, I am writing to report an issue I discovered with my new 2025 Honda Pilot EXL, which I purchased in October 2025. On January 5, 2025, while inspecting the engine, I noticed that the protective cover on the wiring harness was wrapped with black electrical tape. This tape was shredded and peeling away from the plastic pipe cover, likely due to heat or other factors. I was surprised and concerned to find such a low-quality material used in this location. The tape's deterioration raises concerns about potential damage to the wiring itself due to heat exposure. I am also worried about the long-term reliability and safety implications, including the possibility of a fire. I drove approximately 40 miles round trip to the Honda dealership where I purchased the vehicle. They dismissed my concerns, stating that this was "normal" and simply advised me to purchase more electrical tape from a home improvement store and re-wrap the harness myself. They refused to perform any repair or replacement. I question why Honda would not use heat-resistant tape in this engine compartment area, especially given the potential for high temperatures. Using a more robust, heat-resistant material would provide greater safety and prevent the current issue. I believe this is a design flaw that needs to be addressed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635715January 13, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Backup Camera not functioning. Black screen when car is in reverse.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634806January 8, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
My brand new 2025 Honda Pilot frequently (several times per week) will deploy the CMBS (Collision Mitigation Braking System) causing the brakes to be applied harshly and bringing the vehicle to a near stop, despite there being nothing in the road ahead, behind, or to the sides of the vehicle. This happened the first time with only 100 miles on the vehicle. My concern for safety is that sudden unexpected braking could cause an accident and lead to potential injury/death. I've had the vehicle to the dealership 5 times and they've had a handful of excuses. First the alignment of the car was off. Next was a replacement of the radar unit, which they believed to be faulty. The next visits resulted in my Honda tech telling me that a "large radio tower" near where I live are causing interference with the system. However when I received the paper work it says there are large power lines causing interference. I live in a small town and there are no large power lines or large radio towers visible from where I live. I believe Honda is making excuses to get me to stop bothering them with this issue. After all of these trips, Honda is refusing to look at the vehicle again, despite it's behavior putting myself and my family at risk. There were no warning lamps, messages, or anything other symptoms prior to this happening.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633989January 3, 2025
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Shifting from 1st, 2nd, 3rd gears is delayed/hesitant. Extremely noticeable at low speeds when releasing accelerator or braking. Unable to predict speed when coming to a smooth stop, occasionally feels like it lurches forward when it tries to downshift upon braking. Desperately needs software update to TCM, as mentioned hundreds of times elsewhere online. Does not 'train' itself to mitigate this problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632041December 22, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
After two weeks of purchasing this vehicle the whole system just turn off. The first time it happens was on a Tuesday afternoon. I turn the vehicle off. As I return to the car a few minutes later I couldn't Start the car. Everything was off no power on, the lights were off, engine, doors where lock. waited an hour them the car engine started up. Two days later the same issue again call the town truck for help. Two hours later the town truck arrive then the car started again. took it to the dealer but they didn't find anything. On the six time I left the car at the dealer for 3 weeks but they couldn't fix it again. 3 weeks later they think they fix the issue but nope same issues after picking up the car again. Please don't sell this vehicle to another person. I am returning the car but as a first time owner of honda I don't recommended.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630564December 13, 2024
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
We own two Hondas. On December 18, 2024 someone stole the radar senders from both vehicles. I takes a little over a minute to steal these. The Honda dealer states that Honda Corp has offered no solution. Beyond expense this negates the cars high tech safety features which makes the vehicle unsafe to drive per the numerous warning that flash on the dash board. As you can understand, there is no effective way to stop this safety defect from reoccurring. The solution may be an encrypted design for the sensor, that only works on the car it was installed on. Police report cannot be made until we know the accurate repair cost.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629353December 6, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, STEERING
I was driving and I began slowing down as I approached a red light. My vehicle suddenly stopped. I was unable to turn the vehicle back on nor change the gear. When I would press the start button while pressing the brakes, some dash lights would turn on but again I was not able to change the gear. After several attempts of turning the car on, the car started and I was able to change gears to Drive. Approximately one or two blocks later, while in motion, the car abruptly stopped again. This time the dash displayed “Engine Oil Pressure Low” Stop Engine. Do not Drive”. The car was subsequently towed to a nearby Honda Dealership where an inspection was allegedly done and the issue was supposedly fixed. The service notes stated the vehicle was found with low oil levels and that no leak was found. They released the car back to me. Now, one week after I picked the car up from the Honda Service Department, I encountered the same issue again. While stopped in traffic, my vehicle shut down. I was unable to turn it back on nor change the gears. An orange steering wheel with an orange exclamation mark next to it popped up on the upper right hand corner of my dashboard along with a red battery logo below it. I was on the roadway unable to turn the car back on for approximately one hour. After continuous failed attempts to turn the car on and change the gear, at one point it turned back on and I was able to drive the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628553December 3, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
There is an issue with 2025 Pilot Safe Systems such as adaptive cruise and blind spot detection. Honda knows about this issue and working on a fix however there is no ETA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627963November 29, 2024
SEAT BELTS
The seatbelt was either not assembled properly or installed incorrectly. The strap that’s on the wall does not have a metal piece to buckle into the latch that is in the seat crease. So there is no functional seatbelt on the rear passenger side on the third row.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627573November 26, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
At 65 mph or higher ( highway speed), I hear the constant troubling noise coming from the front of the vehicle. I had taken the car to the dealership in Fallston, Harford County, Maryland, for inspection twice. The mechanic acknowledged hearing the same noise but could not diagnose any problem with the vehicle. The same mechanic drove another 2025 Honda Pilot and was able to replicate the same noise while driving at highway speeds. Subsequently, I wrote the letter to American Honda Motor Co., Inc outlining the problem and seeking resolution. I was informed there was no open campaigns and to contact NHTSA to file my complain.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624927November 13, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Had initially reported this problem to dealer at ~1590 miles on the vehicle. After ~2,200 miles gasoline smell is still there and severe. - The smell is obnoxious to driver if driving with Windows rolled up and is a safety concern. - Issue is more pronounced, severe when driving at the beginning of the day after overnight parking. - Took it to same dealer twice, they did diagnosis and informed it’s because of the plastic stuck to the exhaust which is the cause. They want to wait out till it’s fully burnt and the smell should go away. - Have raised a case with the manufacturer too and they’re looking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624402November 10, 2024
POWER TRAIN
The transmission jerks at low speeds, especially in gears 1, 2, and 3. Starting from a stop is the worst. When you press the gas pedal there is a delayed response to accelerate the car. This is a safety issue. When you press the gas to pull out in front of traffic the vehicle is slow to respond, can get bogged down trying to shift gears, and may result in an accident. The jerkiness feels like the transmission is going to fall out. The vehicle does not accelerate smooth from 0-20 mph.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621856October 25, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
- Extremely strong gasoline smell inside the vehicle while driving. Didn’t matter AC on or off, smell was terrible but more evident with AC/Fan on. Had to lower all the 4 windows to let out the air. - With a toddler in car it was terrifying with the nauseating smell and/or the risk of fire if at all. - Problem not reproduced by dealer and was mentioned it’s a sticky plastic in exhaust, will go away. - First appeared only on 23rd Oct 2024 with around 1,590 miles on it and not until then. No other related symptoms. - Fuel was almost 3/4th full and had been more than 8 days since last filled. Never filled to the brim ever or overflowed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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