Honda Pilot Complaints

9,418 consumer complaints on file.

#11759233August 24, 2026
ENGINE
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Per the quote from the dealership where the issue was diagnosed: Looks like you are going to need a new engine due (to a) bad cylinder 5 misfire and the main bearing spun causing internal failure. It is available for Inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The engine could have failed during driving causing an accident. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The Check Engine Light was blinking when I parked it within 3 minutes of seeing it (XXX at approximately 8:30 AM) and drove no further. I had it towed to the nearest dealer, which is Thelen Honda of Bay City, MI.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759105August 24, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
commonly experiences battery drain, the radio is making Popping or crackling sounds from speakers
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759044August 24, 2026
ENGINE
Was driving vehicle and all of a sudden engine light pops up with no driver codes and the left side of engine starts knocking. I pull into the closest shop. They test a vehicle misfire in cylinder 5 and propose vehicle gets towed to dealership to look at codes. I tow vehicle to dealership for them to tell me rod bearings, crankshaft are bad and need a new engine. Engine was 99k and well maintained with every service record included. I asked about Honda goodwill which they denied me due to vehicle not getting serviced at Honda for oil changes. The rod bearings were recalled on previous Honda models and there is currently an open investigation on 2021 models but no official recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759025August 24, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
The infotainment system and rearview backup camera malfunction continually. While driving or attempting to reverse, the infotainment system frequently shuts off entirely and loses its fiber optic network connection. When it attempts to reboot and turn back on, loud popping and crackling noises emit from the vehicle speakers. Additionally, the backup camera regularly glitches and displays a message stating that the system is "Too Hot," causing the rearview monitor to go entirely blank. These issues are especially severe on hot days.This creates an immediate safety hazard, as it unexpectedly eliminates rear visibility while backing up, increasing the risk of a collision. It also causes distracted driving conditions due to the sudden, loud audio popping and screen blackouts. This failure mimics the exact symptoms outlined in Honda's active MOST Bus Coaxial Cable recall, yet my vehicle is experiencing the same severe safety defects. Rear view camera does warn it no longer works due to heat. No inspection done as of yet but plan on taking it to dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758954August 23, 2026
ENGINE
My 2016 Honda Pilot Elite has developed a loud, heavy metallic knocking sound coming from the engine block that increases in speed with engine RPMs. Despite strict regular maintenance and oil changes, the engine noise is getting progressively worse, creating an immediate risk of catastrophic engine failure, stalling, or seizing while driving on the highway. While this vehicle matches the exact failure symptoms of NHTSA Recall 23V751 for connecting rod bearing failure, my specific VIN is currently excluded from the recall scope. I am reporting this as part of the ongoing investigation into underreported V6 engine batches.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758905August 23, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle stalled twice within a week. All lights on dash showed up. P0087 code. Honda dealer confirmed low fuel pressure pump needed to be replaced. It was happened on 8/13 and again on 8/22/26. Lucky, I was exiting the fwy. Almost lost control of steering wheel.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758782August 22, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I stopped at a stoplight and when the light turned green I pressed the gas and my car wouldn’t start. It took a few attempts at pressing the start button and putting car in park and my foot on the brake to get it to restart. Afterwards I noticed sometimes an orange light on dash for the Auto Idle Stop System Indicator. It did this once before earlier this year and I thought maybe I just didn’t push the brake hard enough when I stopped. I didn’t know what was going on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758816August 22, 2026
AIR BAGS
1.The vehicle’s airbag unexpectedly deployed while the vehicle was in Park and the driver was attempting to reverse out of a parking space. Multiple airbags deployed, including the driver-side airbags, the front airbag near the windshield area, and the long side/curtain airbag extending toward the passenger side. There was no collision or impact that would reasonably explain the deployment. The vehicle and deployed airbag/SRS components are available for inspection upon request. 2.The unexpected deployment of multiple airbags created a serious safety risk. The driver was struck in the head by the deploying airbag, resulting in dizziness, and was also struck in the chest, causing chest pain. A toddler was also present in the vehicle at the time of the unexpected deployment, creating an additional risk of injury to the child. The sudden deployment also created a risk of distraction, impaired visibility, and loss of control while the driver was attempting to maneuver the vehicle. There was no collision or impact preceding the airbag deployment. 3. No. The unexpected airbag deployment has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle is available for inspection, including the airbag/SRS components and vehicle systems associated with the deployment. 4.Yes. The vehicle was towed to a dealer following the incident and was inspected by the dealer. The dealer provided an estimate of at least $10,000 to repair the damage associated with the airbag deployment. The vehicle has not, to my knowledge, been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or an independent service center. 5. No. There were no known warning lamps, warning messages, or other symptoms indicating an airbag/SRS problem before the incident. The airbags deployed suddenly and unexpectedly while the vehicle was in Park and the driver was attempting to reverse out of a parking space. There was no collision or impact immediately before the airbags deployed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11758801August 22, 2026
STEERING
With about 59,800 miles, a rattling noise under the driver's side of the car began near the end of June, 2026 and gradually became louder, specially on bumpier streets. By the last week of July 2026, the steering started getting erratically stiffer becoming harder to control the direction of the vehicle. A neighborhood mechanic replaced the inner & outer tire rods but this didn't resolve the problem. I brought the vehicle to the dealership, "Honda of Harvey" and was informed that the steering mechanism was failing including the steering RACK and would cost $5,000 to repair. Internet searches revealed that many 2023 Honda Pilots and some 2022 Pilots had been recalled for this same problems. My vehicle wasn't but apparently should have.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758419August 21, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
While driving the vehicle on a family trip all of the driver assist functions shut off. Cruise Control, Lane Assist, etc. Numerous warning lights were triggered including brake system. Most noted the various driver assist functions became disabled. We had the vehicle codes read by a couple non-dealer locations. The OBD readers indicted that everything was fine with no codes being presented suggesting an error. Vehicle could be driven but none of the standard safety features with the camera system worked. Took it to Honda Dealer (Honda Marysville, Ohio) who performs all service on the vehicle. They concluded a faulty main camera and noted there were no recalls attributed to the device. Information we researched suggests these Camera's should last the life of the vehicle or at least 10 years. This car's windshield has never been replaced, and the car spends 75% of it's time in a garage. All mileage on the vehicle is highway mileage. Researched information suggests changing the windshield or subjecting cameras to extreme heat (sitting in sun all day, every day) can result in damage but this car was not subject to any of that from it's manufacture. Online forums suggest this issue is impacting both Honda Pilot's and Honda Ridgeline, with a lot more complaints on the Ridgelines. I have all paperwork from Honda and requested the part be returned to us for which Honda complied. No accident occurred as a result of the faulty camera.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758452August 21, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving on a cross-country trip, the vehicle stalled on four separate occasions. The contact stated that on one occasion the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. On several occasions, the vehicle restarted after approximately 45 minutes. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failures, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 198,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758581August 21, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Lane System Camera Failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758584August 21, 2026
ENGINE
The Auto Idle Stop/Start system on my 2019 Honda Pilot has failed at least a dozen times. When the vehicle is stopped and Auto Idle Stop shuts off the engine, the engine sometimes fails to restart when the driver attempts to proceed. The dashboard lights illuminate, but the engine does not restart. The driver must turn the vehicle completely off and manually restart it. The vehicle is available for inspection. This has created a serious safety concern. On multiple occasions, the failure happened to a young driver in my family while stopped at a busy intersection. When traffic began moving, the Pilot would not restart and remained unexpectedly stopped in an active traffic lane. There was no warning that the vehicle would fail to restart, leaving the driver trying to shut down and restart the vehicle while traffic was moving around them. I have taken the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealer multiple times regarding this issue. This is now my third attempt to have the problem addressed. The dealer is now performing the applicable Honda warranty work related to the Auto Idle Stop no-restart condition. There have been no warning lamps or messages immediately before these failures. The Auto Idle Stop system appears to operate normally until the engine is supposed to restart. At that point, the engine fails to restart and dashboard warning lights illuminate. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758657August 21, 2026
STEERING
The vehicle has suffered a life-threatening, complete loss of power steering while driving under identical, hazardous conditions on two separate occasions. There were no warning lights or inductors prior to either event. 1. The vehicle suffered a complete steering failure while driving over railroad tracks with a child inside the vehicle. A full replacement of the steering gearbox and power steering rack was performed under warranty (Defect Code: 03001 [Binding/Sticking], Symptom Code: 03217 [Not Operating]). This failure occurred only 20 days after receiving routine manufacturer maintenance from a Honda service department. 2. The exact same dangerous defect recurred, causing another complete loss of power steering while driving over railroad tracks with a child in the vehicle. The service department confirmed they successfully duplicated this power steering failure twice during active diagnostics.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758473August 21, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The vehicle won't start, electrical system failure. Sometimes the electrical system fails when the car is driving/it will stall on the road. It was predicated by the alarm going off intermittently and without provocation (in the middle of the night/etc).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758136August 20, 2026
ENGINE
The vehicle started to make some strange noises coming from the engine area. I brought the vehicle to our mechanic, who stated that the engine needs to be replaced. He described the problem as an issue with the piston that is appearing to be common with the shut off system, causing it in this vehicle. He classified as.’Engine has internal knock from wrist pin/rod bearing’. I’m looking at recalls and there are 2018s that appeared to have some sort of rod or piston issue that is under recall. Our particular VIN does not show a recall. This does appear to be a relatively common problem occurring with our model year though.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758192August 20, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the engine light was illuminated. The transmission emission message was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was associated with DTC: P0777. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who recommended a transmission flush. After the transmission flush the vehicle failed to shift from second to third gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time and another transmission flush was recommended and the dealer eventually determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758196August 20, 2026
SUSPENSION
Clunking that happens at low speeds, sounds like control arm, but this is not the rear. It’s the front.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758204August 20, 2026
ENGINE
The connecting rod on my 2017 Honda Pilot is coming apart and metal is present in the oil. The engine began knocking and progressively got louder. The sound was coming from the bottom of the engine around cylinder 1. We shut the car off and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer service center confirmed that the connecting rod on cylinder 1 was coming apart and found metal in the oil and filter. The vehicle has not been inspected by any other parties. There was a warning lamp that came on saying there was a fuel emission problem. That lamp has come on intermittently since we had recall service done on the transmission 6 weeks ago (June 2026). We did have that looked at, but were told they could not reproduce the issue. A check engine lamp also appeared just after the noise first appeared. I included the dealer repair center diagnosis and estimate of repair. I also included documentation that their records for our maintenance are incorrect. We took immaculate care of that vehicle from the day we purchased it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758231August 20, 2026
ENGINE
The connecting rod snapped in my 2019 Honda Pilot V6 engine at 102,000 miles. This is the exact mechanical failure described in NHTSA Recall 23V-751, but Honda is refusing to repair it due to a VIN exclusion. The dealership has confirmed this was a sudden, unpreventable structural component failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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