Honda Pilot Complaints

1,017 consumer complaints on file.

#11714850February 1, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Incident Description: While traveling at 45 mph with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) active, the vehicle experienced a "phantom braking" event triggered by high-contrast shadows on the roadway. The Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) incorrectly identified a shadow as a physical obstacle and abruptly applied the brakes in a clear path of travel. I was forced to manually override the system by applying the accelerator to prevent a potential rear-end collision. Safety Risk & Technical Context: This defect is repeatable under specific lighting conditions and occurs across multiple speed intervals (35–45 mph). I believe this incident is directly related to the ongoing NHTSA Engineering Analysis (EA24002) regarding inadvertent AEB activations. Furthermore, recent Service Bulletins (such as MC-11024251-0001) regarding Front View Camera and Radar Sensor updates suggest a known failure in the system's ability to process high-contrast environmental data. Conclusion: My local dealership failed to investigate the complaint. The sudden, unexpected deceleration poses a severe safety risk to the vehicle's occupants and following traffic. I request that NHTSA formally notify Honda of America regarding this recurring ADAS failure to ensure that my VIN is prioritized for the necessary sensor alignment and software enhancements.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713859January 28, 2026
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the engine was idling and with the gear shifter in the park position, the contact reached into the vehicle from the front driver's door, and suddenly the vehicle began to slowly roll backwards. The contact was pushed to the ground, causing the front driver's side wheel to roll over the contact's right leg. The vehicle continued to roll backwards before making a U-turn and then rolling forward down the inclined street and increasing speed. To avoid having the vehicle roll down hill into a crowded street with pedestrians, the front passenger inside the vehicle turned the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of another parked vehicle. During the incident, the contact suffered an injured right leg and was transported to the hospital. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed away. The both air bags had deployed, and the vehicle was destroyed. The contact indicated that during the incident, the emergency brake was not activated. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11713811January 28, 2026
SEATS
3rd row seat headrest stays folded and won’t lock into place.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713282January 25, 2026
STEERING
2022 Honda Pilot - steering wheel / front of car started to make a clanking noise when driving over speed bumps / noise started around 35k miles on odometer. Two different service appointments with Honda pointed to shocks and sway bar links; 3rd non honda service appointment found the issue to be a failing rack and pinion. 3rd service appointment replaced the rack and pinion / sound is gone and vehicle steers tight once again. mileage was 44k when replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713169January 25, 2026
ENGINE
Car has been serviced at same dealership I purchased from. All service up to date, Gas type shell gas brand used 95% of the time. (Noticed November 2025)issue a month after recommended transmission flush and an engine oil change. Rough idling (especially when temp below 60⁰) and almost like a miss fire when driving. No check engine light, and dealership had vehicle for two days but claimed unable to replicate issue suggested these engines are prone to carbon buildup. But recommended I switch to premium gas. SUV drives rough and then randomly reverts to normal smooth driving, also seems to struggle when switching gears, spoke to other owners of same type and a pattern of previous years owners mentioned potential issue with VCM. Major issue: Rattling during start up and driving ( sometimes goes away randomly) Car struggles with gear switching. Engine/transmission hesitation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712946January 23, 2026
SEAT BELTS, SEATS
The seat belt alarm keeps going off as if the seat belt is not buckled even though it is buckled. The first issue was when I had the car less than a yr. The middle row right side had this problem and the dealer replaced the seatbelt. Now at 38k miles, the middle row middle seat started to have the same issue. Also, the middle row on the right side would occasionally alarm as well but not as constant (this was the same seatbelt that was replaced initially).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712384January 21, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I am submitting this complaint to formally report a serious and widespread safety defect involving the front-facing camera system on my 2021 Honda Pilot. This defect has resulted in multiple safety system failures and has placed myself, my passengers, and other motorists at unacceptable risk. The front camera on my vehicle does not function as designed, which has caused the complete loss or repeated failure of critical safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane departure mitigation, collision mitigation braking, and other forward-facing driver assistance and alert systems. These systems are not optional or convenience features. They are advertised and sold as essential safety technology intended to reduce accidents, mitigate driver error, and protect human life. Their failure substantially impairs the vehicle’s safety performance and creates a foreseeable risk of serious accidents, injuries, or fatalities, particularly during highway driving or emergency situations. When I sought assistance from the dealership, I was informed that Honda would not cover the repair because the vehicle exceeded a mileage threshold. This rationale is unreasonable and misleading. A front-facing camera is not a wear-and-tear component and has no logical connection to mileage accumulation. It is an electronic safety system whose premature failure suggests a defect in design, materials, or manufacturing. I then contacted Honda directly, and the manufacturer again refused to provide assistance, citing mileage alone while failing to address the safety implications or defect characteristics. This refusal appears to be an attempt to avoid responsibility for a known safety-related failure rather than a legitimate warranty determination. Further research reveals that this issue is not isolated. Numerous Honda owners have experienced identical front camera failures resulting in the same loss of safety systems. The consistency, frequency, and similarity of th
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712295January 20, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The driver seatbelt was soaking wet after a rainstorm. The vehicle does not have a sunroof. Upon further inspection the airbag and its electronics were also soaked in water. It has never been in an accident or had any work done to it. There is a factory installed roof rack(Sport model). I am concerned for the safety in the function of the airbag and seatbelt tensioner in the event of an accident after being soaked in water an unknown amount of times. Secondary, possibly related issue. The rear drivers side door will randomly not unlock/open from the exterior(have to reach through and use the interior handle). Posing a safety issue in the event of child removal in an emergency.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712122January 20, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
While my husband was taking our daughter to school on 01/05/2026 around 6:00am, a warning message flashed on the radio screen: "EMISSIONS SYSTEM PROBLEM: The engine is not operating properly. Avoid high speeds and visit your dealer as soon as possible. If the indicator is blinking, stop in a safe place where there are no flammable objects. Turn off the engine for 10 minutes or more to let it cool. Restart the engine. If the indicator continues to blink, immediately have your vehicle checked by the dealer. " This was a safety at risk for my husband, my child, and the public - anyone driving near the vehicle. My husband pulled over and called me to let me know what was happening. He called AAA to have the car towed to the dealer. And called the dealer to let them know we were having the vehicle towed to them. They diagnosed it with "a unit in need of engine replacement." The car was purchased as a certified pre-owned vehicle in 12/2021. It is a 2021 Honda Pilot and had a few hundred miles over 8000 at the time of purchase. The dealer is not taking responsibility as the miles 62,007 are just over the 60,000 mile powertrain warranty. And over the 5 years by weeks - 11/2020 to 01/05/2026. I was advised to contact American Honda. They basically told me I was not eligible for a goodwill assist as because: 1.) I was not the original owner 2.)I did not have my service done at Honda. However, I did have documents of all of the service that had been done and sent those receipts to the Honda dealer. The engine failed. The dealer confirmed engine failure. The vehicle did stall out - at a stop light and took several minutes to start back up around October or November 2025. There were also some engine noises, including loud noises while accelerating, especially in Sport mode.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712058January 20, 2026
SEAT BELTS
Ongoing Defect History Since taking possession of the vehicle on November 1,2023, all three second-row seatbelt sensors have malfunctioned repeatedly. This issue has been presented for repair on the following dates: •December 6, 2024 – Seatbelt sensor malfunction reported and serviced •April 4, 2025 – Repair attempt made; defect persisted •May 29, 2025 – Additional repair attempt for the same unresolved issue Despite these multiple attempts, the same defects continues to reoccur.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711910January 19, 2026
ENGINE
The Honda Dealership diagnosed the Connecting Rod Crankshaft Engine Failure with 67, 995 miles on the vehicle. All oil changes were completed as required and specified by Honda maintenance procedures.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711838January 19, 2026
WHEELS, STEERING
On 1/18 I was dropping my daughter off at Chicopee High School when I took left to front street I heard a snap and the car took me to the right direction causing my rim to be damaged. The Tired Rob broke. I called Roadside they tow the car to Curry Honda in Chicopee mass. Today when I called Cury Honda one of the managers insisted that I hit a poth hole without me explaining and saying this never happened when online there’s been customers complaining with the same situation 2023 -2025 with Honda pilots experience the same issue. It’s a safety matter where it could been worse me in the car with 4 of my children,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711706January 18, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Some Drive Assist Systems cannot operate: Clean Area shown. This message keeps appearing without any weather factors or anything to cause it. Happens nearly daily while using adaptive cruise. Then the next day without doing anything (like cleaning area) it starts working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710981January 14, 2026
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The vehicle is extremely slow to accelerate at low speeds under 20mph. There have been several near accidents due to the lack of acceleration. The recall for the fuel injector was addressed and ECM per manufacture but hasn’t solved the problem. This is dangerous for any acceleration that can cause you to get hit.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710406January 12, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
The auto-idle feature on this vehicle stalls out the engine on a regular basis, causing risk of accident from surrounding traffic. When breaks applied for red light, stop sign, traffic, etc., the auto-idle feature first engages and powers down the engine, however upon releasing the breaks, the engine stalls out, shifts into neutral, and the battery light comes on. I then have to get it into park and try to restart the vehicle. Sometimes it starts right away, other times it can take a few tries. Meanwhile, cars behind me are honking because I can't get my vehicle to move forward with traffic. Several times I have almost been rear-ended because the car behind me is expecting me to move forward when they see my brake lights turn off. I've talked to my dealer who informed me they completed a auto-idle recall software update in 2023 (recall #23-008) but the problem continues to happen. They have scheduled me to bring in the vehicle to look at the starter for potential replacement, I am hopeful it will not cost me a lot of money. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE! This is known issue on many Honda vehicles (there is a class-action lawsuit). It is also ridiculous that ther is no way to permanently disable the auto-idle feature. Thank you!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710281January 12, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
It is constantly breaking when cars are coming the other way. It almost caused a vehicle to almost hit me. Also the auto shut off has almost caused accidents because it causes my car to stall and I wish I could keep it off and not have to push the button off every time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710162January 10, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I’ve had to replace the puddle lamp bulbs on my Honda Pilot three times so far, and I purchased it brand new less than a year ago. My local dealer would not cover this under the bumper to bumper warranty either. It would seem that this is a prevalent issue with Honda Pilots and other model Honda/Acura vehicles if this forum post is accurate: [XXX] You would think that after a few years Honda would’ve redesigned/corrected the casting so that water intrusion isn’t an issue, but that has not happened. This is disappointing for a “reliable” car brand. Can anything be done to at least acknowledge this is an issue? 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
#11709945January 9, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
This is an update to my previous entry regarding my 2025 Honda Pilot. The car dealership brought the Pilot back to us in February, 2025, stating there was nothing more they could do and told us it was unfixable. From February until current, we continue to experience the same safety concerns: We will be driving it on the highway, going 70 mph, the Pilot brakes hard to half its speed, and all safety features are disabled. Every single time we drive it. We are left with only the gas and brakes. It will randomly come back to full function, sometimes it takes 15 minutes, sometimes it's 45 minutes. This occurs in clear weather where nothing is blocking the radar. We are fearful that it's only a matter of time before we get hit from behind. There is no way to disengage the Adaptive Cruise Control in this vehicle and have standard cruise control. Honda has stated that it is not "unsafe enough" for them to help us. I never imagined I would spend this kind of money on a new vehicle and be fearful of driving it. And that there is no solution to fix it. They took our money and have been completely unethical.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709870January 9, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving on I-26 at 60 MPH at approximately 2PM on 01/08/2026 the sunroof exploded. It was not struck by anything, no other vehicle was within a half mile of us at the time. Fortunately the cover was closed because we do not use the sunroof. It has only been opened one time a the delership the day the car was delivered new. This sunroof explosion was loud and frankly scared the heck out of us. Had the cover not been kept closed we would have been showered by broken glass. This could have easley resulted in a driver panic and a crash. I feel this is a manufacturing defect and based on numbers of events through various Honda models and years should covered by Honda recall/warranty coverage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709504January 7, 2026
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
Driving down a 4 lane highway in Alabama, warning lamp came on stating “ STOP Steering assist reduced. Stop driving when safe”. Multiple other warnings lights came on—-Brake system, steering system, cruise control, lane departure, stability assist system, hill assist, trailer stability assist system(see multiple photos attached). When it was safe to do so, I pulled over…the steering was VERY difficult to manage. If I had to make a turn in traffic or had to make a sudden turn to avoid an accident, I would not have been able to do so as there was NO power steering. I turned the car off, let it sit for several minutes and the Steering Assist warning was off and I appeared to have power steering but several others lights were still on. Took the car the the closet dealer and only code found was a Low Voltage Code but nothing repaired as all warnings lights were off by then.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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