Honda Pilot Complaints

9,418 consumer complaints on file.

#11774058October 27, 2026
STEERING
I am the original owner of a 2023 Honda Pilot with only 17,500 miles. I brought the car to an auto repair facility for its annual New York State inspection. My trusted mechanic discovered that there was a problem with the “rack and Pinion” steering assembly it and could not pass inspection. This problem also ruined the two front tires. He called a local Honda service center to inquire about the problem and check on outstanding recalls. He was told that this was a known problem, but there has not been a recall yet. I have since searched online and found many references to the steering assembly issue in 2023 Hondas. Recalls have been announced for other Honda models. Since there was not a recall yet I had to pay over $4,600 to get this repaired. That is a great deal of money to repair a four year old car with low mileage. I contacted Honda customer service to try to resolve this issue and get reimbursed. I was told since there has not been a recall yet I can’t get reimbursed. Honda is aware of but is not attempting to correct the issue. In particular, since the car could not pass inspection I believe this model is unsafe to drive without these repairs but Honda is not issuing a recall to ensure these vehicles remain safe when on our roads.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11774113October 27, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car stalled when engine auto idle was engaged after stopping at a stop light. This problem was “fixed” in May 2026 but had started occurring again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773665October 26, 2026
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We purchased a 2022 Honda Pilot Sport brand new. In 2024, it began shaking while slowing down. Hennessy Honda blamed worn tires. We replaced all four by 2025; the shaking briefly improved but returned. Hennessy then diagnosed bad control arms. On [XXX] at approximately 97,000 miles, an independent mechanic instantly identified a broken steering rack. He demonstrated that both front wheels had excessive play and could move independently when manually checked. He warned that this could cause loss of steering control or a catastrophic accident and told us to stop driving immediately. He considered the failure abnormal for the vehicle’s age/mileage and indicative of a defective component. Authorized dealer Ed Voyles Honda confirmed excessive internal play and a clacking noise inside the steering rack. It also identified an axle/half-shaft concern. Repairs are estimated at $5,274.54. Both an independent mechanic and authorized Honda dealer confirmed the problem. The vehicle remains unrepaired to this day. American Honda opened a case and received the diagnostic findings, but no corporate representative has physically inspected the vehicle. Police and insurance representatives have not inspected it because no collision occurred. The first symptom was shaking while decelerating in 2024. Collision-avoidance and driver-assistance sensor warnings began to appear at the beginning of 2026 while the problem was occurring. No warning specifically identified the steering rack before the independent inspection. This unstable steering system severely endangered our family of seven and other motorists, especially at highway speeds. We unknowingly continued driving after two incorrect diagnoses. We have now been without our only vehicle for more than 1.5 months, with no loaner offered. There needs to be a resolution for us and an official public recall for 2022 Honda Pilot steering racks in addition to the recall for 2023-2024 Pilot vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773675October 26, 2026
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V365000 (Structure, Suspension). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that a fee was required for the rear passenger-side lower control arm replacement because the lower control arm bolt could not be loosened to complete the recall repair. The contact declined to pay the fee. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was filed, and the contact received an email confirming that the lower control arm replacement cost was at the owner's expense. The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to provide the recall repair free of charge.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773820October 26, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2019 Honda pilot started running bad out of no where one day when I turned it on. It had all these codes all of a sudden P0304 P0305 P0306 P0300 P0430 P219B All of these codes are associated with a bulletin on Honda for an extended warranty for 2019 Pilots all makes up to 10yr/150k miles for a fuel injection issue. I took it to Honda and they confirmed that my vehicle has the bad fuel injectors and all those codes that were associated with the bulletin. I tried to go through Honda to get a goodwill for coverage since my Vin is not showing coverage even though my year make and model are. Honda denied my request saying my vin wasn’t covered and because of me being the second owner, the service history and miles. My vehicle has no other issues and should be covered as it’s exactly the codes and issue covered under this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773514October 25, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
My 2022 Honda Pilot has experienced a serious safety malfunction involving its Idle Stop system. When the vehicle stopped and Idle Stop activated, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted into Neutral and would not allow me to shift back into Drive. I had to turn the vehicle completely off and restart it before I could drive again. This left the vehicle temporarily unable to move in traffic. Since XXX, the vehicle has required five replacement batteries, three installed by Honda dealerships and two elsewhere. In XXX, Honda sent us a letter titled "PGM-FI Idle Stop Software Update" and "Warranty Extension: Engine Does Not Auto Restart After Entering Auto Idle Stop." The notice referenced Honda Service Bulletins 23-008, 23-009, and 23-010. During our most recent visit to Honda of [XXX], the dealership diagnosed a failed battery and charged us $634 for replacement parts and labor. When we picked up the vehicle, we specifically asked whether Honda's PGM-FI software update had been performed. The service representative stated that the update was unnecessary because diagnostic testing did not identify the issue. We have not received confirmation that the software update was completed. I am concerned that the underlying cause of this malfunction has not been identified and that the vehicle could unexpectedly become unable to move in traffic again. I request that NHTSA investigate this potential safety defect. 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
#11773521October 25, 2026
ENGINE
On four occasions, my 2021 Honda Pilot SE AWD (VIN [XXX]) has shut off at a stop under the Auto Idle Stop system and then failed to restart, leaving the driver stranded. The incidents happened on XXX, XXX, XXX, and XXX in and around [XXX]. Component: The starter system and the Auto Idle Stop engine restart function. Honda has acknowledged this exact condition in Service Bulletin 23-009 and Warranty Extension 23-009/23-010 (“Engine Does Not Auto Restart After Entering Auto Idle Stop”). The listed remedy is a software update, a valve adjustment, and replacement of the starter assembly and starter relays. The vehicle and the original starter are available for inspection on request. Safety risk: The engine shuts off at stops as designed, then will not restart. The vehicle is left disabled at intersections and in traffic with no warning, which puts the driver and passengers at risk of being rear-ended and stranded. My wife has been stranded four times. Idle Stop turns itself back on every time the car is started, so the driver’s only protection is remembering to switch it off manually on every trip. The fourth failure happened when she forgot. Dealer confirmation: The Honda dealer in [XXX] has performed Product Update 23-008, the PGM-FI Idle Stop software update XXX, and a valve adjustment XXX. The failure has continued after both repairs. The dealer has not replaced the starter assembly and relays, which is the remaining step of Honda’s published remedy. Manufacturer involvement: American Honda Customer Relations has opened Case #XXX and is “reviewing” my request. Honda has not inspected the vehicle directly. No police or insurance inspection has taken place. Warning signs: The failure to start is random when auto start is not disabled, and motor is hot. 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
#11773380October 24, 2026
ENGINE
While driving our 2016 Honda Pilot on the highway approximately three weeks ago, we experienced a sudden, loud clunk from the engine, followed by catastrophic engine failure. The failure occurred unexpectedly while the vehicle was traveling at highway speed, creating a serious safety concern. Following the incident, we learned that the engine had suffered severe internal damage involving the connecting rod/piston assembly, with internal components breaking through the engine block. The vehicle now requires a complete engine replacement, estimated by the Honda dealership at approximately $20,000. At the time of failure, the vehicle had approximately 95,000–105,000 miles and had received regular maintenance at an authorized Honda dealership, including major engine maintenance in November 2025. We are particularly concerned because Honda previously issued Safety Recall 23V-751 for connecting rod bearing failures affecting certain 2016 Honda Pilots. However, our vehicle’s VIN was excluded from that recall despite experiencing an apparently similar catastrophic engine failure. NHTSA also opened Investigation PE25008 to investigate additional connecting rod bearing failures involving Honda vehicles outside the original recall population. We believe our vehicle’s failure warrants investigation to determine whether it is related to the known connecting rod bearing defect and whether additional vehicles were improperly excluded from the original recall. We have opened a case with American Honda, which is currently reviewing our request for assistance with engine replacement. We request that NHTSA document and investigate this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect, given the sudden engine failure at highway speed and the risk of a serious accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773163October 23, 2026
ENGINE
While stopped at red light or stop sign the car goes into engine auto off mode when the brake is pressed. When then trying to go, the car is turning off or going to neutral. This causes vehicles behind me to stop suddenly and can cause an accident. The only way to then go is to turn the vehicle off, and restart, then put back in drive. This is happening very frequently and again is a safety hazard for me and others.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773280October 23, 2026
ENGINE
The auto idle stop feature will turn my engine off like it's supposed to, but then my engine dies when I try to accelerate again. This is happening more and more. I would allow my car to be inspected. My car tried to roll backward into the car behind me today, and I have held up traffic each time this has happened. I have seen on chatrooms that other honda pilots have this problem. No one has inspected my vehicle. This time my car went into neutral and flashed an alert that my car was now in neutral.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773290October 23, 2026
ENGINE
Vehicle developed a rod knock. Confirmed by a certified automotive technician. The noise is most prevalent between 2200 rpm and up. Upon further research have found that this engine and vehicle are under investigation for my exact issue. The vehicle needs a new engine. In the process now acquiring a new engine to install into vehicle. No check engine light at this time. This is a safety risk and if the engine fails my family will be stranded or it could cause an accident. Have spoken with the local honda dealers service manager. He did confirm that this issue is prevalent in these models and that Honda is refusing to cover it at this point.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772873October 22, 2026
ENGINE
We just purchased last month a 2017 Honda Pilot Elite. We have had issues with the auto start/stop function. Once at a drive through and once at a stoplight. After letting off break, it failed to restart and had to put it in park and restart. This is a dangerous situation being stalled in the road at a busy intersection. I haven't got it in the shop yet, but planning it next week.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772896October 22, 2026
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2025 Honda Pilot TrailSport has lost electric power steering assist twice. First failure, about 6,000 miles: the vehicle lost power steering while driving on pavement in normal road use, with no water or off-road driving involved. The Honda dealer replaced the steering rack under warranty. Second failure, about 24,000 miles: a few days after the vehicle was driven through shallow puddles on a trail at Broken Bow Lake, OK (about 5 inches deep, below the wheel rims, about 5 mph), it lost power steering assist while being driven to work on public roads in Lawton, OK. The dealer attributed the failure to water and mud entering the power steering electrical connector/wiring and denied warranty coverage. A Honda field representative upheld the denial and told me to file an insurance claim. This failure is in the same area the dealer worked on during the first rack replacement. The failed parts are at the dealer. The steering system's electrical connections should be sealed against ordinary road splash, especially on the TrailSport, which Honda markets as its most rugged and off-road capable SUV. Here, shallow water led to a loss of steering assist days later, in normal traffic on a public road. Any driver who goes through a flooded street or heavy rain could face the same failure without warning. Loss of assist sharply increases steering effort and could cause a crash. I ask NHTSA to review whether the electric power steering connectors on 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles are adequately protected from water intrusion.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772934October 22, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
To Whom It May Concern: I am requesting immediate escalation of a serious safety concern involving my 2021 Honda Pilot Touring, which I purchased as a Honda Certified Pre-Owned vehicle directly from Tempe Honda. I also purchased additional warranty coverage at the time of sale. I have owned this vehicle for less than two years, and it has already required service for an issue involving the automatic idle-stop system. That issue remains unresolved. More recently, the vehicle has begun unexpectedly shifting into neutral without any action on my part. This has occurred on multiple occasions, including when transitioning from reverse into drive and, most alarmingly, while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop at a traffic light. During these incidents, the neutral indicator actually illuminates on the dashboard. This is not simply an inconvenience or a minor performance concern. It is a potentially dangerous malfunction that places me, my passengers, and other motorists at risk. I am particularly concerned because I am a single mother who relies on this vehicle for daily transportation, including transporting my child.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772971October 22, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My car would rev without increasing speed and would jerk with braking and acceleration. The honda technician diagnosed a transmission problem called a slip flare and the transmission is being replaced under warranty at 28k miles. I do not believe this caused a safety issue because I caught it early but it took the dealership a couple days to reproduce the issue. There were no warning lights or error codes alerting an issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772972October 22, 2026
ENGINE
The engine has developed a severe internal engine knocking/rattling noise while running. This symptom matches the defective crankshaft and connecting rod bearing failures detailed under NHTSA Campaign 23V751000, presenting a severe risk of sudden stalling and complete engine failure under load.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772988October 22, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
My Honda Pilot is losing paint all over the body.It's everywhere these days. My Honda Pilot is losing paint all over the body.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773118October 22, 2026
ENGINE
I am writing to report a severe internal engine defect on my 2016 Honda Pilot that poses a sudden stalling and safety hazard, identical to the failures covered under NHTSA Recall Campaign Number 23V-751. My vehicle is currently experiencing a distinct metallic rattling/knocking noise coming from the lower engine block. This noise is highly noticeable under acceleration and high-load conditions right before the transmission shifts gears at higher RPMs. Upon performing an inspection of the engine oil system, the drained engine oil revealed a heavy concentration of microscopic metallic "glitter" and shimmering copper/silver shavings suspended in the fluid. This confirms acute, active connecting rod bearing degradation and crankshaft journal wear. Despite displaying the exact textbook symptoms, failures, and manufacturing characteristics of the defect outlined in Recall 23V-751 (improperly ground crankshaft journals from the factory), my specific VIN is currently excluded from the recall scope. I am submitting this complaint to formally document that my vehicle is a clear positive match for this manufacturing defect. I request that my VIN be added to the active recall scope or included in the NHTSA’s ongoing investigation regarding Honda’s under-inclusive recall volume, as this failure introduces an immediate risk of catastrophic engine seizure and sudden loss of motive power at highway speeds.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772790October 21, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My 2016 Honda pilots has given me trouble lots of people call it the Christmas lights effect, all the dashboard lights turn on in the middle of the highway and my truck jerks and turned off , they now about this dangerous trouble and has not put any recalls on this matter, had to spend 3,000 dollars had to replace the fuel pump and the fuel injected , will not recommend this truck, I was so stressed and scared
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772793October 21, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
The windshield camera stopped working for no reason. Now I’m getting multiple warnings on my dashboard as most of the safety features stopped working when the camera failed. I’ve only owned this vehicle for 7 years. The dealer said that i will need to spend $2k plus to have it replaced and installed. Dealer said it is a common issue. I feel like this is a defect to the camera and it should be recalled. It is unfair for the consumer to spend that amount of money to fix a vehicle part that i expect to be of high quality and fully tested by the manufacturer. These safety features should be available and working to help keep us safe on the road because we paid for them when we purchased the vehicle. I’ve read online that there are a lot of people affected by this issue. I’m hoping that Honda will do something about this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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