Honda Pilot Complaints

9,418 consumer complaints on file.

#11739900May 25, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
"On Friday afternoon, while driving alone on an open stretch of road at approximately 40 mph, my 2025 Honda Pilot's Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) experienced a catastrophic malfunction and initiated full emergency braking. The brakes locked up aggressively with absolutely no vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles present in front of me. A transient warning light flashed on the screen for a few seconds but disappeared too quickly to read. The violent deceleration slammed me forward against the driver's seatbelt, causing physical trauma. The brakes released after a few seconds, allowing me to regain control and park the vehicle. I sought medical care first thing Monday morning, resulting in a diagnosis of acute neck strain and petechiae, as well as necessitating a specialized cardiovascular evaluation to check my pacemaker function due to localized swelling under the seatbelt line. The vehicle is entirely unsafe to operate, has been parked in my garage since Friday and is currently awaiting a Honda Care tow truck for dealer transport and data retrieval."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11739886May 25, 2026
STEERING
Steering locked up with all warning lights lite up. No control over vehicle. Yes this put all people in the vehicle at risk of death or injury. This happened at an intersection while making a turn-no other vehicles were at the intersection- if there had been or had this happened entering an interstate highway or turning onto a high speed road could have been hit from several directions. Not repeated. Must have been confirmed by dealer as they hooked up the computer with Honda Headquarters and said the starter was at fault. No prior symptoms. It is available for inspection. Killing the engine and restarting cleared the dash lights and was able to turn afterwards.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739800May 24, 2026
SEAT BELTS
The seat belt sensors are going off even when the rider is properly buckled in. Happening in the second row seats, primarily on the right passenger side of the second row.There may be an issue with the sensor.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739735May 23, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Multiple malfunction warning lights came on stating the adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane keep assist, automatic headlights, etc. were not functioning. The Honda dealer attributed it to the forward facing multi-purpose camera. I was told they have seen the same issue before. It's a very expensive part to have replaced ($1846.50). While researching the problem it appears to be a very common problem with Honda and I'm sure the dealership is not forwarding this information to you. This is a safety issue and I'm sure people are driving around without fixing it because of the cost. The cost to fix this problem should be absorbed by Honda since it is definitely an engineering issue. Fortunately, I had an extended warranty on my car that covered most of the cost.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739715May 23, 2026
ENGINE
My vehicle has already had recalls on the fuel system and brake pin. Now I have an auto idle stop system problem. The indicator light is constantly flashing. Two days ago I was stopped at a red light on a two lane road in the city. When I pushed in the brake the car did not come out of idle. It just stalled. It took probably 30 seconds to a full minute before I could do anything. My option was to restart. It created a situation for myself and others.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739442May 22, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
The multipurpose front camera (Honda Sensing camera unit) failed internally, triggering diagnostic trouble code U3000-49. Multiple warning lights activated simultaneously on the dashboard, disabling all Honda Sensing safety systems including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Road Departure Mitigation, and Automatic High Beams. The failure occurred spontaneously with no prior accident, impact, or windshield replacement. The vehicle has low mileage and the failure appears consistent with a known design defect affecting Honda Sensing camera units in 2016–2020 Honda models. The failure was confirmed by a Honda dealership using Honda Diagnostic System (HDS), which identified internal electronic failure of the camera unit. Safety is at risk because the collision mitigation braking and lane keeping systems — relied upon for highway driving — are completely non-functional. This issue is widely reported across Honda Pilot, Odyssey, CR-V, HR-V, and Ridgeline forums, suggesting a systemic manufacturing defect. Honda has not issued a recall despite the safety-critical nature of these systems. The cost of replacing the multipurpose camera is very high and prohibited for many families.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739584May 22, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
In May 2026, the Emission Warning Light unexpectedly illuminated on my 2016 Honda Pilot. I immediately sought an inspection, and repairs were completed on 5/9/2026. Failed Component: The fuel injection system failed. Specifically, the injectors for cylinders #4 and #5. The replaced parts [are / are not] available for inspection. Safety Risk: This defect caused the engine to run dangerously rich, dumping raw fuel into the exhaust. This poses two severe safety hazards: 1) Sudden loss of motive power, hesitation, or stalling while driving in traffic, drastically increasing crash risk. 2) Extreme overheating of the catalytic converter, creating a significant under-vehicle fire hazard. Confirmation & Symptoms: The issue was confirmed by a professional service center. They pulled diagnostic code P0430 (Front Bank Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 2). Following Honda’s Service Bulletin 20-100, the technician performed a software update and a cylinder A/F test. Cylinders #4 and #5 failed the test (running rich), requiring immediate injector replacement to make the vehicle safe to drive. Inspection by Others & Manufacturer Awareness: The vehicle was inspected by the repairing facility. Honda is fully aware of this widespread defect, as evidenced by SB 20-100 and a related warranty extension. However, Honda chose to handle this severe defect via a limited warranty extension rather than a mandatory safety recall. My extended warranty expired in October 2025. When this known safety hazard manifested in May 2026, I was forced to pay for the repair entirely out of pocket. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this known stalling and fire hazard and compel Honda to issue a formal safety recall so consumers are not left at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739590May 22, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
If I leave the auto idle engine stop on,and come to a complete stop, the auto engine stop turns on, but as I release the brake to drive, the vehicle stalls in drive and engine shuts down. I will have to manually turn the car back on and restart the whole system before being allowed to continue. All while at a green light and a ton of traffic waiting behind me to move! Its very disappointing and embarrassing. The failure happened about 5 days after purchase. I just assumed it was a bug, and always turn it off before starting my drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739524May 22, 2026
ENGINE
My wife was driving our 2021 Honda Pilot with 102,000 on the interstate when the check engine light came on and the engine began to lose power. She was fearful of being hit by other traffic due to engine dying in middle of mutiple lanes of traffic. The engine began to have a knocking sound. We shut off engine and had it towed to Southpoint Honda in Durham NC. We were told it has a rod knock, the engine failed. It is about to seize and we need to replace the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739209May 21, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was driving and I was crossing a major intersection and the vehicle started loosing power and stalled in the middle of the intersection. I had to power the vehicle off and power on again and then it drove. It usually happens when my gas is under half. It has happened multiple times. This is extremely dangerous. I was told it is a fuel pump issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739220May 21, 2026
AIR BAGS
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY REASON WHITE GOING AT 35 MILES/HOUR FROM FRONT TO BACK OF THE TRUNCK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739379May 21, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle idled roughly and an abnormal noise was coming from the rear of the vehicle with no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same diagnosis was provided. The contact was informed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739150May 20, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The infotainment screen blacks out completely and sporadically, but as of recent, almost daily. Sometimes for about 3-5 minutes. When this happens, the rearview backup camera is completely disabled, creating a blind-spot safety hazard, violating Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111. This issue directly impacts back over prevention and driver visibility. I have multiple videos of this occurring. In 2023, a Honda dealership performed the MOST Bus/FAKRA connector safety recall on this vehicle. That manufacturer recall remedy has FAILED, and the exact same safety defect has returned. I did schedule the vehicle for a formal diagnostic inspection at a Honda dealership this Friday to pull the network communication error codes. There were no warning lamps or warning messages prior to the system blacking out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739103May 20, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driving east bound hwy 410 about 35mph and slowing due to red light. I heard a very loud popping sound. I thought it was my water bottle I left in the console, but the noise did not come from there. Came to a stop and heard what sounded like ice cracking, I glanced in the back and could see the window on passenger side in very back was shattered . When light turned green I pulled into Target parking lot to look at it. The whole thing was shattered. There was no one impact site, all around the entire window was cracked in different spots. I called the dealership as I just purchased the vehicle less then one month ago. It had 585 miles. I was told to bring it down to them and told on the phone that this has been happening to HRV models and that if it happens it is usually around the 500 mile mark, but they have not seen it happen on the Pilots. A Goodwill request was put into Honda and they are repairing it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739039May 20, 2026
SEAT BELTS
Second row, right side seat belt sensor is malfunctioning. It started about 6 weeks ago. Occasionally, when going around a turn, an alarm would chime and a red X would appear on the affected seat on the dash screen. It was very quick, and sometimes I just heard the chime and did not see anything on the dash. The issue has become more frequent over time, so that it went from happening a couple times a week to multiple times in one trip, not always when going around a turn. Just a few days ago, the passenger got in and buckled, yet the system showed that it was not buckled. The seat belt was securely latched. The alarm continued to sound and the dash showed a red X on that seat plus a red picture of a person wearing a seat belt. It was a short (about 1 mile drive) and the alarm went off the whole time. We had to reconfigure the vehicle so that seat is no longer being used. We contacted the dealer and they stated that our VIN has no recall or Service Bulletins related to the issue. We are taking it in to be inspected later this week. The dealer would not order any parts or schedule a replacement until they tested it themself.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739003May 20, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am reporting a safety-related driver visibility concern involving a 2025 Honda Pilot. I also observed substantially similar behavior on a 2026 Honda CR-V loaner vehicle and another Honda Pilot provided by Koons Honda. The issue involves the front driver and passenger windows and their interaction with the outer window seals/belt moldings. During rainy, snowy, foggy, or wet conditions, lowering and then raising the windows leaves significant moisture, streaking, fog residue, or debris on the glass surface. Current image shows fog residue, however, the same results occurred with snow where visibility was impaired after cycling the front driver and passenger windows. The outer window seals do not adequately clear the windows during normal operation. This results in impaired visibility around and through the side view mirrors, especially during lane changes, merging, and monitoring adjacent lanes. The condition is repeatable and occurs during ordinary use. I documented video evidence showing: •the issue on my 2025 Honda Pilot, •another Honda Pilot, •and the same/similar issue on a separate 2026 Honda CR-V loaner vehicle from Koons Honda. I presented the evidence to dealership personnel. However, the service manager refused to document that side mirror visibility was impaired, reportedly because such wording would imply a safety condition. This concern may involve: •ineffective window seal/belt molding performance, •excessive water retention on side windows, •impaired driver visibility, •and a potential safety defect affecting multiple Honda vehicles. The issue can create unsafe driving conditions because drivers may be unable to clearly observe adjacent traffic through side mirrors after operating the windows in wet conditions. Furthermore, similar reports are found online with different newer models. The date below reflects today's interaction with the dealership, however, this is an ongoing issue since we received the vehicle last year.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738705May 19, 2026
ENGINE
The engine failed. The car stopped completely with no warning. The same issue that other models are being recalled for turned out to be the problem with this engine. We had to have the engine replaced
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738898May 19, 2026
SEAT BELTS
The rear passenger seat belt warning system in the 2023 Honda Pilot suffers from a critical malfunction. Specifically, the right rear passenger seat belt sensor triggers false, persistent, and loud "unbuckled" audio alarms and visual dashboard alerts while an occupant is sitting in that position with the seat belt securely and properly fastened. According to an official Honda Service Bulletin addressing this precise symptom, the root cause is a manufacturing defect involving a damaged or broken wire inside the seat belt buckle assembly, which causes the vehicle to misread the occupant's buckled status. Safety Hazards & Risks: Severe Driver Distraction: The loud, continuous auditory chime and flashing dashboard alerts create an extreme, immediate distraction for the driver while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of a crash. Warning Fatigue & False Assurance: Because the system consistently misreports the true status of the passenger, it forces the driver to consciously dismiss or ignore safety alerts. In a real-world family scenario, this false information can lead a driver to believe a rear occupant (particularly a child in the 2nd or 3rd row) is securely buckled when they are actually unbuckled, or vice versa, defeating the entire purpose of the vehicle’s safety warning system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738887May 19, 2026
SEAT BELTS
This is the second time experiencing a complete failure of the rear seat belt warning architecture on my 2023 Honda Pilot. In 2025, I formally reported that the warning sensors for both the 2nd-row middle seat and the 3rd-row seats were malfunctioning—triggering persistent unbuckled alarms even when passengers were properly seated and securely fastened. The issue has now returned and is actively failing on the 2nd-row seats. Despite passengers being buckled in safely, the vehicle's dashboard alerts and audible chimes sound continuously, causing severe driver distraction and making it impossible to accurately determine if my rear passengers are actually protected. I am providing a diagnosis of the seat belt warning issue in 2025, I am having the same issue now in 2026.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738690May 19, 2026
SEAT BELTS
Rear passenger seatbelt warning beeps continuously when seat is occupied and belt is latched.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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