Honda Pilot Complaints

9,418 consumer complaints on file.

#11737702May 13, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
This car on April 2nd, 2026 did not stop. I had pulled into a parking lot. Parked in the same space I have parked in for the last 12/13? Years. Upon driving into the space .. I pressed my brakes down for the car to stop. It did not stop. The car kept going/rolling My husband the passenger told me to STOP. I heard him plainly say. I told him I am stopping. But the car would not stop. It kept going and rolling into a brick building at the end of the parking space. We braced ourselves. What else do you do when your car won’t stop I was probably goingb8 mph. Nothing fast. Not on the phone. 75 degree perfect weather in [XXX] I’ve had this car about five months. No problem at all until this incident never in my life had I ever had brakes to fail me. Well the brakes failed. Technology is built by men and programmed by men. I am a nine car Honda owner. This car has a brake technology problem. With all the technology, it should have stopped on its own. It didn’t. When brakes are applied technology should work. In this case technology failed. This car has a brake defect technology problem. Brakes were applied a car doesn’t have to have a recall on it for it not to have a technology problem. These cars are not perfect. Programmed and built by human hands. ImnsurevifvMr. Soichiro Honda sat down with me and did this problem with one of his cars.. he would surely say” I’m sorry that happened to you” I’m sorry you’re brakes did not work and they did not . American Honda needs to recognize accountability. I wish they would experience what I experienced. It would be a scary situation that is if you survived yrs, I’m sure if it happened to them. No car is perfect. This one sure isn’t. I no longer am an owner of this 2025 Honda Pilot. Death trap it’s gone to somebody else. My life is worth living Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11737466May 12, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Several times the automatic emergency braking system has engaged when there is no obstruction in front of me. In addition, several times the automatic emergency braking system has flashed a warning when there is no obstruction in front of me. Both of these situations are very dangerous and can cause an accident or can cause me to loose control of my car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737469May 12, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Many times the rear tailgate fails to open completely or close completely when the button is pressed. This has caused me to bump my head on the partially opened tailgate. The dealer has replaced the tailgate motor but it has not fixed the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737269May 12, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a red light, the vehicle stalled; the contact restarted the vehicle for the vehicle to return to normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the failure cause was unidentifiable. The contact did research and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737429May 12, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle experienced failure of the air conditioning system caused by an A/C compressor shaft seal leak on my 2021 Honda Pilot. The issue was diagnosed and confirmed by both an independent mechanic and an authorized Honda dealership. The dealership confirmed that the recommended repair is replacement/repair of the compressor shaft seal consistent with Honda Service Bulletin (TSB) 23-050. The vehicle and failed component are available for inspection upon request prior to repair. The failure created a safety concern because the inability to properly operate the air conditioning and defrost system can reduce driver visibility due to windshield fogging and create unsafe driving conditions during warm and humid weather. Excessive cabin temperatures can also negatively impact driver concentration and passenger safety during travel. Prior to visiting the dealership, my mechanic identified the likely issue as an A/C compressor shaft seal leak and advised me to bring the vehicle to Honda because it appeared to be a known manufacturer issue. The Honda dealership later confirmed the same defect after completing a paid diagnostic inspection. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent mechanic and an authorized Honda dealership service department. A case has also been opened with Honda Corporate regarding the issue and denial of coverage assistance though was told it could take several days to weeks to be resolved. Prior to the failure, there were no warning lamps or dashboard warning messages displayed. The first symptom was the air conditioning system no longer cooling properly when first used during warmer weather around May 2026. Because the A/C system had not been used during the winter months, the problem only became apparent once temperatures increased and the system was needed again. This appears to be a known issue already acknowledged by Honda through the publication of TSB 23-050 covering 2021 Honda Pilot models.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737321May 12, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle: 2026 Honda Pilot – Mileage 20,847 Issue: Engine Failure, oil leaks, wheel alignment, air conditioning, major gas leaks from the engine, safety electronics alerts on front dash display are saying the vehicle is not safe to drive. History of issues: 03-11-2026: Car broke down while driving in [XXX] . 03-12-2026: Received call from Ira Honda service and was told they needed to replace the engine. 04-04-2026: I was told the vehicle was ready to be picked up. I started driving home and found the vehicle was all over the road. I returned to Ira Honda and once again was given a loaner. Also, the engine was leaking oil. 04-09-2026: Ira Honda called and said one of the engine gaskets was defective and they needed to replace it. They said that now the alignment was back in spec. I was told that the 3 yr engine warranty begins anew. When I got home I looked more closely at the alignment document and saw that the alignment was still slightly out of spec. I called and was told that it was the best they could do. 04-10-2026: air conditioning not working and asked for them to fix the alignment. 04-13-2026: I again brought the vehicle in for service. But was told there were no loaners available. I arrived at 9:30am and at 1:00pm. The A/C was fixed and determined the frame was not set correctly when they replaced the engine. This was the reason the alignment was off by so much. So the alignment was fixed. 04-14-2026: Leaking oil. So again, I had to return to Ira Honda. No loaner was available. 04-18-2024: Saturday morning and we smelled gas in the garage. Started the car and it took about a minute to start. Asked if it was safe to drive, Ira service said yes. 04-20-2026: Started the vehicle up and same issue occurred. However, this time gas was leaking out. It leaked in our garage, on our driveway and all over the street. Again fixed. 04-29-2026: Car again failed to start. During startup the car leaked a large amount of gas. It is still at the dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736929May 11, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint is peeling/ flaking off. The areas are the top of the lift gate and by both taillights. Those parts have never been painted before. Originally factory paint. It’s blue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737093May 11, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
On Thursday May 7th, while driving the 2017 Honda Pilot Elite it lost power and all the dash lights started to come on. Once we limped it to our home, and the code information was obtained, it revealed number 3-cylinder misfire. After replacing all the spark plugs, I started the car to make sure all the codes were cleared and heard a "knocking noise". After further investigation noted the following, I found the following information via a Google search, is there a recall for 2017 Honda Pilot knocking noise. Found that NHTSA is doing a major investigation on the 2017 Honda Pilot for a connecting rod and knocking noise. Honda did a recall in 2023 for the year model 2016, 2018-2019. This is the same engine that was in the recall for doing the same thing. NHTSA is currently investigating a potential recall of 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles, including 2017 Honda Pilots, over engine failures linked to connecting rod bearing defects that can cause knocking, stalling, or complete engine failure. credit Autoblog+2. Scope of the Investigation Models affected: 2016–2020 Honda Pilot, 2017–2019 Honda Ridgeline, 2018–2020 Honda Odyssey, 2018–2020 Acura TLX and MDX Honda-Tech+1. Engine type: Honda’s 3.5‑liter J35Y V6, which has been under scrutiny for rod bearing wear leading to catastrophic engine damage Honda-Tech+1. Failure symptoms: Knocking noises, sudden stalling, loss of power, and in some cases, fires or crashes Autoblog+2. Reports: Over 400 incidents of engine failure, with at least four involving crashes or fires; Honda has logged more than 2,500 warranty claims for the iss The oil had been changed at the correct intervals, no oil is leaking from the car, the timing chain and water pump were replaced at 100,000 miles with no issues. No metallic shavings are noted on the oil dip stick, and it has 50% oil life remaining as of 05-09-2026. I have it scheduled for a diagnostic service with Flow Honda in Winston Salem, NC tomorrow, May 12th at 0800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737134May 11, 2026
POWER TRAIN
1. The engine assembly failed — Piston 1 suffered catastrophic failure due to VCM-related piston ring wear and oil sludge buildup, generating DTCs P0301–P0304 (engine misfire, cylinders 1–4). Vehicle is completely non-operational. Failed engine is available for inspection in Mableton, GA 30126. 2. Progressive engine misfire created risk of sudden power loss and loss of vehicle control at highway speeds. Complete engine failure in April 2026 left the vehicle fully immobile, posing an immediate collision risk to the driver and surrounding motorists. 3. Yes. In October 2025, I brought the vehicle to AutoNation Honda on Thornton Road, Georgia, presenting symptoms consistent with Honda Service Bulletin 25-060. The dealership examined the vehicle but took no action and offered no warranty coverage, despite SB 25-060 being fully active at that time. 4. Yes. AutoNation Honda (authorized Honda dealer) inspected the vehicle in October 2025 while Service Bulletin 25-060 was fully active. No repair was performed and Honda has denied all warranty claims. No police or insurance inspection has occurred. Vehicle remains unrepaired and available for NHTSA inspection. 5. Yes. The Check Engine Light illuminated with DTCs P0301–P0304 prior to failure, along with engine misfire, rough idle, and reduced performance. These symptoms were present at the October 2025 dealer visit. No corrective action was taken. The engine progressed to catastrophic Piston 1 failure in April 2026.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737152May 11, 2026
ENGINE
Driving home on [XXX] , coming back from [XXX] the car started to tick, then a loss of motive power happened then knocking really bad. The rest of the trip home was in the slow lane with hazards, tops 35 miles an hour. I also have videos sent by Honda. That confirms rod, knock and the sound of the engine 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
#11737184May 11, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
“The vehicle experiences phantom braking while driving, where the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) activates without warning even when there are no vehicles or objects in front of me. The vehicle suddenly brakes on its own, creating a major safety hazard and risk of rear-end collisions. The issue has happened multiple times during normal driving at different speeds. Warning lights related to the collision mitigation system and passenger airbag system have appeared intermittently. The blind spot monitoring system has also failed to properly detect nearby vehicles at times. The vehicle was previously taken to the dealership/service department and remained there for an extended period for inspection and attempted repairs, but the problem was not fully corrected. After getting the vehicle back, the same symptoms and braking issues continued. This issue puts myself, my passengers, and other drivers at risk because the vehicle may suddenly brake unexpectedly in traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737146May 11, 2026
SEAT BELTS
The car is giving false alerts warning that a buckled seat is unbuckled in the second row seat behind the front passenger seat. It started the week of April 19, 2026 and it is happening more frequently now. It is very annoying and it is concerning that it might have an impact on the airbags. I haven’t contacted the dealership yet or made an appointment to have it looked at, but it can be available for inspection. It seems like this is a common issue with 2023 Pilots.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737129May 11, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was unexpectedly engaged causing the vehicle to abruptly stop in ongoing traffic with no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front brake sensors had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and multiple cases were opened. The contact expressed concern that the vehicle was hazardous to operate and that the failure could lead to a catastrophic crash. The contact also stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive with the contact and the contact’s child inside. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736990May 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Our sunroof on our Honda 2022 Pilot spontaneously shattered while we were sitting at a stop light. Nothing fell on it and nothing hit, it just suddenly shattered while we were sitting in the stop light.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736941May 11, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
My 2022 Honda Pilot failed to engage Drive after reversing, despite the Drive button being pressed. This resulted in an unintended backward motion & a collision with another vehicle. 1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned…? The Electronic Transmission Shift-by-Wire system (push-button shifter) failed to respond to a gear change request. Additionally, related electrical systems including the dashboard infotainment system & the integrated USB charging ports have malfunctioned. The vehicle & its components are available for inspection upon request. 2.How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle experienced unintended motion. While attempting to move forward in a parking lot, the vehicle remained in Reverse despite selecting Drive. This failure led to a low-speed collision with a truck’s tow hitch. This defect creates a high risk of crashes, injuries to pedestrians, or property damage because the vehicle does not move in the direction the driver has selected. 3.Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The vehicle was previously serviced at a Honda dealership for a radio/infotainment recall. Since that service, the transmission has failed to engage Drive multiple times at random. 4.Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer…? The vehicle was inspected during the initial recall fix. And brought back because after the fix because the charging port stopped working/continued screen glitches. Following the recent collision, it is awaiting further inspection by a Honda dealership to determine the extent of the mechanical failure. 5.Were there any warning lamps, messages prior…? Symptoms began after the recall fix & included intermittent electronic failures of the charging ports/screen. There were no specific transmission warning lights prior to the gear selection failure; however, the persistent electrical issues in the dash area suggested a systemic electronic malfunction.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736897May 10, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
I turned my car on one day and warning lights for all of my safety sensing features came up. Intermittently they work for a little bit. I brought it to the dealer, and they said that there was damage to the sensor, but there has been no damage to the front end of the car. Their reply was perhaps a pebble came up from the road while I was driving. It seems to me that that is a fault in the manufacturing if it is that easy for all of the sensing features to stop working. I attempted to sort this out with the dealer and with Honda corporate offices with no luck.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736457May 8, 2026
ENGINE
Engine gave out rods knocking noise. Wife was driving on freeway. Exited and towed car home car runs but makes lots on noise and barely drives many lights light up on dash
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736540May 8, 2026
ENGINE
Premature and unexpected internal engine failure. Single owner with 82k miles - Rod bearing came apart and spread metal shavings everywhere in the engine causing irreversible damage. Honda dealer confirmed engine failure. Our safety was at risk with the potential of unexpected engine failure while driving with a loud knock from the engine potentially leaving all passengers in dangerous situations without power to respond. Dealer has provided documentation of internal engine failure and suggested we stop driving it immediately. No warning lamps at all, only knocking sound while engine running.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736480May 8, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
About a month ago, I started my Pilot and the dash lit up. The adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane keeping assist, Lane departure, forward collision warnings all flashed on the dash- no previous warnings. Subsequently, the cruise control will not work at all. I had the system scanned by a Honda certified mechanic and it showed and internal cameral failure. This is a known issue across many Hondas and is a very costly repair at close to $2000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736439May 7, 2026
ENGINE
Per Honda, the standard maintenance of replacing a timing belt and tensioner has put more tension on the crankshaft, which causes a tapping noise from the connecting rod bearings when the vehicle is accelerating under load. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Honda has said that this does not harm the engine, but a noise of this kind is not normal and any noise of this kind associated with this particular part of the engine has the possibility of degrading the engine's life and causing a potential safety issue while driving down the road. Yes, the problem has been reproduced by the dealer. Dealer service department has been the only one to inspect it. No, there were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The issue first appeared right after getting the mandatory timing belt maintenance when driving away from the dealer service department.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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