Honda Pilot Complaints

9,418 consumer complaints on file.

#11734089April 27, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle has routinely had issues restarting from auto idle. When the vehicle turns off in traffic at a stop or stopped at a red light, then it will not restart and the vehicle will essentially be dead for several minutes and unable to be turned on or moved.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733940April 27, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
The vehicle is experiencing persistent dashboard warnings including "Brake performance may be reduced," "Low Speed Braking Control problem," and "Parking sensor problem." These issues have been presented to your authorized dealer, Napleton Honda in Morton Grove, on three separate occasions with no resolution: September 29, 2025: I arrived at the dealer bay with active warning lights. The service writer instructed me to simply restart the vehicle to clear the lights. I have photographic evidence of the warnings from this date. October 25, 2025: The vehicle was brought in for repair. I provided cell phone photos of the active dashboard warnings, yet the dealer reported "nothing found." April 20, 2026: The vehicle was again brought in for the same issues. I again provided cell phone photos as proof of the defect, but the dealer reported "nothing found." Despite the dealer's inability to diagnose the cause, my photographic documentation from 9/29/25, 10/25/25, 4/20/26, and 4/25/26 proves these defects are real, recurring, and significantly impair the safety and value of the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733896April 26, 2026
ENGINE
While driving on the highway, the vehicle experienced sudden engine failure at highway speeds, putting the safety of our son and others drivers at risk. The engine completely lost power. The diagnosing dealership confirmed failure of a connecting rod and bearings and internal engine damage with metal present throughout the engine, requiring full engine replacement at an estimated cost of over $17,000. The car is still at the South Pointe Honda dealership in Tulsa, OK. The diagnostic was also confirmed by a Honda certified mechanic at another independent shop. No others have inspected the vehicle. This appears consistent with reported issues involving connecting rod bearing failures in Honda V6 engines of similar model years. The failure occurred prematurely and without warning, raising concerns about reliability and potential safety risks if loss of power occurs during operation. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of a problem prior to failure. The vehicle has been properly maintained and was not subject to abnormal use. I am submitting this complaint due to the severity of the failure, the high repair cost, and concern that similar failures may pose a safety risk to other drivers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733567April 24, 2026
AIR BAGS
Airbags deployed without impact
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733669April 24, 2026
ENGINE
ECHOING EXACLY WHAT OTHER PILOT OWNERS ARE COMMENTING. ENGINE COMPLETELY GAVE OUT ON THE HIGHWAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733703April 24, 2026
ENGINE
My engine of the 2016 Honda Pilot can suffer a thrown rod (catastrophic engine failure) due to a defect in the connecting rods, I was driving when I heard a noise—sort of a growl—and the engine shut off. I keep up with all the maintenance, including regular oil changes. It sounds like a thrown rod.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733692April 24, 2026
SEAT BELTS
Recently the vehicle has developed an erratic behavior when a passenger on mid-row seat is using the seat belt, seat belt reminder goes on/off every few seconds displaying inaccurate information of when the seat belt is in use. I contacted my local Honda dealer describing the problem and informing them of Honda's service bulletin #TSB A26-027, which describes exactly the same symptoms my vehicle is having and they've been unwilling to address the issue, as the TSB is not an active recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733609April 24, 2026
ENGINE
On April 3,2026 we are starting back from a road trip to Florida from Kentucky (starting odometer 69,199 miles)oil changed prior to leaving in our 2022 Honda pilot. Stopped to get gas and transmission alert code popped up-it would not go into any type of gear. We had no warning previously to this. We were still 3 hours from home, had to get it towed to nearest Honda dealership where they stated it was an electronic module failure but transmission would have to be replaced entirely. Car was out of standard power-train warranty of 60,000 miles d/t this road trip (odometer now over 70K) and we had no extended warranty on the vehicle. We requested assistance for transmission replacement from American Honda. We filled out the required form on 4/9/26 explaining we are a loyal Honda customer(own an additional Honda-CRV), had good service records, etc. It was assigned to a case manager on Fri 4/10-they called left voicemail that it was under review and asked us to call back. We immediately called back on Friday 4/10 and left message-no call back. The following week we called back everyday to American Honda and finally got our case manager over a week later on Monday 4/20-said it would be 5 more days. Heard back today 4/24/26 that Honda denied our assistance request saying it was out of warranty and there are no known manufactorer defects or recalls at this current time. Made us wait 3 weeks to decide we will have to eat cost of a new transmission in a car that is less than 4 years old and <100K miles on it. Very disappointing in Honda corporation especially since there are numerous known complaints, civil law suits, etc on various online forums and in the national news of same issues and they aren't taking any responsibility leaving owners with very high repair expenses. Our transmission will be over $8000 to replace out of pocket.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733451April 23, 2026
ENGINE
My wife was driving the car on the freeway, it started losing power and a loud knocking noise came from the engine. She was in the center lane of the interstate and was barely able to pull safely to the side of the road. We had the vehicle towed to our home as it is no longer able to drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732944April 22, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The moonroof glass shattered for no apparent reason while driving at highway speed. Fortunately, the inner moonroof cover was closed preventing glass pieces from entering the vehicle interior. The incident happened while driving on an interstate highway in light traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732979April 22, 2026
ENGINE
My 2016 Honda Pilot has been diagnosed with engine failure caused by an issue known as "rod knock" by Hudson Automotive in Toledo, OH despite having been cared for quite well. This failure occurred outside the warranty window and there were NO relevant symptoms or warning lights before the sudden failure. After doing some research on Pilot owner online forums, as well as the NHTSA website, it seems a substantial number of similar complaints have been reported, and a recall had been issued for some vehicles in the same year and model under NHTSA campaign number 23V-751. The failures of my engine should be considered in the NHTSA recall number 23V-751, Honda recall number XG1, GG0. In addition, my claim should be considered as part of NHTSA investigation PE25008 which I understand is a current investigation into many reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in numerous Honda vehicles, including the 2016 Honda Pilot. If needed, I can provide an estimate of the work that needs to be completed on my vehicle from Hudson Automotive. Thank you for your attention to this matter and your work to protect the American consumer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732708April 21, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Honda Pilot. While having an oil change performed, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 138,000, and at the time of service, it was discovered that the mileage was 217,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732717April 21, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While stopped at an intersection, the Auto Idle Stop engaged and the engine shut off. The vehicle failed to restart and became unresponsive. I had to shift into Park to restart the vehicle. This created a dangerous situation in traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732578April 20, 2026
ENGINE
Subject: Engine Knocking Noise – 2017 Honda Pilot Hello, I’m reaching out because my 2017 Honda Pilot has recently developed a noticeable knocking noise coming from the engine area, especially during acceleration and low‑speed driving. I’m aware that some 2016 Honda Pilot models have experienced sudden engine seizure, stalling, or failure with little warning. I also learned that the 2016–2020 Acura MDX, which uses the same engine, was issued an engine‑related recall. This makes me particularly concerned that the noise may be an early sign of a serious issue. I’d appreciate having the vehicle evaluated as soon as possible. Please let me know your earliest available appointment and whether it’s safe to continue driving in the meantime. Thank you, Honda Pilot owner
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732584April 20, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
Each time my battery has died the brake starter has also stopped working. I have had to get the starter replaced three times in 4 years. The starter for the Honda pilot 2022 is faulty
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732420April 20, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Upon accelerating from a stop, or at various speeds, the vehicle experiences a significant loss of motive power(pulling backwards) followed by an abrupt lunge forward. This hesitation occurs unpredictably and makes entering traffic or intersections extremely hazardous. This feels like a fuel delivery or transmission engagement failure. The last incident occurred on or around the afternoon of March 23. My vehicle has been examined at the dealership on multiple occasions for this same issue and each time I have been told that they are unable to replicate the issue and can not help me further unless they are able to replicate the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732191April 19, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My current 2020 Pilot has presented a failure/ malfunction at the multipurpose camera in the front side resulting on the most important safety advance drivers assistance systems to not to work (Collision Mitigation System, road departure mitigation system, auto high beam, lane keeping assist, automative emergency breaking). This malfunction for this safety device could put at risk my family while driving since system got deactivated for no reason and will not respond to under unexpected situation while driving. I notice several messages on my dashboard then I confirmed safety componentes where bypassed and not activated not working properly. The problem was reporte at a dealer, then vehicle device was inspected and confirmed by the dealer that the safety multipurpose camera has a malfunction. Prior to the failure there were no messages or symptoms, just stops working without advice. Safety devices must he operative at all time, me vehicle is in very good condition and not more that 6 years old.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732094April 18, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Adaptive cruise control fails nearly every time the car is driven more than 40 minutes with ACC activated. Failure indicated by warning lights and statement on DIC. DIC instructs operator to clean the front "H" emblem on grille, however, the emblem is always completely clean. The failure has been reported 4+ times to the dealership. Dealership reports the failure is a known problem and there is no fix available from Honda. Upon system shut down the vehicle disengages cruise control and has rapid deceleration causing unsafe driving conditions while in traffic. System usually resets itself without cleaning or other remedies within 10-20 minutes after fail, and will usually fail again +/- 40 minutes later. ACC is marketed as part of the Driver safety system and is unreliable. first occurrence was at 670 miles since new. Car now has < 10k miles and has failed 12+ times.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731495April 16, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop and driving approximately 10-15 MPH, the vehicle shut off, but it was restarted. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that DTC: P0087 was retrieved and associated with the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,550.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731546April 16, 2026
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the sunroof unexpectedly exploded without impact. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an independent auto glass specialist was unable to determine the cause of failure. The contact was informed that the sunroof needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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