Honda Pilot Complaints

9,418 consumer complaints on file.

#11717374February 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Idle engine restart failed. The vehicle went in idle mode at stop light, whe I got green and moved feet off brake to acceleration the engine failed to restart. It happened on 2/3/2026. I turned on hazard light to alert other drivers I was in trouble. I kept getting message on dashboard to put car in park, press the brake and push engine start. It did not work for a while I stepped out of vehicle unlocked stepped back in then I could start the engine. The second occurrence was 2/7/2026. This was a major intersection. Same thing happened, situation lasted longer, traffic built up behind me I had to call 911, I step out the vehicle to open the hood in addition to having hazard light on for my safety. I tow truck came along. When he open vehicle and got in, the engine started. I was at dealership today 2/11/2026 they indicated no fault was found. While waiting for my appointment today I have been turning off the automatic idle feature every time I get in the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717237February 11, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Lots of warning lights going off in car. Took it to the dealership and was told it’s the front camera and would cost over $2k to fix. Car is new, less than 5 years old. Should not be having this issue on a new car. After researching found there are lots of people with the same issue. Seems to me it’s a manufacturing issue and Honda should be responsible to fix.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717181February 11, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle: 2022 Honda Pilot Elite AWD Mileage at first occurrence: ~30,000 miles Current mileage at worsening/repeatability of issue: ~48,000 miles My 2022 Honda Pilot Elite experiences a loss of propulsion during cold starts, most commonly after using remote start. The issue occurs when the vehicle is cold, shifted into Drive, and remains stationary for approximately 10–15 seconds. Under these conditions, the vehicle displays the message “Stop driving when safe. Transmission problem. See manual,” disengages the transmission, and shifts itself into Neutral. The vehicle will not move until it is shut off and restarted. This condition has occurred multiple times and is repeatable under the same circumstances. There are no other warning lights present, and restarting the vehicle temporarily restores normal operation. I reported this issue to my Honda dealer. The dealer contacted Honda North America technical support, who stated they are aware of this exact issue and the specific sequence of events that causes it. Honda advised that they do not consider this behavior a defect and declined to provide any repair guidance or corrective action. This condition results in an unexpected loss of drive capability and could pose a safety risk if it occurs in traffic or at an intersection. The issue can occur during normal vehicle operation and does not involve misuse of the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716897February 10, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
On or about January 7, 2026, we were driving through town and the dash cluster lit up with five separate warnings for safety features no longer operational. These are adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation, road departure mitigation, and automatic high beams. We cleaned the windshield and radar housing. Then the battery was replaced. None corrected the problem. An appointment was then scheduled at the dealership for 1/9/2026. It was determined the multi-purpose camera had an internal short. The only fix is a new camera ($1284) and re-aim process. The total repair cost, not including the $165 diagnostic fee, is $1727. In the meantime, the driver safety features are mostly unavailable, including the traditional cruise control. I say mostly because the system randomly works for a few minutes before overheating/shorting. I worry about fire and sudden emergency braking due to the short. I must note this system has never functioned well. In particular, the camera and/or radar “sees” problems that don’t exist and unnecessarily and repeatedly activates the warning notifications, especially on two-lane highways. I may still have video of a trip where there were dozens of warning notifications within just a few miles for cars in their own lane. The collision mitigation system has been off for nearly all our ownership as it nearly caused a major accident on our second day. As I was accelerating up to highway speed to merge onto the highway I activated my turn signal. A truck in the driving lane was slowing to let me in, however, the system saw traffic in the vicinity and activated numerous warnings on the dash while simultaneously activating the brakes and steering me towards the ditch. The car behind me had to panic brake to avoid hitting me. I had limited driver input during this period but was able to get stopped on the shoulder of the highway. I liken the Honda Sensing system to a 16 year old driver who is prone to panic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717018February 10, 2026
ENGINE
Complete engine failure, threw rod through block. Oil was changed in October, still has 2000 miles before needing changing again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717126February 10, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while having an oil change, the technician informed the contact that there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the engine oil. The contact stated that there had been a failure since the fuel pump was replaced under recall. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the dealer stated that the issue was normal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717132February 10, 2026
ENGINE
While driving vehicle downshifted with no warning and went into neutral. Was driving on a busy street. Was not able to shift back into drive. When car stops was not able to put it into park. No previous warning of anything wrong. No engine light, battery etc. illuminated on the dash. Earlier that day did hear from time to time a tick or tap like noise that had not been heard before. Car had to be towed to auto shop. Upon inspection was told all components are in working order but the engine is not working and needs to be repaired. Given the engine only has 109,000 miles this was odd to them based on condition of the vehicle. There is a known issue with Honda engines similar to this vehicle and asked we check with Honda as to what could be done to diagnose further. This is very concerning as there was no warning. Driving on a busy street with unexpected downshift was almost rear ended.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717058February 10, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the infotainment screen and the rearview camera screen intermittently failed to activate while the vehicle was shifted into reverse. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V431000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717032February 10, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
The backup camera feeds to the infotainment screen integrated into the radio. This screen intermittently fails to illuminate and does not allow the backup camera feed to be be visible rendering the backup camera inoperable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716782February 9, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716785February 9, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Below features stopped working and when I showed it to the dealership, it was diagnosed to be a Failed Front Camera which I had to get replaced at the dealership to get below features restored. Adaptive Cruise Control Forward Collision Warning Lane Keeping Assistance Auto High-Beam Headlights
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716679February 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Driving on the highway dash goes completely black. Can’t see speed. Cruise control shuts down. Have to pull off the highway shut the engine down and wait for a couple minutes then restart. I have had all recalls repaired at the dealership where purchased but this happens weekly. At 50,000 miles I noticed rough and abrupt transmission shifting and clunking with a lag in acceleration. This continues despite multiple transmission flushes. The problem continues to worsen and current mileage is at 71000
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716600February 8, 2026
SEAT BELTS, SEATS, SERVICE BRAKES
Seatbelt sensors for the passenger second row dinging off and on when seatbelt is buckled. Also the light coming on that says emergency brake unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716533February 8, 2026
ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The Honda Pilot completely lost power on my husband's way home from work in a snow storm. It would not start but it did yesterday. It sounds like clinking/clunking when started but stalls out if you try to put it in drive or reverse. It has a brand new battery. But otherwise it had to be towed and is now sitting. It didnt give any warning signs or lights on the dash until after it completely broke down. It has the engine light on when started. It has not be confirmed by a dealership as times are really rough right now with a new baby and not having the extra funds to have it looked at. And not to mention the closet dealership to look at it is almost an hour away. It seems that the rods/engine area are at fault.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716412February 7, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to report ongoing engine and emissions system problems with my 2016 Honda Pilot that raise serious safety concerns and may be related to a broader defect currently under investigation. I purchased this vehicle from a dealership in April of 2024 and the issues began shortly afterward at approximately 67,000 miles. The vehicle currently has approximately 74,600 miles and has received regular oil changes and routine maintenance. The vehicle has repeatedly displayed emissions system warning messages and engine fault codes. It has experienced persistent engine misfiring even after a mechanic performed repairs on cylinder 1. In addition, the vehicle exhibits rough engine shaking during driving and idling, engine stalling, and rough or delayed gear changes continuously since 2024. Despite attempted repairs, the problems continue to occur to present. The stalling, misfiring, and unstable engine operation create a potential safety risk, particularly while driving at speed or in traffic. The rough shifting and loss of smooth power delivery further impact safe vehicle operation. Given the relatively low mileage, proper maintenance, and the recurrence of these symptoms, this does not appear to be normal wear and tear. I am aware that similar engine-related complaints have been reported by other owners of 2016 Honda Pilot vehicles and that this model year is included in an ongoing federal investigation into potential engine defects. I am requesting that this complaint be reviewed as part of that investigation and considered for further action, including possible recall or service remedy, to address the safety risks posed by these engine and emissions system failures. Vehicle Information: Make/Model: 2016 Honda Pilot Mileage: Approximately 74,600 miles VIN: [XXX] Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] 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
#11716450February 7, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The vehicle experiences a persistent stutter/hesitation while driving, which is especially pronounced during acceleration from a stop or at low to moderate speeds. This condition occurs consistently during normal operation and is not a one-time or intermittent event. The hesitation creates a safety concern when accelerating from intersections, merging into traffic, or maintaining smooth vehicle speed. The vehicle feels as though power delivery is interrupted or unstable during acceleration. Multiple warning lights are present. Dealer diagnostics confirmed permanent communication-related fault codes, including CAN bus communication errors and camera/radar-related safety system failures. These fault codes return after clearing and coincide with the drivability hesitation. During inspection, a transmission fluid service was discussed; however, no transmission-specific fault codes were identified. The drivability hesitation has continued alongside the documented electronic and communication-related faults. The issue has been inspected and documented by a dealership. No crash, fire, or injury has occurred, but the condition remains unresolved and continues to affect drivability and safety-related systems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716164February 6, 2026
ENGINE
Car bought at 103,000 miles engine failed at 109,700 verified thru Honda Dearler with metal shavings in number six (6) cylinder. Started ... with check engine display and started missing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716260February 6, 2026
SEATS
In my Honda 2020 Pilot, the driver's side headrest in the 3rd row will no longer stay upright. It simply stays flat and will not lock into place. As the headrest will not stay upright, the seat is unusable. If someone used that seat or if the headrest would fail while a person is sitting in that seat, it would cause an injury risk. It looks like their is evidence that Technical Information and Support may be aware of the issue as indicated in a document on the nhtsa website.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716283February 6, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH on the freeway, the vehicle stalled due to battery failure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the battery was replaced. After restarting the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound consistent with a rod knock. Additionally, the trunk handle paint had chipped and was rusted. The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716347February 6, 2026
ENGINE
In June 2025, Honda sent a warranty extension reimbursement for the 2017 Honda Pilot for the torque converter-DTC P0741. Since the torque converter was defective, I replaced it on 5/7/21. I completed the reimbursement form Honda requested and included the invoice and proof of payment. On 9/30/25 Honda sent me an email stating that my reimbursement is being processed in 6-9 weeks. I have called several times and sent emails and they continue to tell me they will expedite my reimbursement. It has been over four months. My case # is: XXX. . 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

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