Honda Pilot Complaints

9,418 consumer complaints on file.

#11713859January 28, 2026
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the engine was idling and with the gear shifter in the park position, the contact reached into the vehicle from the front driver's door, and suddenly the vehicle began to slowly roll backwards. The contact was pushed to the ground, causing the front driver's side wheel to roll over the contact's right leg. The vehicle continued to roll backwards before making a U-turn and then rolling forward down the inclined street and increasing speed. To avoid having the vehicle roll down hill into a crowded street with pedestrians, the front passenger inside the vehicle turned the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of another parked vehicle. During the incident, the contact suffered an injured right leg and was transported to the hospital. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed away. The both air bags had deployed, and the vehicle was destroyed. The contact indicated that during the incident, the emergency brake was not activated. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11713811January 28, 2026
SEATS
3rd row seat headrest stays folded and won’t lock into place.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713546January 27, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Auto idle stop function causing car to not start back up. Could be at a stop sign, in a left turn lane, in the middle of an intersection waiting to turn. Very stressful and unsafe driving conditions. This has been ongoing for years. Dealership has blamed it on the battery, which has been replaced theee times (one of those times under warranty), dealership has looked at the car multiple times. Also made recommended Honda repairs per the issued safety bulletin. But it continues to happen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713298January 26, 2026
AIR BAGS
The car was inspected by the authorized dealer, but it is still on the list.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713282January 25, 2026
STEERING
2022 Honda Pilot - steering wheel / front of car started to make a clanking noise when driving over speed bumps / noise started around 35k miles on odometer. Two different service appointments with Honda pointed to shocks and sway bar links; 3rd non honda service appointment found the issue to be a failing rack and pinion. 3rd service appointment replaced the rack and pinion / sound is gone and vehicle steers tight once again. mileage was 44k when replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713169January 25, 2026
ENGINE
Car has been serviced at same dealership I purchased from. All service up to date, Gas type shell gas brand used 95% of the time. (Noticed November 2025)issue a month after recommended transmission flush and an engine oil change. Rough idling (especially when temp below 60⁰) and almost like a miss fire when driving. No check engine light, and dealership had vehicle for two days but claimed unable to replicate issue suggested these engines are prone to carbon buildup. But recommended I switch to premium gas. SUV drives rough and then randomly reverts to normal smooth driving, also seems to struggle when switching gears, spoke to other owners of same type and a pattern of previous years owners mentioned potential issue with VCM. Major issue: Rattling during start up and driving ( sometimes goes away randomly) Car struggles with gear switching. Engine/transmission hesitation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712946January 23, 2026
SEAT BELTS, SEATS
The seat belt alarm keeps going off as if the seat belt is not buckled even though it is buckled. The first issue was when I had the car less than a yr. The middle row right side had this problem and the dealer replaced the seatbelt. Now at 38k miles, the middle row middle seat started to have the same issue. Also, the middle row on the right side would occasionally alarm as well but not as constant (this was the same seatbelt that was replaced initially).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712670January 22, 2026
ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
Emissions System Problem- UNKNOWN reason
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712384January 21, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I am submitting this complaint to formally report a serious and widespread safety defect involving the front-facing camera system on my 2021 Honda Pilot. This defect has resulted in multiple safety system failures and has placed myself, my passengers, and other motorists at unacceptable risk. The front camera on my vehicle does not function as designed, which has caused the complete loss or repeated failure of critical safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane departure mitigation, collision mitigation braking, and other forward-facing driver assistance and alert systems. These systems are not optional or convenience features. They are advertised and sold as essential safety technology intended to reduce accidents, mitigate driver error, and protect human life. Their failure substantially impairs the vehicle’s safety performance and creates a foreseeable risk of serious accidents, injuries, or fatalities, particularly during highway driving or emergency situations. When I sought assistance from the dealership, I was informed that Honda would not cover the repair because the vehicle exceeded a mileage threshold. This rationale is unreasonable and misleading. A front-facing camera is not a wear-and-tear component and has no logical connection to mileage accumulation. It is an electronic safety system whose premature failure suggests a defect in design, materials, or manufacturing. I then contacted Honda directly, and the manufacturer again refused to provide assistance, citing mileage alone while failing to address the safety implications or defect characteristics. This refusal appears to be an attempt to avoid responsibility for a known safety-related failure rather than a legitimate warranty determination. Further research reveals that this issue is not isolated. Numerous Honda owners have experienced identical front camera failures resulting in the same loss of safety systems. The consistency, frequency, and similarity of th
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712050January 20, 2026
AIR BAGS
Unknown
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712179January 20, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We started having problems with the catalytic converter clogging so we put Heat in it and then only used 100%gas. Then we went to my daughter’s house and when we went to leave the car wouldn’t start. We could smell burning. We had it towed to our mechanic and he replaced the starter but he had a hard time getting it off because it was almost fused because of the heat. Then 3-4 days later all the check engine lights came on. We had it checked out by Christian Brothers and he had to replace all of the fuel injectors. He also had to replace the ERG valve. It all I feel was caused by the fuel injectors and was causing problems in the engine and causing the burning smell. I have read that this has been a problem on the vehicles and wanted to report it for a Recall. We love the vehicle but with the mileage only being at 143,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712295January 20, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The driver seatbelt was soaking wet after a rainstorm. The vehicle does not have a sunroof. Upon further inspection the airbag and its electronics were also soaked in water. It has never been in an accident or had any work done to it. There is a factory installed roof rack(Sport model). I am concerned for the safety in the function of the airbag and seatbelt tensioner in the event of an accident after being soaked in water an unknown amount of times. Secondary, possibly related issue. The rear drivers side door will randomly not unlock/open from the exterior(have to reach through and use the interior handle). Posing a safety issue in the event of child removal in an emergency.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712122January 20, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
While my husband was taking our daughter to school on 01/05/2026 around 6:00am, a warning message flashed on the radio screen: "EMISSIONS SYSTEM PROBLEM: The engine is not operating properly. Avoid high speeds and visit your dealer as soon as possible. If the indicator is blinking, stop in a safe place where there are no flammable objects. Turn off the engine for 10 minutes or more to let it cool. Restart the engine. If the indicator continues to blink, immediately have your vehicle checked by the dealer. " This was a safety at risk for my husband, my child, and the public - anyone driving near the vehicle. My husband pulled over and called me to let me know what was happening. He called AAA to have the car towed to the dealer. And called the dealer to let them know we were having the vehicle towed to them. They diagnosed it with "a unit in need of engine replacement." The car was purchased as a certified pre-owned vehicle in 12/2021. It is a 2021 Honda Pilot and had a few hundred miles over 8000 at the time of purchase. The dealer is not taking responsibility as the miles 62,007 are just over the 60,000 mile powertrain warranty. And over the 5 years by weeks - 11/2020 to 01/05/2026. I was advised to contact American Honda. They basically told me I was not eligible for a goodwill assist as because: 1.) I was not the original owner 2.)I did not have my service done at Honda. However, I did have documents of all of the service that had been done and sent those receipts to the Honda dealer. The engine failed. The dealer confirmed engine failure. The vehicle did stall out - at a stop light and took several minutes to start back up around October or November 2025. There were also some engine noises, including loud noises while accelerating, especially in Sport mode.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712058January 20, 2026
SEAT BELTS
Ongoing Defect History Since taking possession of the vehicle on November 1,2023, all three second-row seatbelt sensors have malfunctioned repeatedly. This issue has been presented for repair on the following dates: •December 6, 2024 – Seatbelt sensor malfunction reported and serviced •April 4, 2025 – Repair attempt made; defect persisted •May 29, 2025 – Additional repair attempt for the same unresolved issue Despite these multiple attempts, the same defects continues to reoccur.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711850January 19, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
The front camera driving assist malfunctioned, causing all driving safety mitigation to be stopped. This is not an issue due to the driver, it is an issue with the camera either malfunctioning from heat from sun exposure or being faulty due to manufacturing issues. I reported to Auto National Honda Valencia & they said it would cost approximately $2200 to fix. Dash light did come on and are continuing to go on until the faulty camera is replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711910January 19, 2026
ENGINE
The Honda Dealership diagnosed the Connecting Rod Crankshaft Engine Failure with 67, 995 miles on the vehicle. All oil changes were completed as required and specified by Honda maintenance procedures.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711838January 19, 2026
WHEELS, STEERING
On 1/18 I was dropping my daughter off at Chicopee High School when I took left to front street I heard a snap and the car took me to the right direction causing my rim to be damaged. The Tired Rob broke. I called Roadside they tow the car to Curry Honda in Chicopee mass. Today when I called Cury Honda one of the managers insisted that I hit a poth hole without me explaining and saying this never happened when online there’s been customers complaining with the same situation 2023 -2025 with Honda pilots experience the same issue. It’s a safety matter where it could been worse me in the car with 4 of my children,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711706January 18, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Some Drive Assist Systems cannot operate: Clean Area shown. This message keeps appearing without any weather factors or anything to cause it. Happens nearly daily while using adaptive cruise. Then the next day without doing anything (like cleaning area) it starts working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711665January 17, 2026
POWER TRAIN
While driving at highway speed (approximately 60 mph), my vehicle suddenly lost all propulsion and automatically shifted into Neutral without any warning. This occurred in active traffic and resulted in an immediate and dangerous loss of power. I was unable to accelerate and narrowly avoided a serious accident. Following the incident, I took the vehicle to an authorized Honda service center. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a defective Transmission Control Module (TCM/TCU). Diagnostic code P0810 (Clutch Position Control Error) was stored, and the dealer confirmed the TCM must be replaced. This is a serious safety defect. Sudden loss of drive at highway speeds places the driver, passengers, and surrounding vehicles at extreme risk of serious injury or death. The failure occurred shortly after the expiration of the 5-year powertrain warranty. Honda should investigate this issue immediately, as unexpected TCM/TCU failure causing loss of propulsion can result in catastrophic outcomes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711582January 17, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
This 2018 Honda Pilot has been taken to mechanic after a number of check engine and other dash lights came on while trying to accelerate to merge with freeway traffic. Mechanic pulled a P0369 code and I paid for replacement of the cam shaft sensor. Problems continued shortly after work and mechanic conducted further inspections and determined the sensor had been worn by a walking camshaft. There are hundreds of these same complaints posted on the web by angry customers dating back over 5 years yet no recall. The car will unexpectedly lose power at any time and shudder and will not accelerate with difficulty steering when all the engine lights start flashing. With luck, you can pull over to side of road. Repair is over $3500 after spending a lot of money already replacing the camshaft sensor which didn't fix the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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