Honda Pilot Complaints

9,418 consumer complaints on file.

#11709903January 9, 2026
ENGINE
My engine has failed at ~104K miles after regular and consistent maintenance. The failure (rod bearing) matches Recall 23V751 but my VIN was excluded.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709945January 9, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
This is an update to my previous entry regarding my 2025 Honda Pilot. The car dealership brought the Pilot back to us in February, 2025, stating there was nothing more they could do and told us it was unfixable. From February until current, we continue to experience the same safety concerns: We will be driving it on the highway, going 70 mph, the Pilot brakes hard to half its speed, and all safety features are disabled. Every single time we drive it. We are left with only the gas and brakes. It will randomly come back to full function, sometimes it takes 15 minutes, sometimes it's 45 minutes. This occurs in clear weather where nothing is blocking the radar. We are fearful that it's only a matter of time before we get hit from behind. There is no way to disengage the Adaptive Cruise Control in this vehicle and have standard cruise control. Honda has stated that it is not "unsafe enough" for them to help us. I never imagined I would spend this kind of money on a new vehicle and be fearful of driving it. And that there is no solution to fix it. They took our money and have been completely unethical.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709870January 9, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving on I-26 at 60 MPH at approximately 2PM on 01/08/2026 the sunroof exploded. It was not struck by anything, no other vehicle was within a half mile of us at the time. Fortunately the cover was closed because we do not use the sunroof. It has only been opened one time a the delership the day the car was delivered new. This sunroof explosion was loud and frankly scared the heck out of us. Had the cover not been kept closed we would have been showered by broken glass. This could have easley resulted in a driver panic and a crash. I feel this is a manufacturing defect and based on numbers of events through various Honda models and years should covered by Honda recall/warranty coverage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709418January 7, 2026
ENGINE
While idling and driving into a parking garage, a new metallic knocking noise was audible from the engine. When I pulled up to the parking garage, I lowered my window to have the code scanned to enter the garage. The noise was present at that time, nothing previous to my commute to work this day. The noise was not audible while driving due to road/wind noise, music and conversation in the car. Driving down the garage ramp and into the parking area with the window still down, the noise was more pronounced (perhaps from the surrounding concrete walls). I eventually parked the vehicle after taking a video clip and sought help via phone and email from my work office. In this specific incident, safety was potentially at risk if the condition had worsened to the point of engine failure or other severe condition while driving on the roads. I was lucky in this instance. On 01/06/2026, video clip was sent to Honda dealer where purchased. I was instructed to not drive it and have the vehicle towed. Due to distance and expense to tow it close to home where purchased, it was towed to a local Honda dealer. Today they called and said internal components have failed and the engine needs to be replaced. On 01/07/2026 I've further engaged my local Honda dealer where purchased. This includes transferring it to them. At this time, the vehicle would be available for inspection upon request. No check engine light or other warnings of any sort were present. No invoice for diagnostics/repairs is available as of yet for upload as this is event is still in progress. There is only a video clip to hear the audible sound coming from inside the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709543January 7, 2026
ENGINE
Serpentine belt tensioner bolt keeps snapping and or breaking has been replaced 3 times now. Research shows at least 10 years of part being defective.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709504January 7, 2026
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
Driving down a 4 lane highway in Alabama, warning lamp came on stating “ STOP Steering assist reduced. Stop driving when safe”. Multiple other warnings lights came on—-Brake system, steering system, cruise control, lane departure, stability assist system, hill assist, trailer stability assist system(see multiple photos attached). When it was safe to do so, I pulled over…the steering was VERY difficult to manage. If I had to make a turn in traffic or had to make a sudden turn to avoid an accident, I would not have been able to do so as there was NO power steering. I turned the car off, let it sit for several minutes and the Steering Assist warning was off and I appeared to have power steering but several others lights were still on. Took the car the the closet dealer and only code found was a Low Voltage Code but nothing repaired as all warnings lights were off by then.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709000January 6, 2026
ENGINE
Torque shutter, transmission oil burning quickly
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709108January 6, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
Needed a steering rack. Needed a new transmission due to a torque converter failure. Now AWD is intermittently faulty needing fuel injectors. All within 1 year
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709176January 6, 2026
ENGINE
Honda Pilot 2016 and 83K miles and original owner. The car was traveling at I-95 going to Vermont when the engine light come on the dashboard showing low pressure oil. The car was stopped in a safe place and called AAA and towed to nearest mechanic in Massachusetts. The mechanic diagnosed and said the engine is shut and needed to be replaced. I called American Honda and was being told to tow it to a Honda Service dealership nearby and we did. Confirmed by them that the engine was shut and they found a metal inside the engine which is caused by the rod bearing. The American Honda did nothing at all to address it. So frustrating. The car is still sitting on the Honda Service lot in Massachusetts. The cost to replace the engine with a used one is $7500.00
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709216January 6, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that when he had parked the vehicle at work, he had heard an abnormal clicking sound from the engine compartment, and the vehicle was idling roughly. The contact stated that as he drove the vehicle back to his residence at approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning started flashing on the instrument cluster. The contact drove the vehicle to an auto parts store, and the store employee used a handheld scanner and drew voltage and engine communication codes. The contact then had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The dealer did not perform a detailed diagnosis, but when the contact picked the vehicle up, he was still hearing the abnormal clicking sound. The dealer had a mechanic try to evaluate the abnormal noise by listening and thought it sounded like a failing timing belt tensioner. The contact then drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rod bearings had failed and the crankshaft was scored. The mechanic recommended replacing the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact back to a dealer to run a diagnostic check to see if the contact qualified for a "goodwill assistance program. The contact stated that the manufacturer advised that the program was not guaranteed. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709289January 6, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Turned car on and it was making a very loud sound coming from what sounded like the engine. Very loud when accelerating or stepping on the gas. Driving at lower speed was also loud. Unknown if it was safe to drive. Took to mechanic and was told it was the high pressure fuel pump. There were no warning lights or warnings.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709293January 6, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Vehicle surges occasionally at 30 to 45 MPH. Had a loud engine knock when driving on interstate and vehicle slowed down and multiple warning lighted up on dash like a Christmas tree. Was able to get to the shoulder safely. Restarted the vehicle, warning lights gone and was able to drive home. OBD II scanner read P0369. Took it to dealer for inspection, they confirmed camshaft “walk” and damaged the camshaft position sensor. After the repair, the surging issue still occurs occasionally.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708997January 6, 2026
ENGINE
Engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traﬃc light or road intersection with the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) function engaged. When I release the brake pedal, the vehicle automatically goes into neutral, and when I try to put into Drive, nothing happens, then it takes multiple attempts to turn the vehicle off. Once it turns off, it does turn back on, and I can continue driving. This behavior is hard to reproduce consistently, it's happening from time to time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708799January 5, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that there was an abnormal engine knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There were recurring oil leaks and a misfire coming from the engine. The engine warning light was flashing. Additionally, the ESC, hill start assist, VSA, EPS, and steering low warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the codes. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was not contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708810January 5, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact then discovered a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 67,450. The contact stated that at the time of retrieving a Carfax report, it was discovered that the mileage was 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708788January 5, 2026
ENGINE
Check Engine Light came on during normal highway driving with Cylinder 2 Misfire as the readout. The vehicle was brought to local Honda dealer for troubleshooting and maintenance. Dealer maintained vehicle on schedule with 96,000 miles on it. Initially, informed us that this was due to the air filter housing being improperly placed and low power from the battery. Resolved both and then informed us it was an issue with the connecting rod/crankshaft and the engine would need to be replaced. During most recent fluids service about 2 months prior, had raised concerns about an intermittent shifting/low RPM jump and was told it was just debris but no real issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708683January 4, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The back up camera image is distorted with yellow, purple and green colors that make distinguishing objects difficult. This makes striking persons or objects much more likely. This is not an intermittent problem but a constant one. The dealer will not remedy the issue without charging a substantial amount (over $600). This should be the subject of a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708675January 4, 2026
SEAT BELTS, SEATS
In the last few months, two of the rear seats in my 2024 Honda Pilot (one in the second and one in the third) started giving false alerts that someone in unbuckled. At first, it would just occasionally ding, but now, if someone is sitting in those seats (and they ARE buckled in) the alert will go off basically the entire car ride and the dash will show that they are NOT buckled in...even though they are. Not only is this VERY frustrating, as it's left 2 seats in my car not useable, but it's also a massive hazard as a driver because I can't confirm is my passengers are properly buckled or not. I couldn't figure out why this would've randomly happened to me...and after some poking around on the internet I read that this seems to be a massive issue with these cars and that there is currently an investigation on this. I am begging you please take this seriously. It is a hazard and I, as a consumer of a pretty expensive vehicle, should not have to pay for such repairs that are obviously a manufacture defect and issue affecting so many.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708565January 3, 2026
STEERING
Power steering high pressure line leaking on exhaust and almost caused fire Dangerous. Lines need to be recall or replace
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708497January 3, 2026
STEERING
The car is making a knocking sound while driving at low speeds (ex. Pulling into the garage, reversing into a parking spot) while turning the wheel. The 2023 Pilot is currently at the dealership being inspected. I have come across many other posts, with video, confirming this exact sound with the same assessment - all pointing to the steering rack (although some fixes only being temporary so the part itself might be defective). This is a newer lease and I am not convinced it is safe to drive in with this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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