Honda Pilot Complaints

9,418 consumer complaints on file.

#11698632November 10, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the connecting rod bearings, resulting in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698542November 10, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Honda’s Auto Idle Stop system shuts vehicle off when at a full stop and fails to restart after removing foot from the brake. Instead, when you remove your foot off the brake, the vehicle switches to neutral or park and does not restart despite following on screen instructions to restart (Example: switch to park, put foot on the brake, and press start button). We have to put the hazard lights on and try the steps over and over again until it restarts. This is a major safety issue, especially when at a traffic light or in heavy traffic, where every second counts and you have to worry about someone not noticing that you are stopped or have hazard lights on and plows into you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698460November 9, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Every since I purchased my 2022 Honda Pilot, I have had soo many issues with the windshield chipping. I bought the car brand new. Within the first 6 months, I had a chip at the top right corner (passenger side) the ended up cracking all the way to the edge. I had to replace the windshield. Fast forward to within a year of the new windshield being in place, and I know have FOUR chips. All on the passenger side. Two near the bottom and two near the top right. I have asked Honda several times if there are issues with the windshields, and they claim there is not. I have asked about having my frame checked to make sure it wasn't a manufacturing issue, but have not, since they need the windshield off to look. I have been driving for over 20 years. I have NEVER had a chip in my windshield. I even had a 2018 Pilot - 0 issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698387November 8, 2025
STEERING, POWER TRAIN
Tonight, 11/8/2025 at 7pm MT, while traveling straight at 25-30 mph, power steering suddenly failed and vehicle reported that AWD failed with only front wheels powered. Many other failure warnings simultaneously appeared on dash (collision detection, LKAS, parking assist, etc). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My family's safety was put at risk. Sudden loss of power steering is very surprising to the driver, combined with the dash reporting a multitude of failure warnings all at once. If we had been driving on the freeway at speed or in the middle of a turn this would have been a very serious safety issue, easily leading to a collision given the sudden change in steering input needed. If traveling in snow or ice, losing AWD suddenly would also have been a serious safety issue. No one has inspected the vehicle since the incident, this just happened tonight. The vehicle has only 5,700 miles on it, was serviced by the dealer within the last couple hundred miles to repair all outstanding recalls, and I have had no other issues with the vehicle. There was no warning about and issues with the vehicle prior to this incident. The only thing out of the ordinary immediately prior to the incident is that my phone wasn't able to pair to the infotainment system (which never happens).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698377November 8, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Wife was driving car and it stalled when slowing down for a red light. No check engine light or dash warning notices. Car then displayed instructions to restart the car Tried to restart 4 or 5 times. Finally started. We were lucky she was not on a highway driving at highway speeds.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698305November 8, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Transmission failed and car would no longer get into gears. It started when I tried accelerating on the highway and heard a whine The car would not accelerate. I tried again and this time it accelerated just fine. Made it home and the next day the car would turn on but not go into gears. The front panel showed warning of “Transmission Failed”, and “Engine trouble”. The dealership diagnosed that I needed a new transmission for $9,000! The previous day the car was working fine until and after that “whine” noise. I have not paid for repairs yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698236November 7, 2025
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Honda is aware of thousands of 9 speed transmission failures. but worst of all they tell you that you failed to change trans fluid as scheduled, but there is no schedule printed in their owner's manual, nor in their vehicle service maintenance manual. the service manual only speaks to the quality of fluid required, and that it not be mixed with other brands of trans fluids. it then goes on to say "HAVE A DEALER CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL AND REPLACE IF NEEDED." I have owned cars with sealed trans that required no maintenance, which is not the case with the Honda's 9speed trans. The Honda 9 speed is a sealed unit. I am currently face with an estimated bill of $10,600 to replace my failed trans. There is a reaccuring problem with the 9 speed, that Honda should pay for. I am requesting an investigation, and a reimburstment of my total cost. Thank you, [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
#11698041November 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car alarm going off randomly when locked. When car is near fob and turned off the head unit will randomly turn on and off rapidly, appears to be a smart power module failure. This has been going on intermittently since 50k miles. Most recently today, I had to disconnect the battery to make it stop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697547November 5, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Auto-idle feature shut off vehicle at a stop and would not restart when light changed. Have to shut off vehicle and start like it was parked. Not safe in city traffic. Dealership said there is no issue with auto-idle feature
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697555November 5, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN - The hydraulics of the power tailgate in the 2016 Honda Pilot are defective. After opening, it randomly starts 1 long continuous beep while the power tailgate closes - and it will not stop. I have had multiple items crushed. I have known other owners of the 2016 Honda Pilot where the hatch closed on them and trapped them in it. This is a huge safety issue! I am afraid when my teenage son opens the power tailgate that it will happen and trap him! It has happened since the purchase of the vehicle, which was brand new off the Honda dealer lot, in 2016. Honda dealer blew me off multiple times. They cannot "recreate" the issue - but it is random, however it does seem to happen more often once the air temperature is below 40 degrees.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697558November 5, 2025
ENGINE
The V6 3.5L engine in the 2016 Honda Pilot EX-L sounds horrible when shifting. It sounds like it is sticking, and in a way lurches. It is especially noticeable around 40mph, but you can audibly hear it shift at all gears. I am concerned that this vehicle should have been part of the previous 2023 recall, or should be looked at for the current 2025 investigation of the connecting rod bearing failures. I am almost afraid to drive the vehicle. The engine sounds awful.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697563November 5, 2025
ENGINE
The engine started to knock. Upon taking it to an independent inspection it was determined to be the rod bearings and crankshaft. We find it to be consistent with the sympthoms described in the investigation RE25008 opened in August 20, 2025.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697736November 5, 2025
ENGINE
My wife was driving our pilot on the highway. It suddenly started to get a flashing check engine light and the car immediately and abruptly slowed down, and was not able to accelerator or keep speed with traffic around her. Then the car would lurch when trying to hold it stopped at a stop light or sign when idling. We took it straight to a mechanic and they ran a scan on the Pilot and said that the flashing check engine light was due to a severe engine warning and when they investigated they found that I had rod knocking in the engine and the engine would need to be replaced due to faulty rod bearings.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697762November 5, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
So my front sensing camera failed after 125,000 miles , Honda sensing features disabled and dealer in Elk Grove, CA zip code 95624 quoted me 2,215 plus tax and that includes diagnostics. It showed 5-6 errors on my dashboard which have disturbed my focus on driving. Advisor said there’s no recall on this issue or warranty at all except if you bought an extended warranty. This is not fair as this is an electronic automated design, this should have a warranty. This will pose danger to customers who owns this vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697777November 5, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The audio system has loud crackling and popping noise that happens intermittently, causing the audio to stop working. Honda has issued a recall for 2020 models, noting that the noise is caused by loose or damaged connectors in the MOST (Media Oriented System Transport) network, which is part of the infotainment system and also powers the backup camera. The official recall remedy involves replacing the wiring harness to fix this issue, though some owners have reported the problem persists after repeated attempts at correction. The noise is very loud and distracting while driving. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms were noticed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697785November 5, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
My 2019 Honda Pilot’s (125,000 miles) forward-facing sensing camera (behind the rear-view mirror) failed, disabling Honda Sensing features like Lane Keep Assist, automatic high beam, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Collision Mitigation Braking. The dashboard shows “Honda Sensing Problem”, braking system and “Collision Mitigation System Problem.” Dealer diagnosed a bad sensing camera and quoted around $2,316 plus tax for replacement and calibration, not covered by warranty. Many other owners report the same issue. This is a safety risk since it disables key safety systems. Please investigate and consider a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697788November 5, 2025
SEAT BELTS
The seat belt sensor keeps going off in the middle row - middle seat even though my child is buckled. And its getting worse as my child continues to sit there. So we are no longer able to use that middle seat due to the issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697711November 5, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle did not slow down as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. On another occasion, while attempting to park, the vehicle accelerated and drove over the sidewalk and crashed into the stairs to her residence. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center, where it was due to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The insurance provider was involved and suggested that the contact call the NHTS Hotline and file a safety complaint. The contact mentioned that prior to the crash, the vehicle was inspected for an unknown manufacturer recall, where the dealer informed that the brake inspection passed. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697640November 5, 2025
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
The middle passenger seat consistently sends signal that seat belt is not fastened when it actually is. This is noticed more when making a left turn. My 2 older kids are 11 and 8 yrs old. When either of them sit on the seat, I always ensure they buckle up. It's alarming to see message on dashboard and hear the chime that seat belt is not fastened when it is. I've also seen a message that the airbags get disabled on occasional drives. This is most likely related to the same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697344November 4, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The moon roof cover broke. This causes a glare inside the vehicle that cannot be reduced during the day. We didn't have children in the car at the time it broke, but it snapped back violently.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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