Honda Pilot Complaints

9,418 consumer complaints on file.

#11655048April 16, 2025
ENGINE
Our 2016 Honda Pilot had rod bearing failures, which lead to total engine failure. The problems matched EVERYTHING in the November 2023 recall, but our VIN was not included on the list. We ended up having to replace the entire engine. I contacted Honda and convinced them to cover half the cost but we still paid almost $10,000 out of pocket. I read an article stating that there have been 173 complaints of rod bearing failures on vehicles that were not included on the original recall. I would like my vehicle included on that list. We never should have had to pay $10,000 to replace an engine that should have been included on that recall. My husband almost got into an accident on the interstate because the engine began to fail completely.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655062April 16, 2025
ENGINE
On [XXX] I was driving my 2017 Honda Pilot [XXX], 11 miles south of Mammoth Lakes, CA. about [XXX]. Suddenly, simultaneously, my Pilot’s engine light began to blink, the entire instrument panel lit up, and my steering wheel began to lock up as the vehicle was losing power. I was able to get the vehicle onto the shoulder without hitting the guardrail that was inches from where I stopped. Smoke began to pour out from under the hood, and liquid began to empty out from underneath. We needed to get towed to our vacation destination spot, which was 12 miles from where we broke down. Since this happened on the weekend, needed to get towed again on Monday April 14 to the Honda dealer in Bishop, 44 miles from where we were staying. The service manager took photos. There is a GIANT hole in the engine, none of which was caused by anything I’d come in contact with on the road. To American Honda Corp. I have some questions for you: Why isn’t the 2017 Pilot part of the recall? Why did you include 2016 and 2018 but not 2017? Do you expect me to have any more trust in your product, or think I will be recommending to friends and others that you make a safe, reliable vehicle? Can you begin to imagine the stress, anxiety and not to mention INSANE AMOUNT OF $ it will be costing me for a NEW ENGINE? NOT TO MENTION THE MONEY I’VE ALREADY SUNK INTO PAYING FOR THE VEHICLE AND IT’S REQUIRED MAINTENANCE? Did you also know that I have 80,000 miles on the Pilot’s current odometer? Do you know that I have never been in an accident or have had a speeding ticket? Do you care to know that I DID EVERY SERVICE REQUIRED, ON TIME, and ALWAYS AT THE HONDA DEALER NEAR MY HOUSE BECAUSE I AM ABOUT FOLLOWING RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS PUT FORTH BY YOU, FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY OF MY HONDA PILOT? Do you realize how LUCKY AND GRATEFUL my husband and I are that, because of conditions and traffic the afternoon this happened we are lucky to be alive? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655125April 16, 2025
ENGINE
I was driving on the interstate and while going up the hill at 70 mph my engine seized up and died on me. I was able to get it to the side of the road and get it towed. This happened in February of 2023. Had it towed to two different service shops. The first one, Roush Honds in Westerville, said the engine was dead and could not get it to turn. The Auto Clinic in Mansfield, Ohio said the same thing saying the engine seized up and it was an internal failure of the engine. They replaced my engine with a used Honda engine. With all these recalls and investigations on Honda engines, I believe that this is what was going on with my pilot engine. Also I am worried I could have the same problem with the used engine that was put in as a replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655128April 16, 2025
ENGINE
I own a 2016 Honda Pilot Elite and I was driving it in March of 2024 when my engine started making a low ticking sound, after about 2 weeks it gradually got louder and louder. It felt like it didn't want to accelerate, meaning it took more force down on the pedal to get it to drive. On the last drive in it the engine shifted so hard it shook the whole vehicle feeling as if I was hit from behind. Once I got it home I parked it and have not drove it since March of 2024.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655023April 16, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2022 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stopped with a hard braking sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stopped in the middle of the street, and the driver behind the contact got out of the vehicle and informed the contact that he could have caused an accident. The contact stated that he was told by the other driver to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. On a separate occasion, while the vehicle was being driven at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the shock absorbers were repaired, and the screen was repaired, and the transmission was inspected. The failure reoccurred and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The contact stated that the brakes were making abnormal sounds. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654853April 15, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 112,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 240,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654750April 15, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale on Facebook. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 76,000, and at the time of checking the Carfax, it was discovered that the mileage was 145,755.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654756April 15, 2025
ENGINE
Engine knocking rod causing it Safety is at risk with engine knocking Took vehicle to independent service center Vehicle or component have been inspected by independent service center There was no warning until I heard the noise and saw the check engine light come on while driving home from work
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654779April 15, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My vehicle has stalled twice since purchased a little over year ago. When stopped at a stop light the auto start/stop function failed to re-engage. I had to put the car back in park and restart the vehicle both times before I could drive forward. There were no warning lights either time this has happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654748April 15, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I purchased a used Honda Pilot and in less than 30 days I'm having problems with some electrical wiring harness. The dealership wants me to pay for the repairs. The error message that showed up "auto idle stop ignition problem see your dealership"
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654664April 15, 2025
ENGINE
My wife was driving the family down the highway I was a passenger. While we were traveling approximately 70mph down a 4 lane highway there was a loud clunk with a consistent knock and an immediate loss of power. I was able to help navigate her to safety on an off ramp so that my family would be safely off the road. The vehicle was towed to the Honda dealer where it is currently under warranty. The mechanics at the dealership have confirmed a spun bearing on piston number 3 and the motor will need to be replaced. There were zero warning lights and and no notification from any sensors with an OBD tool. Honda America is only willing to replace the motor with a salvaged motor. Unfortunately the VIN from the car with the salvaged motor will not match my current VIN, so if there is an active recall on the engine like on the previous year pilots that are VIN specific, I will not be covered and Honda will have replaced my engine with a known faulty one. I nor should and other family have to take the risk of receiving faulty salvaged Honda parts while still under factory warranty. The attached file is the last service records that are available for the salvaged engine and as you can see there is a noted vibration at the front in as well. Honda refuses to send the information from the salvage yard detailing the engine information including current mileage and the date the motor was pulled from the salvaged vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654605April 14, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We've been having a continuous issue and taken it to out Escondido Honda dealership, to the service department. Our service department advisor named Omar had his tech look at it awhiel ago but they couldn't come up with anything. I recently saw the 2 million vehicle recalls on including the Honda Pilot, which we have a 2021 Special Edition. When I put in my VIN it says that there are no recalls as of right now. However, our vehicle is exhibiting the same exact mechanical failure as described in the NHTSA recall. The auto start stop is failing to reengage when trying to start going after the stop light turns green, it completely dies out and won't restart, leaving us stopped and stranded at the stop light or wherever we are at, at that time. We've also had issues that when it does reengage the auto stop/start it sounds like it was struggling initially before it started to just not reengage at all and started leaving us stranded. Then we would have to press on the button to put it back in park and then push the start/stop button. Which wouldn't always work, then we'd have to keep pushing it and eventually started. Please assist and thank you for your time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654341April 13, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Honda Pilot 2019 idle stop system is defective. The engine's failure to automatically restart after shutting down poses significant safety risk. When at a red traffic light, the engine will turn off to save fuel. At this point, the car is supposed to restart when you release the brake. Instead, the idle-stop system periodically fails. It will take the car out of drive and place it in neutral. At this point, the driver has to put the car in park then restart the car. This process can take 30 or so seconds, at best, creating a very unsafe road condition as traffic is flowing. This prolonged restart process poses a significant safety risk to both the occupants of the vehicle and other road users.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654359April 13, 2025
ENGINE
On multiple occasions, when stopped at a red light or stop sign, the car will auto-idle and not restart, causing the car to stall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654068April 11, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 30-35 MPH, the check engine warning light started flashing, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with rod bearing knock and internal engine failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number 23V751000(Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the water pump and timing chain replacement, and recommended maintenance of the vehicle were previously completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered because the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 105,700.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654158April 11, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at approximately 75 MPH, the check engine light was flashing. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the steering wheel was almost seized. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal the vehicle did not slow down. The contact coasted off the highway. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The contact towed the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654169April 11, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Transmission light came on and said: “Emissions system problem. Power may be reduced. See your dealer.” Spoke to dealer who said they are unsure how this could have occurred possibly wear. The vehicle has 41k miles and I’m the only owner. Also said the cam plate is leaking oil which caused the sensors to be damaged and causes the vehicle to lose power while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654051April 11, 2025
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL PUMP FAILURE CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653928April 10, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
MOST Net Off recall was repaired on 9/21/24. On all of the following dates, the same issue, Network Communication Lost and MOST Net Off would appear on the screen with it rebooting itself anywhere between 5 minutes and 1 hour. Dates are: 10/18/24, 1/16/25, 1/17/25, 1/29/25, 1/30/25 on two occasions, 2/7/25, 2/10/25, 2/12/25, 2/17/25, 2/18/25, and 2/28/25. Finally on 4/9/25, the same situation occurred without any reboot and now the network screen does not work at all. I am unable to use handsfree phones but more importantly, the backup camera and approaching vehicle notification no longer works due to this screen not working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653782April 9, 2025
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
Rear suspension cradle attachment points at the frame corrode. This is common on all pilots in northern climates. Honda has recalled both the Ridgeline and CRV models for corrosion issues related to suspension attachment point corrosion but refuses to recall the pilot. While they claim you will not lose control when the suspension disconnects from the frame the vehicle cannot pass inspection and thus becomes disposable. When vehicles are otherwise perfect this is not acceptable from both safety and fiscal aspects. Please investigate this further as Honda has a repair kit and guidelines but charges thousands for the work .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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