Honda Pilot Complaints (2021)

452 consumer complaints on file.

#11774343October 29, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car alarm goes off on its own,and the dashboard lights flash even when the car is turned off ,this continues until the battery dies and the car won’t start. I’ve taken it to the mechanic several times and no codes come up; I’ve replaced the battery with a new one twice.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11774364October 29, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My wife operates a 2020 Honda Pilot Touring, purchased new and currently with approximately 60,000 miles. The vehicle's automatic idle stop/start system intermittently shuts the engine off while stopped in traffic but fails to restart when the driver releases the brake and attempts to proceed. The driver must shift the vehicle into Park and manually restart the engine, leaving the vehicle unexpectedly immobilized in active traffic. The vehicle was previously brought to Atamian Honda in [XXX], in spring 2026 for this same defect. Honda performed a corrective repair, but the identical failure has returned approximately six months later. The driver now feels compelled to manually disable the automatic idle stop feature every time she starts the vehicle to avoid another failure. We believe this represents a serious, unresolved safety defect and are particularly concerned that the condition has recurred after a previous manufacturer-directed repair. We request that NHTSA document this repeated post-repair failure and consider it in its ongoing evaluation of Honda idle-stop restart safety issues. 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
#11773521October 25, 2026
ENGINE
On four occasions, my 2021 Honda Pilot SE AWD (VIN [XXX]) has shut off at a stop under the Auto Idle Stop system and then failed to restart, leaving the driver stranded. The incidents happened on XXX, XXX, XXX, and XXX in and around [XXX]. Component: The starter system and the Auto Idle Stop engine restart function. Honda has acknowledged this exact condition in Service Bulletin 23-009 and Warranty Extension 23-009/23-010 (“Engine Does Not Auto Restart After Entering Auto Idle Stop”). The listed remedy is a software update, a valve adjustment, and replacement of the starter assembly and starter relays. The vehicle and the original starter are available for inspection on request. Safety risk: The engine shuts off at stops as designed, then will not restart. The vehicle is left disabled at intersections and in traffic with no warning, which puts the driver and passengers at risk of being rear-ended and stranded. My wife has been stranded four times. Idle Stop turns itself back on every time the car is started, so the driver’s only protection is remembering to switch it off manually on every trip. The fourth failure happened when she forgot. Dealer confirmation: The Honda dealer in [XXX] has performed Product Update 23-008, the PGM-FI Idle Stop software update XXX, and a valve adjustment XXX. The failure has continued after both repairs. The dealer has not replaced the starter assembly and relays, which is the remaining step of Honda’s published remedy. Manufacturer involvement: American Honda Customer Relations has opened Case #XXX and is “reviewing” my request. Honda has not inspected the vehicle directly. No police or insurance inspection has taken place. Warning signs: The failure to start is random when auto start is not disabled, and motor is hot. 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
#11773163October 23, 2026
ENGINE
While stopped at red light or stop sign the car goes into engine auto off mode when the brake is pressed. When then trying to go, the car is turning off or going to neutral. This causes vehicles behind me to stop suddenly and can cause an accident. The only way to then go is to turn the vehicle off, and restart, then put back in drive. This is happening very frequently and again is a safety hazard for me and others.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773280October 23, 2026
ENGINE
The auto idle stop feature will turn my engine off like it's supposed to, but then my engine dies when I try to accelerate again. This is happening more and more. I would allow my car to be inspected. My car tried to roll backward into the car behind me today, and I have held up traffic each time this has happened. I have seen on chatrooms that other honda pilots have this problem. No one has inspected my vehicle. This time my car went into neutral and flashed an alert that my car was now in neutral.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772934October 22, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
To Whom It May Concern: I am requesting immediate escalation of a serious safety concern involving my 2021 Honda Pilot Touring, which I purchased as a Honda Certified Pre-Owned vehicle directly from Tempe Honda. I also purchased additional warranty coverage at the time of sale. I have owned this vehicle for less than two years, and it has already required service for an issue involving the automatic idle-stop system. That issue remains unresolved. More recently, the vehicle has begun unexpectedly shifting into neutral without any action on my part. This has occurred on multiple occasions, including when transitioning from reverse into drive and, most alarmingly, while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop at a traffic light. During these incidents, the neutral indicator actually illuminates on the dashboard. This is not simply an inconvenience or a minor performance concern. It is a potentially dangerous malfunction that places me, my passengers, and other motorists at risk. I am particularly concerned because I am a single mother who relies on this vehicle for daily transportation, including transporting my child.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772365October 20, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
The Information screen goes blank. Then at that point the backup camera will not show on screen when backing up. Creating a blind spot and hazard
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771795October 17, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Refer to [XXX]. My honda pilot started having electrical issues where the car alarm would go off randomly, radio would play at volumes randomly, dashboard lights would flicker on and off, interior lights would turn on, headlights would turn on. This resulted in multiple drained batteries and left the car inoperable until it could be jump started. This is a safety issue because if we drove somewhere without cell reception, could be stranded with a dead battery. Not to mention, it disturbed our neighbors when this occurred in the middle of the night. This is a known issue with various Honda vehicles from this timeframe. It is know as a problem with the "Remote Access Control Module," aka the "Keyless Access Control Unit," located behind the glovebox. Even though it is a known issue, Honda was unwilling to repair it at their own cost. We paid $903.22 to get it fixed. References: [XXX], [XXX], [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
#11771268October 14, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This complaint is being filed regarding a FAILED REMEDY for NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-431 (Honda Campaign ZEM) on my 2021 Honda Pilot Touring. Although the vehicle history shows that the recall repair for the MOST fiber-optic wire harness was previously performed, the authorized remedy has completely failed to fix the safety defect. The central infotainment dashboard screen regularly displays a "Network Connection Lost" error message before freezing or shutting down entirely. This failure causes an immediate, total, and unpredictable loss of the backup camera display while the vehicle is in operation. Because the backup camera is a federally mandated safety feature, its random failure creates an active safety risk for myself, my passengers, and pedestrians during reversing maneuvers. Honda customer service has refused to provide further diagnostic or repair assistance because the recall is already marked as "completed" in their database. However, the safety hazard remains active and unresolved. I request that the NHTSA investigate this failed remedy and compel Honda to provide an effective, lasting repair for this defective system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770656October 12, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle's auto idle engine stops when brake is engaged, goes into neutral when released instead of restarting causing me to have to turn on the flashers, shift into park, turn off the ignition then restart. I was almost rear ended at an intersection & held up traffic during another occurrence, causing impatience behind me. I then found numerous complaints on the same by Honda owners & extended 10-year warranty via service bulletins 23-008 & 23-009. I brought my vehicle into the dealership to be diagnosed on 9/29/26, & they said it needed the referenced valve adjustment & performed it. A few days later, on 10/4/26, it happened again in a grocery store parking lot as I stopped for a vehicle pulling out of space. I called the next morning & made the appt to have the starter diagnosed later in the week. Later that day, it happened again at a red light. I brought it back to the dealership on 10/9/26 & advisor called a few hours later to say said the starter was pulling too much power & causing the problem & needed replacement, but did not have it in stock, with no expected date, but would contact me as soon as they received it. About an hour later, he called back & said he was sorry to inform me that the starter was NOT covered under the 10-year ext. warranty for my VIN, just the valve adjustment (which did not resolve the issue) even though the tech said the starter pulling too much power was causing the problem. I was then provided a $1200 estimate- for a malfunction that is a widespread defect! As I questioned this, I was given the toll-free number to American Honda for an explanation. I spoke to them on 10/12/26 to question why the determination was made to exclude my vehicle’s VIN from the starter replacement. The representative confirmed that the starter & assembly were not covered for my VIN & stated he did not know how or why Honda arrived at that determination. I thought I was making a wise decision purchasing a Honda. Any advice as to how to proceed?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770023October 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The electrical for the infotainment system cuts out and the rear camera is no longer on the screen, it will cause loud popping while driving as the MOST Net system is failing. There is also poor gas mileage and reads the gas tank contents incorrectly while displaying incorrect MPG typical with the fuel pump recall for this generation of Honda Pilot, but both of these recalls removed my specific year shortly after they were announced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770136October 9, 2026
AIR BAGS
Airbag Failure Report – 2021 Honda Pilot (Incident Date: April 10, 2026) I am reporting a critical failure of the supplemental restraint system (SRS) in my 2021 Honda Pilot. On April 10, 2026, while traveling at approximately 40–45 mph, our vehicle was struck on the driver’s side by a white commercial van. The severe impact caused over $9,000 in structural damage—including the driver-side door, fender, wheel, mirror, and radiator support brackets—yet the side/curtain airbags failed to deploy. As a result of this failure to protect occupants during a significant collision, the driver sustained permanent, non-repairable neck trauma (aggravating a prior surgical site), and the passenger sustained newly diagnosed bulging cervical discs. I request that this failure be documented and investigated as a potential safety defect.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11769974October 8, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced several electrical failures and the alarm activated unexpectedly, and the radio and instrument panel turned on unintendedly. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the keyless asset control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 798.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769675October 7, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle had caught on fire while parked in the driveway. The vehicle was last driven at 12:51 PM in the day; however, at approximately 9:00 PM, after the vehicle had sat for over eight hours, the vehicle suddenly caught on fire. The local fire department responded to the scene and extinguish the fire. The vehicle was inspected and stated that the fire had originated from the battery or an electrical part inside the engine compartment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768369October 1, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Idle auto stop / start - this has repeatedly failed at traffic lights. Vehicle stops dead and will not restart. Taken to 3 dealers over the course of 18 months and finally the 3rd Honda dealership acknowledged this. The problem has been identified and repeated by dealership mechanics. No warning lights at all.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767979September 30, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under Technical Service Bulletin: 23-008 (Product Update: PGM-FI Idle Stop Software Update); however, the failure occurred after the product update. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start after pressing the Engine Start button. The engine failed restart after coming to a complete stop and releasing the brake pedal and the Auto Idle Stop feature engaged. The battery warning light was illuminated, and the messages "Battery Failure" and "Press Brakes - Put the Car in Park and Restart" were displayed. The contact deactivated the Auto Idle Stop feature. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 122,993.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768137September 30, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, SUSPENSION
Vehicle: 2021 Honda Pilot NHTSA Recall: 26V-365 Honda Recall: AOU Recall Status: Incomplete/Unrepaire I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious motor vehicle accident involving my 2021 Honda Pilot. At the time of the accident, my vehicle had an open and unrepaired safety recall, NHTSA Recall 26V-365, Honda Recall AOU. I was driving my Honda Pilot downhill when the vehicle began gaining speed in a manner that felt abnormal and uncontrollable. I attempted to slow and stop the vehicle by applying the brakes, but I was unable to stop the vehicle. Despite my efforts to brake, the vehicle continued moving forward and I ultimately collided with another vehicle, resulting in a multi-vehicle accident involving approximately three to four vehicles. The collision was severe. The front of my Honda Pilot sustained extensive damage and the airbags deployed. The vehicle has not been repaired since the accident and remains in its post-collision condition. After the accident, I checked my VIN through the NHTSA recall system and discovered that my vehicle has an incomplete safety recall, NHTSA Recall 26V-365. The recall concerns corrosion at the rear subframe suspension mounting points, which may result in failure of rear suspension components and adversely affect vehicle handling and control. I am concerned that a mechanical or vehicle safety defect may have contributed to my inability to slow or stop the vehicle. I am not stating that the recall definitively caused the accident because the vehicle has not yet undergone an appropriate mechanical or engineering inspection. However, because my specific VIN has this unrepaired recall and I experienced an apparent loss of braking/control immediately before a serious multi-vehicle collision, I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect. I have photographs documenting the extensive p
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767883September 29, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
While driving with my family in my 2021 Pilot on the interstate at 75mph, I felt a shudder while in traffic. Fortunately, I signaled to get over and cars around me responded, because the check engine light flashed on and off and the car shut off. We had enough time to roll to the side of the interstate safely because drivers around me were aware and considerate. The car would not restart so we had to tow it. The Pilot has been evaluated by an independent mechanic who says that a failure in the high pressure fuel pump caused oil to dilute gasoline. A full engine replacement is required. There was no prior warning of this issue. American Honda has been contacted for potential support. Early stage of that, but dealing with them has, so far, been great.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767044September 25, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Multiple times, when stopped (i.e., red light) and auto-idle engaged, the car has not come out of auto engine stop, but instead has shifted into neutral upon releasing the brake pedal. Furthermore, the car cannot be put into drive from that state, but instead must be fully turned off, and then restarted, often after a pause, and a cranking challenge. Car has a new battery (8 months old) and weather is mild/warm. This problem is unpredictable, and has happened in busy traffic situations, resulting in both a personal and physical safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766025September 22, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
When the brake is pressed at a light or when idling, the gear shifts automatically to neutral and will not drive. I have to press and hold the power button to restart the car. It is happening more frequently. I have taken it to the dealership several times and they have not been able to replicate it. It also doesn’t give any codes. This is a true safety concern because I have impeded traffic multiple times when it occurs. I tried to add pictures of the invoices that I received from the dealership but was unsuccessful.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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