AI DamageHonda Pilot: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Honda Pilot across 11 model years: 5,598 owner complaints and 485 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 35% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 30% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 9% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 7 Lane departure 4% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 1,951 complaints (35% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 89.
- Electrical system: 1,671 complaints (30% of all), 14 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 306.
- Powertrain: 617 complaints (11% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 77.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 563 complaints (10% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Forward collision avoidance: 510 complaints (9% of all), 16 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2003–2026named in 20 complaints
- automatic, 5-speed 2003–2015
- automatic, 6-speed 2016–2020
- automatic, 9-speed 2016–2022
- automatic, 10-speed 2023–2026
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5,598 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,951 | 7 | 89 |
| Electrical system | 1,671 | 14 | 306 |
| Powertrain | 617 | 9 | 77 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 563 | 8 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 510 | 16 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 248 | 33 | 53 |
| Lane departure | 236 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 208 | 0 | 86 |
| Vehicle speed control | 183 | 22 | 7 |
| Visibility | 140 | 1 | 125 |
| Steering | 140 | 0 | 14 |
| Structure | 131 | 7 | 100 |
| Seat belts | 107 | 1 | 8 |
| Backover prevention | 95 | 7 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed a local law enforcement parking lot. No warning lights were illuminated. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact and mother were injured.
i was involved in a fairly significant accident at 55mph and another vehicle pulled out in front of us. Our Honda pilot had significant front and side damage on passenger side and not air bags deployed at all. This is and was alarming to us.
In an accident where car collided with a concrete barrier on the highway at high speed, front drivers side, airbags did not deploy. Vehicle is available as of now, problem has not been reproduced, insurance representatives totaled the car but did not check the airbags, no warning lights or symptoms prior.
There were no warning lights illuminated during the failure. The contact had made three other stops prior to the crash. There was no injury sustained. The air bags deployed as needed. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Service Bulletin - The driver-information interface may display a warning message when a malfunction in…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Over The Air - This update contains various performance enhancements and UI improvements
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Service Bulletin - The seat belt reminder incorrectly indicates that the second-row right passenger seat…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Service Bulletin - The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the…
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Rebuilding a 2016 Honda Pilot Part 2amount per author: 225 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- I-TEAM: Maryland family faces $25K repair as 2017 Honda Pilot joins NHTSA probe for engine failureamount per author: 25,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Rebuilding a 2016 Honda Pilot Part 3
- 2016 Honda pilot differential need service #automobile #mechanic #honda
- One major flaw with the 2016+ Honda Pilot
- Rebuilding a 2016 Honda Pilot
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.