10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,607 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #17

Jul 022013

Pilot

  • 42,000 miles
Same issue as others have posted here. For the last six months the cars steering wheel and seat shake violently when you apply the brakes going over 50 mph. When the weather is warmer and the car has been driven for over 1/2 hour, the shaking gets even worse. You have to reapply the brakes and hope that the car slows down. We had the rotors turned and it got better for a week and then right back to before (out $100) Honda dealership is saying it isa "normal" wear and tear issue and there is no reason to be concerned and no safety issue. Sounds like they just don't want to address this dangerous problem. I, also, have never experienced this problem in a car before. I am afraid to drive it, but don't know how to fix it. I wish a recall would force Honda to fix this dangerous problem before someone gets seriously injured.

- Pleasanton, CA, USA

problem #16

Apr 152013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
I feel that NHTSA should look into 2011 Honda Pilot brakes and steering because when slowing down in the vehicle the steering wheel can vibrate and driver can lose control of vehicle. The brakes when applied to slow down or stop also has pulsating or feels like they may not be stopping the car at all and more pressure has to be applied to the pedal to stop. I have found same complaints from other consumers on different complaint websites. The only recommendations from Honda are to have rotors resurfaced at this time but I believe there is defect in the brakes and steering rack and should be covered by manufacturer.

- Gravette, AR, USA

problem #15

May 152012

Pilot

  • 22,500 miles
When applying the brakes at any speed over 50 mpg, the steering wheel shakes like an earthquake. Dealer said brakes were fine and that there was no issue. Next trip the dealer said the brakes might need to be redone (22K miles really?) and that the rotors were warped. Repairs would not be covered under warranty or extended warranty. This is obviously a defect and needs to be handled by Honda. Now approaching 40K miles and the problem is making me nuts. I'm going to wind up paying out of pocket for their poor design. I just hope the new rotors & pads on the front end will make it go away.

- Buford, GA, USA

problem #14

Jan 102013

Pilot

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, he depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle shook. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic for inspection and they stated that the rotors had warped and the brake hardware needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 24,000.

- Farasota, FL, USA

problem #13

Apr 202013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 21,500 miles
I bought this used certified vehicle on 4/20/2013 and was driving home from the dealer. The gas pedal started to vibrate a little at speed between 40 and 50. And I also could hear a grinding noise from front right. Next day my wife was driving and I was sitting in the passenger seat and I could feel this vibration humming sound and could feel the vibration on the floor. I contacted the dealer I bought they did not have anybody to check it that time. Then I took to the dealer close by. They checked and told me I need a wheel alignment and new tires because they are warn unevenly. I did all that and after spending closer to 1000 dollars it is still doing the same thing. I have seen this complaint in the www.piloteers.org/ a lot. I told the dealer about the wheel bearing and brakes and they say they are all good. I am so frustrated now. This has only 21000 miles on it and this is giving this problem. Honda should take a good look at this.

- Goshen, IN, USA

problem #12

Apr 222013

Pilot

  • 13,000 miles
Passenger side back wheel rotors makes a noise when ever I step on my brakes. I have called Honda customer service today and waiting for their call. I took it to fairfax Honda and they told me that they will need to resurface back rotors and it is not covered under manufacturer warranty even though the vehicle has less than 13000 miles and is well under 3 years. When I bought the car they told me that everything is covered bumper to bumper for three years and now they say rotors are not covered. So a defective rotor is not covered? I am confused why Honda is destroying its name brand.

- Oak Hill, VA, USA

problem #11

Apr 162013

Pilot

  • 18,122 miles
On April 16th 2013, I was driving my 2011 Honda Pilot on my street preparing to drive into my driveway, I slowed the vehicle down when I saw another vehicle behind me. I put my blinkers on informing other vehicle I was going to pull into my driveway. I waited for the other vehicle passed then proceeded to gently pressed on the gas, that's when the vehicle accelerated violently speeding onto my driveway. I immediately slammed down on the brakes but it instead of stopping the car accelerated even faster. The vehicle crashed into my house damaging the pillar wall structure next to my garage door. I tried putting the vehicle in park but it was jammed. When it finally allowed me to put it in park I put it in reverse and again it accelerated uncontrollably. I slammed down on the brakes but it wouldn't stop. The only way it stopped is when it crashed into the vehicle parked across the street. I had nightmares ever since. I had sent it to the Honda dealership and expressed my concern with the car and informed them that I no longer feel safe in this Honda Pilot and no longer want to drive my car. Honda had told me they didn't find anything wrong with the car. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. In the 20+ years of driving I've never experienced having a car accelerate. I truly believe Honda is covering up and trying to protect themselves from a law suit. They are capable of easily fixing the problem without reporting it. Who''s to question them or checked if they did their job correctly or if there was a problem with the throttle, brakes or engine? now no one will ever know the truth. I believe that the Honda Pilot 2011 is not a save car to drive and needs to be recalled and have an independent company examine it.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #10

Mar 262013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 18,200 miles
Today Tuesday March 26th 2013 I was in brooklyn, NY off mrtle ave. On a residential one way street. Pulled up to a large open parking spot with cars in front and back of the spot. The spot was large enough for 2 cars. As I pulled into the spot and progressed slowly forward with my foot on the brake, the car rengine began to rev quickly and jolted forward hitting the parked car in front of me. This is the second time I have felt the car engine rev on it's own with my foot off the gas and jumping forward. First time was while slowing down to a stop sign and the car jumped forward and accelerated on it's own but with no accident. I dismissed it not sure why it happened. This time of course I felt the same symptom with foot on brake the car jolted forward and engine revved on it's own but hitting the car in front of me. I hope Honda fixes this issue. I am very afraid this could happen around other people and accidentally hits someone when the car does this on it's own.

- Port Jefferson Station, NY, USA

problem #9

Sep 012011

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
Steering wheel vibrates when braking at or near 65 mph, loss of control.

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #8

Jul 282012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 13,000 miles
Purchased brand new Pilot in June 2011. Around noon I was driving down on stretch of road at about 60 mph when I saw a vehicle with a trailer moving ahead of me. As I approached to pass the vehicle it appeared to slow down and started turning left ahead on the road. The trailer it was hauling did not have any signal or brake lights. I attempted to slowed by applying my brakes but the Pilot did not stop after applying the brakes or slow down. It seem to accelerate instead of stopping even though I had my foot all the way down on the brake pedal. I saw ditches on both sides of the road so I was not able to avoid the crash. The other vehicle was half way turning so I hit the back of the trailer and it went left and I went right on the road.the stopped Pilot started smoking inside and everyone jumped out of the Pilot. It was later determined that the smoke could have been caused by the seat belts and the force of impact. Even though the Pilot had major front end damage the air bags did not deploy and the air bag control unit along with the air bag sensors had to be replaced. Everyone was wearing a seat belt and the front seat belts were damaged beyond repair from the impact. Two of the back seat passengers suffered minor injuries from the impact but did not require medical attention.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

problem #7

Apr 292011

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 493 miles
Brand new vehicle when it reaches aprox that speed or brake the steering wheel vibrates and shake violent at braking, also pulls to the left. Bring back to the dealership but not problem solve, they got a service bulletin 06-068 but it doesn't correct the problem, I got up to 23,000 miles and the tires became close to the carcase (all four), the vibration and pulling still.

- East Hartford, CT, USA

problem #6

Sep 052012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 18,000 miles
Driver was pulling into a parking space when the 2011 Honda Pilot suddenly accelerated out of control. At the time of the sudden acceleration, the driver did not have a foot on either the gas pedal or brake. Rather, the driver had just taken the foot off the gas pedal in the process of slowing to a stop and turning into the parking space, and was about to place a foot on the brake. After straightening into the parking space, the car accelerated violently on its own volition. At that time, the driver quickly pressed a foot on the brake. The brake did not work. The car continued to accelerate through the brake, and lunged over a concrete barrier at the end of the parking space and began to travel down a hill on the other side. The car only stopped when it hit a tree near the top of the hill. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer informed the driver that it was unable to recreate the incident or determine the cause. The driver contacted and complained to the manufacturer, Honda of America, which sent a regional representative to the dealer to look at the vehicle in further detail. Currently, Honda of America is in the process of finalizing its review of the incident. The driver's insurance company was notified. The mileage of the vehicle at the time of the incident is unknown (as the car is currently with the dealer), but the driver estimates it to be around 18,000 miles. The speed at the time of the incident is difficult to determine as the car was nearing a stop and then forcefully accelerated through the length of a parking spot with enough force to jump the concrete barrier on the other side and hit a tree causing significant damage. The driver estimates the speed to have reached 15-25 mph +/-. while the driver suffered only minor injuries, the driver is pregnant. The full extent of any potential injuries to the baby are yet to be determined.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #5

Aug 062012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 22,300 miles
Noticed a vibration in the gas pedal while driving at any speed. Feel every like bump in the roads. Also when slowing to a stop and turning or backing out of a parking spot, I feel/hear a hard vibration on brake. Took to dealer, they stated warped rotors...to new to happen. Got full brake job at $340. Drove off, issue still present. At this visit tires were rotated and balance too. Next day also noticed all 4 rims were damaged from the tool that removed my tires. Told supervisor everything I learned about other Pilot owners and this possible defeat of rotors. They still have my truck (4 days so far) trying to identify issue. They do agree there is an issue. They are going to do road force balancing next. I will fight for a refund of this brake job and will continue to pursue until I am satisfied.

- Mount Washington , KY, USA

problem #4

Oct 032011

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
Car has had issues with shaking steering wheel when braking from 60+ miles per hour. I think it may be warped brake rotors. However, this problem should not occur on a car so new nor with such low mileage. I have a safety concern regarding this issue. In review of complaints there were at least a couple more complaints that said the power steering pump and rack replacement fixed the issue. Seems like there is a design flaw and Honda should do a recall... note: I have not taken this car to the dealer yet for resolution...

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 062012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 18,500 miles
The vehicle steering vibrates vilonently when braking during 50+ mph. Dealer found the rear rotors to be warped and replace them along with brake pads, the problem remains and gets progressively worse. Additionally, the braking response is extremely sluggish and requires extreme distance and pressure to stop the vehicle. This coupled with the vibration or the premature warped rotors and warn brakes are a combination for tragedy. Several Pilot owners are experiencing this very same issue and Honda should be able to correct by replacing the parts with adequate rotors that can support and safely stop the system when braking without feeling like the SUV is going to become discombobulated on the road. I wouldn't be surprise if this problem was one of the factors that cause the tragic accident in the bronx earlier this year. The vibration and lack of stoping power is a catalyst for disaster. I am so concern about the situation that I drive the car with extreme caution in the highway because I'm afraid of getting to an accident, I can't wait to get out of my lease because I don't trust the vehicle. It's a real misfortune because overall its a great vehicle with the exception of the severe problem.

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #2

Jun 092012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 20,125 miles
Noticed the cars steering wheel shakes when brake is applied at approximately 65-70 miles per hour which is very scary. Brought the car to the dealership and was told the rotors need to be re-surface. I ask why because it's a brand new car with very low mileage and response was it could be the problem. Brought the car home 6/9/12 afternoon. Drove it the next day and steering wheel shaking still present. I research the web and found out, lots of Honda Pilot owner are having the same problems and that the remedy for it was replacing 1. power steering pump 2. power steering rack. Finding were presence of metal fillings from the power steering pump that's coming from the power steering rack itself and result was no more vibrations in the steering column...Honda need to recall this existing problem for safety purposes before someone gets hurt...

- Fairfield, CA, USA

problem #1

Apr 092012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 19,500 miles
A few weeks ago, I being to notice the steering wheel vibrates and wobbles upon applying the brake at 60+ mph on our new Honda Pilot we purchased a little over a year. Concern for my safety and my family, I took the vehicle back to the dealer and they mentioned the forward rotors needed to be machined and was not covered by factor warranty and would cause $220 to do the job. I spoke with the service manager and dealer manager and they both would not offer to honor there 3 years or 36,000 bumper to bumper warranty to fix the issue. I decided to google for Honda Pilot 2011 owners with similar issues and sure enough I was not alone on this issue, just reviewing only two forums I saw over 50 replies on similar issues as to mine for new Honda Pilot. I strongly believe there is a possible defect in the material used for the brake pads or rotors on these Pilot to be experiencing rotor issues with less than 20,000 miles to be. Please, I would like for further investigating and inquiries into this matter be taken for the sake of all our safety. Thank you in advance.

- Fresno, CA, USA