10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,394 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #17

Jul 122023

Pilot

  • miles
I was at a stoplight at a busy intersection (car previously running well) & when I went to accelerate as the light turned green, my car leaped/jerked forward & would only accelerate to 5-8 mph. All of the warning lights on the dash lit up at the same time. I SLOWLY got out of the traffic & onto the side of the road. I turned the car off & back on. All the warning lights were still on. The car went into drive, but would not accelerate past 25 mph & was jerking. Honda evaluated the car & determined that it was the camshaft that wasn't manufactured correctly. Honda stated that this is a known Honda defect & already had parts packaged to fix the problem. I have all of the paperwork provided to me when the repairs were made. However, this is not acceptable. A known HONDA issue like this should be recalled & repaired ASAP. This is a huge safety concern for the Honda driver & those on the road around them. I was lucky that mine went out at a stoplight, but had I been driving & it shut down it would have been hazardous. As well, if I'm stopped & all of a sudden unable to accelerate that puts me at a very high risk for injury in an accident.

- Kure Beach, NC, USA

problem #16

Jun 022023

Pilot

  • miles
A few months ago, car started alarming randomly. Upon entering vehicle all lights on dashboard were going on and off, screen was going through each system followed by "problem" and repeated clicking heard in steering column and captured on video for 1 minute. This continued for several days but car drove okay. Alarming bouts came and went for a few days. I researched and found that it was probably the Keyless Access Control Unit based on other owners of similar years/models. Took to dealer and showed my video. After inspecting they came back saying that they called Honda and it was a different part (unknown) but described as more of the control computer for the car. They placed the part on order, but said that another customer had the part on order for over 4 months at that time with no ETA. Six weeks later, without an incident, the car started alarming again on a hot day. Dashboard lights lighting up, clicking in steering wheel, etc. I drove the car for a few errands just fine, until I went to pull out onto a US Hwy and the clicking began, lights flashed, and the car felt as if it stalled as I was entering the road. Suddenly, it couldn't go more than 2 or 3 MPH, although speedometer wasn't working. I was able to stop it and reverse back (2-3 MPH) into the driveway quickly just before oncoming traffic hit me. When the clicking and flashing stopped, the info screen went through every car system alphabetically and listed "Problem" afterwards. I couldn't get the car to drive normally after turning it on/off several times. I disconnected the battery and that stopped the problem. Two weeks later, dealer said part was in so I scheduled replacement. Dealer replaced "Keyless Access Control Unit" despite telling me 2 months beforehand that it was something different. Car has been problem free since replacement, but it has not been long. Additionally, my neighbor has Pilot of similar year, and has the same exact problem of alarming/clicking, etc.

- Carmel, IN, USA

problem #15

Apr 012022

Pilot

  • 44,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle jerked and then lunged forward. The RPM decreased from 3,000 RPM to 0. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Honda of Serramonte (485 Serramonte Blvd, Colma, CA 94014) who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer suggested trading the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under the warranty and provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

- San Bruno, CA, USA

problem #14

Aug 232022

Pilot

  • miles
While driving at highway speed and applying the brake the car independently accelerated. Vehicle continued to accelerate while applying greater brake pressure in an attempt to slow down. Vehicle had to be driven onto shoulder to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of it. Acceleration stopped after several attempts at braking.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #13

Apr 042022

Pilot

  • miles
Vehicle stutters and shakes violently when accelerating. And there's noise from the transmission.

- Dumfries , VA, USA

problem #12

Aug 012020

Pilot

  • 16,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds and attempting to come to a stop, the vehicle revved up and independently accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal with excessive force and the vehicle moved forward a little before coming to a stop. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by the dealer however, the contact was unable to speak with a representative. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.

- Morris Plains, NJ, USA

problem #11

Oct 072021

Pilot

  • miles
Vehicle driver is 4-€™11. Unable to safely reach gas pedal and brake pedal. There is no adjustments for a driver of this height.

- Melville, NY, USA

problem #10

Sep 182021

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,951 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the keyless warning, power steering, emissions, and hill assist warning lights activated, and the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact recently received a TSB notice from the manufacturer regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 60,951.

- Mission, TX, USA

problem #9

Aug 012019

Pilot

  • 22,000 miles
From a stop, at times when I take my foot off the brake with the auto-engine idle set to "on", when I try to accelerate, the engine will cut off. The car puts itself in either neutral or park, then I have to restart the car - depress brake and press button - after 30 seconds to a minute. I was lucky not to have been rear-ended since at a green light, other drivers go, and do not expect a driver in front of them to stop.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #8

May 242018

Pilot

  • 12,000 miles
While driving on the highway, my 2017 Pilot elite spontaneously accelerated and rpms revved. I tapped the brakes and it returned to the normal speed. Traffic was sparse, but if it had been busier this could have easily caused a collision.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #7

Jan 032019

Pilot

  • 10,600 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. While attempting to park, the vehicle accelerated spontaneously, drove over a curb, and crashed into a building. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a collision facility. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 10,600.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

problem #6

Aug 072018

Pilot

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owned a 2017 Honda Pilot. While pulling into a parking space at a very slow speed, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into a utility pole. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The driver and front seat passenger sustained torso bruises from the seat belts, which did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who indicated that, after starting the vehicle, the engine continued to rev extremely high. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent a representative to evaluate the vehicle; however, no failure was found. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 20,000.

- Dickinson, ND, USA

problem #5

May 122018

Pilot

  • 13,150 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. While driving in a parking garage, the vehicle accelerated rapidly on its own without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to twin city motors (10545 memorial blvd, port arthur, tx 77640), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and filed case number: 08652108. The failure mileage was 13,150. The VIN was not available.

- Ft. Neches, TX, USA

problem #4

Jun 302017

Pilot

  • 14,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. While driving various speeds and attempting to turn the steering wheel in either direction, the vehicle accelerated rapidly on its own without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped and resumed normal operation automatically. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (atlantic Honda, 1375 sunrise hwy, bay shore, NY 11706 (631) 665-0005) where it was diagnosed, but no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,000.

- Lindenhurst, NY, USA

problem #3

Jun 012017

Pilot

  • 1,000 miles
The adaptive cruise control system is dangerous. The vehicle slams on the brakes when approaching vehicles ahead and the vehicle behind me then has to slam on their brakes. This has happened multiple times. So far I have avoided an accident, but there have been times that it was a very close call. The vehicle behind me had to swerve to another lane to avoid hitting me. The system is very jerky, speeding up and slowing down when following a vehicle ahead. It will speed up by 2-3 mph and then slow down and speed up again. I have made sure that the windshield is clear to allow for the camera to see the vehicle in front of me. I had a previous Ford motor vehicle and their adaptive cruise control worked wonderfully.

- Allen Park, MI, USA

problem #2

Oct 282017

Pilot

  • 10,000 miles
If I set cruise control and go down a hill or incline it does not maintain the cruise control and continuously gains speed up to 10-15 miles over what it is set at. Could go higher, but I notice it and hit the brake which shuts it off. I brought this to the attention of the dealer where I purchased the car and they say this is normal and there is nothing wrong with it. I disagree and see this as a safety issue.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #1

Jun 282017

Pilot

  • 4,000 miles
The adaptive cruise control system is defective and dangerous. Slams on the brakes when approaching vehicles inside considered safety zones. Slows vehicle from 75-80mph on the freeway to less than 60mph. Vehicles behind forced to brake to avoid collision. Changing lanes the vehicle failed to resume highway speeds in a acceptable manner potentially causing vehicles in that lane to brake to avoid collision. In traffic the system is so jerky it can't be used. The system also fails to recognize an open lane and resume speed. The system also responds to vehicles to the driver's side lane and slows down and won't resume speed. In left or right turns on the freeway at freeway speeds the system reacts to vehicles across lanes and slows the vehicle to less than a safe operating speed causing a potential danger to not only the car we are in but to cars following behind. The collision avoidance system also malfunctions by the "brake" warning light comping on for seemingly no reason.

- Layton, UT, USA