10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,651 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Honda Pilot:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #33

Oct 052020

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 45,243 miles
I have a 2011 Honda Pilot with only 45,243 miles. I took it to the dealership where I originally purchased for routine maintenance service on 10/05/20, and was told that the compliance bushings are leaking and needs to be replaced. This is a well maintained and driven vehicle, so it is surprising to learn about this problem with such low mileage. May I know if there is a recall for similar issues?

- Willits, CA, USA

problem #32

Sep 212020

Pilot

  • 124,000 miles
The contact owned a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while approaching at a stop light she came to a complete stop behind another vehicle as the vehicle jerked without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the right arm. The other vehicle passenger spare tire on the Jeep detached from the other vehicle and damaged the engine. A police report was made. The contact drove to the hospital the next day and was treated for injuries. The vehicle was towed by the police to an independent shop where it was deemed a total loss by insurance company. The dealer was not contacted or the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

- Randolph, MA, USA

problem #31

Jul 072020

Pilot

  • 78 miles
The bolts/ bushings that attach the lower left and right front damper bracket to the front suspension and the spindle nuts on the Pilot are loose and vehicle makes noise now and steering is off.

- Deer Park, NY, USA

problem #30

Jan 212011

Pilot

  • 15 miles
Steering has felt loose for as long as I remember. Tires were lasting only 15K miles and front brakes go bad yearly. I have a good 1 to 2 inches of play turning the wheel to both left and right. I asked multiple mechanics to tighten the steering column down including Honda service department mechanics but they said it couldn't be done. When I moved farther away from my kids school in 2018 I had the car inspected by Honda for anything wrong since now my kids will be commuting 25 miles to school and back in it. Service told me my bushings were bad. My car had about 40K miles on it at that time. Also at that time no one mentioned that the part was previously on an extended warranty or that there was a recall on the spindle nuts that weren't tightened down correctly nor did I receive notification from Honda regarding those issues. From what I read online about these parts is that they are a huge safety issue as you can lose control of your vehicle at anytime. I really feel that the bushings went bad from the fact that the spindle nuts weren't tightened down and everything has been jiggling around and adding strain to the rest of the suspension. I think the extended warranty on the bushings wasn't enough. Honda needs to recall those parts as well. Please advise.

- Escondido, CA, USA

problem #29

Jul 142019

Pilot

  • 163,000 miles
I have replaced coils and plugs due to misfire code PO302 two or more times. I have had cv joints replaced 2 or more times. I purchased this vehicle used approximately 4 years ago. I have contacted Honda usa on several occasions only to be told their are no recalls except takata airbag. Only to find out their is a (known) problem with cylinder misfires for my vehicle. I brought this up to Honda's attention. Not the other way around.

- Little River, SC, USA

problem #28

Mar 082019

Pilot

  • miles
I own a 2011 Honda Pilot and was told my compliance bushings are broken and it is critical to replace them. I was told this after taking it in for air bag recall. Vehicle 8 years old with normal usage and to be told would cost $1200 is beyond crazy. What else is wrong with these vehicles. Really scared to drive and how many peoples vehicles have these problems and they are driving without knowlege.

- Parsippany, NJ, USA

problem #27

May 182018

Pilot

  • 72,000 miles
When turning the steering wheel to the far right or to the far left (or on a sharp turn) as in making a U-turn, there is a clicking sound and vibration in the steering wheel and feels like it is tied to the axles or tires. This has been happening since the vehicle was purchased brand new in 2010. As you are driving, there is a sensation that the wheels are momentarily locking up for about 2 seconds. This is not related to the eco system. The car feels as if it is skidding or skipping and then it resumes to normal driving. This happens about every 5 miles.this happens when the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 40 miles or higher on the freeway not in stop and go traffic. This has been happening within the last six months, had vehicle inspected and all was reported normal.

- Strasburg, VA, USA

problem #26

Oct 012018

Pilot

  • miles
We were just informed that our compression bushings are shot on our 2011 Honda Pilot and that they are not covered. Why would this happen so frequently on Pilot? why would this not be recalled. I could understand if one of them went, but both at the same time and both with the very same issue seems more of a recall and defect than anything else or normal wear and tear. Now I am told it will cost close to $900.

- Southington, CT, USA

problem #25

Nov 012017

Pilot

  • 75,000 miles
During highway driving and braking from highway speeds a significant vibration is felt in the steering column. It does not lead to a loss of control, however it renders the vehicle less stable under braking. The vehicle has 75,000 miles on it. We brought it in for service and the lower arm compliance bushings required replacement. Honda had issued an extended warranty for this item - a clear indication that the part is not up to standard - and presumably a significant number of these vehicles will face a similar problem - which if unadressed could lead to further accidents.

- Sherman, CT, USA

problem #24

Dec 052016

Pilot

  • 70,000 miles
Unusual noise (grinding/friction) that persists while the vehicle is in motion. Took it to be looked at 3 times then they said it was the compliance bushings. They said previous models have been recalled but not the 2011 yet.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #23

Mar 282017

Pilot

  • 98,000 miles
I had noticed while driving my vehicle it felt as if the front brake rotors where warped due to the vibration in the steering wheel while under braking. I brought the vehicle to the Honda dealership and after inspection was told that in fact rotors where warped and break pads worn all parts replaced and problem seemed to be corrected this was done at 85,000 miles. Now at 98,000 same problem has returned brought back to dealer and they informed me now that both the front compliance bushings need replacement. I have checked to see if this is a recall issue and cannot imagine it is not seeing it could have catastrophic failure issues. Please hold american Honda to standards set by the NHTSA for customer safety.

- Plantsville, CT, USA

problem #22

Feb 242017

Pilot

  • miles
Honda Pilot 2011 (<70K miles). Had clunking sound from front driver's side when going over bumps. Dealer replaced left shock absorber, covered by extended Honda warranty. Honda refused to cover the replacement of the right shock absorber, which is an issue due to the uneven wear. Rear suspension was replaced already twice on this vehicle. Honda previously issued a recall for 2011 Pilot, which could cause the suspension to fail and could result in excessive noise or steering loss. It is extremely disappointing that Honda would not cover replacement of the right shock absorber, which is quite obviously the flaw of this vehicle.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

problem #21

Mar 142016

Pilot

  • 46,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact noticed that the vehicle was leaking black oil from the front driver side bushing. In addition, the steering wheel hesitated to turn left or right. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Maples, FL, USA

problem #20

Jan 202016

Pilot

  • 75,000 miles
2011 Pilot touring with 75K miles one it started shaking when breaking at highway speeds a few months ago. Took in for service and asked them to check on the cause of the shaking, and they replaced bushings as part of the extended warranty, claiming that would fix the problem. It did not affect the shaking at all. I then took to Firestone for tires and breaks, who identified a busted lower left tie rod and gave me an estimate of $1100 to fix. It only has 75K miles on it, why these suspension/breaks/wheel issues already?? my vehicle shakes violently when I break and I feel it is unsafe for me and my children. This should be a recall, but the labor is extremely expensive because the entire assembly has to be disassembled. I have been a lifelong Honda is very wrong here.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #19

Jan 012012

Pilot

  • 22,000 miles
Rotors began to prematurely warp at about 20K miles. Dealer resurfaced the rotors as a courtesy service. Warping problem re-appeared at approximately 30K. Warped rotors caused severe vibrations through steering column at highway speeds making for unsafe driving conditions. Honda tech mentioned that Honda used rotors with a softer material in an effort to reduce squealing problem on previous year models. However, this resulted in warping problems on newer models as car is heavier and these rotors are not sufficient in stopping the vehicles without causing significant wear. At 55K miles, I decided to replace rotors with a third party since Honda refused to stand behind their defective product and replace my rotors even though I had reported the problem well before the standard factory warranty period of 3 years / 36K miles. Technician also discovered cracked compliance bushings on front end.

- Union City, CA, USA

problem #18

Jan 152016

Pilot

  • 81,750 miles
I just purchased my 2011 less than 30 days ago. I have only driven it about 5 times the problem is with a knocking noise when you drive over bumps. When I purchased the car it was a rainy night and you could not hear anything like that because the car and the road was wet. Not that it is dry you hear it at every small bump in the road. Took to service to find that the compliance bushings are cracked and it will also need struts. This is crazy a car less than 5 years old need this already. Honda has to know about this problem why wont they fix this. They have a service bulletin about it. You are looking at almost $1500 to have these 2 problems fixed. I haven't send in my 1st car payment. This is just crazy. I am not happy about this at all. This is something you would never see or know until you take the car to a service center. This is a known problem Honda fix this. You are losing your loyal customers behind things like this

- North Prince George, VA, USA

problem #17

Aug 182015

Pilot

  • 67,400 miles
Steering wheel making knocking noises when turning at slow speed, especially left. Also had really bad vibration noises when braking from high speeds. Had to change pads at own cost. Compliance bushings were change as part of a service warranty bulletin.

- Carmel, NY, USA

problem #16

May 132015

Pilot

  • 25,230 miles
Leaking front compliance bushing

- Roseville , CA, USA

problem #15

Aug 182014

Pilot

  • 61,000 miles
Took the car to the dealer for clicking noise when making slow turns, such as pulling into a parking space. Found 2 compliance bushings are broken and leaking. Approx 650 dollar repair. Dealer knew it was an issue and considers it normal wear and tear for a 3 year old car. Not covered under warranty.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #14

May 232012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 39,018 miles
2011 Honda Pilot experiencing a severe vibration issues when applying the brakes when traveling at highway speeds (45mph+). the vehicle stability, steering and control do not feel safe under these conditions. We first identified the problem with Honda at 39000 miles in 2012 and they balanced the tires. Brought to Honda's attention again at 69000 miles in August 2013. They replaced the front and rear brake pads and resurfaced front and rear the rotors for a charge of $478. Still experiencing at 80000 miles and they said we need new front rotors ($440) and need to replace compliance arm bushings (found compliance bushings split and torn) for $736.95. Please investigate as a serious defective issue that perhaps warrants a recall.

- Pittstown, NJ, USA

Read the next 13 complaints »