10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,952 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 #20

Feb 192024

Pilot

  • miles
Phantom braking from the CMBS collision avoidance system. It occurs randomly and applies brakes when the road is clear. The amount of braking varies from a partial second to more severe. This will cause an accident.

- New Hudson, MI, USA

problem #19

Jan 012020

Pilot

  • miles
There have been a total of 11 (since 2020) incidents when I applied the brakes they did not engage fully and the SUV surged forward 2 feet and the engine was still trying to go forward even with brake pedal to the floor. I have had it looked at the dealership but they say nothing is wrong. They said the battery was not talking to the brakes and I got a new battery but the brakes are still not dependable. When I apply the brakes they still surge forward 1 - 2 feet the engine revs up trying to go forward. The music CD player works sometimes but not all the time. The brakes do not work all the time. The electrical system did not work - it wouldn't show the dash board. The dealership said they fixed it. Both side mirrors never stays where they are set.

- Lebanon, IL, USA

problem #18

Jul 072023

Pilot 6-cyl

  • miles
My husband was getting off the highway when a car ahead of him braked suddenly. He attempted to hit the brakes, but the car did not stop. The automatic stop crash feature did not turn on. The abs did not work. Ultimately, crashing into the car ahead of him. Manufacturer Safety-related recall issued NHTSA #23V-174 Recall #FE5 2020-22 Multi-Model Door Mirror Glass Safety Recall Status: Remedy Available

- Virginia Beach , VA, USA

problem #17

Dec 292022

Pilot

  • miles
While driving with auto-idle on the car, I stopped at the red light on the left lane by stepping on the break and Auto-idle comes on and the engine stopped while continue to step on the break. When the green lights comes back on, I release the break, but the car completely shut down and require me to power off the car completely and push the start button on the car again. It took a few tries for the car to start. All while there were trucks passing by and cars behind me are honking at me for stopping at a Green light, by the time I got the car to start again, the light turned RED again. I feel like it is very dangerous for me as all the cars behind had to go around me to continue their way, as result, accidents can easily cause because cars on the right side are driving faster than the left lane and cars in the left lane had to move to the right lane in order to continue. With more blind spots on the right of all cars, it is more dangerous to shift lanes where right lane are going faster.

- Oakland Gardens, NY, USA

problem #16

Mar 012022

Pilot

  • miles
The automatic collision avoidance system continually gives false warnings, shaking the steering wheel and beeping, while flashing a brake warning. This occurs even if there is no other traffic on the road, which could cause an accident by startling the driver when it unexpectedly activates. The automatic brakes are also overly aggressive, which could cause a rear end collision.

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #15

Oct 112021

Pilot

  • 18,000 miles
The contact owned a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 55 mph the brake pedal was applied however failed to respond the vehicle crashed into a fence. The wheel assembly detached. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The driver sustain muscle injuries and medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. The air bags deployed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #14

Jul 282020

Pilot

  • miles
The large amber Brake warning indicator on the dash and the associated buzzer comes on giving a false positive indication periodically in two way traffic even on straight roads with adequate traffic separation. There is no specific pattern to getting this false indication and it is very annoying. I am concerned that it could also automatically apply the brakes when it is not necessary. In my normal commute of 20 miles it may occur five or more times. I have read online that other 2020 Honda Pilot owners are having the same problem and that dealers have been unable to correct it.

- Green Cove Springs, FL, USA

problem #13

Mar 302021

Pilot

  • miles
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle intermittently stalled as the brake warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. Each time, the contact would coast to the side of the road and resume normal driving soon after failure. The contact also stated that upon approaching a stop light, the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard as the brake made an abnormal grinding sound. The brake warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to Honda of tomball (22727 tx-249, tomball, tx 77375) on three occasions and each time the mechanic were unable to duplicate failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Montgomery, TX, USA

problem #12

Mar 172021

Pilot

  • 2,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 1 mph while turning and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle lost functionality in the brakes, which resulted in the contact crashing the vehicle into a wall. 1 person was injured (the contact) and sustained soreness to the body but medical treatment was not sought. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated and a police report was not taken. The vehicle was driven to contacts residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #11

Sep 012020

Pilot

  • 3,100 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while applying the brakes, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to frank fletcher Honda (2921 moberly ln, bentonville, ar 72712) where the contact was informed that the sound was normal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,100.

- Eureka Springs, AR, USA

problem #10

Oct 312020

Pilot

  • 1,156 miles
2020 Honda Pilot touring 1,156 miles - 3 months old. Vehicle began to stall when pulling into garage and applying breaks. Loud sounds coming through speakers as if you're driving through hail. Tuner lost, network connection failed, dashboard black. Vehicle can also apply breaks when no other car is around. Latest system failure car stalled when applying breaks at an intersection. Also driver passenger mirrors independently move while driving. Software update to control box and gauge control module without fix. Now tightened wires behind blu-ray player. Sensing/break issues are unknown to Honda and have not been fixed.

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #9

Jul 012020

Pilot

  • 1,000 miles
The cmbs (collision mitigation braking system) is too sensitive. Multiple times, the cmbs has activated without a valid reason. 1 example, I was on an interstate highway in the left lane passing a slow moving 18 wheeler in the right lane. I was passing the 18 wheeler in a curve and my SUV suddenly braked because it thought I was going to crash into the 18 wheeler. I was in control of the vehicle the entire time and I can only think the system was confused by the speed differential between my vehicle and the truck in a tight curve. Several other times on two lane roads, the system will flash "brake" even if I am not crossing the center line. I think the cmbs is too sensitive.

- Portland, ME, USA

problem #8

Sep 282020

Pilot

  • 4,100 miles
Brakes are too low and soft.idling is rough during cold start.I brought to the dealer last September 28,2020 but dealer did nothing.technician said there is nothing wrong with it.the dealer is holler Honda in orlando Florida.this is my fourth Honda and only experience this.brakes are like that all the time.always stopping too close to the vehicle in front of me.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #7

Aug 252020

Pilot

  • 13,800 miles
Ever since I have purchased this car I have had nothing but issues. First started with cracking and popping sounds with the speakers, even when all audio was off in the car it would still make the noise. Then the dvd player stopped working. Next the cracking and popping started all the time and it was near impossible to make phone calls with bluetooth in the car. Finally after the 3rd time back the speakers were 80% fixed after a Honda representative came out from corporate. Then my automatic braking starting having significant issues. At first it was a random occurrence and only once in a blue moon. Now, like the other issues, it is progressively getting worse. I have already had it in once and they stated they could not replicate it but were able to see that it had been triggered. Since I have had my car back in less than two full weeks it has occurred at least 12 times on different roads (open highway, places with no cars or trees, at night or day it doesn't matter). I am now awaiting another call back about getting this issue fixed. Oh and there was that time that my backup camera stopped working completely, can't forget that. Overall, incredibly upset about how much we spent on a brand new lemon.

- Linwood, NJ, USA

problem #6

Aug 072020

Pilot

  • 3,000 miles
I got this car only 1 week; I heard the noise from steering wheel and the problem when I hit gas and shift the transmission. On July 13, I drop the car to fix for 2 days. Then, only 2 week after I have experienced cannot hit gas and I cannot hit the brakes. The all engine light, break light, tsa light and other 3 lights is coming. I have to tow my car to dealer shop. This car is bad car

- The Colony, TX, USA

problem #5

Jul 212020

Pilot

  • 2,279 miles
The forward collision system in our 2020 Honda Pilot will alert us to brake, shake the steering wheel back and forth and beep with nothing in front of us or will do it when another vehicle is out of the alert zone in the opposite lane. We have taken it to our local dealer and they have not found an issue. We can be on backroads, main streets and recently on empty bridges.

- Fairmont, WV, USA

problem #4

Jul 022020

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 6,000 miles
1. car flashes brake and sometimes brakes on its own when it detects an object along the side of the road or when a car may be approaching in the opposite lane or in a center turning lane. This has nearly caused an accident on two different occasions. Each time the lane we are in is clear and usually doesn't even have a vehicle in front of us. 2. when in cruise control the acc will detect a vehicle in front of us going maybe 2 mhp slower than our set speed and our car will abruptly slow down to about 10 mph below the acc set point. Then it detects there is clear distance to the vehicle in front and will abruptly accelerate till it again detects the vehicle and then repeats the same actions - abrupt slowdown - abrupt acceleration and so on vs. A gradual slowdown to match the vehicle in front speed and holding steady at that speed. I have set the distance detection to each setting and it makes no difference. 3. lane keep assist is plain down dangerous. Tried to merge onto a busy highway with turn signal on and the lka would not let us merge and jerked the wheel back to the right and the vehicle abruptly hit the brakes when there was nothing in front of us. Nearly caused traffic behind to rear end us. 4. hands free cell feature is not hands free if connected to apply car play. This was not what we were lead to believe at the time of sale. Honda has some serious issues with the Honda sensing and a recall is a must as these issues will eventually cause an accident and I have to assume already have. To date the car is unsafe with the sensing on and if I turn it off I risk liability with my insurance as they provide discounts because of the Honda sensing safety features.

- Holtwood, PA, USA

problem #3

Dec 202019

Pilot

  • miles
I been having a lot of problems with the 2020 Honda Pilot black edition the brake alert on the dash comes on out of no where without anyone or anything around me. The infotainment, dash and speakers with shotting off N making popping noises. This SUV I use it with my family and that can cause a really nasty accident bc all that happens all of sudden and is really scary. I had my SUV already twice in the dealer N now is going to be 3rd time. Something have to be done. This a 50K+ SUV and driving with a vehicle that have does types of issues is a big risk especially with our kids.

- Grand Island, FL, USA

problem #2

Jan 152020

Pilot

  • 1,000 miles
I was driving down the highway, had the cruise control set. 75 no other cars around when is slammed the breaks and the screen flashed a big red brakes box. Scared the life out of me. At random times the red brakes box with pop

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

problem #1

Dec 122019

Pilot

  • 3,600 miles
The collision mitigation system (brakes) will slam on the brakes with no hazard in the area. The system frequently flashes a message on the display to brake in red and black. At least once the system has actually slammed on the brakes and nearly caused an accident. The salesman said this is a known problem and that I should shut the system off. Honda apparently does not contemplate a fix to the system.

- San Antonio, TX, USA