Audio crackles, instrument panel and audio screen reboots randomly, intermittent connection lost

- Willis, TX, USA

While driving on the highway the instrument panel, including the speedometer and all gauges, went black and there is a horrible popping and crackling sound coming from the speakers. The sound system was completely off when this happened. The dealership had the car for a week to "fix" it. Its been 3 1/2 weeks and now its started back up again. This is a new 2020 Pilot with 1060 miles on it purchased on 6/24/2020

- Winter Garden, FL, USA

The center dash infotainment display for backup camera and other features went dead (black) while driving. This occurred on a new 2020 AWD Honda Pilot touring purchased in December of 2019. At approximately 1,000 miles a loud intermittent "popping" began coming from the speakers. It increased in frequency and became constant over time. A few days ago, August 10, 2020 with approximately 3,700 miles on the vehicle, the sound was at its worst and the dash console suddenly went out while driving. It would not come back on. I had to back out of a grocery store parking lot without any rear visibility from a high profile vehicle which felt very unsafe.

- Flower Mound, TX, USA

Infotainment screen goes blank, instrument panel goes blank, radio, loose backup camera, radio, gps. The radio intermittently works, and has a static or cracking sound. These problems occur while the car is in motion, or stationary, while in the city or on a highway. I get messages such as network communication lost, no audio connection, check tuner. There have been occasions where I lost the instrument panel, and did not have a speed indicator, and have been backing and loose my backup camera. This last time I took it to a dealer, they pulled it over to the side for over an hour, then came to the waiting room and told me they didn't have any parts to repair the problem, and did not know when they could get the parts. It was as though they never heard of such a problem. The dealership did update the gauge control module software, but the safety problems persist. I have video on my phone of some of these occurrences, and can upload the invoices I received from the dealership.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Popping, cracking even if radio off. Sometimes light pings like rock hitting windshield sometimes loud long static sound. Radio cuts odd and on. Navigation screen will cut in and out and go blank (black). Speedometer dial will reboot and or go blank and reboot. This is all while driving the car. I have had the rear view camera not come on when first putting it into reverse to back up. It did come on after putting car into park and then back into reverse. We had recall work done yesterday 8/10/20. 20-047 6mb002018-21 and 20-051 6hr002019-20 picked car up today and popping and cracking not fixed. Had service tech ride with me and he heard it and also witnessed the radio/navigation screen go out. The 'cluster' did not go out during this time. Unsure if the cluster will go out again but the other issues are not fixed. He put in a ticket that states they are unable to fix problem at this time as Honda does not have a fix. These issues occurred on highways, parking lots, stationary in driveway.

- Hot Springs Village, AR, USA

While driving the dash display blacks out intermittently in addition to a constant popping/cracking sounds from the infotainment system. This is a known issue with the 2019-21 Honda Pilot in all trim models except LX. The service department has issued the service ticket to what needs to be replaced but are on a parts back order until the end of September. Recommended solution is to install/replace the fakra connector set and most service cords associated the most bus network.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

The infotainment center goes blank, statics when on, sometimes the speedometer screen goes off, or the the entire infotainment center goes away.

- Houston, TX, USA

Bought a 2020 Honda Pilot ex-L in albuquerque from garcia Honda in mid July 2020. First weekend after purchase, I took a 2 hr trip (one way) with my wife and kids (5yo and 10mo). On my way back, I started hearing crackling noise coming from the speakers, all while listening to radio and 'google maps' directions. The crackling nose became more severe/persistent, then the infotainment system shut off; first displaying "network connection lost", then off completely. At some point, after the center infotainment system display went off, the instrument cluster also shut off (only displayed engine temperature and gas fill level). Yes, with my kids still in the car... why would Honda keep on selling vehicles that are known to be defective in this way? very likely part of the reason is to help just continue to help themselves and their pocket books, all at the expense of my kids' safety. Nice going Honda corporates!! please look at your kids then look in the mirror and think about what you are doing! in the past weeks since the vehicle purchase, seems I have spent more time at the dealer (3 times, 4th time scheduled... and threshold for 'lemon' law) than with my kids. The service manager (andrew neufeld) and personel at garcia Honda are very attentive but have told me that there is nothing they can do to fix this issue. So I'm stuck with a vehicle I don't dare to drive with my kids in due to safety concerns. I tend to be less optimistic than most but a fair concern of mine is the following: Honda does not know what causes the issue, nor can they fix it. Do they know what all is really affected? are other systems (or system outputs) impaired" what can I expect from lane departure and front collision warning when the infotainment system and instrument cluster decide to shut off" back up camera goes off... a no -no with kids around the house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

Infotainment system shuts off and restarts on its own, near constant loud pops and cracks are heard in speakers. Speedometer disappeared and went black while driving at high speed, backup camera shut off during use, navigation and radio fails and states 'check tuner' infotainment system goes black and unable to turn back on. 'most net off' displays multiple times when system shuts off. System is essentially unusable due to this issue. Horn may have also stopped working during black screen.

- Lansdale, PA, USA

We purchased a new 2020 Honda Pilot touring on July 11,2020. After 2 days we noticed static, C crackle and popping sounds from the radio and this happens with the car in motion or sitting still. Then the dash goes completely black affecting the speedometer and all the gauges, backup camera, etc. Took car back to wolfchase Honda service department and was told that there was nothing they could do because it was out of their hands. But american Honda was aware of the problem, contacted american Honda and was also told that they could not replace the car but we would have to wait until a recall was issued. No regards for our safety at all. As of today, August 7, 2020 with 637 miles on the car Honda still have not repaired the problem. We have purchased 3 vehicles from Honda but after this, its our last. Very unhappy and dissatisfied with Honda at this point.

- West Helena, AR, USA

I drive an 2020 Honda Pilot elite. After 6 months of driving the car the windshield has started making noises. It wounds like the windshield just shattered or is shattering. The next sound is like a thousand small peddles hitting the windshield. When the noise first happened it almost made me wreck because I thought someone threw something into the windshield. This happens when you are driving in motion. I have contacted Honda usa twice and the car has been to the dealer twice. Absolutely nothing has been repaired or fixed or done to take care of this issue. I have noticed other

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

We purchased a new 2020 Honda Pilot, touring model, from stokes Honda North in North charleston, SC on June 27, 2020. Within several days, we experienced persistent static coming from the front speakers, with or without the radio on and regardless of the vehicle being in motion or stationary. This issue resulted in distracted driving on each occasion. On July 14, 2020, while driving on the highway, the dashboard panels went completely black affecting the speedometer, temperature gauge, fuel gauge, navigation, cruise control, back-up cameras, etc. The same issue occurred several hours later while in street traffic. We went in person to notify stokes Honda about this serious concern and to initiate our warranty agreement to fix the problem. We were advised that they were aware of this problem with Honda Pilot; that they knew of this problem when they sold us the vehicle; and that there was nothing they could do to fix the problem even though it fell under our warranty guidelines. As of today, the safety concerns have not been resolved and stokes Honda representatives have become unresponsive.

- Summerville, SC, USA

Regardless of whether the car is in drive or park, the electronic system makes an awful cracking/popping sound. This also happens when the doors lock, etc. Last week, the sound got so intense that and all of the sudden the speedometer and radio system went completely blank and would not come back on. This will be the second time that this car has gone into the shop for repair. I have also noticed that the automatic braking system will brake for no reason - which could potentially cause a very serious accident. I purchased this car feeling that it would be one of the safest options for transporting my four children. However, I have become quick to realize that may not be the case. I was told that this was a recent recall released by Honda and the dealership would repair it this morning. However, I have not been able to find any type of recall on this vehicle. I see that numerous people have this same complaint and I feel that this should be taken care of before someone becomes seriously hurt.

- Milledgeville, GA, USA

While in motion, vehicle has very loud audible pops. This problem occurred first in may and again in July, with the addition of the infotainment screen going out multiple times, including lost access to backup camera and navigation. Screen shows network connection lost. A dealership has been working for two weeks to solve the problem by inspecting the most bus connectors per Honda tsb but has been unable to resolve the pops thus far. See paperwork image below for initial attempted fix in May.

- Happy Valley, OR, USA

We purchased brand new in April 2020. After less than one month, we began hearing popping & crackling from the speakers. The res began freezing to the point that the dvd player would not work at all. Popping & crackling continued intermittently, to the point where the infotainment screen would display "no connection" on everything--carplay, siriusxm, fm radio, etc. The infotainment screen, as well as the gauge cluster (including speedometer, rear back-up camera, etc.) then began going completely black while we were driving on a county highway, and rebooted multiple times. We haven't even made a payment yet on this vehicle, and it has been sitting at the dealer for repairs for the last week. They acknowledge that it is a known problem, but there is no known permanent fix. I cannot stress enough what a safety issue this is. Yes, the popping is incredibly annoying, but it's terrifying to be driving and have no speedometer, warning lights, backup camera, etc. Honda corporate needs to acknowledge this and make it right before someone is seriously injured.

- Roswell, GA, USA

All problems started about a month or so after owning the car and have gotten worse over time. Speaker popping / crackling problem - can be very loud and persistent and annoying radio freezes and is inoperable speedometer goes black (no speed indicators) when turning steering wheel outside mirrors have auto collapsed at least once the random nature of these electrical problems leave worry that something catastrophic may randomly happen at any time and either start a fire or cause a dangerous accident, or leave one stranded with an inoperable vehicle. Honda just announced sw upgrades that supposedly fix the instrument console, but have yet to announce a fix for the other bizarre electrical issues. And to top all of this off, with this being a well known issue, dealerships continue to sell these cars and in my opinion that is poor ethics.

- Centreville, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the display screen became inoperable. The contact stated that the speedometer and several other functions were not available during the failure. The vehicle was taken to luther St. Cloud Honda located at 1500 hwy 23 West, waite park, mn 56387, where the mechanic replaced an unknown electrical wiring and connectors however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100.

- Sartell, MN, USA

We purchased brand new in June 2020. After less than one month, we began hearing popping & crackling from the speakers. The res began freezing to the point that the dvd player would not work at all. Popping & crackling continued intermittently, to the point where the infotainment screen would display "no connection" on everything--carplay, siriusxm, fm radio, etc. The infotainment screen, as well as the gauge cluster (including speedometer, rear back-up camera, etc.) then began going completely black while we were driving on a county highway, and rebooted multiple times. We haven't even made a payment yet on this vehicle, and it has been sitting at the dealer for repairs for the last week. They acknowledge that it is a known problem, but there is no known permanent fix. I cannot stress enough what a safety issue this is. Yes, the popping is incredibly annoying, but it's terrifying to be driving and have no speedometer, warning lights, backup camera, etc. Honda corporate needs to acknowledge this and make it right before someone is seriously injured.

- Burlington, IN, USA

The infotainment and sometimes the dash go blank. Prior to losing all signals and visual, there is loud popping noises around the windshield. The noise sounds like rocks hitting the windshield, but it ends up with infotainment losing all communication and dash sometimes going blank. This happened in January 2020 with about 1000 miles on the vehicle and has happened on/off over the past few months. In July it has been a daily occurance and no longer safe to drive.

- Fairlawn, OH, USA

Follow-up on complaint #11340119. July 26, 2020. As previously noted in complaint, 2020 Honda Pilot information system popping noise: Now the electrical service to information system is completely blacking out: No speedometer information, no telephone, no back-up camera. All information systems go black from 10 seconds to several minutes. Just before this happens emergency breaking notification is displayed. No display on freeway for speed, lane assist malfunctions and backing sensors do not work. Car is unsafe to drive and Honda says it cannot fix system. Only have 1900 miles on vehicle. Thousands of lives are at stake. What are you going to do nhsta" wait for folks to die"

- Castle Rock, CO, USA