2012 HONDA PILOT

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    airbag system

    15 unsafe

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 62,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHEN AN OCCUPANT'S WEIGHT SHIFTED FROM THE…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1078289
    • "DRIVING IN THE CITY WHEN THE 3 VEHICLE COLLISION HAPPENED GOING 25-30MPH. THE FIRST CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY TO LET PEDESTRIANS CROSS THE STREET. THEN THE SECOND CAR FOLLOWED AND I DID NOT CATCH THE STOP IN TIME. FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN MY CAR REAR ENDE…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1598213
    • "I GOT AN ACCIDENT ON 06/30/2016 AND STILL WAITING FOR MY HONDA PILOT 2012 AIRBAG (PASSENGER SIDE) SINCE MONTH AND A HALF. I OPENED A CASE WITH AMERICAN HONDA TO PROVIDE ME AN ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION AS THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DELIVER THE AIRBAG WITHIN REASONAB…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1314375
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SIERRA HONDA OF SYLACAUGA (40941 US-280, SYLACAUGA, AL 35150 [REDACTED PHONE]) REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V03000 (AIR BAGS). THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE LEFT BU…"~83,000 mi, complaint #1412622
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V661000 (Air Bags). The contact stated while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, he crashed into another vehicle. The front driver’s side air bag de…"~128,000 mi, complaint #1757901
  2. #2

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 12 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 24,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVING BACK FROM ILLINOIS TO TEXAS AND STARTED TO FEEL VIBRATION WHEN THE ENGINE'S VCM WOULD ACTIVATE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65MPH AND SLOWLY EASED OFF OF THE GAS, WHEN I SLOWLY PUSHED ON THE GAS TO SPEED UP AGAIN I FELT A VIBRATION ON THE FLOOR BOARD THAT WOUL…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1031340
    • "I HAVE A 2012 HONDA PILOT- I PURCHASED USED WITH 9K MILES. I HAVE PUT APPROXIMATELY 5K MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED AN ENGINE VIBRATION SIMILAR TO BEING IN THE WRONG GEAR IN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND A…"~10,400 mi, complaint #1037512
    • "CAR IS HAVING VIBRATIONS COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE GOING IN AND OUT OF VCM - VARIABLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. HAPPENS REGULARLY AT 70 MPH WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL, ON FLAT HIGHWAY GOING UP A SLIGHT HILL THE VIBRATION STARTS. THIS COMES AND GOES, AND I…"~24,500 mi, complaint #1010923
    • "39000 MILES AND EGR VALVE MALFUNCTION. JUST BOUGHT THIS 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE DEALER COVERED REPAIR AS I JUST BOUGHT IT. IS THIS GOING TO BE A REOCCURRING PROBLEM? THE DEALER ONLY REPLACED THE EGR VALVE AND DID NOT CLEAN CARBON BUILD UP. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ…"~39,000 mi, complaint #1287491
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while at a stop light, the engine shuddered and the vehicle was unable to accelerate. The check engine, battery, traction control, and Variable Torque Management 4-WD system (VTM-4) warning lights were il…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1825915
  3. #3

    brake pads and rotors

    13 unsafe

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=21, median 25,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2012. WE HARDLY DRIVEN THIS CAR TILL THIS YEAR IN 2013. AS OF JUNE 28TH OF 2013, THE PILOT HAS 7046 MILES. IN EARLY JUNE WE TOOK IT DOWN TO BALTIMORE WHEN I NOTICED THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR STEERING PR…"~6,700 mi, complaint #990032
    • "WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND BRAKING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. CONFIRMED BY DEALERSHIP: WARPED ROTORS/ LIMITED BRAKE PAD USE: TO BE PRECISE 2 MILLIMETERS OF BRAKE PAD USE. MILEAGE IS UNDER 26,000, 2 & 1/2 YEAR OLD CAR. I AM AN AVERAGE DRIVER. IN MY OPINIO…"~25,563 mi, complaint #1109632
    • "I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY HONDA PILOT 2012 LX SINCE NOV 2012, THOUGH HAVE BEEN VISITED HONDA ABOUT 03 TIMES FOR BRAKES, THE CURRENT MILES ARE APPROX 37400 MILES AND ALREADY RESURFACED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS 2 TIMES, THIS IS DUE TO THE VEHICLE WEIGHT PER HONDA, IT…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1145829
    • "MY 2012 HONDA PILOT ROTOR WARP PREMATURELY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND INCREASED RISK FOR CRASH WHEN DRIVING AT MODERATE TO HIGH SPEEDS. AFTER BEING SHOOK TO DEATH AFTER HEAVY BREAKING, I TOOK MY PILOT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PR…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1343051
    • "BRAKE ROTORS WARPING AGAIN FOR THIRD TIME, 80,000 MILES. NO HARD BRAKING. MECHANIC TELLS ME HE SEES THIS A LOT WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. VERY SEVERE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING AND ALMOST LOSS OF CONTROL ON HIGHWAY WHEN EVEN SLIGHTLY BRAKING AT 60+ MPH"~78,000 mi, complaint #1413420
  4. #4

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 20,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE BEFORE GOING INTO A HIGHER SPEED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MA…"~4,839 mi, complaint #1216030
    • "SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING OUT AND MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE WILL HESITATE AND BOG DOWN FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE IT "KICKS IN" AND THEN THERE IS A "SURGE OF POWER". THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AT THE LEA…"~14,000 mi, complaint #1132832
    • "PROBLEM: WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A RESISTANCE/HESITATION THAT IS FELT IN THE GAS PEDAL AND THE ENGINE HAS TROUBLE INCREASING RPM'S. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE. CASE I: WHILE IN A PARKING LOT, TRYING TO PICK UP A LITTLE SPEED. GAS PEDAL HAS…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1131146
    • "GOOD MORNING, THIS SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM ON OUR VEHICLE. WHEN WE COME DO A STOP AND THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATES (2-3 SEC.). IN THE MEANTIME, I'M STILL PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR DOWN TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO GO. EVENTUALLY, T…"~42,500 mi, complaint #1106175
    • "AS I PROCEED TO ACCELERATE ONTO A HIGHWAY OR ROAD MY VEHICLE IS VERY HESITANT NO MATTER HOW FAR YOU PUSH DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL IT WILL NOT GO AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT LURCHES ACCELERATING THE SPEED VERY FAST AS IF IT'S TRYING TO CATCH UP. THIS HAS CAUSED…"~172,322 mi, complaint #1695330
  5. #5

    brake hydraulics

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 36,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TRAVELING AT LOW OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS EXCESSIVE TRAVEL AND CAUSES AN EXCESSIVELY LONG DELAYED STOP. ALSO, WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND WAITING WITH THE BRAKE PRESSED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, I.E., 3-5 MINUTES AT A RED LIGHT OR LONGER TIME AT A RA…"~1,780 mi, complaint #916118
    • "PILOT WITH 8K MILES -DRIVING 50MPH + ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN APPLYING BREAK THE VEHICLE SHAKES. POWER STEERING MAKES WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING WHEEL."~8,000 mi, complaint #1275930
    • "WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT ON A REGULAR CITY STREET LAST NIGHT MY CAR KEPT ON MOVING EVEN WHEN PUSHING REALLY HARD ON THE BRAKES!! I SWITCHED THE GEAR TO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE AND I KEPT ON MOVING THE GEAR BETWEEN NEUTRAL PARK…"~32,200 mi, complaint #1462308
    • "2012 HONDA PILOT HAS VIBRATION/SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING FROM 50+ MPH. NOT NOTICEABLE AT LOWER SPEEDS, BUT VERY NOTICEABLE ABOVE 50MPH. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND MAKES IT SEEM AS IF THE CAR WANTS TO LOSE CONTROL OR NOT BRAKE AS IT SHOULD. *…"~43,000 mi, complaint #1159155
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated during the past 3 seasons of winter, the vehicle would fail to come to a stop while depressing the brake pedal. No warning lights illuminated. The failure would occur during winter cold climate temperatur…"~149,584 mi, complaint #2048570
  6. #6

    paint and clearcoat

    1 unsafe, 7 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "PAINT IS PEELING OFF ON THE HOOD AND ROOF."~95,600 mi, complaint #1481463
    • "THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF THE ROOF AND HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS A WHITE 2012 HONDA PILOT."~96,500 mi, complaint #1481442
  7. #7

    suspension arms and bushings

    7 unsafe, 1 broken

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2012 HONDA PILOT TOURING. AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW DAYS, I TUNED INTO A CONSIDERABLE VIBRATION IN MY SEAT MOSTLY AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS. I BELIEVE IT IS THE SAME SHUDDER THAT OTHERS HAVE REPORTED. I HAVE BROUGHT TO THE DEALER ON…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1116188
    • "FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILED AND STARTED LEAKING."~45,500 mi, complaint #1520870
    • "FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILED AND STARTED LEAKING. HONDA NOTIFIED THE DEALERS BUT NOT THE OWNERS LIKE ME SEE HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2015/MC-10107367-9340.PDF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION NEED TO BE 10 YEARS NOT 7 YEARS SINCE 1) THIS WAS NOT COMM…"~81,000 mi, complaint #1669278
    • "TOOK CAR INTO DEALERSHIP FOR AIRBAG RECALL, WAS TOLD LOWER BUSHINGS LEAKING AND LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DECLINED REPAIRS TO RESEARCH FURTHER. CAR SHAKES AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL.…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1416662
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT TIRES TURNED TOWARDS THE RIGHT ON THEIR OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CONICELLI HONDA (LOCATED AT 1100 RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428, [REDACTED PHONE]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TH…"~176,065 mi, complaint #1572964
  8. #8

    unintended acceleration

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "TWO OCCURRENCES OF CAR LUNGING FORWARD 10-20 FEET ACTING LIKE BEING REAR-ENDED. FOOT WAS FIRMLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CAR LUNGES MANY FEET, THIS OCCURRED TWO TIMES IN ONE DAY. TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I WAS UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY STOP AT AN IN…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1251471
    • "MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FOR NO KNOWN REASON AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIME IN ONE WEEK. FIRST TIME IT WAS MOVING AT A VERY SLOW RATE AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. THE SECOND TIME I WAS SITTING IN LINE AT A DRIV…"~51,000 mi, complaint #1422054
    • "ON MAY 17, 2016, IN MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS TRYING TO MOVE MY 2012 PILOT FROM BESIDE MY HUSBAND'S VEHICLE TO BEHIND IT SO MY SON COULD PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO MOVE BEHIND MY HUSBAND'S TRUCK AND IT MOVED UP A LITTLE BEFORE IT ACCELERATED…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1288987
    • "IN TWO INSTANCES WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A SLOW SPEED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE PILOT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING A COLLISION WITH (1) A TREE AND (2) A BUILDING. IN BOTH CASES MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN 2014 A…"~74,500 mi, complaint #1371156
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at 32 MPH and pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle stopped. There was no warning light illuminated. However…"~158,000 mi, complaint #1839468
  9. #9

    engine stall or no start

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "THE PILOT CRANKS, BUT THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO START. HONDA RECOGNIZES PROBLEM, BUT OFFERS NO SOLUTION OR TIME FRAME FOR A FIX. CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW, BUT HONDA WILL NOT PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE SAFE VEHICLE. *JS"~500 mi, complaint #912226
    • "MY VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN I AM DRIVING. IT DOES NOT BEHAVE THIS WAY ALL THE TIME. HOWEVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE VIBRATES, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FREQUENTLY SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I SLOW DOWN T…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1031487
  10. #10

    engine oil consumption

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE - FOULING PLUGS - REDUCED GAS MILEAGE - VCM FAULT DTC 3400 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB #11-033)"~100,000 mi, complaint #1390039
  11. #11

    fuel tank and lines

    4 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLED AN ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE…"~6,700 mi, complaint #923505
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL SPEWED FROM THE FILLER NECK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V063000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOL…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1003987
    • "28000 MI ESTIMATE. COMPLAINT REPORT JUSTIFICATION- RESEARCH INDICATES HONDA IS RECALLING VEHICLES FOR FUEL SYSTEM ERRORS INCLUDING POTENTIAL FIRES. VEHICLE: HONDA PILOT 2012 "CHECK FUEL CAP" INDICATOR LIGHT HAS BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER…"~28,000 mi, complaint #953914
    • "GAS TANK LEAKS AFTER FILLING. STRONG ODOR OF GAS."~52,000 mi, complaint #1368163
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT START-UP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE MECHA…"~108,185 mi, complaint #1693449
  12. #12

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    4 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "2012 HONDA PILOT MAKING AN ANNOYING HUMMING VIBRATION NOISE WHEN THE A/C OR ITS COMPRESSION STARTS. I'VE BRING IT IN FOR DEALERS TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES, THEY HAVE CHANGE THE AC COMPRESSOR BUT PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY, I HAVE CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER RELATIONS BUT IT…"~5,000 mi, complaint #944924
  13. #13

    other

    2 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "AIR BAG MANUFACTURER RECALL ON HONDA PILOT."~40,000 mi, complaint #1183943
  14. #14

    alignment and pull

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "VEHICLE PULL TO ONE SIDE ON FLAT SURFACE. HONDA DEALER CLAIM THAT IT IS DUE TO ROAD CURVE. THEY PERFORM THE FOLLOWING: WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING AND HIT A BUMP, VEHICLE SHIFT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT OR RIGHT TO LEFT…"~24,000 mi, complaint #1035952
    • "SUV VIBRATES ABNORMALLY AT 30-45 MPH. CAN FEEL IT IN THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS, FLOOR AND CENTER COUNSEL. HAD A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND WHEEL BALANCING DONE, NO HELP. WAS TOLD IT IS NORMAL, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DISTRACTING AND COULD CAUSE AN…"~37,000 mi, complaint #1064460
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF TH…"~45,047 mi, complaint #1185510
  15. #15

    noise or vibration unspecified

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "AFTER THE BREAK-IN PERIOD, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIGHWAY SPEED. CONSTANT VIBRATION UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE AT CONSTANT SPEED (BETWEEN 63-68 MPH), ECO MODE. ONLY SOLUTION IS TO RAISE OR REDUCE THE SPEED WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN ON THE HIGHWAY - RUNNING OVER PEO…"~1,000 mi, complaint #994397
    • "THIS IS FIRST SUMMER FOR MY BRAND NEW HONDA PILOT 2012 LX CAR AND I NOTICE WHEN AC IN ON AND CAR IS NOT MOVING THERE IS SOME KIND OF MOANING VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER FROM WHERE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED…"~6,000 mi, complaint #932717
  16. #16

    sunroof

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "ON OCTOBER 31, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 1100 HOURS, I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 85 NORTHBOUND APPROACHING THE EXIT RAMP TO ARCHDALE, NORTH CAROLINA WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND OCCURRED. WHILE I CONTINUE NORTH ON INTERSTATE [REDACTED ADDRESS] UNTIL I COULD FIND…"~72,010 mi, complaint #1234234
    • "THE SUNROOF OF MY 2012 HONDA PILOT SHATTERED FOR NO REASON AFTER A VERY LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND (SOUNDED LIKE A FIRE CRACKER INSIDE THE SUV). THIS HAPPENED AS MY SON, MOTHER IN LAW AND I WERE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS ABRUPT EXPLOTION AND BREAKAGE COULD HA…"~128,000 mi, complaint #1373563
  17. #17

    torque converter

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The check transmission light comes and goes. Ive had the transmission flushed with no issues. It pulls codes for the torque converter as its supposedly getting stuck per mechanic or is over heating and throwing the code. It does not drive rough and I believe i…"complaint #2178331
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-70 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHUTTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT WHAT HE WAS FEELING WAS NORMAL FOR T…"complaint #907119
    • "DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER IN A BRAND NEW 2012 HONDA PILOT, 4WD, EX-L W/RES ON 6/26/12. AT APPROXIMATELY 62 TO 65 MPH THE TRANSMISSION IS LURCHING AS IT APPEARS TO BE SHIFTING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 4TH AND 5TH GEAR. THIS CAUSES A JERKING MOTION AND CAN BE…"complaint #925338
  18. #18

    transmission automatic

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "PURCHASED 2012 HONDA PILOT JULY 2012. WENT ON A TRIP A FEW DAYS LATER AND NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, SEAT AND FLOOR. AS TIME WENT ON I FIGURED OUT IT WAS HAPPENING WHEN THE ECO MODE WAS ENGAGED. AT APPROX. 45 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS BADLY…"~500 mi, complaint #1019424
    • "ENGINE HAS A FINE VIBRATION AROUND 35-45 MILES THAT DISAPPEARS WITH EITHER ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. THE VIBRATION CAN BE FELT NOT ONLY BY THE DRIVER BUT ALSO THE PASSENGERS, ENOUGH TO SHAKE A BOBBLEHEAD ON THE CONSOLE. IT SEEMS THAT IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH…"~571 mi, complaint #952635
  19. #19

    wheel bearing

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "VEHICLE IS VIBRATING AT HIGH SPEEDS (70...75 MPH). AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AT THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT VIBRATION PROBLEMS WHEN RUNNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ONLY TO HAVE NO CORRECTION DONE AT ALL, I HAVE DECIDED TO WRITE TO YOU ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HONDA WIL…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1078599
    • "VEHICLE DEVELOPED A VIBRATION AROUND 45000 MILES IN REAR AND THOUGHT TIRES NEEDED REBALANCING. THAT DIDN'T HELP AND AFTER VIBRATING ON A 1600 MILE TRIP HAD DEALER REPLACE TIRES WITH ORIGINAL BRAND AND SIZE AFTER DISCUSSING PROBLEM WITH THEM. $1000 LATER I TOOK…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1272888
    • "BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED, CREATED A DRONING AND RUMBLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS ALSO VIBRATION THROUGH THE CAR. IT WAS FELT AT ALL SPEEDS. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH BEARINGS TO REPLACE FIX THE ISSUE AND APPEARS TO BE RESOLVED, BUT UNKNOWN IF…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1374633
  20. #20

    backup camera

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHEN BACKING UP USING THE BACKUP CAMERA THE CAMERA DISPLAY WILL SOMETIMES GO BLACK ON THE SCREEN. I HAVE ALMOST ON TWO OCCASIONS ALMOST HIT SOMEONE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THIS IS A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT COMES AND GOES. I FEEL IT'S A SAFETY ISSUES TO…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1321994
  21. #21

    battery and charging

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The car started smoking, I was able to pullover and get out. The fire department came and removed the hood because it was too hot and appeares to be on fire. They disabled the battery. Car was towed to mechanic and inspected for cause. It was discovered that…"complaint #1842094
    • "While driving the vehicle at around 45 MPH it suffered a complete loss of power for 3-5 seconds. The dashboard lights illuminated and then the vehicle restarted without having to restart via the ignition and all of the dash lights turned off. This has happened…"complaint #1952659
  22. #22

    engine head gasket

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE GASKET ON THE SPOOL VALVE ON OLDER HONDA PILOTS IS KNOWN TO FAIL. THE FAILURE RESULTS IN OIL LEAKING ONTO THE ALTERNATOR WHICH FILL CAUSE THE ALTERNATOR TO EVENTUALLY FAIL RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE. THIS RECENTLY TO MY WIFE WHILE DRIVIN…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1476752
  23. #23

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 broken, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT FUNCTION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCESS ANY OF THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE AP…"~5,200 mi, complaint #1022678
    • "THE KEYS FOR THE 2012 HONDA PILOT ARE VERY CHEAPLY MADE. OUR VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2011. AFTER TWO YEARS OF NORMAL DRIVING, THE PLASTIC KEY FOB PART OF THE KEY STARTED TO CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BROKE IN HALF. THE KEY IS NOW USELESS. REPLACEMENT KEYS…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1064596
  24. #24

    steering electric assist

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "IT HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME UP WHILE I DRIVE THE 2012 HONDA PILOT ON A 5INCH WATER PUDDLE. IT WAS ACTUALLY PRETTY DANGEROUS AND SCARED WHEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN A RAINING CONDIT…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1488769
  25. #25

    throttle and pedal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A LOW SPEED, SUCH AS ENTERING A PARKING LOT FROM THE ROADWAY OR ENTERING A ROADWAY FROM A PARKING LOT, THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND TO MY PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN…"complaint #945502
    • "INTERMITTENT ACCELERATOR RESPONSE DELAY. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE, AS WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN IN TRAFFIC, THE RESPONSE DELAYS AND THEN RESPONDS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. YOU CANNOT DEPEND UPON RESPONSE TO THE ACCELERATOR WHEN YOU MAY NEED IT. H…"complaint #989075
  26. #26

    wiring harness

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "MY WIFE PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND EXITED THE CAR JUST A SHE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE CALLED ME OUT OF THE HOUSE TO LOOK AND I SAW THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTING…"~5,500 mi, complaint #947500
    • "YESTERDAY (AUGUST 13TH) I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET ABOUT 45 MPH AND MY 2012 HONDA PILOT'S DASHBOARD WENT COMPLETELY DARK AND THE SPEED WENT FROM APPROX 45 MPH TO ZERO IN A MATTER OF SECONDS . I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE AT THE TIME WITH CARS ZIPPING BY ME A…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1594040
  27. #27

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "A FEW THOUSAND MILES AFTER PURCHASE OF MY 2012 HONDA PILOT TOURING, I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE DRIVE TRAIN VIBRATION ISSUES. THE VIBRATION WAS MOST NOTICABLE BETWEEN 40-45 MPH BUT ALSO NOTICABLE AT OTHER SPEEDS. IT IS RELATED TO THE ECO MODE AND THE VTM. THE VIB…"~7,000 mi, complaint #966515
  28. #28

    engine mounts

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH A STRANGE ENGINE VIBRATION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. I EMAILED HONDA 3 TIMES AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE. I FINALLY CALLED HONDA AND WAS TOLD I HAVE TO CONTACT A LOCAL DEALER. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO HONDA 3 TIMES AND IT HAS NOT BEE…"complaint #1029734
  29. #29

    glass and windshield

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "RIGHT SIDE WINDSHIELD CLOSURE/TRIM (GARNISH - PART NUMBER 73152 - SZA - 01ZA) BLEW OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEED. SAW / HEARD SOMETHING HIT THE TOP PART OF THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF. THOUGHT IT CAME FROM VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. DID NOTICE VEHICLE BEHIN…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1231942
  30. #30

    infotainment head unit

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I own a 2012 Honda Pilot Touring equipped with the factory navigation system. The navigation system clock recently developed a problem where the time displays as 0:00 and does not operate normally. I attempted the available clock-setting procedures through th…"complaint #2240087
  31. #31

    instrument cluster

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was…"~240,000 mi, complaint #2083262
  32. #32

    interior trim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE PLASTIC WRAP THAT SURROUNDS THE SEAT CUSHION ON BOTH SEATS IN THE FRONT HAS BROKEN WHERE IT SNAPS TOGETHER. I NOTICED THE PLASTIC HAD CRACKED THEN A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER IS HAS COMPLETELY COME APART. THIS MAKES FOR A DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD IF THIS VEHICL…"complaint #1506364
  33. #33

    lighting exterior

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FOG LIGHTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THE LIGHT BULB NEEDED TO B…"~13,000 mi, complaint #1041952
  34. #34

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was getting a State Inspection, the inspector observed that the parking brake cable had seized and failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diag…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1998895
  35. #35

    phone connectivity

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "BLUETOOTH CONNECTION DROPS REGULARLY, CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER."~55,000 mi, complaint #1237075
  36. #36

    power windows and locks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "POWER WENT DOWN, ALL DOORS NOT OPERATIVE, TRUNK ALSO NON OPERATIVE, COULD TRAP PASSENGER AND DRIVER AND CAUSE DEATH. ALL WINDOWS ARE NOT OPERATIVE, ALL DOORS ARE NON OPERATIVE, TRUNK IS NOT OPERATIVE. *TR"complaint #1039690
  37. #37

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The driver's seat belt has ripped. I contacted Airport Honda where I purchased the vehicle in Spring, 2014. The Service Manger contacted Honda Corporate. They REFUSE to repair the seat belt. Making this a hazard for me to drive the vehicle."complaint #1909057
  38. #38

    stability and traction control

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "VSA LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT COME OFF. SOLID LIGHT"~93,922 mi, complaint #1498158
  39. #39

    starter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GRINDING NOISE WAS DUE TO THE STARTER ENGAGING. THE CONTA…"~600 mi, complaint #913518
  40. #40

    steering rack mechanical

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the left-hand lane alongside the concrete barrier. The road curved to the right and when I tried to gently steer to the right the steering wheel got stuck and locked. I wasn’t able to steer to the right and so the…"complaint #1879575
  41. #41

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "HUMMING/WHINING NOISE AND STEERING VIBRATION COMING FROM FRONT WHEELS WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS."~83,000 mi, complaint #1418667
  42. #42

    tpms

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR CONTINUOUSLY LEAKED OUT OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COMMONWEALTH HONDA ([REDACTED ADDRESS], LAWRENCE, MA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IN EA…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1609969
  43. #43

    wiper and washer

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WIPER LEFT STREAKS ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN IT WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S WIPER BLADE.…"~8,000 mi, complaint #988677

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for HONDA PILOT directly.