RoadVitals

2011 Honda Pilot Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Sep 4, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 292 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Honda Pilot submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming visibility

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Visibility
Filed Sep 4, 2025

The contact’s wife owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the rear window unexpectedly shattered. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11684991
Incident
Sep 4, 2025
Mileage
150,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the rearview mirror was inoperable. The contact was unable to view objects in the rearview mirror. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rearview mirror had delaminated from the inside and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 246,632.

NHTSA ID
11558917
Incident
Nov 22, 2023
Mileage
246,632 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 13, 2022

We have a 2011 Pilot EXL-(bought it used) -with haze on the mirror. From all the comments out on the internet, it is obvious that It gets progressively worse and becomes a safety issue -Our vision is obstructed by the haze and could result in an accident.

NHTSA ID
11484340
Incident
Sep 13, 2022
Visibility
Filed Mar 23, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the rearview mirror was dimmed, causing visibility issues while driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the rearview mirror needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,300.

NHTSA ID
11457979
Incident
Mar 23, 2011
Mileage
5,300 mi
EngineVisibility
Filed Jul 26, 2019

MY 2011 PILOT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN AUG 2011, HAS LESS THAN 68000 MILES AND I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CA, YET: MY BATTERY DIED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED APR 2018 (CAR WAS PARKED < 1HR AND WOULD NOT START, BUT STARTED FINE THE HOUR BEFORE). MY ENGINE CHECK TRANSMISSION SYSTEM LIGHT/WARNING CAME ON AND WE HAD TO ADD A QUART OF OIL ON JULY 18, 2019, EVEN THOUGH I HAD AN OIL CHANGE DONE IN MAY 2019 LESS THAN 500 MILES BEFORE. ON 7/24/19, MY FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED AND TODAY I HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR REPLACED NOT JUST A FUSE. I'M CONCERNED WHY A HONDA < 9 YRS OLD IS HAVING THESE ISSUES - BURNING OIL & MOTORS DYING. IS MY CAR A LEMON? CAN YOU PLEASE HELP TO ALLOW ME TO HAVE A DEALERSHIP SERVICE DO A FULL INSPECTION/FIX ON THE OIL ISSUE AT NO COST AND POSSIBLY A REIMBURSEMENT ON THE COST OF THE NEW WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR (PART & LABOR APPROX. $411 - I CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE INVOICE LATER AS THE WORK IS BEING DONE TODAY)? THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN ENSURING THAT MY CAR DOES NOT PROGRESS AS A LEMON. I HAVE BEEN A DEDICATED HONDA OWNER SINCE 1981 AND THIS IS THE FIRST ONE I'VE OWNED THAT HAS PROBLEMS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
11235163
Incident
Jul 24, 2019
Mileage
67,848 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 11, 2018

THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS DEGRADED TO THE POINT WHERE THE MIRROR IS CLOUDY WITH BLACK SPOTS THAT APPEAR LIKE DIRT, BUT ARE ACTUALLY JUST THE DEGRADATION OF THE MIRROR ITSELF. I'VE SEARCHED ONLINE AND SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2011 HONDA PILOT.

NHTSA ID
11160815
Incident
Nov 1, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 10, 2018

INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR OF MY HONDA PILOT EX-L 2011 LOST MOST OF THE REFLECTIVE COATING/ MATERIAL. THE MIRROR IS CLEAN BUT LOOKS DIRTY AS IT LOST MOST OF THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL. IT HAS BECOME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH NO PROPER REAR VIEW MIRROR AND THE REPLACEMENT COST FOR THE MIRROR IS LITTLE OVER $850. I BROWSED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH HONDA PILOT INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR. PLEASE HAVE A CHECK AND HELP ALL THE HONDA PILOT OWNERS AND OTHER VEHICLES WHICH USE THE SAME PART.

NHTSA ID
11157326
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
70,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 4, 2018

REAR VIEW MIRROR BECAME HAZY AFTER ONLY APPROX 2 YEARS AND IS NOW BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IT IS NOW HINDERING VISIBILITY THROUGH MIRROR.

NHTSA ID
11133422
Incident
Oct 4, 2018
Visibility
Filed Jul 2, 2016

THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, ONE OF THE MECHANICS MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. NEVERTHELESS, I HAD TO PAY FOR THE ENTIRE REPLACEMENT. THE SUNROOF IS REGULARLY EXPOSED TO THE SUN BECAUSE THE 2011 PILOT DOES NOT HAVE A RETRACTABLE OUTER COVER LIKE MOST OTHER CARS HAVE.

NHTSA ID
10882273
Incident
Jun 7, 2016
Mileage
79,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 3, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SUN ROOF WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ID
10680872
Incident
Feb 3, 2015
Mileage
48,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 22, 2013
1 injury reported

THE CAR WAS PARKED ON THE DRIVE WAY. THE GLASS HATCH WAS EXPLODED AS WE CLOSED THE TAILGATE. IT CAUSED CUTS ON HAND AND LEG ON LITTLE BOY STANDING BY. TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE HONDA DEALER AND DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. CALL AMERICAN HONDA AND THE ANSWER WAS THE SAME BECAUSE THE GLASS HATCH WAS EXPLODED, NO WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THEN 2 YEARS OLD EVEN WITH 3 YEAR WARRANTY. IT COSTS $550. TO FIX IT ,PLUS MORE ON PERSONAL INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10521203
Incident
May 18, 2013
Mileage
28,240 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 5, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR BUILT IN CAMERA WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAMERA WAS MISLEADING AND INDICATED THAT THE OBJECTS APPEARED FARTHER AWAY, BUT THEY WERE ACTUALLY VERY CLOSE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE CAMERA COULD BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,409.

NHTSA ID
10438614
Incident
Jun 1, 2011
Mileage
1,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 18, 2011
1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR WINDOW ON THE HATCH EXPLODED AS SHE ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE EXPLODING GLASS CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN CUTS AND LACERATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE WINDOW WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DONE TO MAKE SURE THE WINDOW DID NOT EXPLODE AGAIN. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A SITUATION FOR THE DEALER TO HANDLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,500.

NHTSA ID
10436311
Incident
Nov 16, 2011
Mileage
6,500 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 25, 2011

THE MAXIMUM SPEED SETTING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IS COMPLETELY INSUFFICIENT WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY / INTERSTATE DURING PERIODS OF RAIN AND AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 45 MPH. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN A REASONABLY UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE HIGH-SPEED SETTING OF THE WIPERS CAN KEEP UP WITH A MERE DRIZZLE ONLY. A STEADY RAIN CREATES NEARLY ZERO VISIBILITY, WHILE A THUNDERSTORM OR TORRENTIAL RAIN RENDERS THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THE HIGH-SPEED WIPER SETTING ON THE 2011 HONDA PILOT IS COMPARABLE TO THE LOW SPEED WIPER SETTING ON THE MAJORITY OF OTHER VEHICLES CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT J.L. FREED HONDA IN MONTGOMERYVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA INDICATES THAT THE WIPERS OPERATE AS DESIGNED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10432823
Incident
Jul 4, 2011
Mileage
100 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 15, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA PILOT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VIEW OF THE FRONT DRIVER, PASSENGER SIDE AND THE REAR VIEW WINDOWS WERE DISTORTED WHEN SUNLIGHT SHINED ON THE WINDOW DUE TO THE TINT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE WINDOWS WERE THE SAME ON ALL VEHICLES OF FOR THAT YEAR, MAKE, MODEL AND THERE WAS NO DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

NHTSA ID
10419432
Incident
Mar 1, 2011
Mileage
1,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 30, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN AN EXPLOSION WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE WINDOW UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.

NHTSA ID
10410091
Incident
Jun 26, 2011
Mileage
4,500 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .