2017 Honda Pilot Steering Problems

On XXX, while my wife was driving our 2017 Honda Pilot Elite (VIN: [XXX]) southbound on [XXX], approaching the intersection with [XXX], the vehicle experienced a complete engine stall due to the Auto Idle Stop feature. The engine shut off at a stop but failed to automatically restart when she released the brake to proceed. All dashboard warning lights flashed, and the vehicle became inoperable in the middle of traffic, creating a significant traffic jam at a busy intersection. My wife was able to restart the vehicle manually by shifting to Park and pressing the engine start/stop button. This is part of a persistent safety defect with the Auto Idle Stop (Idle Stop-Start) system. The vehicle has stalled multiple times in traffic and on highways since new. Honda performed TSB 23-008 (PGM-FI Idle Stop software update/product update campaign) on XXX at Autopark Honda in Cary, NC, but the issue was not resolved. I also replaced the battery in November 2024 at the dealership's recommendation, but the no-restart/stall problem continues. I normally keep the Auto Idle Stop feature disabled for safety, but my wife forgot on this occasion. **Cause:** UNKNOWN (per Honda TSBs 23-008 and 23-009, the issue relates to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque after Idle Stop engages; prior fixes have not resolved it). This defect creates a dangerous situation where the vehicle can unexpectedly lose power in traffic, increasing collision risk. I have reported this to the dealership multiple times and am seeking resolution under TSB 23-009 (warranty extension). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11748740

Incident

Jun 29, 2026

The vehicle was sold to us with pre-existing major damage to the control arms, bearings and a brake rotor. We heard a metal on metal scraping noise when turning left and immediately took it to a certified Honda dealer who then provided us details of the extent of the damage. The damage to the brake rotor could have caused brake failure and damage to the control arm could have caused on accident. I can't imagine the guilt I'd feel if my [XXX] wife and my [XXX] son got into an accident. This vehicle is their daily driver. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11652723

Incident

Mar 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the keyless warning, power steering, emissions, and hill assist warning lights activated, and the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact recently received a TSB notice from the manufacturer regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 60,951.

NHTSA ID

11433574

Incident

Sep 18, 2021

Mileage

60,951 mi

SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE WHEELS MAKE A CRACKING NOICE WHEN TURNING AND BRAKING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 2-3 TIMES AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT IT MAY JUST BE THE BRAKE PADS STICKING SOME TIMES. NOW AT 55,000 MILES THE POWER STEERING EPS AND ALL OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. THIS HAD NOT HAPPENED IN THE PAST. I HAVE READ UP ON IT AND OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MY MAIN CONCERN SINCE I PURCHASED IT WAS THAT CRACKING NOISE WHEN TURNING WHEN BACKING UP OR TURNING WHEN GOING FORWARD. THIS ONLY HAPPENS ON STARTING TO DRIVE NOT AT FAST SPEEDS. NOW ALL THE LIGHTS ARE ON AND DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS. FROM RESEARCH IT SEEMS LIKE IT MAY BE SOMETHING WITH THE FUEL INJECTORS. MY CAR IS ALREADY PAST IT'S WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

11414435

Incident

Apr 28, 2021

Mileage

5 mi

TIENE UN BOTE DE ACEITE Y SE ME ENCENDI LA SEAL DE PROBLEMA EN LA TRANSMISIN MIENTRAS IBA RODANDO POR LA AUTOPISTA

NHTSA ID

11396338

Incident

Feb 13, 2021

Mileage

60,000 mi

STEERING WHEEL JERKING LEFT OR RIGHT. JERKING OCCURS ERRATICALLY AND UNPREDICTABLY; STEERING WHEEL JERKS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHICH COULD EASILY CAUSE THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND IS VERY DANGEROUS AND STRESSFUL SINCE IT IS NOT CLEAR WHEN THE WHEEL JERKING WILL OCCUR WHILE DRIVING. IT DOES TEND TO OCCUR WHILE ON CURVED ROADS, APPEARING TO TRY TO JERK THE WHEEL STRAIGHT WHEN THE CAR STEERING NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED TO STAY IN ONE'S LANE; RED AND AMBER MALFUNCTION LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF FREQUENTLY. IN PARTICULAR, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF REGULARLY EVEN WITHOUT THE JERKING STEERING WHEEL. THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT ALSO OFTEN FLASHES AT THE SAME TIME AS THE JERKING STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SUCH AS AROUND 50 MPH. RED DISPLAY OF BRAKE LIGHT WARNING AND AMBER DISPLAY OF BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING OFTEN OCCUR, SOMETIMES PAIRED WITH THE JERKING STEERING WHEEL. THE JERKING OCCURS TYPICALLY ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS SUCH AS 50 OR 55 MILES PER HOUR. *JS

NHTSA ID

11253141

Incident

Oct 17, 2017

Mileage

12,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ALIGNED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCOTT HONDA OF WEST CHESTER (706 AUTOPARK BLVD, WEST CHESTER, PA 19382, (610) 692-6000). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65.

NHTSA ID

11075290

Incident

Dec 27, 2017

Mileage

65 mi

THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT (STEERING WHEEL AND EXCLAMATION POINT) COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. SLIGHT WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN IT HAPPENS. TOOK IT TO DEALER BUT THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE NOR FIND ANY ERROR CODES. CONCERNED FOR SAFETY IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH STEERING.

NHTSA ID

11072009

Incident

Feb 9, 2017

Mileage

10,000 mi