2020 Honda Pilot Owner Complaints

Multipurpose Camera Unit Failure, causing many warning symbols on dash.

NHTSA ID

11766111

Incident

Sep 20, 2026

Front facing camera fail. Causing brake system adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist , collision mitigation, road departure mitigation. Auto high beams to not work

NHTSA ID

11765352

Incident

Aug 21, 2026

After previously reporting that a connecting rod bearing noise developed after the timing belt maintenance package was performed near 100,000 miles, the connecting rod bearings failed around 3,000 miles later while going down the interstate with children in the car. Thankfully the Pilot, which was shaking and making noise, was able to be pulled over to side of the interstate and later towed to the dealer service. No symptoms other than the noise at low speeds usually from take off, which regional Honda said wouldn’t damage anything, but apparently it did.

NHTSA ID

11763509

Incident

Jun 30, 2026

There is significant rust on the frame and undercarriage of the vehicle. There has been no actual safety concerns yet, but it may lead to severe issues if unaddressed. It has since an active recall exists for the corrosion of the rear subframe. A specific rust-related inspection is on hold until I receive further direction from the dealership I purchased the vehicle from.

NHTSA ID

11762227

Incident

Sep 4, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and was shaking violently. The contact associated the failure with the transmission. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered a goodwill repair; however, the contact had not agreed to the terms. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that prior to the transmission failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the hesitation issue, and the dealer associated the failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired for personal reasons.

NHTSA ID

11761242

Incident

May 13, 2024

I got in the car one morning and had 5 error codes come on and they have not gone off. None of the driver assist controls are working. The cruise control does not work either. All of the dash lights are on. Toyota determined it is the front camera that failed and repair would be $2000. Car is available for inspection anytime. Unable to drive for long periods as the cruise control does not work. The lane assist option does not work. The automatic break system does not work. Half of the option this car came with do not work.

NHTSA ID

11760834

Incident

Apr 8, 2026

While driving on my way home from work (24 mile drive) I received on my dashboard faults that flashed briefly for my steering, lane keeping assistance, lane departure, forward collision, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and parking collision (warning lamps). My radio also had cut out at the same time. While that occurred my steering wheel jerked suddenly while going straight at speeds around 60mph. I brushed it off as a communication issue since it is known to occur on these vehicles, but the steering wheel jerking was new to me. Made it home turned the vehicle off (vehicle was off for 15 minutes). I started up the vehicle no warning lamps came on. But as soon as I got up to 40mph and a mile from my home the same issue occurred but more frequent, but less of the steering wheel jerking. I got where I needed to go and got back onto the road and reached 30 mph the warning lamps came on more a lot more frequently on my way home. As soon as reached my alleyway turning left, the steering wheel had a moment of locking up (about 5-10mph). This came as a shock for me. I backed up into my garage and had to turn the steering wheel left again and the same thing happened. I parked the while the vehicle was running I turned the steering wheel really fast, recreated the steering wheel locking momentarily a few times. I turned the vehicle off and tried to restart it but there was no power. Turns out that my battery had gone bad. I had no indication of a low voltage or battery issue. I replaced the battery and issue was resolved. For me and a situationally unaware driver and this issue occurs where the steering wheel jerked and/or an emergency evasive action was needed, this could cause an accident due to the sudden loss of steering. There was no indication of battery issues. No dealer or independent shops were involved. I am a mechanic myself.

NHTSA ID

11760548

Incident

Aug 17, 2026

There's an old recall called FAKRA Service Cable Safety, Recall Number #23V-431, The recall issue was fixed, but it is now recurring. The cracking windshield sound, along with the screen shutting off or going blank, increases the risk of a crash or injury when backing up or driving while using the navigation system. We contacted Honda about this issue, but they don't seem keen on fixing it, especially now that it's out of warranty.

NHTSA ID

11759738

Incident

Jul 14, 2026

All safety alerts started showing as the forward camera has an internal failure as diagnosed by the dealer

NHTSA ID

11759532

Incident

Aug 13, 2025

While driving the vehicle on a family trip all of the driver assist functions shut off. Cruise Control, Lane Assist, etc. Numerous warning lights were triggered including brake system. Most noted the various driver assist functions became disabled. We had the vehicle codes read by a couple non-dealer locations. The OBD readers indicted that everything was fine with no codes being presented suggesting an error. Vehicle could be driven but none of the standard safety features with the camera system worked. Took it to Honda Dealer (Honda Marysville, Ohio) who performs all service on the vehicle. They concluded a faulty main camera and noted there were no recalls attributed to the device. Information we researched suggests these Camera's should last the life of the vehicle or at least 10 years. This car's windshield has never been replaced, and the car spends 75% of it's time in a garage. All mileage on the vehicle is highway mileage. Researched information suggests changing the windshield or subjecting cameras to extreme heat (sitting in sun all day, every day) can result in damage but this car was not subject to any of that from it's manufacture. Online forums suggest this issue is impacting both Honda Pilot's and Honda Ridgeline, with a lot more complaints on the Ridgelines. I have all paperwork from Honda and requested the part be returned to us for which Honda complied. No accident occurred as a result of the faulty camera.

NHTSA ID

11758419

Incident

Jul 2, 2026

Tachometer is starting to surging idle. Getting a wave of errors lights and messages. It’s also a known problem on the 2019 of the same model and it has a recall. I received the same code from an auto repair shop. Service Bulletin 21-010

NHTSA ID

11757579

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the radio made an abnormal crackling and popping sound, and the instrument cluster flickered with the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), and the cruise control became inoperable while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The contact associated the failure with TSB: 20-058 and 21-012, and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V431000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the contact was informed that there would be a charge for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 10.

NHTSA ID

11755856

Incident

Oct 17, 2020

Mileage

10 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message that the radio was shutting off was displayed. Additionally, the speakers made a crackling sound before the radio shut off, and the main screen became inoperable. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V431000 (Back Over Prevention); as a possible cause for the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer times; however, the technicians were unable to duplicate the issue. During the final visit, the dealer diagnosed the vehicle with an amplifier failure and replaced the part; however, the issue persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.

NHTSA ID

11754784

Incident

Apr 1, 2026

Mileage

58,000 mi

I am reporting a severe safety defect regarding the automatic transmission on my 2020 Honda Pilot AWD (VIN: [XXX]). The vehicle experiences a violent and constant transmission vibration/judder under light throttle acceleration. On XXX, at 127,073 miles, an authorized Honda dealership officially diagnosed the vehicle under Repair Order # XXX, confirming the presence of "shudder at light throttle". Despite changing the transmission fluid as required by maintenance schedules, the issue persists. This failure causes unexpected vehicle hesitation and jerky shifts while driving at highway speeds, creating a high risk of rear-end collisions and posing an immediate safety hazard to my family and other drivers on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11754200

Incident

Mar 5, 2026

Summary of safety defect and failed recall repair: Vehicle: 2020 Honda Pilot EX (Clean California Title) Core Issue: Persistent, catastrophic failure of the MOST Bus fiber-optic communication network, resulting in complete blackout of the federally mandated rear backup camera (FMVSS No. 111 violation), total infotainment reboot loops, loud audio cracking/popping, and instrument panel system failure during active vehicle operation at 65+ mph highway speeds. RECALL REMEDY FAILURE CHRONOLOGY: 1. IN-WARRANTY ANCHOR: On April 20, 2022 (34,201 miles) at Tracy Honda, initial network cracking/popping and communication faults were logged under factory warranty. Display head unit was replaced, but underlying MOST Bus backbone issues persisted. Fakra connectors replaced to attempt to fix the issue. 2. RECALL ATTEMPT: On July 17, 2025, at Lompoc Honda, the vehicle was presented specifically under Safety Recall Campaign 23-047 / NHTSA 23V-431. Dealer technicians installed FAKRA connectors and connector jumpers per official remedy instructions. 3. REMEDY FAILURE: The recall remedy failed to correct the defect. The vehicle continues to experience "Network Communication Lost" and "Check Tuner" system collapses, completely disabling the rear backup camera display without warning - all while being in a 10-minute reboot loops. SAFETY HAZARD: The sudden, unannounced loss of rear visibility and screen blackout creates a direct backover and collision hazard in violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111. Furthermore, total network reboots at highway speeds cause severe driver distraction. REMEDY REQUESTED: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has been notified (Corporate Case #XXX), but has failed to remedy this known federal safety defect after statutory repair opportunities. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11753899

Incident

Jul 25, 2026

Full brake system, Emissions System problem, and Service System malfunctioning, out of the blue. Factory Reset and System Updated performed with no improvement.

NHTSA ID

11751683

Incident

Jul 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who examined the engine and discovered metal shavings inside the oil pan and there was engine rod bearing damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed of NHTSA Action Number: PE25008 (ENGINE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the NHTSA Action Number. The failure mileage was 46,500.

NHTSA ID

11751571

Incident

Jun 30, 2026

Mileage

46,500 mi

Engine start/stop function fails to restart after automatically shutting off at a light or in traffic. It falters and fails to start, then the dashboard lights up with errors, and I have to put it into park before restarting. Sometimes it takes a few tries before restarting. The battery has been replaced twice in the last year and the starter motor within the last year too, but the issue persists.

NHTSA ID

11750995

Incident

Jul 16, 2026

When the vehicle is at a stoplight or stop sign, the engine regularly shuts off. The engine does not automatically restart and sometimes it takes several minutes to restart the engine, leaving the car blocking traffic at a light. This happens REPEATEDLY and often.

NHTSA ID

11750637

Incident

Jul 14, 2026

Lots of crackling noises via the audio system. Display reboots itself many times before it finally went BLANK. Radio / DVD DEAD. Blind Spot warnings DEAD. Back up camera DEAD. Navigation DEAD. Eventually the battery goes DEAD and the car will not start. Got Stranded a few times. Changed the battery. But hopeless and reliability is DEAD. Definitely disappointed with HONDA.

NHTSA ID

11750225

Incident

Jun 26, 2026

First of, there are a LOT of Honda Pilot owners online who have the same exact complaints in honda forums and social media. Windshield Lane Keep Assist camera is malfunctioning. Adaptive cruise control, Emissions systems, Road departure system, Auto high beam problem, Lane keeping assist, Collision mitigation system warning lights all come on. No previous warnings or failures prior. This started out of the blue and has been happening everyday for a few months now. This malfunction puts driver and passengers at risk.

NHTSA ID

11749829

Incident

May 16, 2026

The problem on our Honda Pilot is related to the starter. We have had four instances now where the auto start/stop function has failed to restart the car after sitting at a stop light. This has happened at very busy intersections resulting in difficulty restarting the car and the car temporarily disabling the auto start/stop functions. I just had this happen for the fourth time on 7/9/26 at approximatlely 6:00 PM. I am planning on taking it into the dealership to have it looked at since it has happened multiple times. I also see on the Internet that other owners are having this issue and NHTSA is looking into it. I feel this is a significant safety issues since this happens in traffic and could result in people being rear-ended when their car won't start. This problem started for me about two months ago but I thought it was just a fluke but apparently it is not. The battery and electrical system has been checked and are working properly.

NHTSA ID

11749553

Incident

Jul 9, 2026

On two separate occasions this vehicle has died when stopped at a traffic light. First time was in February and the second was in June, both times were in 2026. Both times had to push the off button and do a restart.

NHTSA ID

11747427

Incident

Feb 19, 2026

Engine Auto off/ on when stopped for signal light. Routinely, when stopped at a light, the engine will fail to turn back on and the car will go off but will not turn itself completely off. This leads to a delay for the engine clicks into neutral and in order to restart, I must turn the vehicle completely off and then restart. This issue occurs when I release the brake to begin my acceleration after the light turns green. And the vehicle stalls so that the traffic behind me which was prepared to move forward is stuck. The amount of time it takes to get the vehicle turned completely off and back on generally takes much of the light change time.

NHTSA ID

11746131

Incident

Jun 23, 2026

My air conditioning system has gone out for the third time in 6 years. First one was at 38k miles and was the compressor, which contaminated the system, requiring a system replacement. Second time was at 98k miles and was the condenser, which required a whole system replacement. Third time happend at 148k miles and is the compressor, which will result in another full system replacement. The compressor is locked up which will cause the serpentine belt to fail, unless I keep the AC off. I have not yet had this fixed, however I'm very frustrated that this has happened 3 times. A serpentine belt failure can potentially cause a safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11745867

Incident

May 16, 2026