2021 Honda Pilot

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

When the brake is pressed at a light or when idling, the gear shifts automatically to neutral and will not drive. I have to press and hold the power button to restart the car. It is happening more frequently. I have taken it to the dealership several times and they have not been able to replicate it. It also doesn’t give any codes. This is a true safety concern because I have impeded traffic multiple times when it occurs. I tried to add pictures of the invoices that I received from the dealership but was unsuccessful.

NHTSA ID

11766025

Incident

Apr 17, 2026

The entire ADAS suddenly failed. the vehicle started cycling through all warning indicators (adaptive cruise control problem, abs problem, lane keep assist problem, brake mitigation system problem etc) brought it to Honda today and they confirmed that the "multi purpose camera/millimeter wave radar unit with aiming" had failed and needed to be replaced. Honda charged $1764.14 for all work to fix this on 9/15/2026

NHTSA ID

11764401

Incident

Sep 14, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall; however, the recall repair failed to prevent the failure. The contact stated that while shifting in reverse(R), the rear-view camera failed to display a clear image. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11764021

Incident

Aug 15, 2023

Mileage

75,000 mi

Our pilot is experiencing similar issues found online with catastrophic engine failure due to a misfire caused by a knocking rod. Honda so far has not responded to our claim despite it being a known issue around the same time ours was manufactured.

NHTSA ID

11763937

Incident

Sep 8, 2026

I am filing this complaint regarding a recurring “Network Communication Lost” issue with my Honda Pilot. I am aware that Honda has issued a recall related to network communication issues; however, when I checked my vehicle’s VIN, it is not included in the recall. My vehicle is experiencing the same network communication problem described in the recall. I am concerned that my vehicle may have the same underlying defect but is not currently covered by the recall. I believe this issue should be investigated because a loss of communication between vehicle systems can potentially affect the operation, reliability, and safety of the vehicle. I should not have to wait until my vehicle experiences a more serious failure before this issue is addressed. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether the recall should be expanded to include additional Honda Pilot vehicles, including vehicles with VINs that are currently excluded but are experiencing the same defect. I would also like this complaint documented as part of any investigation into Honda’s network communication system issue and any related safety defects.

NHTSA ID

11763297

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

Vehicle has multiple safety system failures. After extensive online research and multiple diagnostics, repair technicians indicating safety camera failure due to heat. Technician indicating significant increase specific to this vehicle of late. Excessive environmental temperature “frying” ADAS camera. This causes failure to HondaSense safety features such as collision mitigation, lane keeping, and road departure mitigation - features touted as industry leading by Honda. Matter has been diagnosed and duplicated by service technicians. Extensive online research indicates potential widespread issue that requires highly expensive replacement/repair and calibration.

NHTSA ID

11763127

Incident

Sep 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V365000 (STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION) and 24V064000(AIR BAGS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11762787

Incident

Sep 8, 2026

Multiple times at a stoplight, car switched into Neutral I have to turn on my hazard lights, turn off the car and restart it

NHTSA ID

11762655

Incident

Sep 7, 2026

Service Bulletin - The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the correct position on the charger due to software specifications that can cause some phones to have issues charging.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025 Passport Blacks, TrailSports & 2019-2022 Pilots with a customer complaint of the taillight and/or brake light being inoperative. Vehicles may also have the A6 10A or C27 7.5A fuse blown. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025 Passport Blacks, TrailSports & 2019-2022 Pilots with a customer complaint of the taillight and/or brake light being inoperative. Vehicles may also have the A6 10A or C27 7.5A fuse blown. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Service Bulletin - One or more accessory running board lights are flickering or not working due to a faulty running board light assembly.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025 Passport Blacks, TrailSports & 2019-2022 Pilots with a customer complaint of the taillight and/or brake light being inoperative. Vehicles may also have the A6 10A or C27 7.5A fuse blown. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button.