2022 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.

Having same starter issues with the auto idle stop and starter as the recall is for 2021 Honda pilots. Current recall is for valve adjustment only but starter is not covered on 2022 models but having same issue. Need to extend this to later years.

NHTSA ID

11775521

Incident

Nov 3, 2026

My vehicle started experience intermittent warnings on the dashboard stating that there was a lane keep assist problem, auto high beam problem, adaptive cruise control problem, brake system problem, among other things. I took it to the dealer and it got a code of U3000-49 and it needed a complete replacement coatings over $2,000. From online searches this appears to be a common problem with many Honda vehicles and raises a huge safety concern as it appears to be a defective piece of equipment that shuts down many safety features on my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11775150

Incident

Oct 26, 2026

The cooling system in the 2018-2022 Honda Pilots have know defects, our air condenser needs replaced at 20,558 miles, yes it is available for inspection upon request. The cabin does not cool as it should and defrost will be impacted as the weather starts to cool, due to the defrost being compromised visibility will be impacted causing severe safety issue to us in the car as well as those around us. Yes, we were told by Honda of Middleburg Hts that the air condenser needs replaced. No we did not receive any type of warning lamps prior to the inspection by the Honda dealership. Honda is unwilling to take responsibility for this known issue however on some VINs they have provided full 100% warranty on the cooling systems due to this known defect, the car is one year outside of the full warranty but under 21,000 miles, this is a safety issue if not correctly addressed. We have attempted to get this addressed by Honda Motors America and the National Center for Dispute Settlements, both declined.

NHTSA ID

11774590

Incident

Oct 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side brake light was intermittently inoperable. The dealer was contacted and provided an estimate for the repair. In addition, the contact stated that several warning lights and messages, including "Air Bag Malfunction", "Adaptive Cruise Control Problem", "Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem", "Road Departure Mitigation Problem", and "Auto High Beam Problem", were displayed upon starting the vehicle and while driving, followed by a loud dinging sound. The dealer was contacted for a battery replacement estimate. The dealer provided an estimate but informed the contact that a diagnostic test was required prior to any repairs. The contact believed that deactivating the Auto START/STOP system might have caused the battery failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure might be associated with the short lifespan of the battery. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

NHTSA ID

11774257

Incident

Oct 28, 2025

Mileage

101,000 mi

I am the original owner of a 2023 Honda Pilot with only 17,500 miles. I brought the car to an auto repair facility for its annual New York State inspection. My trusted mechanic discovered that there was a problem with the “rack and Pinion” steering assembly it and could not pass inspection. This problem also ruined the two front tires. He called a local Honda service center to inquire about the problem and check on outstanding recalls. He was told that this was a known problem, but there has not been a recall yet. I have since searched online and found many references to the steering assembly issue in 2023 Hondas. Recalls have been announced for other Honda models. Since there was not a recall yet I had to pay over $4,600 to get this repaired. That is a great deal of money to repair a four year old car with low mileage. I contacted Honda customer service to try to resolve this issue and get reimbursed. I was told since there has not been a recall yet I can’t get reimbursed. Honda is aware of but is not attempting to correct the issue. In particular, since the car could not pass inspection I believe this model is unsafe to drive without these repairs but Honda is not issuing a recall to ensure these vehicles remain safe when on our roads.

NHTSA ID

11774058

Incident

Oct 21, 2026

We purchased a 2022 Honda Pilot Sport brand new. In 2024, it began shaking while slowing down. Hennessy Honda blamed worn tires. We replaced all four by 2025; the shaking briefly improved but returned. Hennessy then diagnosed bad control arms. On [XXX] at approximately 97,000 miles, an independent mechanic instantly identified a broken steering rack. He demonstrated that both front wheels had excessive play and could move independently when manually checked. He warned that this could cause loss of steering control or a catastrophic accident and told us to stop driving immediately. He considered the failure abnormal for the vehicle’s age/mileage and indicative of a defective component. Authorized dealer Ed Voyles Honda confirmed excessive internal play and a clacking noise inside the steering rack. It also identified an axle/half-shaft concern. Repairs are estimated at $5,274.54. Both an independent mechanic and authorized Honda dealer confirmed the problem. The vehicle remains unrepaired to this day. American Honda opened a case and received the diagnostic findings, but no corporate representative has physically inspected the vehicle. Police and insurance representatives have not inspected it because no collision occurred. The first symptom was shaking while decelerating in 2024. Collision-avoidance and driver-assistance sensor warnings began to appear at the beginning of 2026 while the problem was occurring. No warning specifically identified the steering rack before the independent inspection. This unstable steering system severely endangered our family of seven and other motorists, especially at highway speeds. We unknowingly continued driving after two incorrect diagnoses. We have now been without our only vehicle for more than 1.5 months, with no loaner offered. There needs to be a resolution for us and an official public recall for 2022 Honda Pilot steering racks in addition to the recall for 2023-2024 Pilot vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552

NHTSA ID

11773665

Incident

Sep 9, 2026

My 2022 Honda Pilot has experienced a serious safety malfunction involving its Idle Stop system. When the vehicle stopped and Idle Stop activated, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted into Neutral and would not allow me to shift back into Drive. I had to turn the vehicle completely off and restart it before I could drive again. This left the vehicle temporarily unable to move in traffic. Since XXX, the vehicle has required five replacement batteries, three installed by Honda dealerships and two elsewhere. In XXX, Honda sent us a letter titled "PGM-FI Idle Stop Software Update" and "Warranty Extension: Engine Does Not Auto Restart After Entering Auto Idle Stop." The notice referenced Honda Service Bulletins 23-008, 23-009, and 23-010. During our most recent visit to Honda of [XXX], the dealership diagnosed a failed battery and charged us $634 for replacement parts and labor. When we picked up the vehicle, we specifically asked whether Honda's PGM-FI software update had been performed. The service representative stated that the update was unnecessary because diagnostic testing did not identify the issue. We have not received confirmation that the software update was completed. I am concerned that the underlying cause of this malfunction has not been identified and that the vehicle could unexpectedly become unable to move in traffic again. I request that NHTSA investigate this potential safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11773514

Incident

Sep 1, 2026

The issue occurred on 9-15-2026. The engine started making a very noticeable knocking sound, (obviously a rod knock). We immediately parked the vehicle until it could be towed to a Honda dealer. The dealership confirmed it was rod knock, and suggested we put a new short block engine in. Thankfully I noticed before the rod was thrown because if it was it could cause a fire, or cause loss of control due to damage to the power breaks, and power steering. The dealership confirmed it was the connecting rod bearings, and they confirmed there were oil shavings in the oil pan. I have saved all of the paperwork. I tried to work with Honda to have the repair covered because they just had a class action lawsuit filed that covered this exact issue on 2016-2020 models, and they refused even though this vehicle uses the same engine that the 2016’s-2020’s used.

NHTSA ID

11772807

Incident

Sep 15, 2026

Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the auto idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions.

Dealer Message - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions. The customer should be able to restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button.

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.