RoadVitals

2023 Honda Pilot Powertrain (other) Problems

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

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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.
9
Latest Jul 28, 2026
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.
7%
of 131 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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2023 Honda Pilot submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 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 powertrain

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

EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 28, 2026
Fire reported

Vehicle had an engine fire yesterday. Inner cv boot is burned. Luckily fire was put out quickly with a fire extinguisher.

NHTSA ID
11753195
Incident
Jul 27, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 20, 2026

I had two time between the week of June 30 th to July 4 thank July 13 to July 16 th on the excessive heat days my car was making a lot of sound from driving side as well full vibrations on steering and floor I went to page Honda dealer ship they said short block problem and they they are raising request to Honda my mileage is 58800 2023 Honda pilot bought in May 2023 which is under power train warranty but did not receive any email or any paperwork from Honda dealer ship.

NHTSA ID
11751450
Incident
Jul 17, 2026
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 20, 2025

All listed problems act sporadically. Dangerously Defected 2023 Honda Pilot. Numerous problems with vehicle over several months. Kept taking it back to Charlie's Honda and was told they could not reproduce the problems I was stating. The Vehicle will bog, hesitate and jerk while driving. Charlie finds nothing wrong. Actually all items that are functioning incorrectly, Charlie's tell me they cannot repair anything when they can not reproduce the problem. They tell me that the 10 gears are so close that they skip? Sorry, that's ridiculous! Finally I called previous Owners, (Which Charlie's Honda refused to give me until I had to show them the Chapter 10 S1475 I had with me.) [XXX] from Herman, ME. Ph # [XXX]. They told me to tell you to please call them because they are very upset. After several times taking the Honda back to Charlie’s with no repairs done they went to get a different vehicle at Charlie's Toyota and the Toyota Manager told them that the Honda Pilot was a very dangerous vehicle and will not be put out on the Lot for resale. The [XXX] stated that they almost crashed while taking a left at an intersection with their children in the vehicle because it almost came to a complete stop. This serious problem is doing it to me now and this is why I’m taking this action. The [XXX] left the Pilot at Charlie's Honda for several days but Charlie's said they could not reproduce the problem. Just a few of numerous defects stated below and reported to Charlie's Honda but received no repairs, just excuses : The Airbag says off when a 175 lb person sitting in the front passenger seat. Rear camera does not register an object. I was told it didn't work because it was 1 inch from rear side camera and it was too narrow. nothing done. Speed said I was doing 85mph. I was doing 40 mph. mechanic said he sees them register 100 mph. nothing done. The tech screen goes black. Cannot shut radio off. After trying 3 times. Much more to report! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55

NHTSA ID
11668149
Incident
Jun 20, 2025
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 28, 2025

Vehicle stopped with no warning while waiting in traffic at a red light and it took a while to restart. Same thing happened while parked in a lot waiting. The former issue was dangerous as I was in traffic with numerous vehicles moving around me with my family in the car as I got out to check the problem under the hood. The latter issue happened while out of town which is scary and dangerous considering it was a remote area.

NHTSA ID
11651371
Incident
Mar 27, 2025
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 17, 2025

Slow acceleration at the speed between 0 to 30 mpg. Doesn’t shift smoothly and hesitate. Not enough power on the highway

NHTSA ID
11643062
Incident
Feb 15, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 3, 2023

The warning light came on saying that there is a problem with the AWD system, and that only the front wheels may be powered. I then lost all power to all wheels. I hit the gas, RPMs just went up, and the wheels had no power. Eventually, the power came back. This is with a new car that I have had other problems with including water leaks that I was afraid might be getting onto electronics.

NHTSA ID
11553374
Incident
Nov 3, 2023
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 27, 2023

THE VEHICLKE HESITATES MOVING FORWARD FROM A STOP OR STANDSTILL. THE SAFEY CONCERIN IS THAT THE HESITATION OCCURS WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC FROM A STOP AND MIGHT CAUSE A COLLISION DUR TO THE DELAY IN MOVING FORWARD. THIS HAS OCCURED ON MANY OCASSIONS. NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WS INSPECTED BY HONDA AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER, THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED WITH THE NEW TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID
11534926
Incident
May 15, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 8, 2023

The pilot sometimes hesitates when trying to accelerate in normal mode (have not used in other modes). It happens randomly, and the same when trying to slow. It seems the transmission is not shifting properly. Or something is preventing it from transitioning properly.

NHTSA ID
11531018
Incident
Jul 8, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 5, 2023

Car hesitates when trying to accelerate in normal mode. Same when trying to slow. It seems the transmission is not shifting properly. When trying to merge or make a quick turn, this issue has made driving difficult. This is ongoing problem that is consistent. I took it to dealer to check it out, but was turned away .

NHTSA ID
11530533
Incident
Jun 1, 2023

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 .