2025 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.

The air conditioning system on my 2025 Honda Pilot stopped producing cold air at approximately 21,374 miles. The A/C failure also affects the vehicle’s ability to adequately clear fog and condensation from the windshield during humid or rainy conditions, reducing visibility while driving. On XXX, [XXX] Honda diagnosed the problem and documented on the repair order that the A/C clutch and coil need to be replaced. The repair order states that the parts are “currently on backorder with no ETA.” The vehicle was returned to us without the repair completed and without functioning A/C. We were advised to continue driving the vehicle while waiting for the backordered parts. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11765999

Incident

Sep 21, 2026

All of the safety feature lights turned on. The dealer's solution was for me to pay attention when I drive and wipe the senor because everything works fine. I was also told to bring it in and they can get the lights to turn off by turning off all of the safety features.

NHTSA ID

11765719

Incident

Sep 17, 2026

The spring coil in the steering wheel started clicking and making more noise as I make every turn. I took it in to Honda dealership and the replaced the part. The next day it has started making the same noise but worse. It is louder and makes me now feel uncomfortable driving my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11765610

Incident

Aug 21, 2026

Ac compressor, my 2025 Honda pilot elite, with 23k miles, AC stop working, went to Honda to get it fixed, but items are back ordered so car is not able to be repaired. Apparently multiple owners who have 2023-2026 pilot are having same issues of premature failing due to parts. And vehicle can’t be driven in SoCal heat.

NHTSA ID

11765495

Incident

Sep 7, 2026

The seat does not signal that a child is seated in the seat or to put on a seat belt. Shows as if no one is in the passenger right hand seat. Then when my child has the seat belt connected it signals to reconnect multiple times on the dash blinking red and green with sound. Please see picture below. My child is in the right passenger seat with the dealt belt on and shows no one is seated on the dash. When we are turning it blinks red and green.

NHTSA ID

11763901

Incident

Sep 13, 2026

I have a 2025 Honda Pilot. The air conditioner stopped working late evening on August 26th, 2026. I made an appointment and took it to the Honda dealership service center on August 28th 2026. I was informed of the problem and that the vehicle would be fixed by 9/1/26 or 9/2/26 the latest. I did not hear back from the service center so I repeatedly called Honda service on 9/2/26. I then received a phone call and was told that the repair parts were in back order and that I could pick up my car and drive it without air conditioner as it is not a safety issue. My car sat at Honda service for 6 days and I was never told the parts were in back order. I also spoke to service manager explained that I had recently had knee replacement surgery and still dealing with swelling which worsens in heat. I have now been without air conditioner in my 2025 Honda Pilot since late August. This is unfair and unacceptable. I have bought this to the attention of the corporate offices and yet have not been given any updates. I am still paying for a 2025 vehicle with no working air conditioner. I am concerned of other safety issue and/or the reliability of this vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11763557

Incident

Aug 28, 2026

Lost power on steering wheel while driving, unable to turn left/right. All of the warning lights related to braking, lane assist, hill descent, adaptive cruise control, trailer stability assist, hill start assist, low speed breaking, auto-high beam, parking sensor detector, etc.. "All wheel drive system problem. Only front wheels may be powered. See your dealer."

NHTSA ID

11762900

Incident

Sep 5, 2026

On Friday August 21,2026 at approximately 10:00am I departed my house. Approximately 4 minutes later while traveling the engine lost power and began misfiring. Steering and braking capabilities were both reduced. Numerous system failure lights were flashing. The vehicle is currently at the dealership awaiting Honda repair plan.

NHTSA ID

11761575

Incident

Aug 21, 2026

Service Bulletin - The driver-information interface may display a warning message when a malfunction in the Auto Idle Stop System is detected due to possible insufficient wire length at the Battery Management System (BMS) connector causing the wires to break.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2025 Pilots with customer complaint of Check Engine Light (CEL) on with DTC P0420 [Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)] and/or P0430 [Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2]] stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2025 Pilots with customer complaint of Check Engine Light (CEL) on with DTC P0420 [Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)] and/or P0430 [Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2]] stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2025 Pilots with customer complaint of Check Engine Light (CEL) on with DTC P0420 [Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)] and/or P0430 [Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2]] stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle.

Over The Air - This update contains various performance enhancements and UI improvements.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2025 Pilots with customer complaint of Check Engine Light (CEL) on with DTC P0420 [Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)] and/or P0430 [Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2]] stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle.