2025 Honda Pilot Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
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What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2025 Honda Pilot, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance6424.1%
- Electrical3914.7%
- Steering3412.8%
- Brakes3011.3%
- Engine2710.2%
- Powertrain (other)207.5%
- Fuel system155.6%
- Visibility134.9%
- Seat belts93.4%
- Airbags41.5%
- Other / unspecified31.1%
- Body & structure31.1%
- Exterior lighting20.8%
- Suspension20.8%
- Tires & wheels10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
What System Failed: The automatic emergency braking system (EBS) engaged without warning, causing my car to stop abruptly on a public road. How was Safety of Myself/Others at Risk: I was turning right at a 4-way stop intersection after coming to a complete stop. There were other vehicles parked/driving on the street but none of them were close enough and no one was going fast enough to be a danger/trigger the EBS. The EBS on my car engaged without warning, stopping my car completely and blocking the intersection. Luckily the vehicles behind me and approaching the intersection were going slow enough to avoid a collision. Has the Problem been Confirmed: The Honda dealer where I bought the car brand new refuses to inspect the system, claiming it's normal for emergency braking to occur due to reasons other than to avoid a collision (snow in the air/a bird flying past/etc.). Vehicle inspected: No. Warnings/Symptoms: None
Collision Mitigation Braking System has activated numerous times while traveling on a straight road with no other vehicles around. The brakes activated hard where items shifted in the vehicle and the seatbelts locked. Occupants were thrust forward at the time of braking. Contact was make with the dealership and there are is not any fixes advised.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The steering wheel became extremely difficult for my husband to turn. Power steering went out on my 2025 Honda Pilot Trailsport. Numerous warnings were then displayed on the vehicle's dashboard screen, it was impossible to drive, and caused us to have to get towed. We had it towed to a Honda dealer for repair, where it was discovered that the steering wheel had more turns in one direction than the other, the shaft boot was misplaced, non-factory pins on the steering rack were noted, and the clock spring was stuck reading 508 degrees. Furthermore, the steering wheel rack gearbox had to be replaced following a steering angle sensor failure in my 2025 Honda Pilot Trailsport. This is a serious safety issue and should have never have happened in such a new vehicle. This incident not only put my family's lives at risk, but also everyone else on the roadway. Why did my vehicle that I bought brand new and have only serviced at Honda have non-factory parts?
I was driving on a somewhat bumpy road (due to construction works in that location), when suddenly several warning lights came on. Driver assist was disabled, power steering and electrical braking were disabled as well. I was driving at 10mph (this was at a roundabout) so was able to control the vehicle and safely navigate it to a place where I could park. I turned off the vehicle and waited a few moments. When I turned it back on the warning lights cleared and I had power steering wheel/brake control as normal. I brought the vehicle to a certified Honda service station first thing in the morning. The report states an error code C0051-96 has occurred. The wheel sensor was recalibrated and the vehicle was cleared to drive by a Honda certified technician.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The steering wheel became extremely difficult for my husband to turn. Power steering went out on my 2025 Honda Pilot Trailsport. Numerous warnings were then displayed on the vehicle's dashboard screen, it was impossible to drive, and caused us to have to get towed. We had it towed to a Honda dealer for repair, where it was discovered that the steering wheel had more turns in one direction than the other, the shaft boot was misplaced, non-factory pins on the steering rack were noted, and the clock spring was stuck reading 508 degrees. Furthermore, the steering wheel rack gearbox had to be replaced following a steering angle sensor failure in my 2025 Honda Pilot Trailsport. This is a serious safety issue and should have never have happened in such a new vehicle. This incident not only put my family's lives at risk, but also everyone else on the roadway. Why did my vehicle that I bought brand new and have only serviced at Honda have non-factory parts?
I was driving on a somewhat bumpy road (due to construction works in that location), when suddenly several warning lights came on. Driver assist was disabled, power steering and electrical braking were disabled as well. I was driving at 10mph (this was at a roundabout) so was able to control the vehicle and safely navigate it to a place where I could park. I turned off the vehicle and waited a few moments. When I turned it back on the warning lights cleared and I had power steering wheel/brake control as normal. I brought the vehicle to a certified Honda service station first thing in the morning. The report states an error code C0051-96 has occurred. The wheel sensor was recalibrated and the vehicle was cleared to drive by a Honda certified technician.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was driving on a somewhat bumpy road (due to construction works in that location), when suddenly several warning lights came on. Driver assist was disabled, power steering and electrical braking were disabled as well. I was driving at 10mph (this was at a roundabout) so was able to control the vehicle and safely navigate it to a place where I could park. I turned off the vehicle and waited a few moments. When I turned it back on the warning lights cleared and I had power steering wheel/brake control as normal. I brought the vehicle to a certified Honda service station first thing in the morning. The report states an error code C0051-96 has occurred. The wheel sensor was recalibrated and the vehicle was cleared to drive by a Honda certified technician.
Safety Complaint – 2025 Honda Pilot EX-L Brake/Electric Parking Brake System Warning I am filing this complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my 2025 Honda Pilot EX-L, which I purchased brand new from Paragon Honda in Queens, New York, approximately one year ago. The vehicle currently has only 47,089 miles and has never been involved in an accident. While driving, multiple warning lights suddenly appeared on the dashboard, including a Brake System warning indicating a problem with the Electric Parking Brake system and that the parking brake was unavailable. This occurred unexpectedly while the vehicle was in operation and created a serious safety concern. A brake-related warning and loss of parking brake availability on a nearly new vehicle is unacceptable and requires immediate investigation. I immediately brought the vehicle to Paragon Honda Service Center in Queens for diagnosis. The dealership informed me that I may be responsible for diagnostic fees and possible repair costs, despite the vehicle being approximately one year old and covered by the Honda factory warranty. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this issue represents a potential safety defect affecting 2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. I believe Honda should address this problem promptly and ensure that affected customers are protected from safety risks and unexpected repair expenses. Vehicle Information: Make/Model: 2025 Honda Pilot EX-L Mileage: 47,089 miles Dealer: Paragon Honda, Queens, NY
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Message Emissions System Problem – Avoid Heavy Acceleration and High Speed. See Dealer. Car has been dropped off at dealer on 7/12/26 and has still yet to be returned. Dealer stated they contacted Honda corporate and they need to take the engine apart and submitt photos
On June 25, 2026 my 2025 Honda Pilot Elite (47,503 miles) upon ignition had every warning light in the system illuminate sequentially without any prior incident. I had never experienced any indication of malfunction, including warning lights or messages. The Emissions System Problem light remained illuminated on the dashboard and, after review of the Owner's Manual instructions to avoid heavy acceleration and high speed, I had the vehicle towed by AAA on a flatbed truck 75 miles to my home. The incident occurred during the evening and the next morning I drove the vehicle to Herb Chambers Honda of Seekonk, the dealer who has performed every service on the vehicle, including recalls. Of note is that the service team at the Honda dealer, specifically Malainne Costa, has been exceptional in addressing this issue. American Honda was consulted to determine the best plan for resolution. I understand that American Honda is trying to work through necessary adjustments with the new 2025 model year. One month after the incident, my vehicle remains at the dealer. I learned that the two cylinder heads in the engine block on my vehicle need to be replaced and those parts are still on backorder. Another engine component system may require replacement due to calcium buildup on the intake valves. I was assured that my driving habits were not a factor in this incident. My concern is that this incident occurred at a time when I was in a safe location and was able to await the arrival of AAA without worry about my personal safety. I bought the brand new vehicle in November, 2024 and it is obvious that I drive a significant amount of miles per year. I worry about the safety risk of other drivers having a similar experience in a less than optimal location especially since there was no indication of a problem prior to this critical incident. I share this incident in the spirit of exploring whether this is a systemwide problem that may result in a safety recall by Honda.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The steering wheel became extremely difficult for my husband to turn. Power steering went out on my 2025 Honda Pilot Trailsport. Numerous warnings were then displayed on the vehicle's dashboard screen, it was impossible to drive, and caused us to have to get towed. We had it towed to a Honda dealer for repair, where it was discovered that the steering wheel had more turns in one direction than the other, the shaft boot was misplaced, non-factory pins on the steering rack were noted, and the clock spring was stuck reading 508 degrees. Furthermore, the steering wheel rack gearbox had to be replaced following a steering angle sensor failure in my 2025 Honda Pilot Trailsport. This is a serious safety issue and should have never have happened in such a new vehicle. This incident not only put my family's lives at risk, but also everyone else on the roadway. Why did my vehicle that I bought brand new and have only serviced at Honda have non-factory parts?
On June 25, 2026 my 2025 Honda Pilot Elite (47,503 miles) upon ignition had every warning light in the system illuminate sequentially without any prior incident. I had never experienced any indication of malfunction, including warning lights or messages. The Emissions System Problem light remained illuminated on the dashboard and, after review of the Owner's Manual instructions to avoid heavy acceleration and high speed, I had the vehicle towed by AAA on a flatbed truck 75 miles to my home. The incident occurred during the evening and the next morning I drove the vehicle to Herb Chambers Honda of Seekonk, the dealer who has performed every service on the vehicle, including recalls. Of note is that the service team at the Honda dealer, specifically Malainne Costa, has been exceptional in addressing this issue. American Honda was consulted to determine the best plan for resolution. I understand that American Honda is trying to work through necessary adjustments with the new 2025 model year. One month after the incident, my vehicle remains at the dealer. I learned that the two cylinder heads in the engine block on my vehicle need to be replaced and those parts are still on backorder. Another engine component system may require replacement due to calcium buildup on the intake valves. I was assured that my driving habits were not a factor in this incident. My concern is that this incident occurred at a time when I was in a safe location and was able to await the arrival of AAA without worry about my personal safety. I bought the brand new vehicle in November, 2024 and it is obvious that I drive a significant amount of miles per year. I worry about the safety risk of other drivers having a similar experience in a less than optimal location especially since there was no indication of a problem prior to this critical incident. I share this incident in the spirit of exploring whether this is a systemwide problem that may result in a safety recall by Honda.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system failed to restart engine after automatic shutdown at high elevation (~10,000 ft), following a long sustained incline. Vehicle had been driven through extreme heat (100°F+) in foothills prior to the climb, then ascended into cooler mountain air (~70°F). Coolant temperature gauge read normal (under half) at time of incident. At a stop, AIS shut off the engine as designed. Engine did not start when I released the brake pedal. I have tried to turn off the car completely and start it again. Engine would not restart via the ENGINE START/STOP button afterward. Cranking was strong and fast, but engine did not catch/start. Vehicle was inoperable for approximately 5 minutes, after which it started normally with no further intervention (no jump start, no mechanical repair). After restart, Auto Start/Stop was manually disabled for the remainder of the trip. Vehicle then completed a 1-hour drive home with no further starting or performance issues, suggesting the AIS restart logic, not an unrelated mechanical or electrical fault, was the cause.
Vehicle: 2026 Honda Pilot – Mileage 20,847 Issue: Engine Failure, oil leaks, wheel alignment, air conditioning, major gas leaks from the engine, safety electronics alerts on front dash display are saying the vehicle is not safe to drive. History of issues: 03-11-2026: Car broke down while driving in [XXX] . 03-12-2026: Received call from Ira Honda service and was told they needed to replace the engine. 04-04-2026: I was told the vehicle was ready to be picked up. I started driving home and found the vehicle was all over the road. I returned to Ira Honda and once again was given a loaner. Also, the engine was leaking oil. 04-09-2026: Ira Honda called and said one of the engine gaskets was defective and they needed to replace it. They said that now the alignment was back in spec. I was told that the 3 yr engine warranty begins anew. When I got home I looked more closely at the alignment document and saw that the alignment was still slightly out of spec. I called and was told that it was the best they could do. 04-10-2026: air conditioning not working and asked for them to fix the alignment. 04-13-2026: I again brought the vehicle in for service. But was told there were no loaners available. I arrived at 9:30am and at 1:00pm. The A/C was fixed and determined the frame was not set correctly when they replaced the engine. This was the reason the alignment was off by so much. So the alignment was fixed. 04-14-2026: Leaking oil. So again, I had to return to Ira Honda. No loaner was available. 04-18-2024: Saturday morning and we smelled gas in the garage. Started the car and it took about a minute to start. Asked if it was safe to drive, Ira service said yes. 04-20-2026: Started the vehicle up and same issue occurred. However, this time gas was leaking out. It leaked in our garage, on our driveway and all over the street. Again fixed. 04-29-2026: Car again failed to start. During startup the car leaked a large amount of gas. It is still at the dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am writing to formally report a potential safety-related defect involving the front windshield of my 2025 Honda Pilot. The windshield has demonstrated what I believe to be an abnormal susceptibility to cracking and chipping under what appear to be normal driving conditions, including ordinary interstate highway travel. The damage has occurred from relatively minor road debris and/or without a significant impact that would reasonably explain the severity or rapid progression of the cracking. I contacted Honda regarding this issue and requested assistance with the windshield repair/replacement as well as further investigation into whether there may be a defect involving the windshield glass, its installation, mounting, or related vehicle components. Honda declined to provide assistance or initiate any further investigation. My concern is not simply that windshield glass can occasionally be damaged by road debris. Rather, I am concerned that the windshield may be unusually susceptible to cracking under conditions that should reasonably be expected during normal operation of the vehicle. A windshield is a critical safety component, and repeated or unusually easy cracking could potentially affect driver visibility and the structural integrity of the windshield. I am also aware of other reported complaints involving windshield cracking on 2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The existence of similar reports raises additional concern that this may not be an isolated incident and that the issue may warrant further investigation. I respectfully request that Honda: 1. Review the circumstances surrounding this windshield failure; 2. Determine whether similar windshield complaints have been reported for the 2025 Honda Pilot; 3. Investigate whether there may be a defect involving the windshield glass. Because the windshield is an essential safety component, I believe this matter deserves more than a determination that the damage is simply ordinary road debris.
When driving on the highway vehicle suddwnly brakes on its own when it detects cars on side lane not directly in front of me creating a noticeable slowdown being somewhat unsafe. The wiper blades dont come up they hit the hood of the car which i believe shouldnt be this way. The seatbelt sensors go off in back row even if no one unbuckles then the car starts making loud noise to let you know and a side unbuckled light comes on and also the x marking which seat but it continues making loud beeping noise that can cause distraction and even an accident i drove 45 minutes with it doing this to me on and off mostly on the only way to get it to stop is if someone doesnt sit on marked spot. So now i dont know if this will happen on all seats as for now its obly on the third row passenger right side seat. I have about 3 weeksnoticing this but it was less now its more so i made apptment to take im to get checked but the sound is very anboying and distracting
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
Safety Complaint – 2025 Honda Pilot EX-L Brake/Electric Parking Brake System Warning I am filing this complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my 2025 Honda Pilot EX-L, which I purchased brand new from Paragon Honda in Queens, New York, approximately one year ago. The vehicle currently has only 47,089 miles and has never been involved in an accident. While driving, multiple warning lights suddenly appeared on the dashboard, including a Brake System warning indicating a problem with the Electric Parking Brake system and that the parking brake was unavailable. This occurred unexpectedly while the vehicle was in operation and created a serious safety concern. A brake-related warning and loss of parking brake availability on a nearly new vehicle is unacceptable and requires immediate investigation. I immediately brought the vehicle to Paragon Honda Service Center in Queens for diagnosis. The dealership informed me that I may be responsible for diagnostic fees and possible repair costs, despite the vehicle being approximately one year old and covered by the Honda factory warranty. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this issue represents a potential safety defect affecting 2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. I believe Honda should address this problem promptly and ensure that affected customers are protected from safety risks and unexpected repair expenses. Vehicle Information: Make/Model: 2025 Honda Pilot EX-L Mileage: 47,089 miles Dealer: Paragon Honda, Queens, NY
Right passenger seatbelt doesn’t show it’s full engaged and dings when passenger moves
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel made an abnormal clicking sound. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure and associated the failure with air bag and an incorrect installation of the steering wheel. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
Supplemental Restraint System Problem deactivates airbags and dealers do not want to fix it under warranty.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I bought the car brand new in December 2024. About 3 months later I had to get the struts replaced and had multiple problems that Honda deems as “fine”. The AC cooling is terrible and worse that my 2009 Dodge and 2015 Accord. The steering wheel has a springy rattling noise, and the phone won’t connect to the car at random times. They replaced the struts after returning twice. One year later in March my SRS warning light came on and the dealership fixed it a total of 3 different times, each time not taking care of the problems. They also broke and scratched pieces of my car, failed to put my oil cap back on, and left my car in poor condition when returning it back to me. So far, the SRS system warning hasn’t came back on but still worried because I have kids and don’t want to get into a wreck and something fail.
I have owned the car for not even a full year yet. It has 19,000 miles and I have already had to repair 2 bent rims. I have NEVER had this issue with any other vehicle I have driven nor does any other vehicle in my household have this issue. I just find it weird that I've had to spend $1000 in less than a year.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving, our moonroof spontaneously shattered. Is that
My vehicle begun to make a clicking noise every time when turning the steering wheel. It has gotten worse over time, almost constantly. I took the vehicle for my first service and mentioned this to the service guy. He mentioned that this is a known problem on some of their Hondas, not just my vehicle and that they tried fixing it on another Honda vehicle but that the problem on that vehicle was worse after they tried to fix it. The guy basically said there is a sensor inside the steering wheel that tells the vehicle how much the wheel has turned (I forgot the name of the sensor). He basically admitted this was a known design flaw and recommended I leave the issue alone or it would get worst if they try to fix it.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I’ve had to replace the puddle lamp bulbs on my Honda Pilot three times so far, and I purchased it brand new less than a year ago. My local dealer would not cover this under the bumper to bumper warranty either. It would seem that this is a prevalent issue with Honda Pilots and other model Honda/Acura vehicles if this forum post is accurate: [XXX] You would think that after a few years Honda would’ve redesigned/corrected the casting so that water intrusion isn’t an issue, but that has not happened. This is disappointing for a “reliable” car brand. Can anything be done to at least acknowledge this is an issue? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The issue is that the rear light on both sides has a sharp plastic edge and I’ve actually cut myself on it twice. I took it to the dealer, and they said they couldn’t really replace it because it’s the same on other Honda Pilots, so it seems to be a common issue. Basically, it’s a safety concern with that sharp edge.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am experiencing a clicking and popping noise at low speeds and when turning or backing the vehicle. These sounds are getting louder and more frequent. I have checked on the Honda Forum and several owners have indicated a problem with the steering rack which they had replaced under warranty. Please look into this as there seems to be a large number of these issues occurring. As you well know steering safety is a major concern and cause for alarm. I have taken my vehicle in once and the service department could not duplicate the issue. It is occurring again and the earliest I can get in is May 12th. I have recorded the sound and it is definitely occurring. I have almost 15,000 miles on the vehicle and this started happening around 14,000 miles. Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this safety issue.
Loud popping noise when steering started at about 2000 miles. The entire steering rack was replaced. At 7000 miles the noise is back along with a clicking in the steering wheel. Took it to the dealership again and they adjusted the clock spring, but it is still there. I am worried because I am afraid my steering will fail. The dealer did reproduce the problem both times. No independent inspection. No warning lamps.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2025 Honda Pilot Black Edition came with these Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S tires. They tramline horrendously on grooved concrete roads (most interstates where I live) to the point of being extremely dangerous. The vehicle jerks side to side to where it is throwing the vehicle off balance at highway speeds and this also causes nausea for the driver and passengers. The tires have exhibited this behavior since the vehicle was brand new and a quick google search turned up numerous reports of others experiencing the same tramlining behavior.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .