2017 Honda Pilot Complaints

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 10/04/2026

The vehicle is not starting after coming to a complete stop with the auto start stop feature at a red light or stop sign. After releasing the brake pedal, the engine does not start up again, which leads me to having to turn off the car and turn it back on manually, which could take up to a minute. The Honda dealer has already updated the vehicle replaced the starter and adjusted the valves two months ago and the issue is still persisting.

ENGINE — Filed 09/29/2026

My car starting making ticking noises. The engine oikd light briefly came on while I was driving with my family. It started to get worse so I took it to my mechanic. They discovered that it was a rod bearing failure.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE — Filed 09/28/2026

While driving with ACC active, I engaged LKAS. After approximately 30-40 seconds, ACC and LKAS disengaged and all sensor warning lights illuminated and sensors as well as ACC and LKAS would no longer work. Warning lights and error messages on instrument cluster continue to show since this happened. Vehicle starts and runs normally otherwise. Battery tested and is healthy. OBD II shows no codes. New windshield was installed in July 2026 by Safelite.

ENGINE — Filed 08/10/2026

Was traveling in moderately heavy highway traffic at 65 mph (actual speed limit) and vehicle suddenly started slowing down and hesitating. The narrow shoulder made it unsafe to stop but was able to continue at 45 mph or so and pulled off at first exit. There were numerous trouble lights on the dash. Car towed to Honda dealership and they found trouble code P0369. They found front camshaft sensor to be ground down in the center, as it had been damaged by the cam sprocket. The camshaft had excessive end play causing the cam to walk. New camshaft, thrust cover, sprocket, and related gaskets required. There were no symptoms for the issue before it happened. Honda has a 'Technical Line Summary Article' that says issue is caused by thrust cover manufacturing problem, specifically "we’ve found that the camshaft thrust cover surface roughness is out of spec."

ENGINE — Filed 08/31/2026

While driving car it made some noise from engine area and only would drive about 35 mph. The car then shut off and had to coast off highway into parking lot. Luckily it didn't stop in middle of 4 lane highway. Car would not crank and had it towed to Honda dealer. Upon inspection from Walker Jones Honda dealer the following diagnosis. Verified motor locked up. Dropped the oil pan and inspected. Found bearing material in the oil caused by bearing slippage. Pictures were taken. There was no warnings or lights when this event occurred. The car has been taken care of and regular oil changes made through the Honda dealership. We are having to pay to get the engine replaced. The car has 103,965 miles on it.

ENGINE — Filed 09/14/2026

Random complete engine failure while driving due to connecting rod bearings. Mechanic diagnosed and shows damage. Car will not start or run at all.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE — Filed 08/20/2026

Started the car Check engine lights and all the other lights came on: tire pressure, ABS,ACC, break, emergency break, collision mitigation system problem, road departure mitigation,VSA. Turned off the car, the lights and check engine lights went away and a few days later while driving car did that again and then it engine decline in speed and died on highway.

ENGINE — Filed 09/15/2026

2017 Honda Pilot 3.5 L V6 170,000 miles has mechanical "knock" noise corresponding to engine RPM at start, idle, and acceleration. Knock comes from engine block and can be heard from top and bottom of the engine bay, louder from underneath, clearly coming from the rear bank of cylinders. Possibly connecting rod bearing failure. General routine maintenance and oil changes have been completed consistently. If the connecting rod bearing were to fail while running, metal fragments would damage and seize the engine. If this would occur while driving, vehicle would unexpectedly lose engine power, crippling other systems like power steering, electrical, and possibly controlled braking. This could result in a serious or even fatal collision. Me and my children rely on this car for our transportation needs and no longer trust its reliability. I'll have the dealership inspect the engine components according the the 2023 recall campaign, even though my specific VIN, model, or year are not included.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 09/18/2026

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and restarted the vehicle as a temporary fix. The message "Emission System Failure" was displayed. An appointment was scheduled with the local dealer to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 70,264.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/07/2022

This follows the hood repair recall done in 2022. This repair wasn’t done correctly

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 06/28/2026

DRIVING HOME FROM CHURCH SUNDAY JUNE 28TH DOWNSLOPE OF A SMALL HILL SMELLED HOT METAL; WASN'T SURE IF THE ODOR WAS FROM US, THE LARGE TRUCK THAT JUST PASSED US OR ENVIRONMENTAL; SUDDEN "POP" WAS HEARD ACCOMPANIED BY A "JERK" IN THE VEHICLE; LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES; DASH WAS LIT AND SHOWED RPM/MPH/ETC THEN BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON SMOKE BILLOWING FROM ENGINE FOLLOWED QUICKLY BY COMPLETE FIRE FROM ENGINGE; ALL 4 PASSENGERS EVENTUALLY GOT OUT; POLICE AND FIRE DISPATCHED; COMPLETE LOSS; TRAUMATIC TO SAY THE LEAST; ONLY LIGHT PREVIOUS WAS SERVICE SOON AS OIL LIFE WAS AT 15%; BELIEVE TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2017 PILOTS RODS BEND AND BREAK BUT NOW WARNING (RESEARCHED AFTER THE FIRE)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 06/05/2025

Teenage daughter was driving in rush hour traffic and the car seemed at have stalled out. She pulled over on the shoulder and manually turned off the car. When she tried re-starting it, it would not start. Electrical came on, but no power to the engine. Something then seemed to have overheated because when fire department was called, they extinguished something that had melted the plastic covering underneath the car. Fire department called due to smoke. No flames seen. We believe the smoke was from the melted plastic under car from something (a fluid) that was leaking. Insurance was called, car was towed to a Honda repair shop and then towed to a local Honda dealership. They say engine seized and is locked up and will not re-start. Other noted repair needed they say is torque converter. No other problems with this vehicle in the past. One of the best cars we have owned. No warnings prior to this happening on the highway. Disappointed that Honda did not have a cause and origin expert determine what happened to the car.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/24/2024

Horn stopped working which prevented notice to other car at stop backing up, resulting in a crash. Vehicle started turning itself on in accessory mode, flashing lights, disabling keyless entry and starting the vehicle and smelled of an electrical fire, was unable to disconnect battery due to unpredictable turning on and off at vehicles will. Brought vehicle to dealer who confirmed that it was a bad smart entry main control unit module which caused the horn to stop working and the vehicle to turn itself on.

STRUCTURE,ENGINE — Filed 01/13/2024

The vehicle was driven by my [XXX] daughter and at @ 6 pm on [XXX] the engine was making a noise and that the car was starting to slow down and stall,so she called me. She pulled over and shut the car off and then all the dashboard lights started to blink really fast. The car started to smoke from the engine, she got out and called 911. 911 said they would send a tow truck. within a few minutes sparks were coming from underneath the engine and then the fire started. she called 911 and myself again to report the car was on fire. Thank God she was away from the car. The tow co. arrived first, then first responders, then myself. The highway was shut down to put out the fire. Our daughter was hysterical and the car is a total loss. We waited until the car fire was extinguished. The first responders offered medical attention, but she just wanted to go home. There is a current recall for this make and model, but not the year. What my daughter described, sounds like the current recall from Honda for other makes including the Pilot. I posted on social media and a few people reached out to say their 2017 honda pilot had a similar issue, but thankfully no fire. This recall is very serious because they are replacing the engine for owners. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 10/17/2023

Shortly after entering the freeway, the dask lights began to flicker and car started stuttering. Drive for another mile or slow looking to pull over. By that time smoke coming from rhe engine. Once we pulled over, engine area smoking a lot to where smoke coming into car. All of us git out and saw flames coming from engine area. Our pilot was on fire. Firefighters able to put out, but car was a total loss

AIR BAGS — Filed 03/26/2022

I was driving on highway and hit a deer going approximately 45mph. Significant front end damage. Airbags attempted to go off as car filled with smoke. Some of the areas where airbags are located like the steering wheel appear to have separated but not far enough for deployment. Seat belts locked up. Although my family is safe in this accident, I feel that this should be looked into. We may not be so lucky next time.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 03/01/2022

I returned from work at approximately 5 pm on 03-01-22. As I prepared to enter my garage, I realized I could not pull in due to objects in the way. I put my foot on the brake, and as I planned to reverse, the car lurched forward and into the side of my house! No warnings, no air bag deployment, and a sudden lurch, stopped only by my (less than 2 year old, custom-built) house! Garage door would not close after the car was backed out. Car was towed to Performance Honda in Fairfield, Ohio. No codes were recorded and they did not indicate reproduction or attempt to reproduce the problem. They reset all computer systems in the vehicle. The included photos also show the skid mark on the driveway, indicating to us that the brakes were on when the car "lurched" into the house.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 12/03/2021

When slowing down to stop at a light, or pull into a parking space, the vehicle rather than braking and stopping, accelerates violently on its own, and there is no way to stop it other than putting the vehicle in park immediately, or slamming on the emergency brake. This is an intermittent problem. It happens once every few months, however last night it occurred and I did not put it in park quickly enough, and I was close to another vehicle while parking, that I slammed into the other vehicle doing extensive damage. Obviously, this is a very dangerous situation that could kill or maim myself or an occupant of another vehicle; the police officer who happened to own the other vehicle said I should not drive my vehicle until the problem is solved, which, of course, makes sense as my vehicle at present is unpredictable and dangerous. I have now taken the vehicle into the dealer, but I've found in the past these intermittent problems are difficult to diagnose. Should it not be diagnosed and fixed--I noticed that others have had this same vexing and dangerous situation, and it was not fixed or resoved to their satisfaction--I will no longer drive the vehicle as it is too dangerous. There seems to be a glitch with the drive trains/engines of the 2017 Honda Pilot and this needs to be fixed and the vehicles recalled before serious injury occurs, if it has not already. Owners of these vehicles should be compensated, or receive a comparable vehicle that is road worthy.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES — Filed 10/08/2021

I have had this happen 2 times now! My small child has been locked inside my car with the keys inside the car. Sheriffs had to show up and break into my hot car to rescue my baby. Both times the following situation happened. I strapped my young child into her car seat in the rear passenger seats. I set my purse, with my keyless entry key fob in it, on the front seat. (No one touched the lock from inside). I shut the rear door after strapping my child in. I went to open my drivers door (again, keys in the front seat) and all the doors were locked. It was a terrifying situation. It was hot and I had to call the police to help me out. After 25 minutes we were able to unlock the car. My child was crying the entire time. When we got her out she was drenched in sweat, her hair, clothes, and seat.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/09/2021

FEW MINUTES AFTER MY WIFE GOT HOME THE CAR ALARM BEGAN BEEPING AND THERE WAS A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE OF THE CAR. WE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE KEPT GETTING BIGGER. ONCE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE WE SAW A HUGE DAMAGE ON THE CAR. WE DON'T KNOW HOW THE FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS OFF . WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS COMPANY'S CAR.

STRUCTURE — Filed 06/05/2019

MY CAR BEHIND ACCIDENT .278 WEST HIGHWAY.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 01/03/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HONDA PILOT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SPONTANEOUSLY, DROVE OVER A CURB, AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION FACILITY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,600.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/09/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO VEHICLES. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AUTO BODY REPAIRS. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 08/07/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 HONDA PILOT. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED TORSO BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELTS, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV EXTREMELY HIGH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO EVALUATE THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/10/2018

WHEN NEUTRAL BUTTON IS PRESSED ONCE AND IGNITION TURN OFF AND CAR EXITED BY DRIVER CAR REMAINS IN NEUTRAL. AUTO PARK FUNCTION DOES NOT PUT CAR INTO PARK. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT HILL COUNTRY HONDA CONFIRMED ''TIS AND STATES IT IS NORMAL. THIS NOT WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL NOR IN ONLINE VIDEOS. THIS MISINFORMATION RESULTED IN THE HONDA PILOT ROLLING OUT OF THE GARAGE AND COLLIDING IWITH ANOTHER CAR AFTER THE DRIVER HAD TURNED OFF IGNITION AND EXITED THE HONDA PILOT. THE PILOT HONDA PILOT SHOULD REMAIN IN NEUTRAL AFTER EXITING CAR ONLY WHEN CAR WASH MODE IS ACTIVATED ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL.