2021 Honda Pilot Complaints

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 07/21/2026

While driving down the road the emergency braking turned on many times when I wasn’t even near a vehicle. It turned on about a total of 10 times without a car being unsafely in front of me. I just got this vehicle today and I’m worried about whether I should keep it or not because of this.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 06/06/2025

My 2021 Honda Pilot has a recurring electrical/network communication failure that causes “Network Communication Lost” and “MOST Net Off” messages to appear on the infotainment screen. When this occurs, the infotainment system malfunctions, audio becomes unavailable, and the backup camera display is lost without warning. The problem is intermittent, unpredictable, and has occurred numerous times. The loss of the backup camera is a serious safety concern because it occurs while the vehicle is otherwise operating normally. During reversing, rear visibility is reduced, increasing the risk of striking another vehicle, pedestrian, child, cyclist, or object. The error messages and loss of infotainment functions also create driver distraction and raise concerns about the reliability of the vehicle’s electronic systems. I reported the issue to an authorized Honda dealership multiple times. They recommended replacement of the audio/display unit, and I paid for the repair. However, the same failure returned. The dealer later advised that the root cause may involve wiring, MOST network components, or another electrical defect and estimated approximately $3,000 in additional repairs. Despite multiple visits and approximately $983.29 in diagnostic and repair costs, the defect remains unresolved. Honda Service Bulletin 20-058 describes similar MOST bus symptoms, including communication errors, loss of audio, infotainment malfunctions, and multimedia network failures. My vehicle exhibits the same symptoms. Because the dealer-recommended repair failed, the problem appears to involve the vehicle’s electrical communication network rather than a single component. This recurring defect affects the backup camera, infotainment system, and other electronics relied upon for safe operation. I believe it may affect other 2019–2021 Honda Pilot vehicles and may represent a widespread safety defect. I request NHTSA investigate to determine whether a recall / other corrective action is warranted.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 07/02/2024

My 2021 Honda Pilot has a failing rearview camera caused by the identical MOST network coaxial defect described in NHTSA Campaign 23V431000, but Honda drew the recall population too narrowly and excluded my VIN.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/13/2026

The car shut off and put itself in neutral in the middle of the road. It seemed that the automatic shutoff glitched and caused the car to shift to neutral. We had to shut it off then start it back. It didn’t start right up. We had to try a couple of times. It was very scary being stranded in the middle of the road and not knowing how to correct the problem.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 07/15/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that at all times during the use of the vehicle, the infotainment display system goes blank. The contact also noticed a popping and crackling noise coming from the audio speakers. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V431000 (Back Over Prevention) to have already been performed on the vehicle, but the issue has since recurred. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a factory defect involving a dashboard wiring harness that was physically bent at a 90-degree angle from the production plant. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

ENGINE — Filed 07/12/2026

With auto stop enabled, was the first car at a stop light. What happens next may be out of order - apologies. Light turned green and I pressed the gas and car shut off. I went to restart the car and a dashboard notification appeared saying to put car in N ? So I did and pressed gas again that did not work. Could not put car in park - cars were honking behind me and it was pouring rain so visibility was not easy. I don’t remember the next steps as I was frustrated yet somehow I pushed enough buttons that I was able to push the brake and start button enough times that the car blessfully restarted. I disengaged the auto idle button at that point and my car returned to my house sluggishly. It was as if the car could not shift into gears properly. Car has been not hitting gears properly and has turned off at auto stop over a dozen times more. Honda service states they cannot duplicate so cannot resolve.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 07/01/2026

Driving on the road and heard static noise from the infotainment system after an update. I pressed the Collision Mitigation Braking System button and the dashboard had multiple warnings and disabling the entire Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The drive light starting blinking and a message appreaed to get to a Honda dealer. The Honda dealer inspected the front camera in the top of the windshield and said it needed to be replaced.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/13/2026

2021 Honda Pilot with 9,800 miles. Failed VSA Modulator directly related to the braking system. Warning lights: Vehicle stability assist, trailer stability assist, collision mitigation system, adaptive cruise control problem. Problem confirmed by Pensacola Honda Service Center and awaiting repair assistance from American Honda as they refuse to offer goodwill credit for repair due to being out of warranty, despite extremely low mileage and excellent condition of vehicle.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 06/03/2026

While operating with the Auto Shut Off enabled, vehicle stalled. Warning lights came on directing the driver to put into Park. Vehicle would not turn off/on, could not take out of park. At the time, vehicle was in bumper to bumper traffic in a construction zone causing a very dangerous situation for the driver. Vehicle was towed and 10 minutes after the incident, the vehicle could be restarted. This is the second time this has happened in the last 9 months. Unfortunately the first was not reported. This is completely unacceptable. Honda knows this is an issue and refuses to address it.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/23/2026

This is the major safety issue while driving with my family on a highway. Keyless control unit is failing when car stops. While on a highway, all the lights on the dashboard start flickering, alarm went off brake system got locked. I need to pull over, stop the car and restart the car again. The flickering dashboard problem persisted the whole day and alarm went off intermittently till it drained the battery. Problem is reproducible.