2015 Honda Pilot
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 109 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 23rd highest complaint count among 23 Pilot model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 7 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
Campaign 19V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 16, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
Campaign 19V378000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleSep 27, 2018
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.
Campaign 18V661000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, May 11, 2026
1. The engine assembly failed — Piston 1 suffered catastrophic failure due to VCM-related piston ring wear and oil sludge buildup, generating DTCs P0301–P0304 (engine misfire, cylinders 1–4). Vehicle is completely non-operational. Failed engine is available for inspection in Mableton, GA 30126. 2. Progressive engine misfire created risk of sudden power loss and loss of vehicle control at highway speeds. Complete engine failure in April 2026 left the vehicle fully immobile, posing an immediate collision risk to the driver and surrounding motorists. 3. Yes. In October 2025, I brought the vehicle to AutoNation Honda on Thornton Road, Georgia, presenting symptoms consistent with Honda Service Bulletin 25-060. The dealership examined the vehicle but took no action and offered no warranty coverage, despite SB 25-060 being fully active at that time. 4. Yes. AutoNation Honda (authorized Honda dealer) inspected the vehicle in October 2025 while Service Bulletin 25-060 was fully active. No repair was performed and Honda has denied all warranty claims. No police or insurance inspection has occurred. Vehicle remains unrepaired and available for NHTSA inspection. 5. Yes. The Check Engine Light illuminated with DTCs P0301–P0304 prior to failure, along with engine misfire, rough idle, and reduced performance. These symptoms were present at the October 2025 dealer visit. No corrective action was taken. The engine progressed to catastrophic Piston 1 failure in April 2026.
Power train, Engine, Jan 19, 2023
Hello my car has had an ongoing issue that was recalled for the 2009 to 2013 year Honda pilots regarding oil consumption. My car constantly has issues with misfiring due to oil on the spark plugs. This started happening around 90000 miles on my vehicle. After several expensive repairs including having the heads on my engine rebuilt, having the coils replaced and having the cylinder 1 spark plug replaced at least 4 times. My mechanic pointed me to the VCS system in the car which many have complained about causing this issue. When the vehicle exhibits these symptoms it has caused me to lose speed instantly on the highway and the vehicle begins to shake.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 3, 2021
ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE/MISFIRING ON HIGHWAY NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC REPLACED TIMING TENSIONER, TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP ALSO REPLACED VARIABLE TIMING TENSIONER, COIL PACKS, SPARK PLUGS. ISSUE STILL PERSIST WITH ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON BLINKING CLEARING CONSTANTLY ALSO ANTI TRACTION LIGHT. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IS THERE A RECALL IN PROCESS????
Power train, Engine, Jan 9, 2020
3RD TIME IN 12 MONTHS THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGINS FLASHING AND THE CAR BEGINS TO LOSE ACCELERATION POWER AND VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY. RECENT ISSUE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND AT A STOP LIGHT. THE PREVIOUS 2 OCCURRENCES IT IS DETERMINED TO BE AN ENGINE MISFIRE. THE LAST TIME OIL SPOTTED IN SPARK PLUG INDICATING THAT THE PISTON RING IS FAULTY.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 17, 2019
MY 2015 HONDA PILOT EX-L HESITATES TO ACCELERATE WHEN TURNING. IT MOSTLY HAPPEN WHEN TURNING RIGHT, WHEN I TURN AND TRY TO ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL BECOMES NON RESPONSIVE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. THERE'S NO ACCELERATION WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC! I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALER IN 3 OCCASION BUT THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. I WROTE TO HONDA AMERICA INC. BUT THEY SAID THE SAME THING. THEY CAN'T HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. I AM VERY CONCERN ABOUT THESE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BECAUSE I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING MY CAR!
Power train, Jan 9, 2019
TRANSMISSION AND DRIVETRAIN VEHICLE IN MOTION FROM START UP. ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SOUNDS AS THOUGH IT SHOULD SHIFT BUT DOES NOT MAKE SMOOTH SHIFT FROM 1 GEAR TO NEXT. VEHICLE HAS VIBRATION AS RESULT OF TRANSMISSION NOT MAKING A SHIFT UP TO NEXT GEAR.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 8, 2019
WITHIN A FEW SECONDS AND WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES SEEM NOT TO ENGAGE, BUT THEN ENGAGE, THE ENGINE REVS UP. THE ENGINE STAYS IDLED UP UNTIL THE BRAKES ARE RELEASED. TWO OCCURENCES HAPPENED IN ONE DAY AND DOESN'T DUPLICATE FOR THE DEALERSHIP. TWO WEEKS PASS AND ANOTHER OCCURRENCE HAPPENED. THE INCIDENTS OCCUR WHILE ALREADY ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE CAR SKIDDED LIKE THE WHEELS WERE LOCKED. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS WHEN I WAS STOPPED TO ENTER A PARKING GARAGE. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENED ON THE SAME DAY AND I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN GOING ANY MORE THAN 25 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I APPLIED BRAKE, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED A LITTLE BIT AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THE THIRD OCCURRENCE HAPPENED YESTERDAY JANUARY 7TH WHILE GOING ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.THE VEHICLE BEHAVED AS THOUGH IT WASN'T GOING TO STOP BUT EVENTUALLY STOPPED( APPLYING BRAKE BUT NO REDUCTION IN SPEED) AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. EACH OCCURRENCE OF THE ENGINE REVVING UP HAPPENED WHILE EITHER STOPPED OR ATTEMPTING TO STOP.
Power train, Engine, Aug 27, 2018
AT ABOUT 55000 MILES MY PILOT STARTED JERKING/HESITATING AT ALL SPEEDS, ANY ROAD, USUALLY AFTER SHIFTING GEARS BOTH UP AND DOWN. NOW I BOUGHT IT IN FEBRUARY 2017 CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED SO ALL RECOMMENDED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. SO, I TOOK IT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE DEALER IN DUBLIN OH SAID THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE TRIPLE FLUSHED FLUSHED 3 TIMES!!! SINCE I NEEDED A VEHICLE TO DRIVE TO WORK, I COULDN'T ARGUE AND GOT THE SERVICE DONE. AFTER READING OF OTHER LANGUAGES WITH SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE JERKING/STUTTER/HESITATION I DECIDED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. THE RESULTS OF THE TRANNY FLUSH WERE GOOD HOWEVER I CAN STILL FEEL A VERY FAINT ALMOST UNNOTICEABLE HESITATION THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
Power train, Engine, May 3, 2016
ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE, NOTICE CAR SHUDDERING AND SHAKING AT 35-50MPH AND THEN EVEN HIGHER SPEED LIMITS. WENT TO PURCHASING DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH VCM SYSTEM. TOOK CAR FOR THREE SUBSEQUENT REPAIRS OVER NEXT YEAR TO ANOTHER HONDA DEALER. EVEN AFTER DOWNLOADING NEW PCM AND VCM / TORQUE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROVIDED BY HONDA, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. HONDA STATES THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS FIX, BUT CORPORATE NOW STATES THAT THIS DEFECT IS WITHIN ACCEPTABLE OPERATING STANDARDS. ON SOME DAYS THE SHUDDERING SEEMS UNSAFE AND COULD POSE A RISK, I SUSPECT, TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER SAFETY. HAVE FOLLOWED ALL LEMON LAW GUIDANCE FROM STATE OF GEORGIA AND HONDA CONTINUES TO PRODUCE LIES AND FALSE STATEMENTS TO COVER UP A PROBLEM WHICH HAS EVEN BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT BY EDMUNDS.COM. CORPORATE REP MET ME AT DEALERSHIP TO EVALUATE PROBLEM. HE ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEMS DURING A TEST DRIVE; STATED THAT SOME CARS JUST DON'T MAKE IT OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE PERFECT, AND THAT MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THOSE VEHICLES. HONDA CORPORATE ALSO STATES THAT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS IN CONCURRENCE WITH THEIR ASSESSMENT, AND I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THEY ARE NOT BASED ON DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM AND WITH THEIR SERVICE TECHNICIANS WHO HAVE WORKED ON MY VEHICLE. HONDA SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HOW THEY ARE IGNORING AN OPERATING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE; EXPANDING ACCEPTABLE TOLERANCE LIMITS IN ORDER TO CALL THIS VEHICLE NORMAL AND SAFE.
Power train, Mar 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND ACTIVATING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS ENCOUNTERED AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER BACK INTO DRIVE AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 28, 2015
I PURCHASED A NEW TOP OF THE LINE HONDA PILOT EX-L BACK IN 2005. MY WIFE DROVE IT FOR NINE YEARS AND TOOK IMPECCABLE CARE OF IT. I STARTED DRIVING IT A YEAR AGO WHEN WE LEASED A 2013 CR-V FOR HER. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I WAS MAKING THE THREE MILE JOURNEY TO WORK WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY HEAT WAS NO LONGER WORKING. AFTER WORK, THE CAR HAD SOME TRANSMISSION SLIP WHEN LEAVING THE PARKING LOT. I STOPPED HOME BRIEFLY TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER. WE ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED THERE ( MOSTLY OIL CHANGES, A SET OF BRAKE PADS, ETC. AS IT ONLY HAD 84,000 MI. ON IT). ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS FIVE MILES AWAY, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING MORE AND MORE. THEN, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MASSIVELY OVERHEAT. I'M GLAD I WAS NOT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. LONG STORY SHORT, AFTER THE TECHNICIAN EVALUATED IT, I HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING WITH THE ANTIFREEZE. I NEEDED A HEAD GASKET FOR THE MOTOR DUE TO THE HEAT, A NEW RADIATOR THAT HAD AN INTERNAL DESIGN FAILURE, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. A VEHICLE DOES NOT REQUIRE A MIXTURE OF ANTIFREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID ANYWHERE, NOR AT ANY TIME IN THE HISTORY OF AUTOMOBILES. THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE COST NEARLY WHAT THE VALUE OF THE CAR WAS. I CALLED HONDA MOTOR CORP. AND WAS OFFERED NO HELP. THE VALUE OF THE CAR WAS ROUGHLY 10,000.00. I CHOSE NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE REPAIR, AS I FELT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FOOLISH DECISION. AFTER MY FAMILY HAS OWNED A HALF-DOZEN HONDA VEHICLES, WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. I FEEL THAT HONDA OWES ME THE VALUE OF THE CAR DUE TO THEIR OVERLY ENGINEERED RADIATOR. WE SUGGESTED THAT THEY PUT THE VALUE OF THE PILOT AGAINST THE LEASE BALANCE ON THE CRV, THEY DENIED THAT SUGGESTION. THE MOMENT THE HEAT WENT OUT, I HAD NO IDEA THAT MY CAR WAS ALREADY A TOTAL LOSS. CAN YOU SAY RECALL?????????? *TR