2017 Honda Pilot

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 926 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 23 Pilot model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 926

Of the 2017 reports, 9 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine469 reports · 51% of complaints
Owner complaints926Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine469
  2. Electrical system265
  3. Other or unspecified135
  4. Fuel/propulsion system122
  5. Power train122
  6. Vehicle speed control31
  7. Service brakes27
  8. Forward collision avoidance22

Recalls and investigations

  1. Structure, frame and membersJun 4, 2026

    American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

    Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.

    Campaign 26V365000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerMay 21, 2026

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

    Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

    Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

    Campaign 26V332000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. 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

  4. Structure, body, hoodNov 29, 2021

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.

    A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.

    Campaign 21V932000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: electrical system

265 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Electrical system, Aug 12, 2025

    Electrical System – Body Control Module The BCM in my 2017 Honda Pilot fails intermittently, causing the alarm to activate randomly, warning lights to flicker, and battery drain. The issue occurs without warning, even while parked or driving, creating distraction and reducing confidence in the vehicle’s safety. Numerous other owners have reported identical issues online and with NHTSA, indicating a systemic defect. Honda should issue a recall to address this problem.

  2. Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 28, 2025

    Failure occurred at highway speed. A host is warning light came on and the car lost power. Lights that came on included emissions, traction control, power steering, all wheel drive and towing (I wasn’t towing anything). No lights were on before the incident. The vehicle lost power and could not maintain any speed. I was able to roll into the breakdown lane. The vehicle was brought to a local Honda dealer who preformed the diagnosis and determined the issue to be a failure of the high pressure fuel pump. Seems this has been the source of several recalls including the 2017 pilot but not my vin. It seems like the recall my need to be expanded

  3. Electrical system, Jul 18, 2025

    After fixing a few of the recalls, the alarm on my 2017 Honda Pilot would start going off at random times. After several attempted fixes - replacing the key fob batteries, replacing the car battery - the issue has persisted and we noticed a clicking noise coming from the dash. Essentially the car would attempt to turn on without anyone near it. There are no warning messages present. Thus far, it has not replicated while driving. We have just taken the issue to the Honda dealer and they have come back with a $1400 charge to replace the Smart Power Control Module. In researching the issue, I've seen a number of owners have this issue with 2016-2018 Pilots and even seen some complaints in your database.

  4. Electrical system, May 16, 2025

    The alarm kept going off randomly/intermittently. Honda recalled the control unit/alarm/tpms control unit on Honda Ridgeline bit not on Honda Pilot.

  5. Electrical system, May 2, 2025

    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 144,8000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 360,000.

  6. Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Apr 24, 2025

    Transmission seems to be slipping the truck in getting louder when I switch gears it takes a min to take off

  7. Electrical system, Apr 15, 2025

    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale on Facebook. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 76,000, and at the time of checking the Carfax, it was discovered that the mileage was 145,755.

  8. Electrical system, Apr 8, 2025

    The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the auto idle stop system activated, turning the vehicle off. While attempting to continue driving, the contact became aware that the system had failed to restart the vehicle. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to be manually restarted. After restarting, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. However, the dealer replaced the battery as a precaution. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.

  9. Electrical system, Apr 1, 2025

    Pilot will shut off at stop signs and red lights. Software update completed in 2023 but issue persists. I shut the “feature” off as soon as I turn car on. It has happened despite this. It may be draining the battery. On third battery in two years. Currently at dealership to complete next warranty update.

  10. Electrical system, Mar 31, 2025

    My Pilot has stalled multiple times at a stop light when the auto stop feature restarts the engine. It seems to happen most frequently when the heat or air conditioning is running as if there is not enough power to restart the engine. I did have the service bulletin software update performed, which seemed to solve the issue initially. The vehicle has stalled twice in the last few months.

  11. Electrical system, Mar 6, 2025

    Issue where the headlights would come on intermittently while parked in garage, horn would start going off intermittently, car making noises while sitting parked every few minutes. Appears to be a common issue related to the Keyless Access Control Unit (a.k.a. Smart Power Control Unit).

  12. Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 29, 2025

    All of the warning lights come on the dashboard, the D for Drive flashes. While driving the vehicle downshifts and stalls and loses power and 75% of the time when you come to a complete stop the car completely stalls, loses power and you have to manually turn the engine off and restart the vehicle.

  13. Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 22, 2025

    My 2017 Honda Pilot in 4/2023 I was driving the belt way my hood was bouncing as if it was going to fly off an kill us all and who was behind us in rush hour traffic. I called made appointment with dealer. My son went on line there was a recall for 2017 Pilot for hood problem, but not my Vin # I was very very upset. I was told it was fixed when I was there last. I told the dealer if they didn't fix it put it in writing. So my family will know what happen to us if that hood came off. Now my Pilot has been jerking sputtering when I take off it's been going on about a year. I keep putting it off until. I was almost hit in the back trying to get on the beltway, everyone screaming. So I check the recall list Guess what there is a recall on the 2017 Pilot but not with my VIN #. Sometimes, my auto start won't work. My dash radio will go black for a minute, so that's and electrical issue. We are going to have a problem if my grandchild can't watch here movies on the monitor when we go for a ride. Why is my Pilot having the recall issues and not on the recall list? I looked up recall for 2017 Honda Pilot there is one for Fuel Pump please add my Pilot to the recall list please. I love Honda's my whole family does, I hate to have to change.

  14. Electrical system, Engine, Jan 8, 2025

    My car started sputtering and lost power on the interstate and the dash lit up with warnings while driving. I brought the vehicle home and the code is for a bad camshaft position sensor after only 78,000 miles. That is absurd. The neglect for safety here is astonishing by Honda.

  15. Electrical system, Engine, Dec 26, 2024

    Engine fails to restart after the engine idle stop shuts off the engine when stopped. It is difficult to restart the engine from this state and creates a safety hazard with the car being disabled for a period of time. It does not happen every time. The battery in this vehicle was replaced 18 months ago and the vehicle has no trouble starting normally.

  16. Electrical system, Dec 16, 2024

    Honda has a bulletin 20-117 Warranty Extension: 2016-17 Pilot and 2017 Ridgeline Keyless Start System Error with DTC B12C5 That does not include my vehicle VIN but my vehicle is having this exact issue. This warranty extension needs to be extended to all vehicles with this year and model as the issue is obviously happening to them.

  17. Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 29, 2024

    Car shut down while driving on highway. After 10 Seconds, restarted but engine was sputtering along.

  18. Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 16, 2024

    The car engine was revving up intermittently, with rough shifting of gears, poor acceleration and 3 of the dashboard malfunction indicator lights activating - emission system, transmission system, and blind spot information system. Car still at dealer.

  19. Electrical system, Engine, Oct 8, 2024

    Vehicle fails to restart after the auto engine idle stops the car. Looks like this is a known issue but the dealer I bought this car from isn't doing anything to fix it.

  20. Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Sep 24, 2024

    The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while depressing the hatchback release button to open the hatchback, the hatchback failed to open. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuse box had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic contacted the dealer to order the parts and was informed that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

  21. Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 9, 2024

    After driving for over 30 minutes, mixed highway and road, at a stop light, the autostart failed, engine turned off, and went into neutral, w/ a warning the autostart failed. Put into park and restart engine. Cars honking, got the car started after 30 seconds or so. Did not immediately go into park when pushed!

  22. Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 6, 2024

    I have had a problem with my vehicle throwing the same codes for over a year and my mechanic and I could not figure out the problem. Finally he ran a report and showed me that these codes match recalls that should have been done on my vehicle but have not been done. I don't know who put it in the system that they had done it but my vehicle is not safe or okay and the dealership won't address my problems because their system shows that it was already fixed.

  23. Electrical system, Engine, Jul 27, 2024

    The auto idle stop feature restart did not work properly and instead the car froze in stop and go traffic on a freeway. Not only did the restart, not work properly in addition the car's electronics froze with multiple error messages on the dashboard coming up. I had to turn the car off by pressing the engine start/stop button, waiting and then restarting it like normal.

  24. Electrical system, Jul 23, 2024

    My 2017 Honda Pilot touring edition stopped suddenly in a busy intersection causing major traffic back up and dangerous situations until police officers showed up to help. I called road service and it would ne over an hour before i could get help. I was unable to place push button in neutral by several means to get out of traffic and with officers help. No means to override shifter to neutral in cabin. It was discovered on this model you needed to manually place in neutral under the hood after removing several items air filter covers and locating a specail screw which required a special tool to override which none of is had. I am at the dealership now and they are telling me the same thing. Very dangerous situation for me others with same year

  25. Electrical system, Jul 17, 2024

    Auto shut down/ restart does not work properly. Car was recalled for this issue and a software update was installed. However, car still will not restart after auto shut off. On several occassions we had to use car stop button and wait several minutes before car would restart. This left us stranded at busy intersections in heavy traffic. Very dangerous situation.