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.
Of the 2017 reports, 9 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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: other or unspecified
135 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2018
WATER LEAKS UNDER FRONT PASSENGER/DRIVER FOOT AREA UNDER THE DASHBOARD WHEN GOING THROUGH A CARWASH. DEALERSHIP STATED IT COULD BE BECAUSE SUNROOF WAS NOT COMPLETELY FLUSH WITH THE BODY AND WATER ENTER THROUGH SUNROOF IN EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2018
EXCESSIVE HYDROPLANE WITH STOCK TIRES
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2018
WHILE DRIVING WITH THE FAMILY ON THE FREEWAYS IN ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE PILOT HOOD VIBRATES AND FLEXES INTENSELY. THE FLEXING MOVEMENT IS VERY UNSTABLE WHEN STRONG WINDS OR A SEMI IS PASSING. WE ARE WORRIED THIS STRESS AND FATIGUE ON THE LOCKING MECHANISM WILL BECOME COMPROMISED AND LET GO OF THE HOOD.
Other or unspecified, May 29, 2018
TRAVELLING ON A I-80 W ABOUT 60 MPH FROM NJ TO PA , FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. CRACKED OPENING WAS ABOUT 1X3 FT IN OVAL SHAPE. NO OVERPASS OR OTHER VEHICLES ON THE FRONT AND ALSO NO ELEVATED ROCKY AREA ALONG THE HIGHWAY WHERE THIS HAPPENED. WE INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS SOME ROCK -BUT NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER FOR THAT. HONDA DEALER SAID THEY CAN LOOK AT IT , BUT MOST LIKELY INSURANCE WILL HAVE TO COVER IT.
Other or unspecified, May 17, 2018, crash
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.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 14, 2018
THIS MIGHT BE AN UNKNOWN ISSUE, BUT UPON STARTUP, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY STIFF AND HARD. FEW TIMES, I COULDN'T START THE CAR BECAUSE THE BRAKE WAS SO STIFF, I COULDN'T PRESS ON IT WITH MY FOOT, AND IT WENT INTO ACCESSORY MODE. I TOOK IT TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS, THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT IT'S NORMAL. ADVANTAGE HONDA TRIED REPLACING THE BATTERY, BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. ALL THEY COULD DO IS A MULTIPOINT DIAGNOSTIC ON IT, WHERE THE COMPUTER WON'T SHOW ANYTHING. DEALERS ARE TELLING ME IT'S NORMAL, BUT WHY IS MY NEIGHBOR'S 2017 HONDA PILOT NOT GIVING HIM THE SAME PROBLEM? IT CAN'T BE NORMAL BECAUSE WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR IN AUG. 2017, AND UP UNTIL MID OCT. 2017, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FINE. THEN AFTER THAT, IT ONLY HAPPEN OVERNIGHT, THEN NOW IT'S HAPPENING EVERY TIME I START THE CAR, IT GETS VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU HAVE TO SLAM THE BTRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO START THE CAR. I'VE DRIVEN OTHER VEHICLES WITH PUSH BUTTON STARTS FOR MANY YEARS IN THE PAST, AND I'VE NEVER ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. COULD THIS BE AN ISSUE WITH THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM LOOSING VACUUM SUPPLY WHERE DEALERS DON'T WANT TO BOTHER TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE THAT MUCH MONEY IF IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANTY? I'VE CALLED HONDA OF AMERICA, THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT TO A DEALER, BUT DEALERS ARE NOT HELPING OR EVEN EXPLAIN WHY IS THE BRAKE PEDAL DOING THAT OTHER THAN SAY IT'S NORMAL. AS SOON AS I START THE CAR, THE CAR RUNS FINE. PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR IS LIKE THIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 31, 2017
TWO TIMES MY 2017 HONDA PILOT WITH ONLY 2600 MILES ON IT HAS LOST ENGINE POWER AT SPEEDS OF 45 PLUS MILES PER HOUR. THE SERVICE ENGINE NOW LIGHT FLASHES ALONG WITH ALL OTHER SYSTEM WARNINGS INCLUDING EMISSION WARNINGS, VEHICLE STABILITY WARNINGS, AND ENGINE POWER FAILURE WARNINGS. I HAVE READ AT LEAST 30 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS HAPPENING. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF THERE IS NO SHOULDER AND TRACTOR TRAILERS BEHIND YOU LIKE HAPPENED TO ME. I WAS FIVE MILES FROM A SAFE EXIT ON AN UPHILL INCLINE. THIS IS A VERY BAD ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. CAR ALSO FEELS LIKE IT IS MISFIRING OFTEN LEADING UP TO THESE EVENTS OVER THREE DAYS. VEHICLE IS AT DEALER A SECOND TIME, BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT I WILL BE TOLD. THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG. FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS EARLY AS FEBRUARY 2016 AND IS STILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGING IT.
Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2017
I PURCHASED MY 2017 HONDA PILOT BRAND NEW EARLIER THIS SPRING. NEVER HAD TO USE THE HEAT UNTIL FALL CAME AROUND AND I NOTICED THE FRONT DASH HEATS DO NOT WORK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN IDLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION AND IT WAS DETERMINED THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE FROM AMERICAN HONDA. I'VE BEEN PLAYING PHONE TAG WITH HONDA SINCE AND FINALLY GOT TO SPEAK WITH JAMES (1-800-999-1009 EXT 117753), TODAY FROM AMERICAN HONDA. HE DID NOT ASSURE ME THAT THE ISSUE WAS BEING LOOKED INTO OR THAT THEY WERE WORKING ON SOMETHING TO CORRECT IT. INSTEAD, TOLD ME REPEATEDLY THAT THERE ARE NO ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE AND IT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. HE STATES HE'S SPOKEN WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO HAS CONFIRMED THAT MY HEATERS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, BUT AGAIN CONTINUED TO TELL ME THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH MY CAR. OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS A FAULT IN THE DESIGN, AND HE REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT OR OFFER A ADEQUATE RESOLUTION. WHEN I ASKED TO BE ESCALATED HE OFFERED TO CONNECT ME WITH WITH ANOTHER REPRESENTATIVE TO REVIEW MY CASE. I ASSURED HIM I DID NOT WISH TO SPEAK WITH ANOTHER REPRESENTATIVE AND REQUESTED A MANGER AT WHICH POINT HE TOLD ME HE WAS A MANAGER. A MANGER OFFERING TO CONNECT ME TO A REPRESENTATIVE? WHERE'S THE LOGIC IN THAT OR ANY OF THIS? HONDA DOES NOT DESERVE ANYONE'S BUSINESS IF THEY AREN'T WILLING TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO FIND A RESOLUTION.
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2017
ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS, I ACCIDENTALLY PUSHED THE ENGINE START BUTTON WHILE MY CAR WAS IN MOTION. ON ONE OF THESE OCCASIONS I WAS TRYING TO HIT MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS BUT INSTEAD, PUSHED THE ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON. IN DOING SO THE CAR CUT OFF WHILE I WAS IN ACTIVE TRAFFIC. IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC, IT TOOK ME SEVERAL SECONDS TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED. THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY SCARY. ANOTHER INCIDENT WITH MY NEW PILOT IS THE ENGINE IDLE FEATURE. THIS IS THE FEATURE THAT WHILE HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKES, ALLOWS THE CAR TO TURN OFF/REMAIN IDLE TO SAVE GAS. MY INCIDENT WITH THIS FEATURE WAS WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN THE CORNER, THE IDLE ENGINE FEATURE KICKED IN(I GUESS BECAUSE I HAD SLOWED DOWN TOO MUCH), AND THE CAR WENT INTO THE ENGINE IDLE MODE. THIS AGAIN WAS SCARY AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A VERY BUSY, OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR HIGHWAY.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2017
BRAND NEW HONDA PILOT 2017, LESS THAN 4 WEEKS OLD, EX-L, NAVIGATION. 2ND ROW SEAT, PASSENGER SIDE, WINDOW SHATTERED, NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION IN HIGHWAY. NO ROCK OR METAL THAT CRACKED IN. HONDA DEALER (OR) HONDA CORPORATION IS MENTIONING THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER LIMITED WARRANTY. WAS PRETTY SCARY TO BE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS BURST. VEHICLE WAS ON HIGHWAY, AROUND 55 MILES / HOUR. NOT OPERATING THE WINDOWS.