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
926 reports, newest first.
Power train, Sep 10, 2020
HONDA KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSES THE FLUID TO OVERHEAT. THE OVERHEATING ISSUE LEADS TO A 'JUDDER' IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR ACCELERATES IN A VERY JERKY WAY ESPECIALLY BETWEEN 30 AND 50. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU ARE TRYING TO PASS SOMEONE. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE REACHES 80,000 MILES HONDA WILL NO LONGER COVER THE SO-CALLED 'REPAIR' WHICH IS TO FLUSH THE BURNT TRANSMISSION OIL MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS COSTS ALMOST $400. HONDA KNOWS THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND, INSTEAD OF FIXING IT, THEY ARE PASSING THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH COST ON TO THE BUYERS. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED TRYING TO PASS IN A VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. ALREADY HAPPENED TWICE ON MY PILOT. FIRST TIME WAS REPAIRED FOR FREE, SECOND TIME I HAD TO PAY SINCE MY CAR HAS 86000 MILES AND THEY ONLY COVER UNDER 80000.
Electrical system, Sep 9, 2020
SMARTPHONE LINKING FUNCTIONS DEFECTIVE AND DISCONNECTS WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE, CAUSING A DRIVER DISTRACTION WITH LOSS OF NAVIGATIONAL FUNCTIONS AND LOSS OF HANDS-FREE PHONE OPERATION. HAS BEEN IN TO DEALER FOR THIS CONDITION MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THIS CONDITION MOST OFTEN OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE AUDIO SYSTEM LOSES ABILITY TO ADJUST VOLUME, CAUSING A DANGER TO THE DRIVER WHO IS UNABLE TO TURN DOWN THE AUDIO VOLUME. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE VEHICLE THAT IS UNRESOLVED.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 9, 2020
ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON AND INDICATES EMISSION CONTROL PROBLEM. . LOW AND ERRATIC POWER. CHECKED CODE AND IT WAS P0430 RELATED TO FUEL INJECTORS AND FUEL PUMP.
Electrical system, Aug 31, 2020
WARNING LIGHT "KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM." THE SYSTEM ERROR WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. NO OTHER ISSUES NOTED. I'VE BEEN READING MANY BLOGS AND REVIEWS ON THIS ISSUE. MY CONCERN IS THAT MY CAR WILL STOP WHILE IDLE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PROPER AGENCY IS ALERTED TO THIS ISSUE IN SUPPORT OF A RECALL.
Electrical system, Aug 16, 2020
THE AUTO IDLE DOESN'T ALWAYS RE ENGAGE WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT. VERY SCARY. WORRIED ABOUT BEING HIT FROM BEHIND.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 4, 2020
DIFFERENT WARNING PROBLEMS SHOWS UP ON DASHBOARD COMES ON AND OFF SOMETIMES. TOOK IT TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY ITS FUEL INJECTORS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2020
EMISSIONS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 30MPH. CODE READER SHOWS CODE P0430.
Engine, Jul 19, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET, THE ENGINE STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I HAD TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN. IMAGINE IF I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT HAPPENED LIKE THIS. IT WOULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENED TWICE ALREADY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 16, 2020
MY 'EMISSIONS SYSTEM ISSUE' LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME. THE LIGHT COMES ON MOSTLY WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION I FIRST HAD THIS CHECK LIGHT COME IN WITHIN MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR. HONDA HAS FIXED THIS EVERY YEAR SINCE. I PUT ABOUT 30,000 MILES/YR ON THE CAR AND DO NOT HAVE THE TIME TO CONTINUALLY BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. DURING THE LAST SERVICE FOR THIS ISSUE (MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY) AND I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ALMOST $2000 TO FIX. THEY AGREED TO COVER 75% OF THE COST AS THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVERY YEAR. WITHIN DAYS OF LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE 2017 PILOT IS A LEMON. THIS IS SOME FUEL INJECTOR ISSUE. IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS THE ULTIMATE RESULT OF THIS ISSUE IS ENGINE MISFIRE... I HAVE HAD MOMENTS OF MISFIRE WHEN ENTERING AN INTERSECTION AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO PERMANENT FIX FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS HONDA JUST FIXES IT AND IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL TO THE OWNER UNTIL YOU ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING. I LOVE THE CAR, BUT THIS IS DISAPPOINTING AS I HAVE THE PILOT ELITE WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE CARS THEY OFFER. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN GOOD ABOUT IT. HOWEVER, I FEAR THE NEXT TIME I RETURN TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THEY MAY NOT BE AS ACCOMMODATING.
Engine, Jul 14, 2020
MY VEHICLE HAS AN AUTO STOP FUNCTION THAT OCCURS WHEN I STOP THE CAR. WHEN I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE STARTS BACK UP. PERIODICALLY, I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING BACK UP. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PRESS THE START BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT STARTS BACK. THIS HAS PUT ME IN SOME VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PRODUCE THE SAME ISSUE. IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING MORE OFTEN AND I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 10, 2020
AT 50K MILES SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON (VSA, CHECK ENGINE, TRAC CONTROL, BRAKES). DEALERSHIP SCAN INDICATED SEVERAL MISFIRE DTCS AND P219A. INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE FUEL RAIL SYSTEM COSTING ME OVER $1,700.
Electrical system, Jul 7, 2020
KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM
Engine, Jul 4, 2020
STALLING AT IDLE STOP. TOOK TO DEALER. CHANGED BATTERY (200$). PROBLEM CONTINUES. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 2, 2020
IDLE STOP SYSTEM SENSOR FAIL.. WHEN CAN STOPS THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF BUT I DID NOT CAME BACK ON!! A LOT OF LIGHTS CAME ON WITH INSTRUCTIONS WHILE I WAS AT A BUSY LIGHT.. WENT TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS CLOSE TO $1,000 FOR THE REPAIR.. THEY SAID ITS A KNOWN ISSUE.. PLEASE DO A RECALL. *TR
Engine, Jul 1, 2020
WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP WITH THE AUTO ENGINE IDLE SHUT OFF, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN AND TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY TODAY (7/1//2020) DRIVING AROUND TOWN. *TR
Engine, Jun 15, 2020
CAR STALLS AT STOPS. TOOK TO DEALER THEY CHANGED BATTERY AND IT IS STILL HAPPENING. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2020
GOING UPHILL SUV HESITATES BETWEEN 1000 AND 2000 RPM'S. FEELS WITHOUT POWER. ONLY WAY TO AVOID IT IS TO PRESS THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO MAKE IT RESPOND. IT'S BEEN DOING IT FOR THREE MONTHS. MOST RECENT TIME THAT IT WAS FELT, WAS TODAY. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 8, 2020
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND MY AUTO IDLE KICKED IN. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE THE ENGINE DIED AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP. I WAS STUCK IN THE STREET, BLOCKING TRAFFIC. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. AFTER THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, THE ENGINE WAS JUMPED AND I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. BATTERY WAS CHECKED AND IT WAS FINE. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Engine, Jun 8, 2020
STALLING WHILE AT STOP OR GOING DOWNHILL AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 7, 2020
JULY OF 2019: WIFE COMPLAINS THE VEHICLE STARTS BACK UP UNDER PROTEST FROM THE START STOP SYSTEM WHEN DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC (MORE SO ON HOT DAYS) ON CITY STREETS. EVENTUALLY, VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WHEN SHE TRIES TO RESUME TRAVEL FROM START STOP MODE. VEHICLE EVENTUALLY RESTARTS AFTER 120 SECONDS OR MORE. PROBLEM OCCURS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, DEALER CLAIMS THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, TESTING SHOWS A BAD CELL IN THE BATTERY (JUST OUT OF WARRANTY). BATTERY REPLACED. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE SORTED TEMPORARILY (ALTHOUGH MY WIFE ROUTINELY DISABLES THE START STOP FUNCTION TO AVOID THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM). MAY OF 2020: SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE, CAR STALLS WHEN TRYING TO RESUME TRAVEL AFTER START STOP MODE. VEHICLE WON'T RESTART FOR A FEW MINUTES AND CANNOT BE PUSHED OUT OF HARMS WAY. IT STANDS TO REASON THAT THE ISSUE IS PROBABLY NOT THE BATTERY, THE BATTERY IS OEM AND LESS THAN A YEAR OLD. THE MOST WORRISOME ASPECT OF THE SITUATION IS THIS. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS (I.E., THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING) THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL (WITHOUT GOING UNDER THE HOOD AND USING A SPECIAL TOOL) AND PUSHED TO SAFETY. HENCE, THE VEHICLE IS ABSOLUTELY STRANDED UNTIL IT RESTARTS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN STALLED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 27, 2020
THE AUTO ENGINE IDLE (AEI) FEATURE HAS A FLAW IN IT THAT HONDA HAS APPARENTLY NOT IDENTIFIED OR EXPLAINED AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. AEI SHUTS THE ENGINE OFF WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE BUT FULLY STOPPED AND, IN THEORY, INCREASES FUEL EFFICIENCY BY REDUCING ENGINE IDLING WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED, E.G. AT A STOPLIGHT OR IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. WHILE THERE IS A BUTTON TO DISABLE IT, THIS BUTTON HAS TO BE PRESSED EACH TIME YOU TURN THE CAR ON AND CANNOT BE PERMANENTLY DISABLED. WE TRY TO REMEMBER TO ALWAYS PRESS THE BUTTON AND DISABLE THE FEATURE BUT OCCASIONALLY FORGET AND DON'T REALIZE WE HAVEN'T DISABLED IT UNTIL WE COME TO A STOP SOMEWHERE AND THE FEATURE ENGAGES AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. AEI WOULD JUST BE A NUISANCE IF IT WORKED 100% OF THE TIME AS IT IS DESIGNED TO WORK BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, IT DOESN'T. WHEN IT WORKS AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE IS AUTOMATICALLY IDLED, AND THEN AS YOU BEGIN TO LIFT YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE QUICKLY TURNS BACK ON, YOU'RE ALREADY IN DRIVE, AND YOU GO. HOWEVER, ON WHAT SEEMS TO BE A COMPLETELY RANDOM AND UNPREDICTABLE BASIS, SOMETIMES WHEN YOU BEGIN TO LIFT YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, RATHER THAN HAVING THE ENGINE RESTART AUTOMATICALLY, THE ENTIRE CAR JUST GOES DEAD. AT THIS POINT, YOU HAVE TO FRANTICALLY PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND COMPLETELY RESTART THE ENGINE. IF YOU'RE LUCKY, THIS HAPPENS QUICKLY AND YOU'RE NOT STUCK IN A COMPROMISED SPOT WITH NO ONE BEARING DOWN ON YOU FROM BEHIND BUT BY ITS DESIGN YOU ARE SOMEWHERE YOU NEED AND WANT TO BE MOVING FROM QUICKLY, AND IT HAS HAPPENED AT THE EXACT MOMENT WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH MYSELF AND MY WIFE A HANDFUL OF TIMES IN SCARY SITUATIONS. READ ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET - NO SERVICE REP ANYWHERE HAS AN EXPLANATION. THIS NEEDS TO GET SOLVED BEFORE PEOPLE DIE, IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY.*DT SEE UPDATED VERSION, TOO MANY CHARACTERS.*JB*DT
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 22, 2020
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO THE IDLE STOP "FEATURE" OF THE HONDA PILOT. WHEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO A FULL STOP, THE ENGINE CUTS OFF IN ORDER TO SAVE FUEL LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO. HOWEVER, WHEN IT IS TIME TO MOVE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLS CAUSING THE CAR TO COMPLETELY TURN OFF. THIS CAN BE POTENTIALLY FATAL AS THE BRAKES THEN DO NOT ENGAGE FULLY (CAR IS OFF) AND A MESSAGE APPEARS IN CONSOLE SAYING "TO START ENGINE: PRESS BRAKE AND PUSH (ENGINE ON)" . THIS IS MOST DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF THIS HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. HONDA SAYS IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. THIS BEHAVIOR IS RANDOM AND UNPREDICTABLE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 14, 2020
VEHICLE HESITATION BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND AT 1000 TO 2000 RPM'S. LOOSING POWER... *TR
Engine, May 12, 2020
EMISSIONS SYSTEM PROBLEM WARNING CAME ON AND STAYED ON VEHICLE AT 61,000 MILES DEALERSHIP STATES FUEL EJECTORS ARE CONTAMINATED AND MUST BE REPLACED. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUES WITH HONDA PILOTS SINCE 2016. *TR
Engine, Mar 31, 2020
HONDA PILOT ELITE DOES NOT AUTO RE-START CONDITION AFTER GOING INTO AN AUTO IDLE STOP. I TRIED TO RE-START THE VEHICLE BY PLACING THE GEAR INTO THE PARK POSITION AND PRESSING THE START BUTTON. THIS LEAVES ME STRANDED AT A STOP LIGHTS AND SIGNS AND IMPOSES RISK TO SELF AND OTHERS.