2025 Honda Pilot

What owners report most often

1. Forward collision avoidance55
2. Electrical system43
3. Steering38
4. Service brakes32
5. Engine30
6. Other or unspecified26
7. Power train21
8. Lane departure15

Recalls and investigations

1. Service brakes, hydraulic, pedals and linkagesJun 12, 2025

   Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

   A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

   Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.

   Campaign 25V391000 on NHTSA.gov

2. Seat belts, rear/otherFeb 5, 2025

   Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The third-row passenger seat belt assembly may not function, due to incorrect routing that traps the seat belt behind the passenger side panel. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

   A non-functioning seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

   Dealers will inspect and repair the seat belt routing as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is ZL4.

   Campaign 25V056000 on NHTSA.gov

3. Fuel system, gasoline, fuel injection systemJan 23, 2025

   Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.

   An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

   Dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EL1 and AL0.

   Campaign 25V031000 on NHTSA.gov

4. Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, filler pipe and capNov 27, 2024

   Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Passport and 2023-2025 Pilot vehicles. The fuel filler neck tube and fuel filler pipe may separate, allowing fuel to leak.

   A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

   Dealers will inspect and repair the fuel filler neck tube and pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is OKM.

   Campaign 24V900000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints

202 reports, newest first.

1. Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2026

   I am writing to formally report a potential safety-related defect involving the front windshield of my 2025 Honda Pilot. The windshield has demonstrated what I believe to be an abnormal susceptibility to cracking and chipping under what appear to be normal driving conditions, including ordinary interstate highway travel. The damage has occurred from relatively minor road debris and/or without a significant impact that would reasonably explain the severity or rapid progression of the cracking. I contacted Honda regarding this issue and requested assistance with the windshield repair/replacement as well as further investigation into whether there may be a defect involving the windshield glass, its installation, mounting, or related vehicle components. Honda declined to provide assistance or initiate any further investigation. My concern is not simply that windshield glass can occasionally be damaged by road debris. Rather, I am concerned that the windshield may be unusually susceptible to cracking under conditions that should reasonably be expected during normal operation of the vehicle. A windshield is a critical safety component, and repeated or unusually easy cracking could potentially affect driver visibility and the structural integrity of the windshield. I am also aware of other reported complaints involving windshield cracking on 2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The existence of similar reports raises additional concern that this may not be an isolated incident and that the issue may warrant further investigation. I respectfully request that Honda: 1. Review the circumstances surrounding this windshield failure; 2. Determine whether similar windshield complaints have been reported for the 2025 Honda Pilot; 3. Investigate whether there may be a defect involving the windshield glass. Because the windshield is an essential safety component, I believe this matter deserves more than a determination that the damage is simply ordinary road debris.

2. Engine, Aug 12, 2026

   Message Emissions System Problem – Avoid Heavy Acceleration and High Speed. See Dealer. Car has been dropped off at dealer on 7/12/26 and has still yet to be returned. Dealer stated they contacted Honda corporate and they need to take the engine apart and submitt photos

3. Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 11, 2026

   I was driving on a somewhat bumpy road (due to construction works in that location), when suddenly several warning lights came on. Driver assist was disabled, power steering and electrical braking were disabled as well. I was driving at 10mph (this was at a roundabout) so was able to control the vehicle and safely navigate it to a place where I could park. I turned off the vehicle and waited a few moments. When I turned it back on the warning lights cleared and I had power steering wheel/brake control as normal. I brought the vehicle to a certified Honda service station first thing in the morning. The report states an error code C0051-96 has occurred. The wheel sensor was recalibrated and the vehicle was cleared to drive by a Honda certified technician.

4. Forward collision avoidance, Aug 7, 2026

   What System Failed: The automatic emergency braking system (EBS) engaged without warning, causing my car to stop abruptly on a public road. How was Safety of Myself/Others at Risk: I was turning right at a 4-way stop intersection after coming to a complete stop. There were other vehicles parked/driving on the street but none of them were close enough and no one was going fast enough to be a danger/trigger the EBS. The EBS on my car engaged without warning, stopping my car completely and blocking the intersection. Luckily the vehicles behind me and approaching the intersection were going slow enough to avoid a collision. Has the Problem been Confirmed: The Honda dealer where I bought the car brand new refuses to inspect the system, claiming it's normal for emergency braking to occur due to reasons other than to avoid a collision (snow in the air/a bird flying past/etc.). Vehicle inspected: No. Warnings/Symptoms: None

5. Electrical system, Seat belts, Service brakes, Aug 7, 2026

   Safety Complaint – 2025 Honda Pilot EX-L Brake/Electric Parking Brake System Warning I am filing this complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my 2025 Honda Pilot EX-L, which I purchased brand new from Paragon Honda in Queens, New York, approximately one year ago. The vehicle currently has only 47,089 miles and has never been involved in an accident. While driving, multiple warning lights suddenly appeared on the dashboard, including a Brake System warning indicating a problem with the Electric Parking Brake system and that the parking brake was unavailable. This occurred unexpectedly while the vehicle was in operation and created a serious safety concern. A brake-related warning and loss of parking brake availability on a nearly new vehicle is unacceptable and requires immediate investigation. I immediately brought the vehicle to Paragon Honda Service Center in Queens for diagnosis. The dealership informed me that I may be responsible for diagnostic fees and possible repair costs, despite the vehicle being approximately one year old and covered by the Honda factory warranty. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this issue represents a potential safety defect affecting 2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. I believe Honda should address this problem promptly and ensure that affected customers are protected from safety risks and unexpected repair expenses. Vehicle Information: Make/Model: 2025 Honda Pilot EX-L Mileage: 47,089 miles Dealer: Paragon Honda, Queens, NY

6. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 6, 2026

   On multiple occasions, under different driving conditions, the vehicle has experienced significant and rapid deceleration without any warning lights, diagnostic codes, or dashboard messages. The deceleration has occurred unexpectedly and creates a dangerous situation, particularly in traffic where a car or semi behind me is not anticipating the sudden decrease in speed. This requires me to fully depress the gas pedal which then creates a slingshot effect once acceleration takes hold. This situation was almost continuous on a recent long-distance drive and only stopped once I parked the car in my garage. The only “fix” for now is to drive in cruise control where speed will be maintained. Since then, I’ve only driven locally and it has happened almost daily but much more intermittent with local driving. It's happened at speeds from 12 mph-74 mph. This is NOT an adaptive cruise control issue and I drive with only my right foot.

7. Seat belts, Aug 3, 2026

   Right passenger seatbelt doesn’t show it’s full engaged and dings when passenger moves

8. Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 30, 2026

   Collision Mitigation Braking System has activated numerous times while traveling on a straight road with no other vehicles around. The brakes activated hard where items shifted in the vehicle and the seatbelts locked. Occupants were thrust forward at the time of braking. Contact was make with the dealership and there are is not any fixes advised.

9. Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2026

   Not long after we purchased the vehicle, there was a crackling noise that comes up at different speeds. I reported this to the dealership (I can't recall exactly when). A mechanic (I believe) took the car for a test drive. He acknowledged hearing the sound 0n/off but could not determine its origine. Each time I go there for oil change, I re-state the problem. I had also reported this to Honda Corporate office. There was a recall at that time, and it was serviced. I thought this would take away the noise, but it is still there. I am not sure what to do next. I will continue to raise the isse each time I go to the dealership.

10. Seat belts, Jul 29, 2026

    My Seat Belt Reminder System Not Operating Properly. In fact, the second-row seat belt behind the passenger seat is malfunctioning. I learned that Honda put out a service bulletin (26-027) (https://dot.report/bulletins/MC-11028510-0001.pdf) in regards to the safety issue. I contact Honda and was told the issue was covered under a warranty claim. However, my vehicle has 39,000 miles and is no longer under warranty. I asked if the issue was a safety concern and was told not to drive the vehicle as it was 100% a safety issue. However, the repair would not be covered until Honda recalls the vehicle. I'm concerned that I can no longer safely drive my vehicle until Honda initiates a recall. The service bulletin was dated January 21, 2026. As such, Honda has had seven months to issue a safety recall. The Honda representative stated I would likely be eligible for "Goodwill Assistance" if I couldn't afford to fix the vehicle myself until I am eligible for reimbursements via a safety recall. Why is the NHTSA allowing Honda to funnel safety costs through warranty claims and delaying a recall?

11. Power train, Engine, Jul 28, 2026

    On June 25, 2026 my 2025 Honda Pilot Elite (47,503 miles) upon ignition had every warning light in the system illuminate sequentially without any prior incident. I had never experienced any indication of malfunction, including warning lights or messages. The Emissions System Problem light remained illuminated on the dashboard and, after review of the Owner's Manual instructions to avoid heavy acceleration and high speed, I had the vehicle towed by AAA on a flatbed truck 75 miles to my home. The incident occurred during the evening and the next morning I drove the vehicle to Herb Chambers Honda of Seekonk, the dealer who has performed every service on the vehicle, including recalls. Of note is that the service team at the Honda dealer, specifically Malainne Costa, has been exceptional in addressing this issue. American Honda was consulted to determine the best plan for resolution. I understand that American Honda is trying to work through necessary adjustments with the new 2025 model year. One month after the incident, my vehicle remains at the dealer. I learned that the two cylinder heads in the engine block on my vehicle need to be replaced and those parts are still on backorder. Another engine component system may require replacement due to calcium buildup on the intake valves. I was assured that my driving habits were not a factor in this incident. My concern is that this incident occurred at a time when I was in a safe location and was able to await the arrival of AAA without worry about my personal safety. I bought the brand new vehicle in November, 2024 and it is obvious that I drive a significant amount of miles per year. I worry about the safety risk of other drivers having a similar experience in a less than optimal location especially since there was no indication of a problem prior to this critical incident. I share this incident in the spirit of exploring whether this is a systemwide problem that may result in a safety recall by Honda.

12. Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 27, 2026

    The vehicle displayed a check engine light with a message stating an emissions issue. The car would accelerate on its own up to 10-15mph without any input to the throttle. Braking was extremely difficult and the car could not accelerate over 40 mph. My wife was driving and my 6 week old daughter was in the car.

13. Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 26, 2026

    Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system failed to restart engine after automatic shutdown at high elevation (~10,000 ft), following a long sustained incline. Vehicle had been driven through extreme heat (100°F+) in foothills prior to the climb, then ascended into cooler mountain air (~70°F). Coolant temperature gauge read normal (under half) at time of incident. At a stop, AIS shut off the engine as designed. Engine did not start when I released the brake pedal. I have tried to turn off the car completely and start it again. Engine would not restart via the ENGINE START/STOP button afterward. Cranking was strong and fast, but engine did not catch/start. Vehicle was inoperable for approximately 5 minutes, after which it started normally with no further intervention (no jump start, no mechanical repair). After restart, Auto Start/Stop was manually disabled for the remainder of the trip. Vehicle then completed a 1-hour drive home with no further starting or performance issues, suggesting the AIS restart logic, not an unrelated mechanical or electrical fault, was the cause.

14. Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 22, 2026

    Bought car late march 2026 from Toyota dealership . Collision Mitigation Braking System randomly engages. Forcefully slamming on brakes ( approx 1-2 seconds and then releasing) when NOTHING is in the road or around. No rhyme or reason , no consistency as to when it happens. Since Purchasing it has happed 9-10 times. **7/15/26 - visit Toyota for routine service, expresses my concerns. They said they couldn’t see anything bc their systems can’t diagnose Honda. **7/21/26 - Honda Dealership . says sensors are fine. (Spent less than 10 mins driving the vehicle). And recommends to turn the anti-collision feature off .. but it has to be turned off every time the vehicle restarts. For safety reasons - I don’t feel I should have to do this … the problem should be looked into and taken seriously. I can only imagine the catastrophe if I were in bumper to bumper traffic and it happens, causing a pile up.

15. Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 22, 2026

    At least 4 times since we bought this vehicle in 2025, it has suddenly braked very hard, and very suddenly at highway speeds. This has always happened when using the car's adaptive cruise control, and when I am passing a large vehicle (semi truck, pickup with large camper, etc). This has happened at relatively high highway speeds (85 mph) when vehicles are behind me in the passing lane. The problem has never been reproduced or confirmed by the dealer, although I have complained about it twice. The first time, they said they lowered the sensitivity of the crash detection. The second time they showed me how to manually turn off adaptive cruise control manually. There was no prior warning when this happened, no lights or messages. This has happened about 4 times since Fall of 2025. The date below is approximately the last time, and the last location that this happened.

16. Seat belts, Wheels, Jul 20, 2026

    I bought the car brand new in December 2024. About 3 months later I had to get the struts replaced and had multiple problems that Honda deems as “fine”. The AC cooling is terrible and worse that my 2009 Dodge and 2015 Accord. The steering wheel has a springy rattling noise, and the phone won’t connect to the car at random times. They replaced the struts after returning twice. One year later in March my SRS warning light came on and the dealership fixed it a total of 3 different times, each time not taking care of the problems. They also broke and scratched pieces of my car, failed to put my oil cap back on, and left my car in poor condition when returning it back to me. So far, the SRS system warning hasn’t came back on but still worried because I have kids and don’t want to get into a wreck and something fail.

17. Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 19, 2026

    While driving my 2025 Honda Pilot at normal road speeds, multiple warning messages suddenly appeared on the dashboard, including steering system warnings. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn and felt as though it had locked, creating a serious safety hazard. I had very limited ability to steer the vehicle and could have lost control, especially if this had occurred at higher speeds or in traffic. The vehicle had to be towed to a Honda dealership for inspection. I was informed there were issues involving the steering system, including the steering rack/rack and pinion, and an alignment was recommended. The estimated repair cost was approximately $5,900, and I was told the warranty would not cover the repair even though this appears to be an internal component failure. The failed components are available for inspection upon request. I believe this is a serious safety defect because a sudden loss of steering control while driving could easily result in a crash, serious injury, or death.

18. Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 19, 2026

    Started up vehicle, and (all the bashboard warning lights illuminated),tsa,check engine light,power steering, brake lights.....all of them. Doors won't lock, and the raido stays on, even when the vehicle is completely turned off. Vehicle purchased on:12/02/2024. 3 miles on the odometer. Currently 14,000 miles.. honda corporation attempting not honor the warranty. $8400 dollars, to fix,and to contact my insurance company, and claim rodent damage; I, wouldn't have to pay, the insurance company will cover the cost.

19. Steering, Air bags, Jul 14, 2026

    The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel made an abnormal clicking sound. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure and associated the failure with air bag and an incorrect installation of the steering wheel. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

20. Forward collision avoidance, Jul 13, 2026

    The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle with the Adaptive Cruise Control activated, the adaptive cruise control erroneously deactivated, causing the vehicle to suddenly decelerate. The contact stated that the failure once occurred while driving up a steep hill while being followed by a second vehicle. Additionally, the message to clean the camera lens was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the front camera was realigned, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120.

21. Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2026

    Front windshield was cracked on 1/21/26. It was replaced right after by a new Honda windshield and it was installed at a Honda dealership. On 7/6/2026, I found a chip in my windshield again. It feels that the windshield from Honda has a bad quality

22. Engine, Jul 8, 2026

    2025 Honda Pilot suffered severe engine misfires while driving due to total intake valve carbon blockages at 31,000 miles. The dealer and Honda Tech Line admitted they do not know why it happened and cannot find the cause.

23. Steering, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 6, 2026

    While driving roughly 15 MPH, my car displayed emergency messages, brake applied automatically by the vehicle and the power steering failed. In order for me to get out of the way of traffic in an intersection, I had to veer to the opposite side of the road passing oncoming traffic. The following lights were displayed "TSA, Hill start assist problem vehicle may roll upon brake release, Vehicle Stability Assist problem reduced traction and handling, brake system problem brake system reduced, electric power steering problem steering assist not available do not drive" Vehicle has had no issues and only has 6,460 miles on it. Car is currently waiting to be towed to the dealership.

24. Seat belts, Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 3, 2026

    When driving on the highway vehicle suddwnly brakes on its own when it detects cars on side lane not directly in front of me creating a noticeable slowdown being somewhat unsafe. The wiper blades dont come up they hit the hood of the car which i believe shouldnt be this way. The seatbelt sensors go off in back row even if no one unbuckles then the car starts making loud noise to let you know and a side unbuckled light comes on and also the x marking which seat but it continues making loud beeping noise that can cause distraction and even an accident i drove 45 minutes with it doing this to me on and off mostly on the only way to get it to stop is if someone doesnt sit on marked spot. So now i dont know if this will happen on all seats as for now its obly on the third row passenger right side seat. I have about 3 weeksnoticing this but it was less now its more so i made apptment to take im to get checked but the sound is very anboying and distracting

25. Power train, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 30, 2026

    The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while reversing, the automatic emergency brake unexpectedly engaged. The check engine, ABS, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The transmission failed to shift into the intended gear. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to shift into the intended gear. Additionally, the transmission jerked while accelerating, the RPM failed to increase while accelerating. The contact stated that the doors failed to open immediately after pressing the fob key, and the infotainment screen was flashing. The contact stated that the failures were intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.