Problems · NHTSA complaints
2017 Honda Pilot problems
Owners filed 937 complaints about the 2017 Honda Pilot with NHTSA between Apr 2017 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (476).
Complaints
937
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine476
- Electrical system266
- Fuel/propulsion system123
- Power train122
- Vehicle speed control31
- Service brakes26
- Forward collision avoidance23
- Fuel system, gasoline19
- Structure16
- Lane departure14
- Seat belts14
- Engine and engine cooling13
- Visibility/wiper13
- Exterior lighting10
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
23
43
38
73
82
233
94
111
119
121
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 23 |
| 2018 | 43 |
| 2019 | 38 |
| 2020 | 73 |
| 2021 | 82 |
| 2022 | 233 |
| 2023 | 94 |
| 2024 | 111 |
| 2025 | 119 |
| 2026 | 121 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
476 reports4 fires
“My 2017 honda pilot suddenly experienced engine failure. While drive the check engine light came on and could hear engine noise. Towed vehicle to a repair shop where they found bearing material in the oil filter. This vehicle has been well maintained, with regular oil changes.”
Electrical system
266 reports1 crash3 fires
“While driving with ACC active, I engaged LKAS. After approximately 30-40 seconds, ACC and LKAS disengaged and all sensor warning lights illuminated and sensors as well as ACC and LKAS would no longer work. Warning lights and error messages on instrument cluster continue to show since this happened. Vehicle starts and runs normally otherwise. Battery tested and is healthy. OBD II shows no codes. New windshield was installed in July 2026 by Safelite.”
Fuel/propulsion system
123 reports1 crash1 fire
“This is has the same issues as the other fuel pump recalls for Honda pilots but it says my vin is not covered. My pilot is experiencing all of the same exact same issues in the recall”
Power train
122 reports1 crash
“I own a 2017 Honda Pilot equipped with the 9-speed automatic transmission. I am reporting what I believe may be transmission/torque-converter failure and a potential safety concern. The vehicle began experiencing shuddering, jerking, and hesitation. There is significant RPM fluctuation and harsh shifting. The problem occurs on highway speeds, accelerating or shifting lanes, 40–60 mph. During these episodes, the acceleration stalls and is accident prone. 8 months ago, I brought the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealer because of these symptoms, they couldn't get the code. 3 months ago, I went again for same issues, the dealer diagnosed a damaged air-intake hose and I paid for replacement. However, immediately driving off the lot, the original symptoms continued after the repair. I returned the vehicle to the Honda dealership because the problem persisted. The dealership has now diagnosed transmission failure and has estimated the repair at approximately 10,000. American Honda has offered approximately 60% goodwill assistance toward the repair, leaving me responsible for approximately 4,000. I am concerned because there are numerous reports involving…”
Vehicle speed control
31 reports2 crashes
“Started the car Check engine lights and all the other lights came on: tire pressure, ABS,ACC, break, emergency break, collision mitigation system problem, road departure mitigation,VSA. Turned off the car, the lights and check engine lights went away and a few days later while driving car did that again and then it engine decline in speed and died on highway.”
Service brakes
26 reports1 crash
“Lane keeping assist problem light on, collision mitigation system problem light on, road departure mitigation system problem light on, adaptive cruise control problem light on. brake sy stem light on. The vehicle’s multiple camera has failed and it is a common occurrence with this vehicle. Honda has not recalled this and is charging customers upwards of $2500 to replace the camera behind the windshield and recalibrate it. This isn’t an issue based on miles there have been incidents with it happening as early as 30,000 miles. I bought my vehicle used and about 113,000 this started happening”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.