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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine476
  2. Electrical system266
  3. Fuel/propulsion system123
  4. Power train122
  5. Vehicle speed control31
  6. Service brakes26
  7. Forward collision avoidance23
  8. Fuel system, gasoline19
  9. Structure16
  10. Lane departure14
  11. Seat belts14
  12. Engine and engine cooling13
  13. Visibility/wiper13
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201723
201843
201938
202073
202182
2022233
202394
2024111
2025119
2026121

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2026EngineODI 11774318

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11767926

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11772446

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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11763553

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11766584

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2026Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Lane departureODI 11751382
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.