Problems · NHTSA complaints

2023 Honda Pilot problems

Owners filed 148 complaints about the 2023 Honda Pilot with NHTSA between May 2023 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is seat belts (36).

Complaints
148
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Seat belts36
  2. Electrical system28
  3. Forward collision avoidance20
  4. Steering19
  5. Service brakes17
  6. Engine13
  7. Seats10
  8. Power train10
  9. Visibility6
  10. Structure6
  11. Visibility/wiper5
  12. Lane departure5
  13. Fuel/propulsion system5
  14. Air bags4

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 2, 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
202327
202422
202537
202662

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

Seat belts

36 reports
“The rear 2nd row passenger seatbelt alarm continues to go on when the seat belt is plugged in. I don’t feel safe having my children sit in that seat. I did go to the Honda dealership that I bought the car and they told me that I would have to pay for that part because it’s not recalled I am not paying for the part when I just bought the car brand new off the lot and we had nothing to do with the seatbelt going wrong.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2026Seat beltsODI 11774356

Electrical system

28 reports1 crash
“I own a 2023 Honda Pilot. On two separate occasions while the vehicle was being driven, the vehicle experienced multiple system warnings and a significant loss of steering assistance. The first incident occurred before July 16, 2026, at approximately 40,605 miles. While my wife was driving, multiple warning lights illuminated and the steering wheel suddenly became extremely stiff and difficult to turn, although the engine remained running. She was able to pull over, turn the vehicle off, and restart it. After the restart, the warning lights disappeared and the steering returned to normal. I brought the vehicle to John Eagle Honda of Dallas on July 16, 2026. The dealer's repair order documents: “CUSTOMER STATES MULTIPLE LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND STEERING WHEEL GOT REALLY STIFF BUT VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING.” The dealer reported that it performed a battery check and charging-system test, found no stored diagnostic trouble codes, could not duplicate the condition during a test drive, and performed no repair. The problem occurred again on September 8, 2026, at approximately 42,511 miles while my wife was driving. Once again, the steering became extremely…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11763055

Forward collision avoidance

20 reports1 crash
“I have this car for more than 3 years now and ever since this sensor problem keeps bugging me out. The brake system hold error keeps on displaying specially on a rainy days, winter season and not only that, the car suddenly stopped in the middle of thw highway while displaying collision error message although there is no collision. This is very dangerous and knowing that it can happen anytime while your are driving on a highway. I am very frustrated and this type of cars is not cheap and they gave as a junk, not safe for driving cars. And jus today, my honda pilot is not starting at all. The engine keeps cranking while showing brake system hold error, collision error messages and a lot more. I was able to use it last night and suddenly for no reason it stops working because of some errors that I do not have any idea what's going on. Please, I need this to be fix by them (Honda). This is not a safe care at all.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026Service brakes, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11766265

Steering

19 reports1 related recall
“While driving to work this morning. Rate of speed under 45 mph with no apparent issues. Suddenly warning lights on the dash lit up and steering became difficult. Three separate information warnings: Lane Keeping assist problem, electric power steering problem, adaptive cruise control problem. I was able to continue to drive the 3 miles to work. Had to use 2 hands and pull hard on the steering wheel to pull into the parking lot from the street. Actually had to stop the car, turn it off and restart it just to get into a parking space. Turned engine off twice, both times all warning lights came back on on the dash when I restarted the car. I only have 29,043 miles on this vehicle. It was unsettling to find myself in an unsafe situation today.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11761563

Service brakes

17 reports
“Brake system error displayed on dash. Hill decent system error. Dealership was unable to diagnose and had to replace 2 major wiring harnesses under the dash to clear light.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2026Service brakesODI 11743473

Engine

13 reports1 fire
“The engine required a short block replacement at approximately 40,000 miles. There was a severe knocking sound and the dealer diagnosed heavy scoring and abnormal wear present on the front bank cylinder walls. The result was excessive internal engine clearance and cylinder wall damage. Engine cylinder piston block holes were worn beyond spec. After 33 days the vehicle was returned and developed a growling/grinding noise when the AC was in operation and at lower speeds that followed the RPMs. Vehicle was returned to dealer and told sound was normal operation for this model and stated it was coming from AC Compressor. Independent shop verified 2 days later AC compressor was failing and possible metal contamination. AC compressor is backordered with no ETA. Advised to not use AC or Defroster to avoid seizing and causing serpentine belt to snap. Advised Honda Customer Care and assigned Case Manager who was made aware of knock and compressor failure and contacted dealer who stated vehicle could not be seen for 7 days due to being booked. Advised Case Manager of vehicle safety concern with internal engine failure damage and failing AC system and was denied emergency…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11761063
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 2, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.