2023 Honda PILOT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
137 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
18,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 137 complaints (21.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 19.7% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 15.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 13.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 8.8% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 30 |
| Electrical System | 27 |
| Unknown Or Other | 22 |
| Steering | 17 |
| Service Brakes | 15 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 13 |
| Power Train | 10 |
Seat Belts: 30; Electrical System: 27; Unknown Or Other: 22; Steering: 17; Service Brakes: 15; Engine: 13; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 13; Power Train: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 120 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 51 |
2023: 27; 2024: 22; 2025: 37; 2026: 51
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 18 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11522984 · 2023-05-20 (May 20, 2023)
According to the dealership, there was a battery failure, a wheel sensor failure, and possibly other things going on as well. The car was rendered useless. ABS stopped working, multiple transmission failures, traction control failures, power steering failures, brake failures, total sensor failures, and overall rendered the car dangerous and unsafe to drive. The car became a heavy, metal, killing machine with zero safety features. The trunk is also unable to be opened and the memory seats do not function. The car is still at the dealership 3 t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11522984 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11523249 · 2023-05-22 (May 22, 2023)
According to the dealership, there was a ABS Sensor that went bad. Dropped off the 2023 Pilot Elite the other day and they said the part might be delivered in August 2023. The incident happened twice and everything went dead. The dashboard lit up with every warning under the sun in terms of electrical failures - Power Steering failure (Steering assist reduced), Anti-Lock Brake Problem (Brake performance may be reduced), Vehicle stability assist system problem (Reduced Traction and handling), Hill start assist problem, TSA system problem -…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11523249 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11530533 · 2023-07-05 (July 5, 2023)
Car hesitates when trying to accelerate in normal mode. Same when trying to slow. It seems the transmission is not shifting properly. When trying to merge or make a quick turn, this issue has made driving difficult. This is ongoing problem that is consistent. I took it to dealer to check it out, but was turned away .
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11530533 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11540182 · 2023-08-22 (August 22, 2023)
At 850 miles on the odometer, the 2023 Honda Pilot ECU failed during normal operation of the vehicle on local roads, leading to a loss of power to engine transmission components, emissions systems, brake hold system, and traction control leading to reduced control and speed over the vehicle. The vehicle has been sent to the dealer for inspection of the OBD warning messages displayed. The driver was unable to operate the vehicle due to impaired speed, acceleration and braking capabilities that accompanied the ECU malfunction. The problem is cu…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11540182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11590771 · 2024-05-25 (May 25, 2024)
On May 4, 2024, normal driving conditions, experienced what felt like a loss of power. Warning on dashboard says All Wheel Drive System Problem, Only Front Wheels May Be Powered. See Dealer. Pulled car over to side of road and turned engine off. Turned back on and warning was gone. Occurred again today May 25, 2024 while driving on freeway. Loss of power and same warning message displayed. I do not feel at all safe in this vehicle. I drove straight to dealership for service to look at it. Hopefully have some answers after the holiday weeke…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11590771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11542487 · 2023-09-04 (September 4, 2023)
Honda Pilot 2023 Elite shows 15+ error messages on the instrument panel. Messages indicate emissions systems, breaking systems, power steering and various risk mitigation systems experiencing problems resulting in reduced performance. Errors show up when the vehicle starts and are easy to reproduce. Dealer has looked at the vehicle 3 separate times. Problem occurs again in few days after dealer visit. Dealer based on the system error code diagnosed the problem with the fuel system. So far the dealer has replaced the high pressure fuel pump, inj…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11542487 at NHTSA ↗