2025 Honda PILOT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
195 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
8,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2025 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 41 of 195 complaints (21.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 64 | 32.8% |
| Steering behavior | 48 | 24.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 7.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 14 | 7.2% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 41 |
| Steering | 38 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 32 |
| Engine | 30 |
| Service Brakes | 30 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 23 |
| Unknown Or Other | 23 |
| Power Train | 20 |
Electrical System: 41; Steering: 38; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 32; Engine: 30; Service Brakes: 30; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 23; Unknown Or Other: 23; Power Train: 20
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 22 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 22; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 172 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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 86 |
| 2026 | 90 |
2024: 19; 2025: 86; 2026: 90
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 64 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 48 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 15 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 11603042 · 2024-07-17 (July 17, 2024)
My CMBS stopped my car in the middle of the road coming home one day. There were no other cars around me (in front of me, behind me, or coming towards me). The word “brake” flashed across my dash and then it beeped at me and just stopped in the middle of the road going 55 mph. My kids and elderly mother in law were in the car with me and we were all shaken up and also very glad there were no cars behind us, or else we could have been injured in a rear-end collision. The dealer has had my car for 21 days now and cannot reproduce it, but they a…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11603042 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11611509 · 2024-08-29 (August 29, 2024)
The transmission jerks/jumps when accelerating and also as slowing down. The vehicle, including the steering wheel, shakes when braking at speeds above 60mph. Several parts of the body are not put together properly, leaving gaps, overlaps, etc.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11611509 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11605562 · 2024-07-31 (July 31, 2024)
I was driving my new 2025 Honda Pilot when I went to make a right turn and the steering system locked on me. I couldn't turn right and was almost in a horrible accident. Thank God that the other vehicles were able to stop in time. But I had to get the car out of traffic with the help of good samaritans. I cut the car off and all the systems dispalyed a error and said to see dealer. It was the most scariest and stressful time. I was late to work, my husband had to leave work to come and get me. I had the car towed to the dealership and was give…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11605562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11609313 · 2024-08-19 (August 19, 2024)
The vehicle has multiple electrical issues. The biggest problem is with the keyless entry system and remote start. In hot weather (living in SW Arizona), neither system works. Use of a vehicle key is required to enter the vehicle. Upon entry, the vehicle displays "keyless access system problem. See your dealer". The dealership finally diagnosed a problem with a control module. During this time we've had a loaner 2024 Honda Civic that does the exact same thing. Also experiencing problems with the backup camera display blacking out inte…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11609313 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11618247 · 2024-10-05 (October 5, 2024)
New 2025 Pilot with about 3,000 miles, driving in Montana on a level dusty gravel road at about 5,000 feet altitude. Driving into the morning sun for about 20 minutes at a slow speed of about 30 mph all of a sudden multiple warnings flashed, engine, brakes, etc. Steering was stiff and brakes did not feel active, very stiff. I just coasted to a stop on a desolate gravel road, no other traffic. The engine was still running, did not press on the gas for in large red letters the warning panel said "DO NOT DRIVE". The car was very dusty. If w…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11618247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11624402 · 2024-11-10 (November 10, 2024)
The transmission jerks at low speeds, especially in gears 1, 2, and 3. Starting from a stop is the worst. When you press the gas pedal there is a delayed response to accelerate the car. This is a safety issue. When you press the gas to pull out in front of traffic the vehicle is slow to respond, can get bogged down trying to shift gears, and may result in an accident. The jerkiness feels like the transmission is going to fall out. The vehicle does not accelerate smooth from 0-20 mph.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11624402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11659579 · 2025-05-07 (May 7, 2025)
The message "emission system problem, power may be reduced, see your dealer" indicates a potential issue with your vehicle's emission control system, which may also be causing a reduction in engine power. I was told by the Honda Service Center, that i shouldn't drive it until it is serviced because the car might stall or engine damage may occur. The car only has 86 miles, I have had it less than a week. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Yes. How was your safety or the safety of o…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11659579 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11698387 · 2025-11-08 (November 8, 2025)
Tonight, 11/8/2025 at 7pm MT, while traveling straight at 25-30 mph, power steering suddenly failed and vehicle reported that AWD failed with only front wheels powered. Many other failure warnings simultaneously appeared on dash (collision detection, LKAS, parking assist, etc). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My family's safety was put at risk. Sudden loss of power steering is very surprising to the driver, combined with the dash reporting a multitude of failure warnings all at once. If we had been driving on the free…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11698387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11621856 · 2024-10-25 (October 25, 2024)
- Extremely strong gasoline smell inside the vehicle while driving. Didn’t matter AC on or off, smell was terrible but more evident with AC/Fan on. Had to lower all the 4 windows to let out the air. - With a toddler in car it was terrifying with the nauseating smell and/or the risk of fire if at all. - Problem not reproduced by dealer and was mentioned it’s a sticky plastic in exhaust, will go away. - First appeared only on 23rd Oct 2024 with around 1,590 miles on it and not until then. No other related symptoms. - Fuel was almost 3/4th full …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11621856 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11624927 · 2024-11-13 (November 13, 2024)
- Had initially reported this problem to dealer at ~1590 miles on the vehicle. After ~2,200 miles gasoline smell is still there and severe. - The smell is obnoxious to driver if driving with Windows rolled up and is a safety concern. - Issue is more pronounced, severe when driving at the beginning of the day after overnight parking. - Took it to same dealer twice, they did diagnosis and informed it’s because of the plastic stuck to the exhaust which is the cause. They want to wait out till it’s fully burnt and the smell should go away. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11624927 at NHTSA ↗