2019 Honda PILOT: complaints, problems and recalls

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TOTALLY INADEQUATE. LOW BEAMS ILLUMINATE ROAD ONLY DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF VEHICLE AND NOT ENOUGH FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION OF “OVER DRIVING” THE HEADLIGHTS.

Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11141105 at NHTSA ↗

THE VEHICLE WAS ADVERTISED WITH 'LED' LOW BEAM LIGHTS. IT HAS HALOGEN.

Owner-reported narrative. 115 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165293 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING, BOTH HIGHWAY AND AROUND TOWN, LOUD CRACKLING WOULD OCCUR THROUGH THE SPEAKERS. THEN BOTH THE NAVIGATION SCREEN AND/OR THE SPEEDOMETER SCREEN WOULD GO COMPLETELY BLACK. THE MESSAGE "NETWORK CONNECTION LOST" WOULD SOMETIMES APPEAR. ALL BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY AND SPEAKER USAGE WAS LOST. THIS OCCURS ALMOST EVERY DAY WHILE COMMUTING. CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO HONDA SERVICE TWICE FOR REPAIRS.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165340 at NHTSA ↗

BRAKES ARE EXTREMELY SLOW TO REACT AND VERY MUSHEY WHEN THEY DO. HOLDING THE BRKE PEDEL HARD TAKES THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. WHEN SERVICE REP WAS ASKED TO ADJUST, THEY STATED, ALL PILOTS ARE LIKE THIS. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WATING TO HPEN.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11165341 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE, HILL START ASSIST, TRAILER STABILITY ASSIST, POWER STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE LITIGATION, BLIND SPOT, TRANSMISSION, AND EMISSION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIRST TEXAS HONDA (3400 STECK AVE, AUSTIN, TX 78757, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 09223186. THE FAILURE MIL…

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165653 at NHTSA ↗

OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT MOTION OF THE POWER TAILGATE CAN BE STOPPED BY PRESSING ANY TAILGATE BUTTON. "IF YOU PRESS THE BUTTON AGAIN WHILE THE POWER TAILGATE IS MOVING, IT WILL STOP." (PAGES FROM MANUAL ATTACHED AS PDF.) DEALER ALSO TOLD ME THIS. THIS IS A LIE. THE TAILGATE DOES NOT STOP UNTIL IT REACHES THE FULL UPWARD POSITION, OR UNTIL ITS UPWARD MOTION HITS AN OBSTACLE (E.G. GARAGE DOOR) AND REVERSES DIRECTION. HONDA LIED. AFTER COMPLAINING TO DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE WAS REMOVED FROM THE 2019 PILOT; YET IT IS…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11171493 at NHTSA ↗

THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. SEEMS TO BE WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL FOR OVER 1.25 HRS. WHEN YOU PRESS THE CANCEL BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO CANCEL THE SET CRUISE CONTROL, THE CARS "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. THE ENGINE WILL CONTINUE RUNNING BUT THERE IS LITTLE TO NO POWER WHEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR. DRIVER MUST PULL OVER, TURN OFF CAR AND THEN RESTART. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AT HIGH SPEEDS OR CROSSING OVER ONCOMING TRAFFIC! I BROUGHT THE HONDA PILOT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT BOTH H…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11181242 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 'APPLY BRAKES' ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES DID NOT NEED TO BE APPLIED. ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. NALLEY HONDA BRUNSWICK (178 ALTAMA CONNECTOR, BRUNSWICK, GA 31525, [phone removed]) WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE RANDOM BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE V…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11183150 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2018-11-28 (November 28, 2018)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Honda Ridgeline and Pilot vehicles. The mounting holes for the clip that secures the right center pillar trim panel may be larger than intended. In the event of a crash necessitating right side curtain air bag deployment, the clip may not hold the center pillar trim panel in position and it may potentially interfere with the curtain air bag deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection," and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the curtain air bag does not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket on the right center pillar that will securely hold the center pillar trim clip, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is D3D.

Reported: 2019-04-12 (April 12, 2019)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.

Consequence: Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.

Reported: 2019-10-31 (October 31, 2019)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Pilot and 2019 Passport vehicles. The front frame left and right side upper members may not have been welded completely to the unibody. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 219, "Windshield Zone Intrusion."

Consequence: In the event of a crash, incomplete body welding may provide inadequate protection to occupants, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing welds, free of charge. If the vehicle is identified as missing welds, the dealer will offer to repurchase the vehicle or provide a similar replacement vehicle. Owner notification began November 6 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X6J.

Reported: 2020-07-28 (July 28, 2020)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Consequence: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.

Reported: 2020-07-28 (July 28, 2020)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Consequence: A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Y7Y.

Reported: 2021-03-11 (March 11, 2021)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Consequence: Overcured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation, which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2021. Owners may contact American Honda Motor Co. customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UA2.

Reported: 2021-03-25 (March 25, 2021)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

Reported: 2021-11-29 (November 29, 2021)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.

Consequence: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.

Reported: 2023-06-15 (June 15, 2023)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.

Reported: 2023-11-13 (November 13, 2023)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

Consequence: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.

Reported: 2023-12-18 (December 18, 2023)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

Reported: 2026-05-21 (May 21, 2026)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

Reported: 2026-06-04 (June 4, 2026)

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

Consequence: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.