2023 Honda PILOT: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 11524879 · 2023-06-01 (June 1, 2023)
- There is a clicking noise coming from the steering column area after the vehicle has been driven on the highway for approximately 15 minutes and the vehicle engine has been warmed up. The noise can be heard at low speeds, such as pulling up into a driveway, or turning the steering wheel while parked. - The vehicle is brand new with 2900 miles as of today and the clicking noise coming from the steering column can pose an unknown danger to those in the car and around the car. - The vehicle was brought in to the dealership for service inspection…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11524879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11527338 · 2023-06-16 (June 16, 2023)
1st incident: I was traveling on country road. I was approaching two bicyclists on the right. With no oncoming traffic, I began to move into the other lane to go around the bicyclists. The warnings appeared on my dash, and the steering wheel pulled the car back towards the bicyclists. 2nd incident: I was traveling on a country road, goin over a hill. The cameras must have lost sight of the lane markers, dash flashed the lane departure warning and the steering pulled the vehicle towards the oncoming lane. There was a motorcycle approaching & …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11527407 · 2023-06-16 (June 16, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the wife was reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle's glass sunroof suddenly exploded and shattered causing glass shards to fall into the cabin of the vehicle. During the failure, the driver sustained bruising and small lacerations to the neck and back area. The injuries did not require medical attention. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 600.
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11527407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11527555 · 2023-06-17 (June 17, 2023)
Had just rolled 1000 miles on car. Went to back out of a parking spot at a restaurant and car would shudder to a stop after moving a foot or two in reverse and go back into park. This happened approximately 4 to 5 times. We finally backed up enough to put it in drive and it continued to do the same thing in drive. We shut the car off and cranked it again. It still would slam back into park from drive at least twice more. We are now concerned with this as a safety issue in addition to it being a defect. What if it decides to return to park and w…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527555 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11529361 · 2023-06-28 (June 28, 2023)
Hello, this is an issue with the vehicle not knowing the key FOB is in the vehicle as it's moving. This occurred 2 days after purchasing the 2023 Honda Pilot. As I was driving a warning light popped up on the dash indicating that the key was not in the vehicle. I took a picture and sent it to the dealer, they changed batteries, blamed issue on Honda manufacturing and emailed me that this was not a safety concern as the vehicle will not shut off if it doesn't sense the FOB in vehicle. Honda corporate told me this is a safety concerns. I'm not …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11529361 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 ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V735000 · Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack
Reported: 2023-11-02 (November 2, 2023)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Pilot vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the gear box assembly may contain a loose ball bearing, which can result in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up.
Consequence: A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FFX.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V859000 · Seats:Critical Fasteners
Reported: 2024-11-14 (November 14, 2024)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems."
Consequence: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V900000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
Reported: 2024-11-27 (November 27, 2024)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Passport and 2023-2025 Pilot vehicles. The fuel filler neck tube and fuel filler pipe may separate, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the fuel filler neck tube and pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is OKM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V031000 · Electrical System:Software | Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
Reported: 2025-01-23 (January 23, 2025)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
Consequence: An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EL1 and AL0.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V391000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
Reported: 2025-06-12 (June 12, 2025)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗