2026 Honda PILOT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
12,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2026 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 18 complaints (44.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 8 | 44.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 11.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Steering: 8; Unknown Or Other: 6; Seat Belts: 4; Air Bags: 2; Power Train: 2; Suspension: 2; Electrical System: 1; Seats: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 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: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 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 (1). 17 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 |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 18 |
2026: 18
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 11739103 · 2026-05-20 (May 20, 2026)
Driving east bound hwy 410 about 35mph and slowing due to red light. I heard a very loud popping sound. I thought it was my water bottle I left in the console, but the noise did not come from there. Came to a stop and heard what sounded like ice cracking, I glanced in the back and could see the window on passenger side in very back was shattered . When light turned green I pulled into Target parking lot to look at it. The whole thing was shattered. There was no one impact site, all around the entire window was cracked in different spots. I call…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11739103 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11740960 · 2026-05-29 (May 29, 2026)
The occupant detection system for all five rear seats is erratic, frequently reporting seats as occupied and unbuckled when they are empty or folded flat. Once the vehicle reaches 10 mph, audible alerts trigger and recur up to three times for 30 to 60 seconds each, even if no passengers are present. Because these sensors are integral to the restraint system, there is a critical concern that the airbags may not deploy correctly based on this inaccurate occupancy data. Extremely distracting. First time we noticed: Leaving the chanhassen Kingdom…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11740960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11743383 · 2026-06-11 (June 11, 2026)
The second and third row seats do not recognize when passengers are exiting the vehicle. All second and third row seats cause the seat belt warning to go off multiple times even when there are not passengers in the vehicle. Car in park does not mitigate this problem.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11743383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11744643 · 2026-06-16 (June 16, 2026)
Slowed down to turn right into a parking lot, power steering suddenly disabled and multiple warning lights appeared on dash. Warning messages stating auto brake system disabled, lane departure assist disabled, hill assist and start disabled, and more warning lights. Steering suddenly became difficult and dangerous with moving traffic behind me. Pulled into a parking lot and restarted car multiple times. After more than 10 minutes and restarting vehicle, power steering came back.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11744643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11744903 · 2026-06-17 (June 17, 2026)
Vehicle: 2026 Honda Pilot Elite AWD Current Mileage: ~3,850 miles Persistent component defect and failure within the steering column assembly, specifically involving the steering clock spring (cable reel assembly). The vehicle experiences an audible clicking, rattling, and binding sensation during normal steering wheel rotation. Authorized Honda dealership warranty repairs have failed to remedy the issue due to replacement parts failing immediately upon installation. Chronology of Failures: 1- 05/04/2026 (2,078 miles): Vehicle brought to He…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11744903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11745482 · 2026-06-21 (June 21, 2026)
Vehicle: 2026 Honda Pilot Elite AWD Current Mileage: ~3,850 VIN: [XXX] , , , Defect Summary: Persistent component defect and failure within the steering column assembly, specifically involving the steering clock spring (cable reel assembly). The vehicle experiences an audible clicking, rattling, and binding sensation during normal steering wheel rotation. Authorized Honda dealership warranty repairs have failed to remedy the issue due to replacement parts failing immediately upon installation. Chronology of Failures: 1. [XXX] (2,078 miles): Veh…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11745482 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11745662 · 2026-06-22 (June 22, 2026)
Intermittent severe shaking in steering wheel while driving at various speeds. No warning. Vehicle has less than 500 miles.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11745662 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11746492 · 2026-06-25 (June 25, 2026)
When dropping off rear-seat passengers, the seat belt alarm continues to sound loudly for an extended period after passengers unbuckle and exit the vehicle. This behavior persists even after the door has been opened and closed. In contrast, the front passenger seat does not behave this way, and in my previous vehicle, a 2023 Honda Pilot Touring, the rear seat alert would disengage promptly once the door was opened and closed. At the dealership we tested a 2026 Honda Pilot Touring and this issue does not exist in that model either. Seems specifi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11746492 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
26V424000 · Structure:Frame And Members | Suspension:Rear
Reported: 2026-07-01 (July 1, 2026)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.
Consequence: Loose rear subframe bolts can lead to a loss of vehicle stability or rear subframe detachment, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is OOY. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 10, 2026.
NHTSA campaign record ↗