This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The pilot turns the engine off while idling to save fuel. Twice this week when I have been stopped at stop lights it becomes unresponsive and I am unable to get the car back into gear. Attempts to turn the car on and off and to restart the car don't work. Both times I was only able to get it started after opening the drivers door... it took at least 1 minute each time. But I am very worried about it causing an accident. I have realized that I can turn this feature off, but it defaults to it being on everytime you start it again.
The engine start stop function failed to restart the car at an intersection. I tried to start the car few times but it did not start. I placed it into Neutral and tried restarting but it failed. I was not able to put it in Drive, there was a notification that the car needs to be started before going into D. Finally was able to turn off the car. It restarted and was back in drivable condition. It was a panic situation. We hope Honda can address this issue.
Starting in early 2021 at around 40,000 miles my auto idle stop working causing my pilot to stall while in stop and go on interstate, at stop lights and and stop signs. Basically everytime the suv comes to a stop, it completely shuts down car. I have to shift back to park and start engine again, sometimes it takes a few minutes and a few tries. Very dangerous have to put on flashers while people go around me. It has happened so many times I turn off the auto idle everytime I get in the vehicle. I checked honda forums and everyone who tried to get it fixed from Honda dealer ( several different ways) it just kept happening and Honda cant explain. I asked my dealer today and they did not have an answer either, do not want to waste my $. I have to keep a note taped to ignition button reminding me to turn off idle.
In heavy traffic at the airport, when I was slowing down and stopping the Automatic Start/Stop functionality caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle then went into neutral on it's own. I put the vehicle in park and it would not start (As if the vehicle had a dead battery or alternator issue). I charged the battery and it still would not start. I have read several other forums on this MY and other Honda Pilot's where the vehicle will stall at intersections/stopping points and refuse to start despite several efforts. I see this as a serious safety issue if in heavy traffic on a free way or working to clear an intersection. I believe this issue needs addressed. Honda also states that it can not turn off the Auto Start/Stop feature.
The pilot will suddenly not start and has around 36k miles. Took it to the dealer and they braid the battery is fine. Replaced battery regardless. It has also stopped at red lights and then have to jump it, making me carry a jump brick with me at all times. Has been a happening for two months. Have had to turn off eco system and also have to turn off the gas saving feature at traffic lights where the engine shouted down when stopped so as not to stall.
- Suwanee, GA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The engine does not restart on its own after the auto start-stop shuts it off at a stop sign or stoplight. This happens so frequently that I am forced to turn off the functionality every time I start the car for fear that it won-??t start again at the stop light.
During the highway trip the auto idle functionality did not resume after a full stop. The car engine stopped and transmission switched to neutral. It took multiple attempts to re start the car in the middle of a highway.
Start/Stop function engaged at a red light or in stop and go traffic, stopping the engine. Engine would not restart. I attempted to restart engine and had a great deal of difficulty getting it restarted. This is a serious safety issue as vehicles could crash into me and/or I could be stranded with my two children. It has happened 5 times in the past 2 weeks. I have low miles on my car and have owned it less than 3 years.
While stopped at a busy 4 way stop light my engine shut off and the screed read -??car in neutral must be in drive-?? then went to accessory mode. The car would not restart for five minutes.
I was the first car stopped at a red traffic light and my auto engine system engaged. When the light turned green, I released the brake and the car automatically shut completely off. Since my brake lights went out the car behind me began to accelerate, but had to quickly slam on the brakes as my car was stalled. I hurried to put on my hazards, and then looked at my dashboard. It stated I needed to shift the car into PARK, and then restart the engine. It took 3 tries to restart the engine and then I was able to turn off the auto idle system and continue on my way. I brought the car back to the dealer (I have at least 5 documented visits to the Garden State Honda Dealer for the same system issues.) They told me they were unable to replicate the issue and did nothing to help this issue after having my car for a week and a half.
Reported to dealer twice and could not be replicated. They just tell me they have never heard of this problem. While at a traffic light the vehicle either shifts into neutral, park or second gear. Sometimes I press the accelerator and it does not go even though I-??m in Drive. I gave up with the dealer but it is scary when people behind you honk and I could be rear ended because I-??m scrambling to press the transmission buttons or restarting. A few incidents, I had to turn off and restart. I have learned if it is running and in Drive but does not go, I press the drive button several times to make it go or turn off and restart in lines of traffic. This vehicle has bells and whistles but falls short with engine and transmission. I currently own 5 Honda vehicles and 12 Hondas over the years. This vehicle is the one I feel the least secure in being dependable. It has 16,000 miles on it and has been problematic since approx 7,500 miles.
When I use the auto start stop feature and stop at a light or stop sign my transmission shutdowns. I have to restart my engine. Afraid of being rear ended at a traffic light or stop sign. Honda has checked the vehicle and they said I need a new battery. I verified with autozone that the battery still passes. It is only 1 1/2 old.
Auto Start/Stop Engine starts to stall and can take 5 seconds or more before restarting. This is dangerous when going in stop and go traffic. Having dealer look at it in the upcoming week. No warning signs.
My Idle-Stop system intermittently cuts off and wont restart - usually at the most dangerous times like when I am in a turning lane of a busy intersection. To me, this is a major hazard. This has happened on multiple occasions, so my practice right now is to turn it off as soon as I turn on the engine so I won't have this occur. Since 2021, this has happened about 7 times, most notably in the Summer when it is hot, and when I have the A/C and music running. I spoke to a dealer about it and they told me to bring it in to be checked. Because it is intermittent, it is just easier for me to turn the idle-stop off at the time I start my engine, as the chances of it happening on them seemed remote. Other than that, I keep my car in great working condition, getting regular oil changes, etc. There were no warning lights prior to it happening, but when it happens, all kinds of engine lights pop up, and there is a prompt on how to restart the engine, but it doesn't work. One time is was over 10 minutes before it would start. I just kept pushing buttons until it started, but it is quite harrowing when traffic is honking and your heart is racing, hoping no one hits you.
1. The engine turned off at an intersection with the start/stop feature, also called the auto idle stop system, and did not restart. Jumper cables were needed to restart the vehicle. 2. Safety concern - This issue put my family's safety at risk while being out of the vehicle at a very busy intersection at dusk when visibility was decreasing. 3. Police arrived briefly to assist after 45 minutes of being in a dead vehicle but vehicle successfully started after several "jumping" routines and police left scene. 4. There were no other visual issues or messages prior to this problem.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after coming to a red light and stopping the vehicle, the fuel-saving feature malfunctioned and the vehicle would not immediately restart when releasing the brake pedal. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. Occasionally, the vehicle would not start after being turned off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the battery but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
When the car is stopped it will sometimes turn off. It has happened at least twice in the last week - once in a drive through and once at a stop sign. The cat comes to a stop normally but when it is time to accelerate the engine turns off & the electrical starts acting weird. I have to power the car off and on a couple of times before I can get it going again. I took the car into Honda today and they could not find any problems with the car. I am scared that this will happen on the freeway during traffic and someone will come crashing into me.
The car stopped at a stoplight and the engine shut off from the normal start/stop function. When I tried to drive, the engine did not restart and the car was dead in the intersection. I was stranded for 2 hours due to unavailability of tow truck. It eventually was jumped, charged overnight, then was dead again the next day.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the transmission had erroneously shifted from the drive position to the select position causing the vehicle to hesitate and sputter. After turning the vehicle off and restarting the engine the failure had self-corrected. On one occasion while parked with the engine idling, as contact was exiting the vehicle the transmission erroneously shifted out of the park position and began to drive forward knocking the contact to the ground and driving over the legs. During the incident, the driver sustained injuries to both legs and a fractured arm. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who reprogrammed the transmission. No further information was available. Later while operating the vehicle warning messages began to be displayed including the service engine, power train, and the warning message "danger pull over immediately". The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 52,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Battle Creek, MI, USA