10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,413 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2020 Honda Pilot electrical problems

electrical problem

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2020 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 1 of 8)

problem #159

Jan 152021

Pilot

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While diving at times, the vehicle will flash BRAKE and the wheel will shutter when a vehicle is going the opposite direction, or while ascending and descending on a hill. On a rare occasion, the vehicle will attempt to brake itself. Also, when at a complete stop, the vehicle will go into auto-engine stop. When the brake pedal is release, the vehicle stalls out and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) will flash. In-order to restart the vehicle, a sequence needs to be followed, put the vehicle in neutral, then park, then turn engage the start/stop ignition button. It is only when you follow this sequence will the car restart and you can engage the transmission. A recall was completed for the autostop issue, but since that repair, the above issues have increased in frequency and almost caused an accident in the middle of an intersection. The dealership says they have no clue as to the cause and need to scan the vehicle at a cost of $300 just to investigate.

- Youngstown, NY, USA

problem #158

Mar 142022

Pilot

  • 61,172 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while turning left at an intersection, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the warning lights turned off independently. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and was occurring at speeds lower than 40 MPH. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the stalling failure had reoccurred, and the vehicle was driven back to the dealer who diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after another stalling failure the vehicle was driven back to the same dealer. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer stated that another diagnostic test was needed to confirm if the fuel pump was the cause of the failure. The contact was unwilling to pay for a diagnostic test to confirm if the fuel pump was at fault because he had been advised by the dealer that parts were not available to complete the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 61,172. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #157

Jun 072024

Pilot

  • miles
When the vehicle comes to a stop and the auto-engine-start-stop feature is engaged, the vehicle will shift itself into neutral and will not disengage until you shut off the vehicle and turn it back on.

- Youngstown, NY, USA

problem #156

May 282024

Pilot

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While stopped at a red traffic light after taking a freeway exit with one foot on the brake, my 2020 Honda Pilot engaged in auto stop (auto idle stop). When the traffic light turned green, I took my foot off of the brake, the vehicle attempted to start but stalled with the electrical components still on (dashboard indicators and ventilation still on). I stepped on the brake and attempted to put the vehicle in park, but noticed the vehicle would not shift out of neutral. I pressed the start/stop button (ignition) and the dashboard indicators flashed but the engine did not start until the second attempt. Somewhere in between, I pressed the emergency lights to indicate to drivers behind me of an issue. About 15-20 seconds had lapsed during my troubleshooting attempt. Prior to this event, there were at least 8 individual events where when the auto start/stop was engaged and disengaged, the dashboard would flash warning signals for a fraction of a second with an audible warning sound. Dashboard warnings flashed on and off too quickly to clearly see what was being displayed. A short delay in restarting the vehicle from idle stop would occur, about 1-2 seconds but the car would then proceed and run as usual.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #155

Apr 022024

Pilot

  • miles
The car's front and back sensors will trigger for no reason. In a drive-thru it'll tell me that I am going to run into something after I've been sitting there for three minutes and not moving. The brakes slam on consistently, this happens at least three times every time I drive the car, as I'm driving down a road not about to run into anything or anyone. It's quite scary, and luckily, I haven't been rear-ended yet, I honked a few times but was not rear-ended. The low tire sensor goes off even though there's no low tire. I checked at several different service places, and all of them say the tire is fine. After It's checked, the light goes off, but it comes back on within a few weeks. There is a bad smell inside the car as if a diesel truck is passing us. it is so bad That we have to roll down the windows to be comfortable inside the car. Even though this recall has been done, I still get a loud popping and cracking on the radio when I'm making phone calls or getting phone calls. I have a son with autism, and I have to stop the car and let him out when it gets really bad. I have video on Google Photos but I am [XXX] and I do not know how to share them from my computer, sorry INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Franklinton, NC, USA

problem #154

Apr 122024

Pilot

  • miles
The recurring malfunctions in my vehicle's front screen system have repeatedly endangered me, especially when it suddenly blacks out while navigating unfamiliar roads or during backing maneuvers. Additionally, the faulty front vehicle sensor has caused my vehicle to halt abruptly, even when no obstacles are present. Despite numerous visits to the dealer, the issues persist, and their repeated requests to bring it in have yielded no solutions. Since purchasing the vehicle new in 2020, these persistent safety concerns have become increasingly dangerous as they are getting worse. I have attempted to contact Honda with no resolution

- Saint Augustine, FL, USA

problem #153

Feb 092024

Pilot

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle has a defect with the radio/audio/bluetooth system making a crackling sound while operating the vehicle. The Honda dealer acknowledged that this is a recall issue, although no recall currently exists and as a result they replaced the FAKRA service cables. This did not solve the problem and it is one that is common to all Honda Pilots of this year. It is very distracting and cannot be stopped unless the vehicle is completely shut off.

- Newhall, CA, USA

problem #152

Nov 192023

Pilot

  • miles
On four (4) separate incidents, my car has either abruptly stopped running (waiting at a stoplight) or not been able to start. When I push the Engine Start/ Stop button to restart the car, it does not start and several random warning and dashboard lights flash on and off like crazy. These incidents occurred twice before the recall was fixed and twice AFTER the recall was (supposedly) fixed. Please help as I don-??t want to be stranded AGAIN! This car is only a few years old. Thank you

- Elmhurst, IL, USA

problem #151

Nov 012023

Pilot

  • miles
American Honda states they performed NHTSA Recall Number 23V-431 but rear view camera still does not operate correctly. They are stating that I must pay out of pocket to replace a different part to be able to have the rear view camera operational again and per the terms of the recall notice, I am to have this fixed without charge and within a reasonable amount of time. Please help!

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #150

Nov 012023

Pilot

  • miles
NHTSA Recall Number 23V-431 calls for cable connectors to be changed out due to poor connections resulting in the rear view camera image to function intermittingly or not display at all. Per Honda engineering, this repair is not sufficient to fix the issue and the main head unit has to be replaced too. Please include this as a part of this safety recall because of the safety issues it is causing as it relates to driver safety and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, "Rear Visibility".

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #149

Oct 272023

Pilot

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When stopping at a red light, my vehicle completely shut off (engine stopped, all lights went out, radio went blank) for a few seconds. The car turned back on (except for the engine). I was able to restart the engine after about 10 seconds, but I was stuck in the middle of traffic. I disabled the engine idol-stop feature.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #148

Nov 012021

Pilot

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the Auto START/STOP feature activated; however, after releasing the brake pedal, the engine failed to restart. Additionally, the transmission had erroneously shifted into neural. The contact stated that the vehicle was turned off and shifted into park before pressing the START/STOP button to restart the vehicle. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed a software update, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

- Fairmont, WV, USA

problem #147

Sep 132023

Pilot

  • miles
Numerous times while stopped at a red light/stop sign/traffic, the auto idle stop feature will kick in, but then the car will not immediately restart. Most times if the car is then turned all the way off and put in park it will restart. Now two different times, it would not start back up at all causing to car to be stuck in the middle of the road and requiring it to be towed. Prior to the incident occurring there were no warning lights or error messages.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #146

Sep 112023

Pilot

  • miles
The engine failed to start after being stopped at a red light. I engaged the gas and the entire car just shut down. I was stuck at the light in the middle lane with cars honking all around me. I attempted to put the car in drive, neutral, park and nothing worked. Somehow I was able to restart the car after many cycles of the light. This came out of nowhere; i.e. - it's never happened to me prior and is a HUGE safety issue. After doing some research, it seems this is an issue many Honda owners are complaining about. The incident occurred to me just as many others are detailing the exact same issue. To date, no one has inspected the vehicle but an appointment with the dealership has been made. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to this occurring.

- Durham, NH, USA

problem #145

Aug 012023

Pilot

  • miles
I received a recall notice from NHTSA about my Pilot. The MOST cable connected needs to be replaced. I am writing because I have contacted two different dealerships. They are unable to address the defect until January 2024 or April 2024 respectively. You letter said that if the repair could not be done within 60 days of receiving the letter, to contact the NHTSA. The second dealership informed me that they only schedule one recall appointment per week, and that was why they can't fix it until April of next year. Please advise what I should do.

- Taylorsville, KY, USA

problem #144

Sep 172022

Pilot

  • miles
Honda Auto-Idle Start/Stop system does not restart. Auto-Idle system will engage and sometimes not restart. This happens while at intersections (red lights/stop signs) and in traffic. Vehicle cuts off and can take several minutes to get the vehicle to turn back on. When it happens, it puts my safety at risk, along with any passengers, and any other vehicles nearby that might not notice my vehicle is disabled. Dealer is unable to replicate the issue. Honda America is aware of the issue. First occurrence 9/17/2022. 6/24/2023, 7/19/2023, 8/16/2023, 8/23/2023 all additional occurrences of same issue. Several of these I have video evidence of.

- Auburn, AL, USA

problem #143

Mar 152023

Pilot

  • miles
When auto start/stop feature engages at times vehicle does not restart and will not restart. This has happened 5-6 times in heavy traffic leaving the car dead in the middle of the road until we repeatedly try to reset and restart.

- Byron, IL, USA

problem #142

Aug 232023

Pilot

  • miles
I was stopped at a stop light with my auto-idle system engaged. When the light turned to green the auto-idle would not disengage leaving me stalled in traffic. When I pressed on the gas I got an error message about the 'anti-collision system' being offline. I had to restart the car to resolve the issue. The dealer/service center states no known issues.

- Sharpsburg, GA, USA

problem #141

Aug 162023

Pilot

  • miles
Last week, my wife was picking up our 2 year old son from daycare in our 2020 Honda Pilot. She secured him in his car seat and placed her purse with the Honda key fob on the back seat and closed the door. The car somehow locked itself between the time she closed the door and attempted opening the front door, leaving my son locked in the back seat. The key fob battery had just recently been replaced so we are certain this is not a matter of the key fob battery being low. We needed to call the fire department to come and emergency open the car for us. Today, we did have a second key fob made at Honda for our vehicle so that we have a spare in the event this happens again closer to home. We are hoping to be reimbursed for this cost and the "diagnosis" fee we are being told by Honda Customer Support we need to pay for in order to diagnose what the issue might be. This is a MAJOR safety concern that Honda needs to review IMMEDIATELY. The key was inside of the vehicle while the vehicle was not on or in motion.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #140

Aug 132023

Pilot

  • miles
July 21,2023 Pulled of highway and car went idle at a light car turned off completely and didnt turn on car turned on after 2 minutes. August 13, same situation happened car didnt turn on for 3 minutes. In May car was serviced forr idle recall and I never had this issue until now. The dealer says its a weak battery. But it only happened when it was on idle and not when I turn it on. I had kids in the car and just got off highway. I could have had an accident. The 2nd time it happened it said to put the car in park and restart the car. There were no issues prior to the failure.

- Garfield, NJ, USA

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