10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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.

2021 Honda Pilot brakes problems

brakes problem

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2021 Honda Pilot Owner Comments

problem #14

Jul 072024

Pilot

  • miles

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

The accelerator on my vehicle malfunctioned and got stuck. While making turn with no acceleration, the acceleration of the vehicle got stuck and the brakes did not respond causing the vehicle to hit a sidewalk and breaking the passenger side suspension and control arm and axel of the vehicle. Airbags deployed. Controlled the vehicle until it stopped completely. When vehicle was completely stopped the passenger side still sounded like that gas pedal was fully pressed when the other tires were not moving.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #13

Jun 122024

Pilot

  • miles
when auto-idle engaged and car is stopped, it will not restart the car's engine. My safety was at risk because the event took place while I was in traffic with my family. The problem has not been reproduced. It is a problem known by Honda for many years. The vehicle has not been inspected. Unknown.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #12

May 162024

Pilot

  • miles
My 2021 Honda Pilot experienced premature degradation of front and rear rotors and brake pads after 21,869 miles due to extreme rust pitting and scoring. Vehicle started displaying brake warning message while driving.

- East Greenbush, Ny, NY, USA

problem #11

Apr 182024

Pilot

  • miles

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

I see there is an investigation involving the automatic emergency braking on some Hondas. I previously owned a 2018 Honda Accord, but currently own a 2021 Honda Pilot. Both had/have the automatic emergency braking. Both cars have the same issue with hard braking for no reason. To me the Pilot is worse due to almost having 2 people rear end me due to the random hard breaking. In my opinion the investigation needs to possibly expand into other models. It has never been reproduced as I just assumed it happens. It definitely puts people at risk.

- Mint Hill, NC, USA

problem #10

Mar 012024

Pilot

  • miles
I see that the NTSHA is already launching an investigation into certain Handa Passports and Insights. The 2021 (and likely other) Pilot Ibown has the same phantom emergency braking issue. This happens at least on a monthly basis if not more often. I will say there have been a half dozen times where the car did activate the emergency braking properly but all other times have been phantom braking where there was no immenent threat of a collision.

- Vineyard, UT, USA

problem #9

Feb 292024

Pilot

  • miles
Our brakes failed coming down a steep hill. We missed hitting a car by passing in the wrong lane. We had to cross a road across two lanes which fortunately had no cars on it where we crossed. We were able to get some braking once we got on level ground. We took the car to Honda and they told us the problem was a broken break switch. It is currently at Salem Honda in Salem, Oregon awaiting parts. We were told that the repair may not be covered by warranty. We were also told that if we did not get the brake fluid replaced, the car warranty would be void. We now are being charged about $2000 to get some fluids replaced that are supposed to be replaced at 30,000 miles according to the Honda dealer.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #8

Sep 072023

Pilot

  • miles

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

I have had the AEB system engage incorrectly. 1.) Driving on a two lane road at about 40 MPH when I started to enter a curve in the road to the left with no oncoming traffic and no cars in front of or behind my car the AEB engaged and started braking the car. 2.) Driving on a two lane road at about 4 MPH when I started to enter a curve in the road to the left with a car oncoming with no cars in front of or behind my car the AEB engaged and started braking the car. In both of these cases the system stopped alerting as soon as I tapped the brakes. The latest instance occurred on a straight two lane road on a sunny day. I was traveling at about 30 MPH with no cars in front of my care and no oncoming traffic when the AEB engaged unexpectedly and braked my car hard. I was actually thrown forward in my seat. Thankfully no one was following my as this would have resulted in a rear end collision. After the car hard braked the AEB disengaged as quickly as it engaged, and I was able to drive the car normally. I had my car in to have it inspected and recalls fixed a week ago. I asked the service manager about this problem and was told there was nothing they could do and that I could turn off the AEB system. My concern is the AEB system randomly engages and brakes and in one instance it hard braked. This could cause a serious rear end collision.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #7

Jul 082022

Pilot

  • miles
Auto braking applies randomly cause brakes to lock up happens when driving in any conditions. This problem has already caused a minor accident with my vehicle due to brakes locking up and no throttle

- Kenova, WV, USA

problem #6

Apr 232022

Pilot

  • miles
The cars automatic emergency breaking system malfunctions and randomly activates and applies the brakes while driving. This specific incident has occurred three times when entering the highway on ramp the "BRAKE" message is displayed in the car and the brakes have been applied as I've attempted to get up to speed entering the highway. There were no cars in front of the vehicle at the time the emergency breaking system applied the breaks. In addition, the braking system has applied when changing lanes on the highway with no vehicles or objects in front of the car and several times on curvy roads. I've taken it back to the Honda dealer and they have stated that no codes were stored and were not able to recreate the problem. However, the service advisor also informed me that they could not reset or make any changes as "there is pending litigation and investigations with the NTSB" I was charged $109 for a 'diagnosic fee' for a car that is still under the manufacturers waranty and told to watch for a recall at some point because their is nothing they are able to do to fix the problem because of the pending litigation/investigation. The incident happened two more times on my drive home from the dealership. There is no warning lamps that have come on or other symptoms that can be isolated, other than the "BRAKE" message appearing and the automatic breaking being applied. This is incredibly dangerous when the car drastically is slowed down for no reason on roads that have 45 + MPH speed limits.

- Powell, OH, USA

problem #5

Nov 202021

Pilot

  • miles
There have been several times the automatic braking assist has completely stopped the car. This has caused vehicles behind me to break hard almost causing accidents. I now disengage the automatic breaking assist when I use the car. I saw there were incidents with other Honda vehicles that didn't include the 2021 Honda Pilot which I believe should be included. I have witnesses of the car breaking to a complete stop several times. Please investigate before more accidents happen with injuries. Thank you for your hard work involved.

- New Hyde Park, NY, USA

problem #4

Feb 222022

Pilot

  • miles

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

Automatic braking system is engaging when there is nothing in front of or near the vehicle. When driving on the highway it will engage, flash BRAKE on the front dash, and engage the brakes and slow WAY down while doing 60+ mph.

- Monclova, OH, USA

problem #3

Jan 202022

Pilot

  • miles
There have been multiple instances where the Automatic Braking system has engaged preventing me as the operator from making adjustments. I have almost been in 2 collisions due to this feature. The automatic braking system prevents me from making a correction and will automatically lock up the brakes and steering. Both times I have almost been rear ended due to this feature. There has been an instance where the braking feature engaged where there was no car in from of me but a car coming from the other lane and my Honda Pilot engaged the automatic braking system. Luckily there was no car behind me. This feature while could be useful is not in my opinion a safety feature but a safety hazard due to these multiple instances. This feature should be permanently disabled upon start up. Multiple times when I start the car I don't realize it is engaged until something happens.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #2

Feb 222022

Pilot

  • miles
My car has had the automatic emergency braking system kick in randomly at least 6 times since I bought it. No cars in front of me, nothing on the shoulder next to me. Twice when a car was in opposite direction lane but nowhere near the center line.

- Akron, NY, USA

problem #1

Aug 042021

Pilot

  • miles
Brake grinding noise when rotors get hot

- Mt Holly , NJ, USA

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