2020 Honda Pilot reported problems

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who examined the engine and discovered metal shavings inside the oil pan and there was engine rod bearing damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed of NHTSA Action Number: PE25008 (ENGINE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the NHTSA Action Number. The failure mileage was 46,500.”

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“When the vehicle is at a stoplight or stop sign, the engine regularly shuts off. The engine does not automatically restart and sometimes it takes several minutes to restart the engine, leaving the car blocking traffic at a light. This happens REPEATEDLY and often.”

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“The problem on our Honda Pilot is related to the starter. We have had four instances now where the auto start/stop function has failed to restart the car after sitting at a stop light. This has happened at very busy intersections resulting in difficulty restarting the car and the car temporarily disabling the auto start/stop functions. I just had this happen for the fourth time on 7/9/26 at approximatlely 6:00 PM. I am planning on taking it into the dealership to have it looked at since it has happened multiple times. I also see on the Internet that other owners are having this issue and NHTSA is looking into it. I feel this is a significant safety issues since this happens in traffic and could result in people being rear-ended when their car won't start. This problem started for me about two months ago but I thought it was just a fluke but apparently it is not. The battery and electrical system has been checked and are working properly.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Engine Auto off/ on when stopped for signal light. Routinely, when stopped at a light, the engine will fail to turn back on and the car will go off but will not turn itself completely off. This leads to a delay for the engine clicks into neutral and in order to restart, I must turn the vehicle completely off and then restart. This issue occurs when I release the brake to begin my acceleration after the light turns green. And the vehicle stalls so that the traffic behind me which was prepared to move forward is stuck. The amount of time it takes to get the vehicle turned completely off and back on generally takes much of the light change time.”

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“I own a 2020 Honda Pilot EX with approximately 58,000 miles. Every time I drive on two-lane roads, I receive a bright orange “Brake” warning from the Automatic Emergency Braking system when vehicles in the opposite lane are passing by. The system falsely detects an imminent collision, even though the oncoming vehicles are safely in their lane. The system then applies the brakes unnecessarily. Most of the time it brakes mildly, but on at least two occasions it has braked very hard, causing the vehicle behind me to nearly rear-end my car. This creates a significant and dangerous situation, as it could easily cause an accident. I now have to disable the automatic braking system every time I drive. During my last drive, after disabling the system, I received a warning message stating: “ABS Failure — Take to Dealer.” I have also experienced dangerous behavior from the Lane Departure Warning/Assist system. When exiting the freeway, if the lane lines disappear or become unclear, the vehicle has slammed on the brakes suddenly. On one occasion, this caused me severe whiplash. Thankfully, I was alone in the car — if my young children had been passengers, they could have suffered serious neck injuries. I have taken the vehicle to the Honda dealer and independent mechanics. Each time, they have only cleared the codes and told me it was due to “dirty sensors.” The warnings and braking issues, however, keep coming back. This issue is persistent, reproducible, and unsafe. The Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure, and ABS systems are not functioning properly and create a real danger to myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road.”

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“Lots of crackling noises via the audio system. Display reboots itself many times before it finally went BLANK. Radio / DVD DEAD. Blind Spot warnings DEAD. Back up camera DEAD. Navigation DEAD. Eventually the battery goes DEAD and the car will not start. Got Stranded a few times. Changed the battery. But hopeless and reliability is DEAD. Definitely disappointed with HONDA.”

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“At every vehicle startup, multiple warning messages appear on the dashboard indicating failure of the driver assistance safety system. The warnings include Collision Mitigation System Problem, Lane Keeping Assist System Problem, and Auto High Beam System Problem. The issue occurs immediately upon ignition while the vehicle is stationary and resets each time the vehicle is turned off and restarted. The problem is persistent and has not resolved over time. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized dealership and diagnosed with a diagnostic trouble code indicating an internal failure of the forward-facing camera unit used for the driver assistance system. The repair recommendation was replacement of the camera module and calibration. This malfunction affects the vehicle’s advanced driver assistance safety systems, which are designed to support collision avoidance and lane keeping. The failure may result in reduced or non-functioning safety features while driving, increasing the risk of unsafe operation without full driver assistance functionality. No windshield replacement or external impact has occurred that would explain camera damage. The issue began without any known external cause and continues consistently at every startup.”

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“No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Preliminary Evaluation is being upgraded to an Engineering Analysis, EA25004, to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope for the Engineering Analysis to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaigns. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.”

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“Engine failure The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline.  The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).  It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with RQ24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751.  Based on analysis of data from RQ24013, NHTSA has closed that investigation. The significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of RQ24013 presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation.  ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues.  To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Engine failure On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature connecting rod bearing wear and engine seizure. While the out-of-scope failures involved in these complaints appear to have a very similar failure mechanism as the recalled engines, a thorough analysis of all available data from Honda has not indicated that the same manufacturing defect exists in the out-of-scope engines as the engines recalled by 23V-751. Based on this analysis ODI has determined that Honda has properly defined the scope of recall 23V-751. Consequently, ODI will close this RQ investigation.  NHTSA will continue to investigate these complaints of engine failure as part of a new Preliminary Evaluation Investigation (PE25008). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.”

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“Dealer Message - Today, February 18, 2021, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2018-20 Odyssey, 2019-20 Passport, and 2019-20 Pilot vehicles. This warranty extension covers communication issues in the MOST bus network where the vehicle may have popping or crackling from the speakers, no sound from the audio system, a Network Loss message, or display issues. American Honda is extending the warranty for the MOST bus network connectors on these vehicles to 5 years or 60,000 miles from the original date of purchase, whichever comes first.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Dealer Message - Today, February 18, 2021, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2018-20 Odyssey, 2019-20 Passport, and 2019-20 Pilot vehicles. This warranty extension covers communication issues in the MOST bus network where the vehicle may have popping or crackling from the speakers, no sound from the audio system, a Network Loss message, or display issues. American Honda is extending the warranty for the MOST bus network connectors on these vehicles to 5 years or 60,000 miles from the original date of purchase, whichever comes first.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Dealer Message - On February 18, 2021, American Honda announced a warranty extension for certain 2018-20 Odyssey, 2019-20 Passport, and 2019-20 Pilot vehicles. This warranty extension covers communication issues in the MOST bus network where the vehicle may have popping or crackling from the speakers, no sound from the audio system, a Network Loss message, or display issues.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Dealer Message - On February 18, 2021, American Honda announced a warranty extension for certain 2018-20 Odyssey, 2019-20 Passport, and 2019-20 Pilot vehicles. This warranty extension covers communication issues in the MOST bus network where the vehicle may have popping or crackling from the speakers, no sound from the audio system, a Network Loss message, or display issues.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Service bulletin - On February of 2022, the 3G network will no longer support the in-vehicle services that the vehicle has previously supported. As of August 23, 2022, the Product Improvement Campaign has ended. The TCU can no longer be updated using Over The Air updates. If the customer needs to restore TCU services, the only option is to replace the TCU. This would be done as a customer pay repair. ”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Service bulletin - On February of 2022, the 3G network will no longer support the in-vehicle services that the vehicle has previously supported. As of August 23, 2022, the Product Improvement Campaign has ended. The TCU can no longer be updated using Over The Air updates. If the customer needs to restore TCU services, the only option is to replace the TCU. This would be done as a customer pay repair. ”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Service bulletin - On February of 2022, the 3G network will no longer support the in-vehicle services that the vehicle has previously supported. As of August 23, 2022, the Product Improvement Campaign has ended. The TCU can no longer be updated using Over The Air updates. If the customer needs to restore TCU services, the only option is to replace the TCU. This would be done as a customer pay repair. ”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button. NOTE: If 23-008 Product Update: PGM-FI Idle Stop Software Update is applicable to the VIN, the PGM-FI software must be updated first before the warranty extension applies. Honda is extending the warranty coverage for valve adjustment and starter replacement related to this condition to 10 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limitation.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button. NOTE: If 23-008 Product Update: PGM-FI Idle Stop Software Update is applicable to the VIN, the PGM-FI software must be updated first before the warranty extension applies. Honda is extending the warranty coverage for valve adjustment and starter replacement related to this condition to 10 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limitation.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button. NOTE: If 23-008 Product Update: PGM-FI Idle Stop Software Update is applicable to the VIN, the PGM-FI software must be updated first before the warranty extension applies. Honda is extending the warranty coverage for valve adjustment and starter replacement related to this condition to 10 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limitation.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart.”