Electrical System owner reports: Honda Pilot years in the records

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“The back up camera every so often will be blank. Other times the dashboard warning lights will go on effecting the cruise control, lane assistance, and break assistance. According to the Honda dealership it is the back up camera that is causing all of these problems because there are some parts that are defective because of heat and weather. There are thousands of complaints by Honda owners claiming to have the same issue. The solution is a part that costs over $2000 with a high chance of the part needing repair in a few years. Honda knows about this issue for cars 2015-current. There is a current class action lawsuit as well. We just want it fixed without further issues.”

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“Digital speedometer stop working. It won’t display. It has happened before, and it’s happening again. This is dangerous to my driving as I have no idea how fast I’m driving when there is no display of my speed. I read from Honda Pilot community there are many others Honda Pilot owners have this same issue. This should be safety recall as it’s driving safety issue. Thank you for looking into my concerns.”

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“DRIVING HOME FROM CHURCH SUNDAY JUNE 28TH DOWNSLOPE OF A SMALL HILL SMELLED HOT METAL; WASN'T SURE IF THE ODOR WAS FROM US, THE LARGE TRUCK THAT JUST PASSED US OR ENVIRONMENTAL; SUDDEN "POP" WAS HEARD ACCOMPANIED BY A "JERK" IN THE VEHICLE; LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES; DASH WAS LIT AND SHOWED RPM/MPH/ETC THEN BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON SMOKE BILLOWING FROM ENGINE FOLLOWED QUICKLY BY COMPLETE FIRE FROM ENGINGE; ALL 4 PASSENGERS EVENTUALLY GOT OUT; POLICE AND FIRE DISPATCHED; COMPLETE LOSS; TRAUMATIC TO SAY THE LEAST; ONLY LIGHT PREVIOUS WAS SERVICE SOON AS OIL LIFE WAS AT 15%; BELIEVE TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2017 PILOTS RODS BEND AND BREAK BUT NOW WARNING (RESEARCHED AFTER THE FIRE)”

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“Since purchasing this vehicle new, the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system on my 2017 Honda Pilot has intermittently failed during the engine restart sequence after the vehicle comes to a complete stop. When the AIS system shuts the engine off and I release the brake to resume driving, the vehicle intermittently fails to restart properly or does not restart at all, preventing the vehicle from moving as expected. In some instances, warning messages, including a collision mitigation message, has appeared on the dashboard before the car restarts. This condition has occurred repeatedly over several years and has happened at intersections, while stopped in traffic, and while stopped on highways. The inability of the vehicle to restart and move creates a safety risk because the vehicle may remain disabled in active traffic when acceleration is needed. The issue was reported to the selling and servicing Honda dealership (Cambridge, Honda in Cambridge MA) multiple times over several years. In August 2025, the vehicle received Honda's prescribed repair under Service Bulletins 23-008 and 23-009, including replacement of the starter assembly, starter relay, and battery. Despite these repairs, the same condition returned less than one year later and has occurred at least seven additional times. The vehicle stalls and sometimes displays the collision mitigation/crash warning message before restarting. In June 2026, the vehicle was inspected again by the dealership. Technicians were unable to reproduce the condition during testing and declined to perform additional repairs. The defect remains unresolved. The vehicle has already received Honda's recommended AIS repair, yet the same stalling and crash mitigation message continues to occur. The intermittent nature of the defect makes it difficult to reproduce during short dealership evaluations, but it continues to occur during normal operation and presents an ongoing safety concern.”

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“My 2017 Honda Pilot Touring has experienced ongoing electrical and battery-related issues for several years and has been in and out of authorized Honda dealerships numerous times. The vehicle has been serviced repeatedly at both Fowler Honda in [XXX], and Pensacola Honda in [XXX]. Due to the inability to diagnose the problem, the issue was escalated by Pensacola Honda to American Honda’s technical line. After extensive diagnostics over two days, the technicians informed me that Honda engineers are aware of an issue but currently do not have a solution, although they are working on one. On XXX, while turning left from [XXX] onto [XXX], I had sufficient time to complete the turn and pressed the accelerator to proceed. However, the accelerator became completely unresponsive and the vehicle would not accelerate. My vehicle was left partially in the intersection while an oncoming vehicle approached. The other driver could have easily struck the driver’s side of my vehicle, creating the risk of a serious or fatal accident. Fortunately, a collision was avoided, but this incident demonstrated a significant safety hazard. In addition to this loss of acceleration, the vehicle has experienced recurring starting problems and electrical malfunctions. Pensacola Honda found that the battery tests normally when removed from the vehicle, but does not function properly when installed. Despite numerous repair attempts and escalation to American Honda, the problem remains unresolved. I believe this defect poses a serious safety risk to myself, my passengers, and others on the road due to the potential for sudden loss of acceleration while driving. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“Engine Idle at Stop light or Start & Stop at Traffic Stop Light doesn't work. It does stop completely; however, it didn't start after releasing the brake. You have to put the vehicle back in the parking gear, put the brake to restart the engine. This has happened three times in the last week.”