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2012 Honda Pilot Problems & Owner Complaints

170 NHTSA owner complaints
17 crash 3 fire 19 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~11.3 complaints per year on the road — ranking 9 of 12 Honda Pilot years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 Honda Pilot, cited in 35 of 170 filed complaints (21%).

Service Brakes is next (28 complaints, 16%), followed by Electrical System (22), Air Bags (20), Power Train (20).

Across all complaints, 17 report a crash, 3 report a fire, 19 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 7 crash, 12 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2012 Honda Pilot, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 170.

Engine 35 1 fire

“On April 9, 2026, my daughter came in from school and parked her Honda Pilot at about 5:10PM. At about 7:03PM, my wife and I were sitting outside and heard a loud POP, it sounded like a car backfiring. I went to investigate and saw a little smoke and a small orange glowing piece of something on the ground under the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle. I grab a fire extinguisher from my work truck and went towards the vehicle. The car was locked and I saw flames under the hood standing by the driver door looking down where the windshield wipers are. I used the extinguisher till it was emp…”
NHTSA complaint #11730697, 2026 · fire

“The check transmission light comes and goes. Ive had the transmission flushed with no issues. It pulls codes for the torque converter as its supposedly getting stuck per mechanic or is over heating and throwing the code. It does not drive rough and I believe it is a faulty code that needs to be addressed and updated and cleared. Ive had it cleared out once and it stayed off for a whole month. The light and blinking D doesn't come on all the time or in patterns so that also tells me it isn't a transmission issue or it would be on more frequently and consistently. To where when mine comes on and…”
NHTSA complaint #11718961, 2025

“MIL comes on with DTCsP0301 through P0304 Car is available for inspection. Dealer confirmed along with independent service center. Service Bulletin 13-082”
NHTSA complaint #11515128, 2023

Service Brakes 28 4 crash 4 injury

“ON APRIL 30 2014 MY WIFE [XXX] ENTERED THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA CAMPUS IN THE 2012 HONDA PILOT. SHE APPROACHED THE GUARD BOOTH AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS CAN BE VERIFIED AS THE GUARD STOPPED HER AND THEY HAD A BRIEF CONVERSATION ABOUT WHERE TO PARK. [XXX] THEN ACCELERATED OUT OF THE GUARD BOOTH WHILE MAKING AN IMMEDIATE LOW SPEED RIGHT TURN DOWN A RAMP INTO A PARKING GARAGE. FROM THIS POINT THE HONDA PILOT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DOWN THE RAMP AS SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND FAILED TO BRAKE. IT JUMPED A SMALL MEDIAN AND EVENTUALLY HIT A…”
NHTSA complaint #10643861, 2014 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

“ON MAY 17, 2016, IN MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS TRYING TO MOVE MY 2012 PILOT FROM BESIDE MY HUSBAND'S VEHICLE TO BEHIND IT SO MY SON COULD PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO MOVE BEHIND MY HUSBAND'S TRUCK AND IT MOVED UP A LITTLE BEFORE IT ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED SLAMMING HIS TRUCK INTO THE GARAGE AND CRUSHING IT. I HIT THE BRAKES, BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AND TIRES WERE SPINNING AS FAST AS THEY COULD. THE AIRBAG HIT ME IN THE FACE CAUSING ME TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHICH THEN CAUSED THE PILOT TO DRIVE ACROSS MY FRONT YARD AT A HIGH SPEED CRASH…”
NHTSA complaint #10873716, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FOR NO KNOWN REASON AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIME IN ONE WEEK. FIRST TIME IT WAS MOVING AT A VERY SLOW RATE AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. THE SECOND TIME I WAS SITTING IN LINE AT A DRIVE THRU, WAITING TO MOVE FORWARD, WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WHEN I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY GARAGE AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS BUT I AM NOT SURE IF I SHOULD KEEP THIS CAR, A…”
NHTSA complaint #11043599, 2017 · crash

Electrical System 22 3 fire

“On April 9, 2026, my daughter came in from school and parked her Honda Pilot at about 5:10PM. At about 7:03PM, my wife and I were sitting outside and heard a loud POP, it sounded like a car backfiring. I went to investigate and saw a little smoke and a small orange glowing piece of something on the ground under the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle. I grab a fire extinguisher from my work truck and went towards the vehicle. The car was locked and I saw flames under the hood standing by the driver door looking down where the windshield wipers are. I used the extinguisher till it was emp…”
NHTSA complaint #11730697, 2026 · fire

“The car started smoking, I was able to pullover and get out. The fire department came and removed the hood because it was too hot and appeares to be on fire. They disabled the battery. Car was towed to mechanic and inspected for cause. It was discovered that the alternator melted and the wire harness was burnt and plastic components melted. Car has been totalled.”
NHTSA complaint #11485415, 2022 · fire

“MY WIFE PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND EXITED THE CAR JUST A SHE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE CALLED ME OUT OF THE HOUSE TO LOOK AND I SAW THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT IT SPREAD TOO FAST. THE END RESULT IS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS BURNT WITH NOT MUCH LEFT. I AM ASSUMING IT WAS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE INITIAL SMOKE AND THE LOCATION OF THE FIRE ORIGINS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10482886, 2012 · fire

Air Bags 20 7 crash 12 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 60-70 MPH CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO AN INTERSECTION, WHICH THEN CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, FACE AND RIBS. THERE WERE TWO REAR SEAT PASSENGERS WHO ALSO SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE RIBS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED…”
NHTSA complaint #10574436, 2013 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS AT STOP THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 60 MPH. THE IMPACT PUSHED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FORWARD, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A BRICK WALL AND THEN A TREE. THE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS ALL FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, BACK, LEFT SIDE OF THE BODY AND THE LEFT LEG. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, FACE AND LEGS. A REAR PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK, LEFT LEG AND FRACTURED RIBS AND A SECOND REAR PASSENGER S…”
NHTSA complaint #10551937, 2013 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“DRIVING IN THE CITY WHEN THE 3 VEHICLE COLLISION HAPPENED GOING 25-30MPH. THE FIRST CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY TO LET PEDESTRIANS CROSS THE STREET. THEN THE SECOND CAR FOLLOWED AND I DID NOT CATCH THE STOP IN TIME. FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN MY CAR REAR ENDED THE OTHER VEHICLES. AND DRIVER SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK. INJURIES OF WHIPLASH, CONCUSSION AND A BROKEN NOSE RESULTED FROM THIS”
NHTSA complaint #11251974, 2019 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

Power Train 20

“The check transmission light comes and goes. Ive had the transmission flushed with no issues. It pulls codes for the torque converter as its supposedly getting stuck per mechanic or is over heating and throwing the code. It does not drive rough and I believe it is a faulty code that needs to be addressed and updated and cleared. Ive had it cleared out once and it stayed off for a whole month. The light and blinking D doesn't come on all the time or in patterns so that also tells me it isn't a transmission issue or it would be on more frequently and consistently. To where when mine comes on and…”
NHTSA complaint #11718961, 2025

“While driving the vehicle at around 45 MPH it suffered a complete loss of power for 3-5 seconds. The dashboard lights illuminated and then the vehicle restarted without having to restart via the ignition and all of the dash lights turned off. This has happened intermittently on two prior occasions. No electrical issues were evident, new battery and charging system appears to be functioning normally. The contact stated that the dealer found that the issue was a faulty positive battery terminal connector. It was replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #11561758, 2023

“The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. Additionally, the contact stated that unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the contact was unaware of the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11524897, 2023

Vehicle Speed Control 17 4 crash 2 injury

“The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at 32 MPH and pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle stopped. There was no warning light illuminated. However, the failure reoccurred the next day. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was operating as designed. The contact stated that the ECO was engaging, causing the vehicle from dropping from number six (6) cylinder to number three (3) cylinder. The contact stated upon pulling into the car wash and depre…”
NHTSA complaint #11483574, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“ON MAY 17, 2016, IN MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS TRYING TO MOVE MY 2012 PILOT FROM BESIDE MY HUSBAND'S VEHICLE TO BEHIND IT SO MY SON COULD PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO MOVE BEHIND MY HUSBAND'S TRUCK AND IT MOVED UP A LITTLE BEFORE IT ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED SLAMMING HIS TRUCK INTO THE GARAGE AND CRUSHING IT. I HIT THE BRAKES, BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AND TIRES WERE SPINNING AS FAST AS THEY COULD. THE AIRBAG HIT ME IN THE FACE CAUSING ME TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHICH THEN CAUSED THE PILOT TO DRIVE ACROSS MY FRONT YARD AT A HIGH SPEED CRASH…”
NHTSA complaint #10873716, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC IN RUSH HOUR, TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 3 LANE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS WAS TRAVELING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE OTHER ONE WAS I SEATED BEHIND ME. I HAD BEEN TRAVELING FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES AT A MAXIMUM SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, AS TRAFFIC WOULD CLEAR AND THEN BECOME CONGESTED AGAIN. I WAS MAINTAINING ABOUT 5 CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. I TAPPED MY ACCELERATOR TO MOVE UP WHICH CAUSED MY PILOT TO SHOOT FORWARD. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF IT WAS LUCKY I HAD MAINTAINED A GOOD DISTANCE WITH THE CAR IN FRONT AND…”
NHTSA complaint #11020438, 2017 · crash

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Suspension 14 1 crash 1 injury

“I was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the left-hand lane alongside the concrete barrier. The road curved to the right and when I tried to gently steer to the right the steering wheel got stuck and locked. I wasn’t able to steer to the right and so the car hit the barrier. The steering then unlocked. Since I was trying to originally steer to the right, the car moved to the right and hit the guard rail along the right-hand side of the highway where the car finally came to a stop. It was fortunate that there were no other cars close to my car when this happened. I don’t know what caused t…”
NHTSA complaint #11511435, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“Unusual amount of oil consumption. Faulty cylinder 3. Gaskets cause the oil to leak into the spark plugs causing the engine light to come on with loss of power. Changed cylinder 3 spark plug at least 10 times or more since purchasing the vehicle in 2021. Oil also drips onto the alternator, replaced it twice in 9 months. Wheels and steering wheel shake when hitting the brakes. Replaced brakes and rotors twice as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11517661, 2021

“FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILED AND STARTED LEAKING. HONDA NOTIFIED THE DEALERS BUT NOT THE OWNERS LIKE ME SEE HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2015/MC-10107367-9340.PDF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION NEED TO BE 10 YEARS NOT 7 YEARS SINCE 1) THIS WAS NOT COMMUNICATED TO OWNER 2) THIS IS A QUALITY ISSUE THAT SHOWS UP EVEN BEFORE 100K MILES 3) WARRANTY EXTENSION GAVE HONDA THE BENEFIT OF 7 YEARS OR 100K MILES WHICHEVER IS LESS WHEN IT SHOULD BE WHICHEVER IS MORE SINCE ISSUE HAPPENS MAINLY AFTER YEAR 7 AND OVER 100K MILES (PUBLIC SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM THIS QUALITY ISSUE AND NOT THE MANUFACTUR…”
NHTSA complaint #11328878, 2020

Fuel/Propulsion System 11 2 crash 1 fire 3 injury

“ON APRIL 30 2014 MY WIFE [XXX] ENTERED THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA CAMPUS IN THE 2012 HONDA PILOT. SHE APPROACHED THE GUARD BOOTH AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS CAN BE VERIFIED AS THE GUARD STOPPED HER AND THEY HAD A BRIEF CONVERSATION ABOUT WHERE TO PARK. [XXX] THEN ACCELERATED OUT OF THE GUARD BOOTH WHILE MAKING AN IMMEDIATE LOW SPEED RIGHT TURN DOWN A RAMP INTO A PARKING GARAGE. FROM THIS POINT THE HONDA PILOT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DOWN THE RAMP AS SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND FAILED TO BRAKE. IT JUMPED A SMALL MEDIAN AND EVENTUALLY HIT A…”
NHTSA complaint #10643861, 2014 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

“On April 9, 2026, my daughter came in from school and parked her Honda Pilot at about 5:10PM. At about 7:03PM, my wife and I were sitting outside and heard a loud POP, it sounded like a car backfiring. I went to investigate and saw a little smoke and a small orange glowing piece of something on the ground under the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle. I grab a fire extinguisher from my work truck and went towards the vehicle. The car was locked and I saw flames under the hood standing by the driver door looking down where the windshield wipers are. I used the extinguisher till it was emp…”
NHTSA complaint #11730697, 2026 · fire

“MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FOR NO KNOWN REASON AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIME IN ONE WEEK. FIRST TIME IT WAS MOVING AT A VERY SLOW RATE AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. THE SECOND TIME I WAS SITTING IN LINE AT A DRIVE THRU, WAITING TO MOVE FORWARD, WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WHEN I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY GARAGE AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS BUT I AM NOT SURE IF I SHOULD KEEP THIS CAR, A…”
NHTSA complaint #11043599, 2017 · crash

Steering 11 2 crash 2 injury

“I was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the left-hand lane alongside the concrete barrier. The road curved to the right and when I tried to gently steer to the right the steering wheel got stuck and locked. I wasn’t able to steer to the right and so the car hit the barrier. The steering then unlocked. Since I was trying to originally steer to the right, the car moved to the right and hit the guard rail along the right-hand side of the highway where the car finally came to a stop. It was fortunate that there were no other cars close to my car when this happened. I don’t know what caused t…”
NHTSA complaint #11511435, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.”
NHTSA complaint #10807402, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“IT HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME UP WHILE I DRIVE THE 2012 HONDA PILOT ON A 5INCH WATER PUDDLE. IT WAS ACTUALLY PRETTY DANGEROUS AND SCARED WHEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN A RAINING CONDITION. THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED UP DUE TO THE POWER FAILURE AND IT RESUMED BY ITSELF AROUND 10 SECONDS AFTER PASSING PUDDLE. I BROUGHT IT UP TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE 2ND EVENT DURING REGULAR MAINTENANCE BUT NO ISSUE WAS FOUND. THE 3RD INCIDENT HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. I CALLED TO THE HQ AND TRY TO CREATE…”
NHTSA complaint #11115904, 2018

Engine And Engine Cooling 10

“2012 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN VIBRATION AT ANY SPEED. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT HONDA WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIND A FIX. THE CONSUMER STATED SEVERAL MONTHS HAVE GONE BY, WITH NO RESULTS.”
NHTSA complaint #10520306, 2013

“DRIVING BACK FROM ILLINOIS TO TEXAS AND STARTED TO FEEL VIBRATION WHEN THE ENGINE'S VCM WOULD ACTIVATE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65MPH AND SLOWLY EASED OFF OF THE GAS, WHEN I SLOWLY PUSHED ON THE GAS TO SPEED UP AGAIN I FELT A VIBRATION ON THE FLOOR BOARD THAT WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I GAVE IT MORE GAS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON EVER SINCE. EVEN YESTERDAY WHEN I DROVE TO SAN ANTONIO AND TODAY WHEN I DROVE BACK TO HOUSTON, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES IN 2013.IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED EVEN THOUGH THE HEAD MECHANIC DID A RIDE ALONG AND AGREED THERE WAS VIBRATION. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THEY CA…”
NHTSA complaint #10559225, 2012

“EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED THIS NEW CAR - THE A/C IS SO SO LOUD!!! YOU CAN HEAR IT CLICK ON AND IT ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE ITS GOING TO BLOW UP!!! I TOOK MY NEW CAR FOR ITS 1ST OIL CHG ON 7/14/2012 AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. THEY DID AND SAID THAT NOISE IS NORMAL. ITS SO LOUD - I SHUT IT OFF AT TIMES - BECAUSE ITS COMPETING WITH THE RADIO WITH VOLUME!! THIS IS NOT NORMAL. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10534603, 2012

Structure 8

“Paint is peeling and exposed the metal on passenger side doors.”
NHTSA complaint #11508510, 2021

“THE WHITE PEARL PAINT IS PEELING OFF, SEPARATING FROM THE PRIMER. I BROUGHT IT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE IT WILL PROBABLY SPREAD TO THE WHOLE CAR.”
NHTSA complaint #11317781, 2020

“MY PAINT IS PEELING ON THE ROOF BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SUNROOF.”
NHTSA complaint #11231180, 2018

Unknown Or Other 8 1 crash

“I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY, APPLYING BRAKES AS I BEGAN COASTING TO A STOP IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED SMASHING INTO THE FRONT OF MY HOUSE. MIDDLE OF THE DAY, NO RAIN, NOT IMPAIRED, FLAT DRIVEWAY. AIR BAGS DID NOT ACTIVATE. PAINT/SCRATCHES ON THE FRONT BUMPER AND CRACKS ON THE HOUSE STUCCO BUT NO MAJOR DAMAGE. ACCELERATION STARTED JUST A COUPLE YARDS FROM THE HOUSE. HONDA DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF A COMPUTER OR OTHER PROBLEM.”
NHTSA complaint #10733417, 2015 · crash

“The vehicle's paint is literally peeling away from every horizontal and connected vertical surface. Without paint on metal, rust is happening, weakening the metal structure of the vehicle. have reached out to Honda USA and they informed they had no responsibility for the paint, yet the service writer at my local Honda dealer said that my vehicle's paint, Pearl White, has been peeling off Honda vehicles for years and Honda knows it to be an issue yet only occasionally offers to be of any assistance. I am the original owner of this 2012 Honda Pilot, the vehicle has never been in an accident, ye…”
NHTSA complaint #11562614, 2023

“Paint peeling. I brought it to a body shop and they stated it was a manufacturing defect. I am looking for other ways to follow up with Honda Directly. it is getting increasingly worse.”
NHTSA complaint #11515734, 2021

Fuel System 6

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND HESITATING WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED ROUSH HONDA (100 W. SCHROCK RD, WESTERVILLE, OH 43081, (614) 882-1535) AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE…”
NHTSA complaint #11404789, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT START-UP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE MECHANIC THEN REPLACED THE VAPOR CANISTER VENT VALVE AS WELL AS THE GAS CAP AND THE PURGE VALVE. DESPITE THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MECHANIC LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V063000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED BETTEN BAKER HONDA (2501 HENRY ST, MUSKEGON…”
NHTSA complaint #11359771, 2020

“THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VTM4 LIGHT COME ON AFTER OVER AN HOUR OF DRIVING. SOMETIMES THE WHOLE INSIDE OF THE CAR SMELLS HAS WHILE DRIVING AND THE FUEL CONSUMPTION IS NOT EFFICIENT. IN ADDITION WHEN THE CAR SITS IN THE GARAGE FOR A FEW DAYS, MAYBE 2-3, AND I START DRIVING, THE WHEELS MAKE SOME DEEP BRUSHING NOISE. THIS GETS WORST WHEN I BRAKE. SOMETIMES IT SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING UNDER THE HOOD OR AROUND THE ENGINE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10608297, 2014

Visibility/Wiper 4

“I got this car as a loan from a 3rd party dealer ship and they never told me it had a recall days after the airbag light pops up in the dashboard I took it to get service and they stated that the problem was fixed. The light on the dashboard was gone. A couple days ago the light came back and it makes a weird noise when you turn it on and the car gets humidity so fast the windows fog up and I have to turn the ac on. It doesn’t feel safe to drive it at times but I have to for work. I just want to make sure it’s safe to drive from la to sylmar I’m afraid if it gets to hot or humid that the airba…”
NHTSA complaint #11483887, 2022

“THE SUNROOF OF MY 2012 HONDA PILOT SHATTERED FOR NO REASON AFTER A VERY LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND (SOUNDED LIKE A FIRE CRACKER INSIDE THE SUV). THIS HAPPENED AS MY SON, MOTHER IN LAW AND I WERE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS ABRUPT EXPLOTION AND BREAKAGE COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I URGE THAT HONDA TAKES OWNERSHIP OF THIS ISSUE. I READ MANY BLOGS AND FOR MY SURPRISE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE DUE TO POOR QUALITY MATERIAL OF CHOICE BY THE MANUFACTURERS. NOW THE WORST PART IS THAT THIS REPLACEMENT IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND NEITHER THE HONDA DEALER OR GEICO WANTS TO HELP AND NOW I HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIB…”
NHTSA complaint #10980771, 2017

“WHEN BACKING UP USING THE BACKUP CAMERA THE CAMERA DISPLAY WILL SOMETIMES GO BLACK ON THE SCREEN. I HAVE ALMOST ON TWO OCCASIONS ALMOST HIT SOMEONE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THIS IS A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT COMES AND GOES. I FEEL IT'S A SAFETY ISSUES TO HAVE YOUR VISION SUDDENLY CUT OUT WITH NO WARNING.”
NHTSA complaint #10910756, 2016

Seat Belts 3 1 crash 3 injury

“DRIVING IN THE CITY WHEN THE 3 VEHICLE COLLISION HAPPENED GOING 25-30MPH. THE FIRST CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY TO LET PEDESTRIANS CROSS THE STREET. THEN THE SECOND CAR FOLLOWED AND I DID NOT CATCH THE STOP IN TIME. FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN MY CAR REAR ENDED THE OTHER VEHICLES. AND DRIVER SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK. INJURIES OF WHIPLASH, CONCUSSION AND A BROKEN NOSE RESULTED FROM THIS”
NHTSA complaint #11251974, 2019 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

“The driver's seat belt has ripped. I contacted Airport Honda where I purchased the vehicle in Spring, 2014. The Service Manger contacted Honda Corporate. They REFUSE to repair the seat belt. Making this a hazard for me to drive the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11531714, 2023

“I got this car as a loan from a 3rd party dealer ship and they never told me it had a recall days after the airbag light pops up in the dashboard I took it to get service and they stated that the problem was fixed. The light on the dashboard was gone. A couple days ago the light came back and it makes a weird noise when you turn it on and the car gets humidity so fast the windows fog up and I have to turn the ac on. It doesn’t feel safe to drive it at times but I have to for work. I just want to make sure it’s safe to drive from la to sylmar I’m afraid if it gets to hot or humid that the airba…”
NHTSA complaint #11483887, 2022

Wheels 3

“I RECENTLY BUY THIS CAR AND IT HAS 79000 MILES ON THE ODO METER AND WHEN I CHECK THE CARFAX MILES CAME OUT 186000 MILES IT MEANS THEY ROLLBACK THE ODOMETER AND I WANT TO REPORT A CLAIM BECAUSE IT IS REALLY A SAFETY CONCERN”
NHTSA complaint #11342633, 2020

“VEHICLE DEVELOPED A VIBRATION AROUND 45000 MILES IN REAR AND THOUGHT TIRES NEEDED REBALANCING. THAT DIDN'T HELP AND AFTER VIBRATING ON A 1600 MILE TRIP HAD DEALER REPLACE TIRES WITH ORIGINAL BRAND AND SIZE AFTER DISCUSSING PROBLEM WITH THEM. $1000 LATER I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALER AND COMPLAINED ABOUT VIBRATION. THEY REBALANCED TIRES ON HI TECH BALANCER. 275 MILES ON NEW TIRES AND STILL VIBRATION IS THERE. WENT BACK TODAY BECAUSE OF VIBRATION AND THEY DID SOFTWARE UPDATE AND REPLACED RIGHT REAR TIRE. SERVICE MANAGER AND THEN GENERAL BOTH RODE WITH ME I VEHICLE AND THEY AGREED THE VIBRATION I…”
NHTSA complaint #10853425, 2015

“VEHICLE PULL TO ONE SIDE ON FLAT SURFACE. HONDA DEALER CLAIM THAT IT IS DUE TO ROAD CURVE. THEY PERFORM THE FOLLOWING: WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING AND HIT A BUMP, VEHICLE SHIFT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT OR RIGHT TO LEFT. THE BLAME THE TIRE IS BAD BUT THE VEHICLE IS LESS THEN 1.5 YEARS OLD. THEY PERFORM THE FOLLOWING: WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE. I CAN TURN THE WHEEL MORE THAN 3 INCHES BEFORE THE WHEEL TURN. THEY PERFORM THE FOLLOWING: WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.…”
NHTSA complaint #10562497, 2013

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2

“VSA LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT COME OFF. SOLID LIGHT”
NHTSA complaint #11128481, 2018

“DRIVING BACK FROM ILLINOIS TO TEXAS AND STARTED TO FEEL VIBRATION WHEN THE ENGINE'S VCM WOULD ACTIVATE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65MPH AND SLOWLY EASED OFF OF THE GAS, WHEN I SLOWLY PUSHED ON THE GAS TO SPEED UP AGAIN I FELT A VIBRATION ON THE FLOOR BOARD THAT WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I GAVE IT MORE GAS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON EVER SINCE. EVEN YESTERDAY WHEN I DROVE TO SAN ANTONIO AND TODAY WHEN I DROVE BACK TO HOUSTON, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES IN 2013.IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED EVEN THOUGH THE HEAD MECHANIC DID A RIDE ALONG AND AGREED THERE WAS VIBRATION. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THEY CA…”
NHTSA complaint #10559225, 2012

Seats 2

“THE PLASTIC WRAP THAT SURROUNDS THE SEAT CUSHION ON BOTH SEATS IN THE FRONT HAS BROKEN WHERE IT SNAPS TOGETHER. I NOTICED THE PLASTIC HAD CRACKED THEN A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER IS HAS COMPLETELY COME APART. THIS MAKES FOR A DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD IF THIS VEHICLE WERE IN A COLLISION. BEGINNING WITH 2016, HONDA CHANGED ITS BODY STYLE AND CHANGED THAT PARTICULAR PART WITH A SEAMLESS AND SOFTER PLASTIC SURROUNDING. I RECENTLY PURCHASED ANOTHER HONDA PILOT (2015) AND THE SAME ISSUE APPEARS TO RESONATE. THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE PILOT FROM SAID THEY HAD IT FIXED BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THEY REALLY SENT IT…”
NHTSA complaint #11140190, 2015

“PLEASE, PLEASE BACK OFF ON YOUR HEAD REST REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFETY. PLEASE ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO CHOOSE THE POSITION OF THE HEAD REST. NOT ONLY HONDA, BUT FORD, GM, CHRYSLER, ALL MANUFACTURERS ARE CREATING VERY PAINFUL CAR SEATS SINCE 2009 DUE TO THIS AWFUL HEADREST REQUIREMENT. SEATBELTS ARE A LAW, BUT I CHOOSE TO WEAR THEM. MOTORCYCLE HELMETS ARE NO LONGER A LAW, BUT I CHOOSE TO WEAR THEM. NOW LET ME CHOOSE MY HEADREST POSITION. I THINK THESE NEW DESIGNS ARE GOING TO CAUSE FAR MORE INJURIES AND INSURANCE CLAIMS FROM PEOPLE HAVING THEIR HEADS COCKED FORWARD, IN A FORCED IMPROPER POSTUR…”
NHTSA complaint #10487757, 2007

Exterior Lighting 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FOG LIGHTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THE LIGHT BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE MORE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 04/14/14*LJ UPDATED 04/18/2014 *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10566520, 2013

Parking Brake 1

“The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was getting a State Inspection, the inspector observed that the parking brake cable had seized and failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the parking brake cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11593928, 2023

Tires 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR CONTINUOUSLY LEAKED OUT OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COMMONWEALTH HONDA (6 COMMONWEALTH DR, LAWRENCE, MA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IN EACH WHEEL WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.”
NHTSA complaint #11266857, 2019

Visibility 1

“2012 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE MOON ROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING. *SMD”
NHTSA complaint #10703684, 2015

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2012 Honda Pilot draws about 11.3 complaints per year on the road, ranking 9 of 12 among the Honda Pilot model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.

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