What 465 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Honda Pilot

On two separate occasions this vehicle has died when stopped at a traffic light. First time was in February and the second was in June, both times were in 2026. Both times had to push the off button and do a restart.

NHTSA ODI 11747427

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.

NHTSA ODI 11746131

My air conditioning system has gone out for the third time in 6 years. First one was at 38k miles and was the compressor, which contaminated the system, requiring a system replacement. Second time was at 98k miles and was the condenser, which required a whole system replacement. Third time happend at 148k miles and is the compressor, which will result in another full system replacement. The compressor is locked up which will cause the serpentine belt to fail, unless I keep the AC off. I have not yet had this fixed, however I'm very frustrated that this has happened 3 times. A serpentine belt failure can potentially cause a safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11745867

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.

NHTSA ODI 11745381

The vehicle suddenly made audible and visual warnings stating critical error. All of the safety features handled by the forward-facing multipurpose camera stopped working. Honda stated the camera has failed (common issue based on research), and is a costly repair. Vehicle less than 6 years old, all maintenance completed timely by Honda, mileage 81k

NHTSA ODI 11744604

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with failures of 4 of the 6 fuel injectors. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11744159

Warning lights for Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Collision Mitigation, Road Departure, and Auto High Beam all came on simultaneously. From reading several Pilot forums, this seems to be very widespread and dealerships want anywhere between 1500 and 1900 to replace and calibrate the camera system which controls these functions. If it’s widespread, the vehicles should be recalled.

NHTSA ODI 11743577

The car makes a popping/static sound weather turned off or on . The infotainment center and screen has shut off while driving and using GPS leaving me to scramble with my phone to get a GPS on and this happens without any warning so I don't have any time to pull over to a safe place . I have taken the vehicle to 2 different mechanic shops and they did not find anything when hooked up to their computer . This is a random problem that happens at different times ,there is no telling when it will happen .when the popping/ static sound starts it is difficult to hear the music and the GPS on the car is not always correct it leads to the wrong places.

NHTSA ODI 11743006

I took my vehicle in due to a recall on the coaxial cable that was causing the electronic to malfunction and make a constant electrical popping sound. Shortly after that was replaced, the multipurpose camera started to malfunction and eventually gave out completely. I have warning lights constantly and cannot use any safety features in the vehicle, not even the cruise control. After much research this is an issue for thousands of Honda owners and is absolutely a safety issue. I’m scared to death to drive this car.

NHTSA ODI 11742398

The issue that I am having is very serious if I forget to hit the off button which disables the energy saving my car will shut off. This happens if I am at a stop sign or stop light. I literally have to restart my car all over again. Cars behind me have almost hit me. At first I thought this is a new vehicle it is normal for this happen but quickly rode cards similar to my vehicle features and their cars would not stop like mine does. I have called the dealer several times to report this incident but the managers never return my phone calls. I do fear my safety and my children's safety.

NHTSA ODI 11740614

The multipurpose front camera (Honda Sensing camera unit) failed internally, triggering diagnostic trouble code U3000-49. Multiple warning lights activated simultaneously on the dashboard, disabling all Honda Sensing safety systems including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Road Departure Mitigation, and Automatic High Beams. The failure occurred spontaneously with no prior accident, impact, or windshield replacement. The vehicle has low mileage and the failure appears consistent with a known design defect affecting Honda Sensing camera units in 2016–2020 Honda models. The failure was confirmed by a Honda dealership using Honda Diagnostic System (HDS), which identified internal electronic failure of the camera unit. Safety is at risk because the collision mitigation braking and lane keeping systems — relied upon for highway driving — are completely non-functional. This issue is widely reported across Honda Pilot, Odyssey, CR-V, HR-V, and Ridgeline forums, suggesting a systemic manufacturing defect. Honda has not issued a recall despite the safety-critical nature of these systems. The cost of replacing the multipurpose camera is very high and prohibited for many families.

NHTSA ODI 11739442

If I leave the auto idle engine stop on,and come to a complete stop, the auto engine stop turns on, but as I release the brake to drive, the vehicle stalls in drive and engine shuts down. I will have to manually turn the car back on and restart the whole system before being allowed to continue. All while at a green light and a ton of traffic waiting behind me to move! Its very disappointing and embarrassing. The failure happened about 5 days after purchase. I just assumed it was a bug, and always turn it off before starting my drive.

NHTSA ODI 11739590

MOST Network problems continue to persist even after MOST FAKRA Service Cables Safety Recall work was performed. Typical progression: Radio goes silent, Infotainment Screen displays error message, "Network Communication Lost / MOST Net Off", Driver Information Interface Display goes blank, then 3 error messages cycle, "Blind Spot Info System Problem", "Emissions System Problem", "Transmission System Problem", and vehicle enters limp mode (stuck in 3rd gear). Multiple safety issues: Rearview camera does not function, vehicle speed is not displayed, vehicle gas gauge is not displayed, blind spot system does not operate, reduced vehicle power.

NHTSA ODI 11738554

When starting vehicle after leaving the grocery store, there were multiple fault messages displayed on the dash cluster. They were showing five fault areas, the Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance and Parking Collision Warning. When arriving at the Honda dealer service department I was advised that this is a common issue and would most likely be a front camera failure. After the Honda service department diagnosed the issue they confirmed it was a camera failure. I contacted American Honda asking for goodwill assistance and after giving all of my information, I was sent an email to reply to with the same information. Two days later I received a call and had to go over the same information a third time. I was advised this process would be 2-3 days. Three days later I receive a call and was requested to give the same information a fourth time and the told it would be 3-5 days from then to evaluate and I would receive a call. Four days later I called American Honda for status and was offered a partial goodwill assistance that I would be need to pay $955 for the repair instead of $2200+ which was originally quoted. From working for Acura for 17 years it is obvious that American Honda assisted minimally as the warranty rate is around the same cost. They made the dealer take the cut in pay and endured minimal cost to American Honda and a major cut ended by the dealer. Being this is a common issue with a $2000+ cost, there should be more consideration allowed for this failure.

NHTSA ODI 11737997

Per Honda, the standard maintenance of replacing a timing belt and tensioner has put more tension on the crankshaft, which causes a tapping noise from the connecting rod bearings when the vehicle is accelerating under load. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Honda has said that this does not harm the engine, but a noise of this kind is not normal and any noise of this kind associated with this particular part of the engine has the possibility of degrading the engine's life and causing a potential safety issue while driving down the road. Yes, the problem has been reproduced by the dealer. Dealer service department has been the only one to inspect it. No, there were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The issue first appeared right after getting the mandatory timing belt maintenance when driving away from the dealer service department.

NHTSA ODI 11736439

Issue with the forward collision sensor, lane keep departure, and adaptive speed control. It has a mind of its own if it works or not. Some times it working then while drive the warnings and dings start going off while driving. There isn't a way to use cruise control if there is an issue with the system.

NHTSA ODI 11735059

I am seeing warning lights on my screen and using OBD-II scnner shows code P0302 (misfires). Vehicle bought 2020 August and gas about 90K miles. Is this vehicle under recall for this issue

NHTSA ODI 11734479

My current 2020 Pilot has presented a failure/ malfunction at the multipurpose camera in the front side resulting on the most important safety advance drivers assistance systems to not to work (Collision Mitigation System, road departure mitigation system, auto high beam, lane keeping assist, automative emergency breaking). This malfunction for this safety device could put at risk my family while driving since system got deactivated for no reason and will not respond to under unexpected situation while driving. I notice several messages on my dashboard then I confirmed safety componentes where bypassed and not activated not working properly. The problem was reporte at a dealer, then vehicle device was inspected and confirmed by the dealer that the safety multipurpose camera has a malfunction. Prior to the failure there were no messages or symptoms, just stops working without advice. Safety devices must he operative at all time, me vehicle is in very good condition and not more that 6 years old.

NHTSA ODI 11732191

These systems have stopped working due to a faulty LKAS camera that is mounted at the windshield

NHTSA ODI 11731117

Paint failure - rear roof panel. Paint chips flaking off. NOT a gradual failure, clear coat in good condition. No skuff marks or damage prior. Large paint chips pealing off exposing bare metal. Paint color : Modern steel metallic

NHTSA ODI 11730911

While driving at approximately 55 mph on a clear day, the panoramic sunroof glass spontaneously shattered with a loud explosion. There were no overpasses, construction zones, or other vehicles in the immediate vicinity to suggest an external impact from a rock or debris. The glass shattered into small granules, some of which fell into the cabin while the vehicle was in motion, creating an immediate distraction and safety hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11730662

my rear view camera went out and it is a $2,000 fix. can this please be a recall? i know many others this has happened to as well.

NHTSA ODI 11726632

Almost immediately after purchase, the orange BRAKE sign came on and the gas pedal slightly braked for me. The forward collision light stayed on my dash board. The camera behind the windshield mirror seems to be malfunctioning. It will go off whether a car is close to me or not. It happens at random times during my drive and it worries me if I am going a decent spend with people behind me or in front of me and my car starts to break on its own, potentially causing a crash.

NHTSA ODI 11726638

Passenger airbag shows airbag as off very often. There will be a passenger over 65 pounds and still indicates that the airbag is off.

NHTSA ODI 11726110

Infotainment center making popping and cracking sounds during every drive. System will completely shut down and not work at all. No access to navigation, phone or infotainment center at all. Audio will completely cut out during music and phone calls.

NHTSA ODI 11726111