CarComplaints.com Notes: We all want our SUVs to be able to stop on a dime, just not randomly and without warning. But that's what was happening to 2005 Pilot owners: their vehicles were slamming on the brakes even when they didn't. A government investigation of this problem led to a recall in March of 2013.

Another issue that keeps popping up is transmission fluid mixing with coolant in the radiator which is causing transmission failure, a costly repair to say the least.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
101,765 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.

2005 Honda Pilot brakes problems

brakes problem

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2005 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #97

Mar 182021

Pilot

  • 113,000 miles

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

In the highway the car brakes for no reason for a moment than it release

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #96

Nov 042020

Pilot

  • 233,000 miles
2005 Pilot was repaired under vsa recall in 2013. As of the last couple of weeks, again I experienced same exact vehicle safety issues prior to repair. This past week while I had my three children in the car, we almost lost our lives. A semi driver instead risked his own lives to keep from slamming in the back of us. We took our Pilot to Honda dealership that has serviced our vehicle over the years and they do not want to recognize issue and instead point to the same thing I am now reading here online. The dealership service department states it is the yaw sensor as the issue, not faulty repair. It is not a coincidence that Pilot owners are now once again are experiencing the same issues all over again. How many lives will be lost or changed for the worst before Honda is forced to reckon with this issue? this is wrong and unacceptable. There are other poor design flaws that we think also may have cost us so much more money, such as the vvt issues. However, the vsa repair issue is not something that can be overlooked and must be dealt with now. Specifically, my experience mostly on flat surfaces with exception of one time on a slight incline at a stop light. Both in town driving and intersate and all dry weather conditions except one occasion. The vsa light flashed, vehicle applied brake at without my foot on brake pedal. My foot was on accelerator at the time vehicle was being harshly stopped by the brakes applied. This caused the vehicle to make a bucking motion or jerking motion, also I've experienced the slight swerve. I was driving in a straight direction all of the times this occurred since the repair in 2013. It depended on the amount of pressure and length of time the vehicle acted up. Everything is just as it did prior to the repair in 2013, nothing is any different, all the same. Yet, Honda wants to say I need to cover repair.

- Bedford, KY, USA

problem #95

Jun 012020

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 51,000 miles
The yaw rate lateral acceleration sensor is faulty and should be included in Honda's 2013 recall of the vsa. The vehicle has the exact symptoms of the vsa recall, which was fixed on my vehicle. I purchased the car last year with very low miles, only drove for a few months before it started having issues. Started out having the vsa triangle light on dash and losing power (limp mode) only after coming out of a turn after driving vehicle for awhile. Increased to the point where after roughly 30 minutes of the vehicle running the vsa issue would happen at least once during the drive. Severity of the vsa/limp mode got worse, no power for longer at a time and the horrible grinding noise directly underneath cabin. Took to Honda complaining of these issues, couldn't replicate it so nothing was wrong. One month ago, my vehicle started having the un-commanded braking problem. Driving at 55 mph, the slightest touch to the brakes causes the vehicle to hard brake, causing a swerve at least going that fast. It has done this un-commanded braking more than once, I have been afraid to drive it and at least got it 30 minutes to my Honda dealer, which I also purchased the vehicle from. It was diagnosed with the faulty yaw rate lateral acceleration sensor. I have argued with Honda for the last three weeks over the issue, ultimately to be told that it was not included in the final recall, even though the investigation names the yaw sensor as possibly being implicated in the malfunction. $994 for the sensor alone. It is absolutely dangerous and even the dealer recommends it be fixed immediately, yet Honda has declared no fault.

- Fillmore, IN, USA

problem #94

Feb 222020

Pilot

  • 160,000 miles

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

While driving straight at 40 mph my right front brake locked up. We changed the brake caliper thinking it was the problem. It did not fix the problem. Looking online it seems to be an issue with the 2005 Honda Pilot. I searched and called Honda and my local dealer. They said there weren't any recalls or safety bulletins.

- Fairbanks, AK, USA

problem #93

Jan 172020

Pilot

  • 154,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated the vehicle stability assist warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact was unable to deactivate the control module. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 13V092000 (service brakes, hydraulic, traction control system). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,000.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #92

Sep 012019

Pilot

  • 137,787 miles
The brakes are applying randomly without applying pressure on the brake pedal. The vsa light remains illuminated and it is unsafe to drive. 13V092 is the recall bulliten I believe applies to my vehicle, but when I search my VIN, it shows no unrepaired recalls. I have verified that the vsa subharness has not been installed prior to my purchase of the vehicle. My manufacture date falls between the timeline of this recall and also my VIN begins with 2hk, which is specified in campaign 13-026 as requiring vsa sub harness installed. I have taken it to my local Honda dealer and they have told me that it does not qualify for the recall because it is "VIN specific".

- Fairbanks, AK, USA

problem #91

Sep 112019

Pilot

  • 145,000 miles

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

2005 Honda Pilot with 145K miles suddenly started to apply brakes without warning while driving on straight, flat, dry roads at moderate speeds. If has also occurred at highway speed, but never associated with skidding, sliding, etc. The brakes appear to apply differentially, causing a swerve that needs to be corrected quickly to avoid collision with traffic. The vsa light comes on, and the triangular vsa disconnect light comes on. They both go out after the car is shut off and restarted. The local Honda dealer says there is no recall for this, but that they had reprogrammed the car's vsa during an earlier service visit.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #90

Sep 012019

Pilot

  • 188 miles
When driving down the slope on the curb my car apply the breaks without any input.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #89

Nov 302017

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 30 miles
Unfortunately, our each vehicle has been targeted and caused car accident from 2010 to present day. In 2012, our Mazda MPV 2006 engine was destroyed or replaced at the work place during working at hilton hotel. Our Acura MDX 2002 VIN # [xxx] and current Honda Pilot 2005 VIN # [xxx] were under controlled and involved car accident in 2017 and 2018 because of targeting. I have noticed and reported to local police and insurance behalf of this cases which can stop suddenly or slowly. Its depend on how they controlled and pre-arranged accident to be happened on a pointing time. Surely, many life and vehicles are very dangerous. We desperately need safety cars and people in our community in order to avoid crushing cars and people from now and future. Please help. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Norcross, GA, USA

problem #88

Sep 062018

Pilot

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably and crashed into a stationary police cruiser. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The driver and the front passenger sustained injuries that did not require medical attention. The contact's vehicle was damaged and was towed to a tow yard. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. Two weeks earlier, while driving approximately 10 mph, the brakes seized momentarily and released when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #87

Sep 042018

Pilot

  • 205,000 miles

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

My car was not part of the Honda Pilot vsa recall (https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/Honda-recalls-182000-vehicles-for-faulty-vehicle-stability-assist-system.html) but it is doing exactly what they said was a problem in 182000 other vehicles. The vsa warning light comes on + stays on when the engine is running. Please help. I did not recieve notice that my vehicle was recalled and it does not show. On your web site either

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

problem #86

Aug 252018

Pilot

  • 209,800 miles
Car will apply brake to itself causin a swerve or a jerk and the vsa light will come on and as sson as U turn off the ignition the light will turn off. And will happen again when it wants too. Any car appky brake by itself is unsafe and will cause a accident especially when driver have no control of it... this needs to be addressed immediately and recalled and fixed. This is not the only Honda Pilot doing this. There were quite a few

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #85

Jan 102017

Pilot

  • 225,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact received a recall repair remedy from mcgrath city Honda (6720 w grand ave, Chicago, il 60707, 773-889-3030) to address the vsa, but the remedy failed to provide a solution. The contact later experienced abnormal involuntary braking with the steering pulling to the right for a brief moment and then the vsa warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated that the code was for the yaw rate sensor and that it was not related to the recall. The dealer stated that further diagnostic testing was needed. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V092000 (service brakes, hydraulic, traction control system), and NHTSA action numbers: DP12002 (electronic stability control), PE12028 (service brakes, hydraulic), and EA13002 (electronic stability control). The manufacturer stated that they were aware of a failure with the yaw ratre sensors, but had not provided a recall remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 225,000.

- Oak Park, IL, USA

problem #84

Jun 222015

Pilot

  • miles
Hace un tiempo tuve un accidente Y mientras conducia solo en mi Honda Pilot Y lo bolsa de aire del lado del pasajero exploto aun cuando no habia nadie en el asiento del pasajero Y la bolsa de aire del lado mio, del conductor siendo la mas importante no abri poniendo mi vida en riesgo.

- Guayama, PR, USA

problem #83

Nov 272017

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 161,300 miles
Driving my Honda Pilot truck eastbound on the left lane at about 40 miles an hour, had the foot on the gas pedal, the brake made a groaning noise and the truck started to slow down rapidly. To a full stop. The brakes went on and was so scared, because I looked up on my rear view mirror and there was a SUV driving behind me. He did see me, and he had to swerve into the opposite lane. My heart sank. He got out of his SUV and he started to yell at me. I told him the truck came to a stop it malfunctioned and they were lights on my dashboard. As he walked away back into his SUV and drove off I sat there. I put the car in park looked at my manual and shut off the vehicle and turned it back on and the indicators on my dashboard we're gone. I called up my husband to let him know. Before I shut the car off, , two indicators came on vsa and a warning sign. I know there was a recall it in 2013 I did get that fixed as I took it to a Honda dealership. About two years ago it happened again I was on the belt parkway in New York and the Pilot made a noise and it stopped on its own there were more than two lights flashing on my dashboard that day. And I was driving slower on the parkway because of traffic. So, the impact wasn't so scary. Two lives were saved that day. I called Honda recall case #[xxx]. since my husband had to bring his car in to get fixed I also took my Honda. The company's name is hardmans auto, they also order parts from the Honda dealership also located in the same town. Did cool Honda auto service but the manager named [xxx] hasn't called me back yet. Will call again today to get my Pilot checked. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Plainview, NY, USA

problem #82

Sep 232017

Pilot

  • 79,161 miles
My 2005 Honda Pilot brakes are on.I started the vehicle and shifted into reverse, the brakes are fully engaged.I shifted into drive, same thing. The emergency brake is not engaged. I cannot drive the vehicle.

- Cutler Bay, FL, USA

problem #81

Apr 042017

Pilot

  • 150,000 miles
Vehicle stability assist recall completed in 2013 has failed to address vsa issues. Vehicle will randomly apply brakes while driving in normal conditions, possibly presenting a hazard to driver, passengers, and other vehicles on the road. When the brakes are applied, the vsa light illuminates and must be reset. There are multiple documented occurrences of this online with multiple owner/operators, and the fact that the previous recall has not been effectively must be addressed. Thank you for your time and attention.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #80

Jan 022017

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. While driving at an unknown speed, the brakes inadvertently engaged and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the ABS needed to be tested and the knock sensor and sub harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 13V092000 (service brakes, hydraulic, traction control system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000. Updated 05/10/17

- Slidell, LA, USA

problem #79

Dec 142016

Pilot

  • 10 miles
On cold temperatures, and while the car is moving on the highway, the brakes will suddenly apply all by itself and the vsa off and a triangle (with exclamation) light comes on the dashboard. This causes the vehicle to strongly jerk and swerve for a second. Turning off the vsa before driving, the sudden brake will not happen. I checked recalls for my VIN but there are no open recalls. Please investigate.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #78

Aug 302016

Pilot

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle slighty swayed from the left and the right with a shuttering sensation. The vsa system warning indicator illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle to disengage the warning indicator; however, the failure recurred. The contact found in the owner's manual that the vsa warning was an indication that the brakes and stability controls were experiencing a malfunction. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and several failure codes appeared; however, they were not able to completely indicate what the nature of the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Madison, OH, USA

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