10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,652 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.

2011 Honda Pilot electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Honda Pilot Owner Comments

problem #20

Feb 162022

Pilot

  • 318,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V573000 (Electrical System) however, neither the VIN nor the year vehicle was included. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 318,000.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #19

May 242023

Pilot

  • miles
Have a known hacker. They have shown experience on remote hacking using TimeStomping and ECM modifications. I work as an Amazon Delivery driver in Kentucky. My Hackers are my Employer and the Operations Manager. The same hacking to their company vehicles are being done to employees personal vehicles. Forced Limp Mode, Power distribution, Fake sensors malfunctions, and Alarm controls are reoccurring. My entire communications network is compromised. When I called Honda (888)?528-7876) from my Boost Mobile iPhone, the automated system did not recognize my T-Mobile Android phone number that is registered on MyHonda. The person I spoke to asked my name, Vin number, and then asked if the T-Mobile phone number is the one associated with my Honda Pilot. After I mentioned the automated system did not have that number, I was to my number popped up as a caller ID. 2 different phones on 2 different networks acting as one!"!" 05/24/2023 At 11:55 am, I travel from my work to tha gas station. I put air in a tire that seems to leak air sporadically. After about 2 mins, my pilot power systems light turns on. I have already had my battery and systems tested less the 2 months prior, but travel down hwy for 15 miles. While having battery looked at, my pilot deactivated the air-bag system. The Auto Zone employee attempted to pull check engine codes. The first 2 attempts the pilot would not read anything at all. After I explained the previous instances when this had happened before with multiple other vehicles, he was finally able to read multiple (undisplayed) codes. As I travelled to the mechanic, I received a mystery call. Did not answer, but called back on android phone. It was a fund raising auto number. My pilot is hacked and using false time stamps. I was told this was discovered before, but never addressed as a form of undetectable hacking.

- Louisville , KY, USA

problem #18

Mar 172023

Pilot

  • miles
There must be some department that will resolve this safety issue. American Honda case # 13705515. Largely unknown by most Honda owners is the built in DysFunction of all locks unlocking, all windows and moonroof opening by pressing unlock then again & hold. There are countless stories of damage and danger to customers vehicles like myself. No one uses this " feature " and in my case it happens in the middle of the night by itself for no reason. My 2011 Honda Pilot has been seriously rained inside of and snowed in causing interior damage as well as possible electrical damage, that is very well a safety issue. The immediate safety issue is that the vehicle is rendered open to any criminal who may hide inside to attack the owner, this is a breach of security that all vehicle owners expect their vehicle to stay locked and safe. Please help customers get Honda to reprogram all body module computers to delete this " function " at Hondas expense.

- Dunkirk, NY, USA

problem #17

Feb 282022

Pilot

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. Due to failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic since the vehicle failed to restart. The independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a defective ignition switch cylinder. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that there was no recall on her vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #16

Jun 282019

Pilot

  • 118,279 miles
My 18 year old daughter was driving home 6/28/19 at midnight. Car died while driving. Coasted to side of road. Restarted and drove some. Same thing. Many lights came on. Coasted to side of highway. Tried one more time and made it home. Miles on odo: 118,279. The next morning I started the ca and tried to drive to dealership. After 3 miles, the same happened to me. I was able to pull over and had aaa tow it 5 miles to dealership. At dealership, the said many error codes came up but they recommended replacing the powertrain control module (PCM). I pd $1,410.16 to do this on July 2. I picked the car up and drove less than a mile and the same thing happened. I was able to start it again and then it happened as I coasted back to the dealership. They analyzed the car, talked with hq Honda reps and they recommended checking the spark plugs. They did and all 6 were bad. However, they were just replaced at 102,42 miles about 1 year earlier. July 9. I decided to replace the spark plugs and the dealership to their credit only charged me $200 (cost of labor). I was hesitant to replace them as I was not certain they had identified the true problem. I was shocked after spending the $1,400 that it happened again. Ever since then I am wondering if this will happen again. I am also concerned because this problem of the car just shutting down is extremely dangerous, especially if you find yourself on the highway. So I would like someone to look into this and to see if this has happened to anyone else. Thanks.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #15

May 012018

Pilot

  • 50,000 miles
Moving key back and forth in driver's door lock will result in engine repeatedly turning over, even with no key in ignition. Engine doesn't actually start but will crank by itself. Car does not have any type of remote start installed. Video of example here: Https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=yefib2tbmj0

- Parker, CO, USA

problem #14

Nov 242017

Pilot

  • 2 miles

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

Got a new battery 36 mins later the car was on fire

- Abington, MA, USA

problem #13

Jul 252016

Pilot

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. Half an hour after the contact parked the vehicle in the garage, it caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was awaiting inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

- Hiawassee, GA, USA

problem #12

Aug 312014

Pilot

  • 22,000 miles
I had recently discovered that all of my windows would roll down to a third open equally if the key fob alarm was continuously pushed (by something is a purse or backpack) and I might already be away from the car. So I was now more aware of locking my car and setting the alarm and keeping the keys in sight till I was far enough away. This has nothing to do with the car being robbed it just made me more aware to lock the car. I parked and locked the car on the night of 8/31/14 and went to bed. The next day my car was unlocked and had been ransacked. Many things were stolen from the car but nothing was damaged. Weeks later I found a Honda manual in the bushes. I thought it was from my car from the robbery. It turned out it belonged to my neighbor who drove a Honda civic. He had also been robbed on the same day and thought it was odd his car was unlocked when he found it. Both of us are pretty sure somebody had the technology to remotely open our cars and bypass the security systems. Neither one of us reported it to the police. Having been robbed (garage) before in los angeles I found they can do nothing for you so I did not even tell my insurance company thinking my rates might go up if it is known my care is easily robbed, alarm system or not. I now wake at every noise thinking it might be happening again. I can no longer leave anything in the car as I don't consider it secure. It has changed my sleeping habits and my work life is harder as I cannot leave anything in the car for any length of time. I am angry that Honda has done nothing about this.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #11

Jul 192014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
On July 19, 2014 I had an oil appoinmentat 1:30 to have my free oil change. Of course the dealership has to make money some how, so my service advisor offered that I have the transmission serviced. Since I was getting the free oil I felt as though I needed to buy for some service. So the did both oil and transmission service. Left the dealship no more than ten minutes later on my way home, my Pilot started smoking on the right side as I stopped and was praying the light turn gree N so I could go I turned and more smoke come up. I jumped out of the car and ran to my house which was not far away and got my husbanc to come back with me only to find my car completly engulfed in flames. My car was a total loss. I believe that this was something that occured from the dealership. I never had problems with my car. Now the fire inspector that was hired by my insurnce company stated that on the first inspection there was no transmission oil in the car it had all leaked out. Transmission is very flamable. I would could have died in that car. Nothing was salvagable. I would like very much for someome to check about this. I filed a claim with myt insurance comapny. I have also filed a claim against Honda directly and of course I have not been in contact with. This was a devastating accident/fire what ever that I have had to deal with. I know in my heart that this was something done at the dealership level and this has really put a scary situation for me. I am very hesitate about a lot of things now. I have lots of pictures that I took that you can see that my car was a total loss. Fire totally burnt my car. Please contact me [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Port St. Lucie, FL, USA

problem #10

Jul 302014

Pilot

  • 74,000 miles

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

Rather than take vehicle back to dealership, decided to try local shop instead. Clicking & popping noise continue in steering when turning left. Sound getting worse and can now hear in a parking lot whereas before, was just turning on roads. Was told by local technician that sound coming from inside the steering shaft and would cost upwards of $500 to repair. Blower motor needs replacing, purchased new battery, and also told right front cv axle leaking oil, another $400 to replace. Surprise surprise, was told again (third time now having owned this vehicle for just 4 years) that the front rotors are warped and the front brake pads down to 50%. total cost to replace again is upwards of $600 plus labor. Seriously?!

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

problem #9

May 142014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 47,000 miles
Driver door lock actuator failed causing multiple doors to stay locked or unlocked including the rear door and could potentially cause persons to be trapped inside.

- Waggaman, LA, USA

problem #8

Jun 202014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
While making a 3 point turn in a driveway in order to parallel park on the street my 2011 Honda Pilot accelerated at a high rate of speed and hit a parked car. My 2011 Honda Pilot continued out of control hit a curb and almost hit a chain link fence which would have caused me to travel into a busy four lane road. My 2011 Honda Pilot stopped by pressing both feet on the brake. Five hours later my battery was dead. I had aaa roadside service replace it. I took my 2011 Honda Pilot to the dealership today where the service rep agreed that there have been acceleration problems with the Honda Pilot. He had me go to a body shop next door where the rep told me he would only work on the body problems. He advised me to go back to Honda because I wanted to know what may have happened and to be sure my car was safe to drive. When I went back to Honda the same rep told me he did not tell me that Honda had any acceleration problems.

- Camarillo, CA, USA

problem #7

May 162012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 6,000 miles
Vehicle purchased new in 2011. No issues until mid 2012. When attempting to start car, the starting sequence works but engine does not turnover. The starter clicks, but nothing else happens. The first time this happened, car had to be jumpstarted to get started. Battery test was conducted with no issues. The second, third and fourth times it happened, the car eventually stated with no issue. The vehicle is located in southern ca, so cold weather is not a factor. Battery checks each time indicate no issue with the battery. Most recent time, on 2/23/14, same exact problem.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #6

Jun 172012

Pilot

  • 80,000 miles
Went to start vehicle. Battery dead. Dealer said to jump start and bring to dealer. Dealer said air conditioner relay stuck and drained battery. July 28, 2013 same problem. Charged battery, car started. 6 days later, same problem. Battery completely dead after 6 days. Took car to dealer. They said there was not any problem. Said we just needed to drive car more. Car has sat in garage for up to 3 weeks before without any problem. Seems there has to be an undiagnosed electrical problem somewhere in this car.

- Grayson, KY, USA

problem #5

May 212013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 27,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into park with the engine in operation when the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed and the battery was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000..... updated 10-17-13 the consumer stated the vehicle completely shutdown with no warning, and it would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. An inspection revealed a dead battery.

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #4

Apr 062013

Pilot

  • 30,000 miles
The tail lights only work intermittently. We stopped by the highway patrol on the night of April 7. the next day we took it to the Honda dealer, Honda of bowie and they refused to check anything because at that time the lights were working. Yesterday April 13 again the tail lights were not working and again today they were and again Honda of bowie refused to make any checks. The Pilot is unsafe to drive at night. What can I do?

- Crofton, MD, USA

problem #3

Oct 172010

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 800 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate over 50 mph, the vehicle released a burning odor through the vents. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure and the dealer stated that the burning odor was due to engaging the on and off switch for the air conditioning compressor. The contact also stated that the vehicle rear air conditioning unit would activate independently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 800 and the current mileage was 20,000. Updated 07/19/12

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #2

Apr 102012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 29,352 miles
While driving at around 20 mph on local road, malfunction indicator came up and engine stopped working. Towed to Honda dealer and after through checkup, throttle body & throttle gasket were replaced.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 012010

Pilot

  • 2,600 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. While driving 20 mph, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning and she was unable to restart it. The dealer made five attempts to duplicate failure. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The current miles were 9,615. The approximate failure mileage was 2,600. Updated 07/26/11 updated 3/16/12

- Armonk, NY, USA

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