2025 HONDA PILOT Complaints

I purchased a brand-new 2025 Honda Pilot Elite, and within the first 1,000 miles of driving, I began noticing multiple concerning noises and performance issues: Steering Noise: At low speeds, particularly while turning, the steering system emits a subtle but persistent creaking noise/noises from the steering wheel area. The creaking is especially noticeable when making slow turns in parking lots or driveways. It appears to worsen in warmer temperatures and is consistent regardless of road condition. I brought the issue to the dealership's attention, and they kept the vehicle for approximately three weeks. They replaced the clock spring and airbag, claiming the noise was resolved. However, the creaking noise returned shortly after I resumed driving the vehicle. Brake Popping: There is also a popping/clicking noise coming from the front left brake area, especially when braking or shifting between drive and reverse. The dealership lubricated the brake hardware but did not resolve the issue. Despite Honda service attempts, the noises persist. Numerous other 2023–2025 Honda Pilot owners have reported similar symptoms online, many citing steering rack/pinion defects or unresolved brake component issues. These defects appear widespread and unresolved by standard dealership repairs. Safety Concern: While the issues may currently present as mechanical noises, I am deeply concerned that they may signal underlying defects in critical safety systems—such as steering control and braking performance. Unaddressed, these could potentially lead to steering failure, brake failure, or loss of control, especially during low-speed maneuvers where driver response time may be compromised due to mechanical unpredictability. Request for Investigation: I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate these issues, as they appear to be affecting a growing number of new Honda Pilot vehicles across the 2023 to 2025 model years, the dealership do not know what to do.

Vehicle stopped at a stoplight for about two minutes. It shut itself off and would not restart wouldn’t go into neutral or do anything. There had been zero issues with this vehicle to date until this occurred. This happened in a very busy intersection my wife had to scramble to get the children out of the vehicle and up on the bank before they got rear ended by somebody. The police had the vehicle towed to our friends residence as the dealership couldn’t get it towed for several hours. The vehicle was towed from our friends residence on the morning of [XXX] The tow truck driver and my wife both tried starting the vehicle before it was towed to the dealership, it would not start. Only july 5th at Honda of turnersville , technician Mike said he hopped in the vehicle and it started right up and that there were no error codes. I believe he disconnected the battery and waited for the codes to clear before starting the vehicle and driving it into the shop. Where he plugged it in and found no error codes. The dealership technician then claimed he found and old error code in the memory that showed a bad battery. They replaced the battery. The dealership technician story makes no sense. If the battery was bad, the vehicle wouldn’t have started in the parking lot , I feel like I’m getting the run around and that they didn’t diagnose the actual problem. I currently have no faith that this is a safe vehicle and am scared to drive it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving, the display on the instrument cluster was registering 75 MPH while in a 35 MPH zone. While the contact’s husband was driving on the highway, the speedometer registered 75 MPH in a 50-55 MPH zone. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case regarding the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,900.

We were exiting the off ramp heading North on [XXX], exit [XXX] and when we slowed to about 5 mph the car shut off completely. No electrical power and the car would not re-start. Heavy traffic was bearing down on us and we could not move. About 20 minutes later the power returned. It was the auto idle restart that malfunctioned, we believe. There was no warning. The situation was dangerous. We took it to the dealer in Vancouver, WA and they found no warning messages. They told us to take the car back and drive it and always manually turn off the auto idle restart and it would be safe. They said Honda temporarily suspended the engineering request until July 7, 2025 and until then we just wait. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Purchased vehicle 06-25-2025 with 6 miles on the odometer. Now has 78 miles. Whenever applying slight throttle pressure the vehicle lurges back and forth. As you applying accelerator pedal pressure the vehicle hesitates and then lurges forward.

While operating the vehicle under normal conditions, the electric power steering system failed completely. The steering wheel became entirely unresponsive, effectively locking in place. My wife was forced to exert extreme effort to maneuver the vehicle safely off the roadway into a nearby parking lot. This created a serious life safety incident for her and others. Upon failure, the dashboard displayed multiple system errors and safety warnings, including: Auto High-Beam Problem “Manual controls available. See your dealer.” Electric Power Steering System Problem “Steering assist not available. Do not drive.” Brake System Problem “Brake performance may be reduced. See your dealer.” Brake Hold System Problem “Apply brake when stopped. See your dealer.” Vehicle Stability Assist System Problem “Reduced traction and handling. See your dealer.” Hill Start Assist Problem “Vehicle may roll upon brake release. See your dealer.” Trailer Stability Assist System Problem “See your dealer.” Hill Descent Control System Problem “Apply brake when descending. See your dealer.” After turning the vehicle off and restarting it, the steering assist returned temporarily. After arriving to the scene of the incident, I proceeded to the nearest Honda dealership for immediate inspection. The inspection took place on 06/23/2025 and no assignable root cause was found. The dealership attempted to return the vehicle to me at that time, but I refused.

While driving at low speeds after the vehicle has warmed up there are popping: clicking sounds while turning. Has the vehicle looked at by Honda and of course they didn’t hear anything. Other vehicles have needed the steering rack recalled and I need a recall to be issued for my car. Brand new car should be making noise and no car should be making noise while driving like this. Get it together.

The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to detect the odor. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the Forward Collision Avoidance feature independently activated, causing the vehicle to abruptly decelerate. During the failure, the message "Reduce Speed" was displayed, but no other vehicles or objects were nearby. The cause of the failure has not yet been determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000.

While driving with speed control on the vehicle will show warning light in dash and say something is blocking front camera sensor. Causing mirrors to tint automatically xm radio to stop Bluetooth problems and no crude control. Nothing blocking camera have to stop and restart vehicle. Throttle problems intermittent not smooth. To much throttle causing it to shift hard at start downshifting is hard and can also do this in reverse. Have had this at a dealer once and bring back again. They adjusted the throttle body. Seemed to do nothing.

The rear view mirror popped off the base. Result is driving without rear view mirror until repaired. This is a faulty design with the mirror hex base attached to the windshield and the mirror neck having a spring clip.