VehicleVerdict

2017 Honda Pilot problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2017 Honda Pilot carries two red flags at once: 1,296 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 4.3× the Pilot norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Engine failure). It is one of the Pilot years to avoid.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 463 reports (36% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

1,296

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations · 2 open

10

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Pilot years?

Pilot NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted2,328 complaints2003: 877 complaints2004: 644 complaints2005: 955 complaints2006: 330 complaints2007: 266 complaints2008: 165 complaints2009: 174 complaints2010: 142 complaints2011: 389 complaints2012: 228 complaints2013: 368 complaints2014: 153 complaints2015: 138 complaints2016: 2,328 complaints2017: 1,296 complaints2018: 634 complaints2019: 1,365 complaints2020: 759 complaints2021: 669 complaints2022: 219 complaints2023: 174 complaints2024: 155 complaints2025: 274 complaints2026: 15 complaints
Pilot NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Pilot years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Honda Pilot problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine46336%
Electrical System26921%
Fuel System13610%
Other13110%
Transmission1219%
Driver Assistance433%
Speed Control282%
Brakes252%
Visibility & Wipers151%
Body & Structure151%
Seat Belts141%
Lighting101%
Steering71%
Suspension60%
Latches & Locks50%
Airbags30%
Seats30%
Tires & Wheels10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2017 Honda Pilot have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V365000SuspensionJune 4, 2026 · 880,514 units

Defect

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.

Consequence

Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.

26V332000AirbagsMay 21, 2026 · 98,892 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Consequence

Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

23V858000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

21V932000Latches & LocksNovember 29, 2021 · 724,826 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.

Consequence

A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE25008

Engine failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline.  The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).  It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with RQ24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751.  Based on analysis of data from RQ24013, NHTSA has closed that investigation. The significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of RQ24013 presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation.  ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues.  To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

EA25004

No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Shortly after entering the freeway, the dask lights began to flicker and car started stuttering. Drive for another mile or slow looking to pull over. By that time smoke coming from rhe engine. Once we pulled over, engine area smoking a lot to where smoke coming into car. All of us git out and saw…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 17, 2023 · fire

“FEW MINUTES AFTER MY WIFE GOT HOME THE CAR ALARM BEGAN BEEPING AND THERE WAS A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE OF THE CAR. WE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE KEPT GETTING BIGGER. ONCE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE WE SAW A HUGE DAMAGE ON THE CAR. WE DON'T KNOW HOW THE FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 9, 2021 · fire

“I returned from work at approximately 5 pm on 03-01-22. As I prepared to enter my garage, I realized I could not pull in due to objects in the way. I put my foot on the brake, and as I planned to reverse, the car lurched forward and into the side of my house! No warnings, no air bag deployment, and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 1, 2022 · crash

“FEW MINUTES AFTER MY WIFE GOT HOME THE CAR ALARM BEGAN BEEPING AND THERE WAS A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE OF THE CAR. WE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE KEPT GETTING BIGGER. ONCE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE WE SAW A HUGE DAMAGE ON THE CAR. WE DON'T KNOW HOW THE FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 9, 2021 · fire

“When slowing down to stop at a light, or pull into a parking space, the vehicle rather than braking and stopping, accelerates violently on its own, and there is no way to stop it other than putting the vehicle in park immediately, or slamming on the emergency brake. This is an intermittent problem.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 3, 2021 · crash

2017 Honda Pilot — common questions

Is the 2017 Honda Pilot reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,296 complaints put the 2017 model at #3 of 24 Pilot years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Pilot years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 Pilot problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (463 complaints), electrical system (269 complaints), fuel system (136 complaints).

Does the 2017 Honda Pilot have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Honda Pilot. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 Honda Pilot under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — 2 investigations remain open (Engine failure). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Honda Pilot years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Pilot years to avoid are 2016, 2019, 2017, 2005, 2003, 2020, 2021, 2004, 2018, 2006, 2025, 2007, 2022, 2023, 2008, 2024. The cleanest record among Pilot years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2017 Honda Pilot?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Honda Pilot earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.