2017 Honda Pilot Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

The car was being driven at Expressway speed and the engine started making noise and then just stopped. There was some smoke and the engine completely quit afterwards we notice some oil dripping underneath the car from the engine. We took it to the Honda dealer and they said that it had thrown a rod and it was sticking through the block.Owner complaint, filed 2026

My 2017 honda pilot suddenly experienced engine failure. While drive the check engine light came on and could hear engine noise. Towed vehicle to a repair shop where they found bearing material in the oil filter. This vehicle has been well maintained, with regular oil changes.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The vehicle constantly says “ keyless start system problem” I’ve only had the car for a year, it also says “ break system problem and won’t let me start the car often”Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was pending an appointment with the dealer. The contact used a handheld scanner and retrieved seventeen different undisclosed diagnostic trouble codes. The contact stated that…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 115,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 39,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

This is has the same issues as the other fuel pump recalls for Honda pilots but it says my vin is not covered. My pilot is experiencing all of the same exact same issues in the recallOwner complaint, filed 2026

Vehicle stalled twice within a week. All lights on dash showed up. P0087 code. Honda dealer confirmed low fuel pressure pump needed to be replaced. It was happened on 8/13 and again on 8/22/26. Lucky, I was exiting the fwy. Almost lost control of steering wheel.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

my connecting rod bearing wore are ruined my engine. this is addressed in 23v-751 for 2016, 2018, and 2019 Honda Pilots, but not 2017 for some reason. could you please see why this year is not included on the recall.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Transmission issues began to occur shortly after purchase in 2017. The Honda dealership finally did a software update after several complaint. This temporarily fixed the issue. The car shifts low gears harshly and with hesitation. The transmission system failure/problem light came on and the car lost power. The car makes a squeaking…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and was inoperable. The contact swerved around a nearby vehicle to avoid a crash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 100,036 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH he went through a standing pool of water on the right side of the road, the vehicle instantly slowed as if the contact had applied the brakes with force. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact did not take the vehicle to…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 4,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 14,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle jerked and then lunged forward. The RPM decreased from 3,000 RPM to 0. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 44,000 miles

While driving at highway speed and applying the brake the car independently accelerated. Vehicle continued to accelerate while applying greater brake pressure in an attempt to slow down. Vehicle had to be driven onto shoulder to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of it. Acceleration stopped after several attempts at braking.Owner complaint, filed 2022

Parts named most: Warnings (19), Adaptive cruise control (9), Assist (8).

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

Dash lights light up for LKAS, brake system, abs, lane departure disabled, Road Departure Mitigation and acc. I can't just enable cruise control and sensors do not beep for detecting cars, people and stationary things.Owner complaint, filed 2026

The front camera has been identified as having a malfunction and needing repair. It causes all of the Honda sensors to show error lights. Adaptive Cruise, LKAS system, Lane Departure, and breaking lights all are lit up as errors. The vehicle's built-in safety protocols do not work due to the malfunctioning camera. This problem has been…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

Drivers side wiper blade stopped working in a driving rainstorm. Zero visibility. Went into on coming lane for a few seconds. Was able to get off onto shoulder. Fortunately no cars were coming and there was no collision. Problem was two nuts had come loose on the wiper arm linkage.Owner complaint, filed 2023

We drove from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Alexandria, Virginia on 12/27. About 20 minutes from our destination, we exited the highway onto the parkway and as we were going about 15-18mph on an exit ramp, the closed sun roof imploded. There were no trees, bridges, or even other cars (due to it being near 10pm) nearby to cause this from…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 0 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The drive side power seat will not raise above a certain height, and compromises a shorter drivers visibility and proper driving potion (someone under ~5'"6'). This is a know problem caused by a part failure and is documented in Honda Service Bulletin 18-034 (Clicking from the Driver's Power Seat While using the Height or Tilt). As a…Owner complaint, filed 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side front seat inadvertently moved backward. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 22,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 4,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (10).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

Rear subframe damaged with no reason. Vehicle has been garaged and in moderate climate since it was purchased. Confirmed by dealer and insurance adjustor.Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the hood started vibrating violently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V932000 (Structure…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 107,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

I am writing to request that the NHTSA investigate a potential safety and repair adequacy issue regarding our 2017 Honda Pilot Elite. On June 29, 2026, we brought the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealership for a Rear Subframe Safety Recall. At drop-off, I specifically reported an ongoing grinding and rattling noise coming from the…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Around 52,000 miles, my front lower control arms started cracking. Around 57,000 miles, my front left strut assembly failed and started leaking oil. Based on a review of other complaints, these are known issues.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 11,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The power steering warning light (steering wheel and exclamation point) comes on intermittently. Slight wobble in steering wheel when it happens. Took it to dealer but they can not duplicate nor find any error codes. Concerned for safety if there is a problem with steering.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 10,000 miles

On XXX, while my wife was driving our 2017 Honda Pilot Elite (VIN: [XXX]) southbound on [XXX], approaching the intersection with [XXX], the vehicle experienced a complete engine stall due to the Auto Idle Stop feature. The engine shut off at a stop but failed to automatically restart when she released the brake to proceed. All dashboard…Owner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was driving on highway and hit a deer going approximately 45mph. Significant front end damage. Airbags attempted to go off as car filled with smoke. Some of the areas where airbags are located like the steering wheel appear to have separated but not far enough for deployment. Seat belts locked up. Although my family is safe in this…Owner complaint, filed 2022

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

Steering wheel jerking left or right. Jerking occurs erratically and unpredictably; steering wheel jerks at highway speeds which could easily cause the loss of control of the vehicle on the highway and is very dangerous and stressful since it is not clear when the wheel jerking will occur while driving. It does tend to occur while on…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 12,000 miles