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2012 Honda Pilot

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Honda Pilot do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 239.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

127 reports with mileage · 44 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports3 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine complaints

35 reports
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32,000 miles · May 28, 2013
Engine

AT VARIOUS TIMES AT SLOWER SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN TURNING OR BEGINNING TO TRAVEL UPHILL. I TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THE DEALER MECHANIC COULD NOT REPLICATE THIS OCCURRENCE. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY TWO OR 3 DAYS. I BELIEVE IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING THROU…

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AT VARIOUS TIMES AT SLOWER SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN TURNING OR BEGINNING TO TRAVEL UPHILL. I TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THE DEALER MECHANIC COULD NOT REPLICATE THIS OCCURRENCE. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY TWO OR 3 DAYS. I BELIEVE IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION OF MERGING LANES. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTS ON A HONDA OWNER'S WEBSITE WITH OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT HONDA CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513859

300 miles · Apr 11, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO STANDARDS AND THE VIBRATION WAS NORMAL FOR THE ECO MODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO STANDARDS AND THE VIBRATION WAS NORMAL FOR THE ECO MODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO EXTEND THE CONTACT'S WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,200. KMJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505910

571 miles · Dec 6, 2012
Engine

ENGINE HAS A FINE VIBRATION AROUND 35-45 MILES THAT DISAPPEARS WITH EITHER ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. THE VIBRATION CAN BE FELT NOT ONLY BY THE DRIVER BUT ALSO THE PASSENGERS, ENOUGH TO SHAKE A BOBBLEHEAD ON THE CONSOLE. IT SEEMS THAT IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING AND STALLING. …

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ENGINE HAS A FINE VIBRATION AROUND 35-45 MILES THAT DISAPPEARS WITH EITHER ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. THE VIBRATION CAN BE FELT NOT ONLY BY THE DRIVER BUT ALSO THE PASSENGERS, ENOUGH TO SHAKE A BOBBLEHEAD ON THE CONSOLE. IT SEEMS THAT IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION AS IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING AND STALLING. AS SOON AS IT SHIFTS OR THE SPEED CHANGES IT DISAPPEARS. ANOTHER ISSUE IS A OCCASIONAL VERY HARD DOWNSHIFTING BY THE TRANSMISSION, HARD ENOUGH TO MOVE EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE. THE SYMPTOMS WERE PRESENT THEY DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED AND CHECKED BY THE DEALER AND REPORTED NO ISSUES. NOW THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT 11,000 MILES AND STILL WITH THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487564

100 miles · Oct 19, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A LOW SPEED, SUCH AS ENTERING A PARKING LOT FROM THE ROADWAY OR ENTERING A ROADWAY FROM A PARKING LOT, THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND TO MY PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A VERY LOW SPEED, ABOUT 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK…

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WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A LOW SPEED, SUCH AS ENTERING A PARKING LOT FROM THE ROADWAY OR ENTERING A ROADWAY FROM A PARKING LOT, THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND TO MY PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A VERY LOW SPEED, ABOUT 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND AN ACCELERATOR MODULE WAS REPLACED, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE DANGER IS VERY SERIOUS WHEN TRYING TO ENTER THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC FROM A LOT OR SIDE STREET. VERY OFTEN, IT TAKES MUCH TOO LONG TO REACH THE SPEED OF THE EXISTING TRAFFIC. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THERE IS NO LONGER A CABLE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE ENGINE, IT IS NOW "FLY BY WIRE". THERE SEEMS TO BE A DISCONNECT BETWEEN MY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AT A LOW SPEED AND THE ENGINE RESPONDING IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481139

6,000 miles · Aug 7, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine

THIS IS FIRST SUMMER FOR MY BRAND NEW HONDA PILOT 2012 LX CAR AND I NOTICE WHEN AC IN ON AND CAR IS NOT MOVING THERE IS SOME KIND OF MOANING VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER FROM WHERE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT HONDA MOTORS IS AWARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN 2012 PILOT. I AM VE…

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THIS IS FIRST SUMMER FOR MY BRAND NEW HONDA PILOT 2012 LX CAR AND I NOTICE WHEN AC IN ON AND CAR IS NOT MOVING THERE IS SOME KIND OF MOANING VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER FROM WHERE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT HONDA MOTORS IS AWARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN 2012 PILOT. I AM VERY SURPRISE AND UPSET THAT DESPITE HONDA MOTOR IS AWARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, TILL THE DATE HONDA MOTORS DID NOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. THE NOISE COMING IS VERY LOUD WHEN AC IS ON AND WHEN CAR IS NOT MOVING. THIS NOISE IS VERY ANNOYING. I AM HAVING MIGRAINE ALMOST EVERY DAY BECAUSE OF THIS VERY LOAD MOANING NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR. I ALREADY CONTACTED HONDA BUT THEY DID NOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AS OF YET OR THERE IS NO RECALL. IT IS ALMOST BEEN ONE YEAR HONDA PILOT 2012 MODEL CAME OUT. PLEASE HELP URGENTLY. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469567

Official recalls

9

19V502000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 27, 2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

19V378000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 16, 2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

18V661000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Sep 27, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.

18V268000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Apr 26, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

18V042000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.

17V545000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Aug 31, 2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.

17V030000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 10, 2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.

13V016000 · Air Bags

Jan 18, 2013

Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the driver's airbag module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

12V063000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Feb 17, 2012

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PILOT AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. THE VENT SHUT FLOAT (VSF) VALVE CASE IN THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY DOES NOT MEET THE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE TANK, INCREASING THE RISK OF FIRE.

Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VSF ASSEMBLY DATE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.