2011 Honda Pilot steering problems

Filed Apr 23, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 15 miles · CA

Steering has felt loose for as long as I remember. Tires were lasting only 15k miles and front brakes go bad yearly. I have a good 1 to 2 inches of play turning the wheel to both left and right. I asked multiple mechanics to tighten the steering column down including honda service department mechanics but they said it couldn't be done. When I moved farther away from my kids school in 2018 I had the car inspected by honda for anything wrong since now my kids will be commuting 25 miles to school and back in it. Service told me my bushings were bad. My car had about 40k miles on it at that time. Also at that time no one mentioned that the part was previously on an extended warranty or that there was a recall on the spindle nuts that weren't tightened down correctly nor did I receive notification from honda regarding those issues. From what I read online about these parts is that they are a huge safety issue as you can lose control of your vehicle at anytime. I really feel that the bushings went bad from the fact that the spindle nuts weren't tightened down and everything has been jiggling around and adding strain to the rest of the suspension. I think the extended warranty on the bushings wasn't enough. Honda needs to recall those parts as well. Please advise.

Filed Jan 28, 2020 · Brakes, Fuel system · 110,887 miles · GA

Warping of rotors causes extreme shaking when breaking also wrenching of steering wheel when sudden stopping or fast descents of stopping/breaking. Clicking in steering column while driving turning,in reverse and straight forward driving, shudder in shifting 5-30 MPH , eco light coming on and causes delay in speed pickup or continuing in same speed during driving 01/15/2019. Door locks failure 06/05/2019 gas purge valve gas smell in AC vent replaced 06/05/2019. Ac/heat blower motor front replaced not working 02/14/2019. Rear blower AC/heat motor broken smelled of smoke replaced 08/05/2019

Filed Jul 15, 2019 · Steering · 90,000 miles · IN

Teering column makes a knocking noise when turning. Dealership replaced power sterring three times and rack and pinion along with other parts of power steering. Dealership also indicated that this is a problem for pilots and suggested I trade in my vehicle. Car has 100,000k but only is driven in town 90% and 10% hwy; original owner and otherwise in good condition.). Others have posted same complaint with pilot online. This can't be normal wear and tear! To replace a steering column should not be a routine maintenance. Safety is a concern but dealership indicated that it should be safe to drive if repairs are not done but the noise will get louder. Seems to me that dealership is dealing with this problem quiet often. Contacted am. Honda customer service and reported this issue. They indicated that there are not sufficient number of complaints and inquiry will be closed. Not sure if honda is looking into whether there is a manufacturing or design defect. Ford had similar issues and it took steps to replace the steering column at no cost to the consumer.

Filed Nov 16, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 72,000 miles · VA

When turning the steering wheel to the far right or to the far left (or on a sharp turn) as in making a u-turn, there is a clicking sound and vibration in the steering wheel and feels like it is tied to the axles or tires. This has been happening since the vehicle was purchased brand new in 2010. As you are driving, there is a sensation that the wheels are momentarily locking up for about 2 seconds. This is not related to the eco system. The car feels as if it is skidding or skipping and then it resumes to normal driving. This happens about every 5 miles.this happens when the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 40 miles or higher on the freeway not in stop and go traffic. This has been happening within the last six months, had vehicle inspected and all was reported normal.

Filed Oct 19, 2018 · Steering · 97,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 honda pilot. The contact stated that steering fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The contact added steering fluid to the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (honda of sumner, 16302 auto ln, sumner, wa 98390, (253) 826-6800) where it was diagnosed that the steering column rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Sep 2, 2018 · Steering · 107,000 miles · MN

While leaving a parking ramp at a slow walking pace heard a loud bang, followed by the steering wheel spinning rapidly to the right followed by the vehicle turning into the exit door frame. I backed up, trying to determine what caused the loud bang. Nothing out of the ordinary was observed. Upon driving forward again, noticed the power steering had failed. I brought it into the honda dealer who had never seen a power steering fail like that. They replaced the pump, but that was not the issue. They are now in the process of changing the rack and pinion unit. There was some sidewall scuffing on the right front tire, which indicated that I may have been rubbing on the exit curb, which may have been trying to turn the wheel to the right. By holding the wheel straight, the power steering was probably trying to pull the wheel left, so when the power steering failed, the wheel spun rapidly right, actually spraining my right thumb which was under the steering wheel cross member. Kind of a freak accident, but the power steering shouldn't fail in this way. Could have been dangerous in a turn on a entry or exit ramp where the forces would have been similar to this parking ramp incident.

Filed Jul 12, 2018 · Steering · 110,000 miles · TX

I was experiencing some clunking and popping noises as I turned my steering wheel right or left, as I turned onto city street; private parking lots, u-turns and such. I had my father test drive it and he thought it may be the cv axles and had it checked at auto air & axle, san antonio, tx. They found it was not the cv axles, but a steering column problem and as it was a safety issue, we should check into any recalls. We found the federal safety agency assigned recall id# 10v640000 on my make and model, front suspension damper bolts and spindle nuts - making the clunking and popping noise.

Filed Apr 10, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 148,000 miles · TX

My 2011 honda pilot shakes going 80 or more miles per hour. The dashboard shakes so bad that it looks like its about to pop out.

Filed Nov 10, 2017 · Steering · MD

Steering column makes a knocking noise when turning. Dealership gives 2 options--grease the column ($305) and if that does not work then replace steering column and rack and pinion ($3415). Dealership also indicated that this is a problem for pilots and some other cars["rack and pinion and steering column are binding'" is written on the estimate] of which they are aware and for most cars grease is not going to work. Dealership also indicated that this is normal wear and tear. Car has 97k but only is driven in town 90% and 10% hwy; original owner and otherwise in good condition.). Others have posted same complaint with pilot online. This can't be normal wear and tear! To replace a steering column should not be a routine maintenance. Safety is a concern but dealership indicated that it should be safe to drive if repairs are not done but the noise will get louder. Seems to me that dealership is dealing with this problem quiet often. Contacted am. Honda customer service and reported this issue. They indicated that there are not sufficient number of complaints and inquiry will be closed. Not sure if honda is looking into whether there is a manufacturing or design defect. Ford had similar issues and it took steps to replace the steering column at no cost to the consumer.

Filed Apr 1, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 98,000 miles · CT

I had noticed while driving my vehicle it felt as if the front brake rotors where warped due to the vibration in the steering wheel while under braking. I brought the vehicle to the honda dealership and after inspection was told that in fact rotors where warped and break pads worn all parts replaced and problem seemed to be corrected this was done at 85,000 miles. Now at 98,000 same problem has returned brought back to dealer and they informed me now that both the front compliance bushings need replacement. I have checked to see if this is a recall issue and cannot imagine it is not seeing it could have catastrophic failure issues. Please hold american honda to standards set by the federal safety agency for customer safety.