Component/system that failed: The audio/infotainment system (radio), rear DVD entertainment system, and backup camera all fail together while driving. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Description of the problem: While driving, the radio works normally for approximately 10-30 minutes, then begins developing static that gradually worsens until the audio cuts out completely. At the same time, the rear-seat DVD entertainment system stops functioning, and the backup camera also fails. This appears consistent with a known defect in the MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) bus and FAKRA connectors that Honda has already acknowledged and recalled on 2019-2022 Pilot, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2018-2023 Odyssey models (the federal safety agency Campaign 23V431), but my 2017 Pilot Elite with the same Navigation/rear entertainment head unit is not covered by that recall despite the identical failure pattern. How safety was put at risk: Loss of the backup camera while driving/reversing removes a safety feature I rely on to see behind the vehicle, increasing risk of a collision when backing up, especially around pedestrians or in tight parking situations. This mirrors exactly the safety concern Honda cited in its own recall notice for later model years — that loss of MOST communication causes rearview camera failure.
2017 Honda Pilot: backup camera failure
5 of the 943 complaints about the 2017 Honda Pilot describe backup camera failure.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 0
Backup camera failure by model year
What owners say
Component/system that failed: The audio/infotainment system (radio), rear DVD entertainment system, and backup camera all fail together while driving. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Description of the problem: While driving, the radio works normally for approximately 10-30 minutes, then begins developing static that gradually worsens until the audio cuts out completely. At the same time, the rear-seat DVD entertainment system stops functioning, and the backup camera also fails. This appears consistent with a known defect in the MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) bus and FAKRA connectors that Honda has already acknowledged and recalled on 2019-2022 Pilot, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2018-2023 Odyssey models (the federal safety agency Campaign 23V431), but my 2017 Pilot Elite with the same Navigation/rear entertainment head unit is not covered by that recall despite the identical failure pattern. How safety was put at risk: Loss of the backup camera while driving/reversing removes a safety feature I rely on to see behind the vehicle, increasing risk of a collision when backing up, especially around pedestrians or in tight parking situations. This mirrors exactly the safety concern Honda cited in its own recall notice for later model years — that loss of MOST communication causes rearview camera failure.
The back up camera every so often will be blank. Other times the dashboard warning lights will go on effecting the cruise control, lane assistance, and break assistance. According to the Honda dealership it is the back up camera that is causing all of these problems because there are some parts that are defective because of heat and weather. There are thousands of complaints by Honda owners claiming to have the same issue. The solution is a part that costs over $2000 with a high chance of the part needing repair in a few years. Honda knows about this issue for cars 2015-current. There is a current class action lawsuit as well. We just want it fixed without further issues.
I have a 2017 Honda Pilot EX-L with a mileage of 41010 miles. I have completed all the recommended services in a timely manner by an authorized Honda Dealer. When I was driving the vehicle yesterday (3/25/2023) at a speed of around 65 mph, I got an error message saying "Transmission System Problem". There was no error code associated with it. There was no problem in the driving. But at the end of the drive, in the parking lot when I had to reverse, the backup camera will not turn on. After parking the vehicle and turning off the vehicle and restarting it, the error message went away. And then the backup camera also started to work fine. When I was driving back home, the error message came on again when the speed reached around 65 mph. I came home and searched about this error message and I came across a lot of complaints of the same nature for 2017 Honda Pilot owners. Please refer to the discussions on the following links as samples: https://is.gd/RB78A1 , https://is.gd/a84e9h . Since many owners are experiencing this, I am wondering if this is a manufacturing issue. Many owners are talking about the Dealerships asking them to replace Transmission which costs around $8000 or to replace Transmission torque converter which will cost $5000. As of now my vehicle drives fine but I got exactly the same message twice at the speed of about 65 mph. I am scared to take this vehicle on to highways since my vehicle is following exactly the same pattern as that of other owners of 2017 Honda Pilot. I also saw Honda Ridgeline owners in the same year also having similar experience online. All of this make me think that this is more of a design/manufacturing problem impacting many owners and hence may be the federal safety agency would want to look in to this.
Instrument Cluster goes blank, audio unit goes black, back up camera & sensors not working at times. My audio unit was replaced on 5/10/21, after experiencing these system for several months. The new Display audio 39540-TG7-A42RM worked approximately 2 weeks before symptoms started appearing again, with the most severe popping sound that occurred 7/07/22. Display was sluggish for about a week, then a loud startling popping sound came from inside the dash while driving on the highway yesterday, followed by a crack under the right navigation vent trim. The display turned black, tried to reboot, & was very sluggish, and slow to respond. Then the engine transmission jumped, while this is all going on. I was on the highway, and thought I was going to crash, due to my vehicle losing function. The vehicle “jumped” like the transmission was slipping, so much so, that I thought my car was going to lose control. I had to turn around to head home fearing I could lose control of my vehicle, as the navigation display would freeze at times. Today, the display will boot up slowly, with just the lower left corner only, then slowly returning to normal. This happens when I start my car each time, and sometimes while I am driving. I have also noticed that the transmission will slip out of park to neutral at times, when I push the button to Park, then rolls forward. I’ve been to Kunes Country Honda numerous times, of which they say there is no fix. I currently have an appointment for 7/12/22 that I made last week before it actually popped so bad, because it was sluggish, and before that, I could tell it was a huge issue because now it is sluggish every time I start my vehicle. My understanding is that Honda will only replace this unit with the same, defective unit. This is an unacceptable alternative. I still have an extended warranty on my car for 9,000 miles. I am currently thinking its the module now.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not...
- Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart...
- Dealer Message
- The PCM software may misinterpret sensor inputs as a deteriorated catalytic converter
- The vehicle may not start upon first press of the ENGINE START/STOP button
- Dealer Message
- The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration.
- Dealer Message
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2017 Honda Pilot backup camera
Is backup camera failure a common problem on the 2017 Honda Pilot?
5 of 943 owner complaints about the 2017 Honda Pilot (1%) mention backup camera failure. The model year with the most reports is 2019.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2017 Honda Pilot?
There are 0 recalls and 24 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2017 Honda Pilot
Stalling 175Start-stop 99Engine failure 90Knocking 89Check engine light 63Jerking 52Won't start 47Loss of power 39Warning lights 37Fuel pump 33Hesitation 24Collision warning 23Transmission failure 19Adaptive cruise 17Shudder 17Misfire 15Key fob 14Won't shift 13Grinding brakes 12Headlights 12Lane assist 11Sunroof shattered 11Harsh shifting 9Battery drain 8Screen failure 7Slipping 7Sudden acceleration 7Overheating 6Fire or smoke 5Seat belt 5
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