2017 Honda Pilot: headlights failing or too dim

Filed May 2, 2025 · Engine · MA

Honda’s Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system fails to restart the engine from a complete stop at traffic lights, road intersection or when stopped in traffic when the Auto Start/Stop function is engaged. This has required the driver to shift the transmission to park to allow the engine to restart, once this did not work requiring a jump start in the middle of a busy intersection. Honda service has stated that a battery replacement was need, which was done, but a new battery has had no effect on the auto start/stop issue. The engine continues to struggle to restart when the AIS system is engaged. The vehicle headlights can be seen flickering when the engine struggles to restart. This is an extremely dangerous defect that puts the occupants of the vehicle in repeatedly dangerous situations. For example when AIS is engaged and making a turn into oncoming traffic, the vehicle will be stuck and inoperable in on coming traffic’s lane. This issue continues to persist with no resolution or solution from the manufacturer.

Filed Mar 6, 2025 · Electrical · TX

Issue where the headlights would come on intermittently while parked in garage, horn would start going off intermittently, car making noises while sitting parked every few minutes. Appears to be a common issue related to the Keyless Access Control Unit (a.k.a. Smart Power Control Unit).

Filed Feb 12, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · WV

For no reason the Alarm is going off randomly the dash lights, interior lights, driving lights and headlights are flashing and loud clicking noises come from the dash. This happens frequently and has been going on for some time. I have had to remove the fuse from the Horn to keep it from waking us up at night which creates a potentially dangerous situation if I forget to plug it back in. Also this keeps running down the battery and when it is doing this, it sometimes won't start. I worry about it damaging other electronic parts and causing a dangerous situation. Honda must be aware of this issue with the Pilots. You can search online and find hundreds of others that have experienced the same issue. The Honda Ridgeline has the same issue and they have issued a TSB for it. I find it totally irresponsible that they would try to correct the Ridgeline but not also the Pilot. They know the TPMS Control Units are the problem and they need to fix them.

Filed Jun 6, 2023 · Electrical · GA

When the vehicle has been shut off, there is an electrical system problem that attempts to re-start the vehicle. the alarm goes off, headlights turn on, the dashboard lights up. This cycles over and over unless you open the hood or a door to "fool" the system. If you don't do this, then often the headlights and dash light will remain on overnight and the battery is dead the next morning. This prblem has been occurring for two years, but the dealr has not diagnosed it becasue it is intermittand and doesn't throw a code.

Filed Jun 5, 2023 · Electrical · FL

Beginning in February 2023, around 2AM, my car alarm would sound. Upon inspection, the vehicle dashboard was lit up and clicking relay sounds could be heard from the dashboard. In essence, the car was trying to "start" itself. When the attempted start reached a certain level, the car would recognize the absence of a key fob, and thus, the alarm would sound. To remedy this, I had to leave my key fob in the car - which did not prevent the attempted starts, but at least prevented the alarm from sounding. In the morning the battery was dead from the headlights and interior lights flashing all night. Additionally this was a safety issue as I had to leave keys in an unlocked car. The dealership cannot reproduce the problem, as it happens in the middle of the night (particularly when it is raining or very humid outside). I have found SEVERAL Honda forums with dozens of other Pilot owners who are experiencing the same problem. Dealerships have tried several remedies, all at the customer's expense, including battery replacements, START/STOP switch replacements, etc. The only thing that fixes the problem is replacement of the Control Unit-Smart Power ( 38320-TG7-A32 for my year/make). This part is $400 and labor at my dealership was estimated at $700-800. The part is on backorder. I can only assume it is because there are so many of us Pilot owners trying to get our hands on a working unit. The part is not part of a recall or warranty extension, and frankly, it should be. It is preposterous that so many customers have the same faulty part in 2016-2018 models and that Honda is not covering the cost of these repairs. In the mean time, I have had to disengage my hood sensor to prevent the alarm from sounding, which is a safety issue if the car is stolen. And periodically the battery drains out because the problem persists, lighting up the dashboard while the Smart Power unit tries to start the car all by itself.

Filed May 22, 2023 · Electrical · NY

Vehicle sitting in driveway on hot day started alarm beeping, headlights and tail lights remained on and dashboard warning lights going on and off as if a poltergeist possesed. Car could not be locked. Depleted car battery resulting in new battery being required. New battery did not resolve problem Car drives without problems except some dashboard functions no longer visible Dealer states Smart Access Control Unit, part #38320-TG7-A32, is needed. Part is on backorder from Honda with changing dates of availability. Car is not safe to drive with children and subject to theft since it cannot be locked.

Filed Mar 10, 2023 · Electrical · KS

Went out to garage and started noticing headlights and running board lights were on, so assumed another household member had opened door to put something in the car which is not common. After this started occurring more often, asked and no one fessed up so started paying closer attention and even opening garage door just to check. After that, started noticing clicking sounds under the hood. Googling, saw online that others had similar issues. One day went to start car to head out and the car was dead. Called dealer and they said I must have left the car in accessory mode, but I wasn't so sure. AAA jumped the car with much effort. Next morning, car would not start again. This time, I remembered I had one of those jumper boxes and was able to start it, maybe because it was just one day difference. I know I was careful to make sure I fully stepped on brake to not leave it in accessory mode like dealer had said I probably did prior. Drove it around to charge the battery and went to store. When I came out, my car alarm was going off. When I got home, I left car out to see if alarm would go off and sure enough it did. I had also noticed that dashboard lights would flicker Honda symbol. This time didn't lock car and the alarm did not go off. Googled some more and luckily found on piloteers a post about replacing the control module around the driver side dash and considered myself lucky that my alarm was only going off when locked as others were saying they had to disable battery because would go off even when unlocked. Made an appt with Honda. I had a video of the car acting up in the garage and hoped that it would start in the morning. It did and showed Honda the video but of course they could not duplicate the issue but I told them I wanted the part replaced and hoped it worked b/c no way I could have unreliability continue. Said found a service bulletin with similar issue where they replaced 38320-TG7-A52 control unit so $850 later my issues are good

Filed May 16, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · MD

When parked, the car anti-theft alarms will honk loudly waking up everyone noisily; the headlights will be turn on & keep running (even if it is manually turned off); the dashboard lights will be flickering; relays clicking; and sometimes the car will turn itself on. The noise & lights can't be turned off from the keyfob. The only way to silence it is to disconnect the battery and leave the car unlocked which is not safe when parked in the street or anywhere.

Filed Jun 29, 2021 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced various electrical failures while driving and stationary. The contact stated that the security alarm independently activated without incidence. The contact also stated that an abnormal crackling sound was coming from the engine with several warning lights flashing on the instrument panel. After replacing the battery, the headlights independently illuminated while the vehicle was shut-off. The contact restarted the vehicle and manually turned off the headlights however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuse box needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed May 21, 2021 · Engine · PA

Within the past two month, this vehicle has stall at least 5 times after the auto stop idle engage at a stop light and at intersection. The vehicle will come to a full stop and the auto stop idle engage but the vehicle fails to restart after i take my leg off the break pedal. I will then have to turn the car off and restart it before it starts again. This has put me and my family in a very dangerous and unsafe condition in traffic. I've also been having an intermittent error message on the dash that says "High beam support system problem" it comes up at random times and flashes for about 30 seconds and disappears. I took the car to the Lehigh Valley Honda dealer in Emmaus PA and initially they said the problems where related to a low voltage but after replacing the battery the problems persist. The car is currently at the dealership and they can't seem to tell me exactly what the issue is.

Filed Jan 30, 2020 · Lights · 3 miles · IN

Every time we drive at night, oncoming drivers turn their brights on, thinking our LED headlights on bright. Took it to dealer, they said there is no cure. ( gurley leep honda, elkhart, in. Bought the vehicle new. Did not talk to dealer until another owner of a 2017, confirmed he had the same problem.

Filed Jan 9, 2019 · Lights · 8,000 miles · FL

Vehicle LED headlights are too bright. Oncoming traffic flashes high beams at me thinking my brights are on creating a hazard for myself and oncoming traffic. Many times I am blinded by the blinding lights of their high beams beam lights being flashed and have gone off the road due to the blindness. I have contacted american honda but have not received help. The dealer has adjusted the headlights with little effect. The vehicle was purchased recently. It has LED headlamps, and was a late model 2017 recently purchased as a new vehicle. I am afraid to drive the vehicle at night due to the frequent events of oncoming vehicles flashing their high beam headlights in response to the perception that my high beams are on. As a result of this, I have to flash my high beams in response to let the oncoming traffic know my high beams are not on. Sometimes opposing traffic leaves their high beams on in retaliation to the perception my high beams are on creating a temporary condition of blindness on my part and has cause me to run off the road. I need your help in getting american honda to help resolve this. Thanks you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).