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2021 Honda Pilot: headlights failing or too dim

21 of the 459 complaints about the 2021 Honda Pilot describe headlights failing or too dim.

owner complaints
21
of this car's complaints
5%
typical repair cost reported
$2,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Headlights failing or too dim by model year

What owners say

Filed Nov 8, 2026 · Driver assistance · SC

I had the front passenger side airbag recall completed on my vehicle on July 1, 2026. In August, approximately August 14 error messages started occurring whenever I cranked my vehicle. The error messages were collision mitigation system problem, road department mitigation system problem, auto high beam problem, adaptive cruise control problem, lane keeping assist problem. I was able to have the vehicle inspected at Stokes Honda in Beaufort and was told that it was the front facing camera failure. I have owned this vehicle for 2 years with no issues.

Filed Oct 17, 2026 · Electrical · NY

Refer to [XXX]. My honda pilot started having electrical issues where the car alarm would go off randomly, radio would play at volumes randomly, dashboard lights would flicker on and off, interior lights would turn on, headlights would turn on. This resulted in multiple drained batteries and left the car inoperable until it could be jump started. This is a safety issue because if we drove somewhere without cell reception, could be stranded with a dead battery. Not to mention, it disturbed our neighbors when this occurred in the middle of the night. This is a known issue with various Honda vehicles from this timeframe. It is know as a problem with the "Remote Access Control Module," aka the "Keyless Access Control Unit," located behind the glovebox. Even though it is a known issue, Honda was unwilling to repair it at their own cost. We paid $903.22 to get it fixed. References: [XXX], [XXX], [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Electrical · OH

On at least 5 occasions this vehicle has gone completely dead as slowing down to stop or being completely stopped. Nothing electrical is available. No tail lights, headlights, or emergency flashers. After a long waiting period it has suddenly re-energized so far. This was purchased as Certified Honda used car and never serviced anywhere but a Honda delaership. They allegedly replaced the start/stop system under "extended warranty". The occurence is random. The dealership pushes back on taking any action because they can't repeat the problem on the spot. The car has staranded us at very major interesections twice and had to be towed. The risk driving this car is unacceptably high. We have video evidence of the failure. There may be a police report as we called them to control traffic.

Filed Aug 8, 2026 · Driver assistance · CA

The vehicle’s driver‑assist and collision‑avoidance systems began failing simultaneously. Multiple warnings appear on the dashboard every time the vehicle is started, and the cruise control system has stopped functioning entirely. Adaptive Cruise Control cannot be disabled, preventing the use of standard cruise control. Collision Mitigation System Problem Adaptive Cruise Control Problem (ACC) Lane Keeping Assist Problem (LKAS) Road Departure Mitigation System Problem Auto High-Beam Problem The failure of one component impacts multiple vehicle features, the ability to maintain safe following distance, avoid collisions, stay within lane boundaries, and properly manage headlights. The loss of cruise control functionality also affects long‑distance driving safety and consistency. These systems are designed to prevent accidents; their simultaneous failure represents a significant safety hazard. Dealer inspection indicates repairs costing thousands of dollars, often involving replacement of sensors, radar units, or wiring harnesses. No recall or service bulletin has been provided to address this widespread issue. Many Honda owners have reported identical failures on online forums and owner groups. The pattern suggests a systemic defect affecting Honda’s driver‑assist safety systems across multiple models and years. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this issue as a potential safety defect affecting Honda vehicles. The failure of multiple collision‑avoidance and lane‑keeping systems at once poses a serious risk to drivers, passengers, and others on the road.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · MI

I am having these problems with my 2021 Honda Pilot Touring causing intermittent sudden braking. The dealership is quoting me a lot of money to fix them. Collision Mitigation System problem Road Departure Mitigation System Problem Auto High Beam Problem Lane Keep Assist Problem Adaptive Cruise Control Problem These problems should not be occurring to a an expensive vehicle worth over $45,000 for no reason. The dealership mentioned that they are caused by a failed battery fan.

Filed Mar 11, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · WA

The following warning lights: adaptive cruise control problem, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation system, road departure mitigation problem, auto high beam problem

Filed Mar 9, 2026 · Driver assistance · OK

The following warning lights: adaptive cruise control problem, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation system, road departure mitigation problem, auto high beam problem. Honda estimates over $2000 to repair? From what I understand there are many other Honda's with these issues! With these items not functioning, it defeats many of the safety features we bought the car for. Exact date of when it began was last summer.

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Driver assistance · TX

The front camera has malfunctioned after locking down the brakes on my vehicle. Without the camera, the automatic braking system, forward collision, lane departure, adaptive cruise control, and high beam are no longer functioning. While the high beams are not as big of a deal, the safety features such as the braking system and forward collision are of more significance.

Filed Nov 16, 2025 · Driver assistance · IL

Vehicle is setting multiple faults for ADAS system. LKAS, ACC, collision mitigation system, auto high beam lights inoperable. Forward facing camera in the top of the windshield has failed.

Filed Sep 1, 2025 · Driver assistance · TN

Dash warning lights come on for Lane keeping assist, collision mitigation, ACC, brake system, auto high beam.

Filed Aug 28, 2025 · Electrical · MD

My 2021 Honda Pilot SE has developed a failure of the forward-facing Multipurpose Camera Unit (mounted behind the rearview mirror). A scan with a professional tool confirmed Diagnostic Trouble Code U3000-49 – “Multipurpose Camera Unit Internal Electronic Failure.” When this occurs, the vehicle immediately displays multiple warning lights at every startup: Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Automatic High-Beam/Dimming headlights. In addition, the dashboard shows a “brake system failure” message, although the brakes continue to function normally. This single camera failure disables all of Honda’s Honda Sensing crash-avoidance features, leaving the driver without forward collision prevention or lane-keeping systems. The failure is persistent, and the DTC remains “Current” after clearing. I took the vehicle to a Honda dealer, but because the car is out of warranty they refused to perform diagnosis or provide a repair estimate, essentially telling me it was my responsibility to resolve. This problem is widely reported by owners of Pilots, Odysseys, CR-Vs, Accords, and Passports, all showing the same U3000-49 code and symptoms. Independent shops confirm they often see these failures, and forums show repeated cases of owners paying high out-of-pocket costs, sometimes with parts on back-order. Honda has recalled less serious issues, such as rearview camera display faults, while this defect disables forward collision prevention and lane safety systems—far more critical to protection. Other automakers (Toyota, GM, Subaru) have recalled forward cameras and radar modules under similar conditions. This is a major safety defect that removes federally promoted crash-avoidance systems with no fallback. I urge the federal safety agency to investigate and require Honda to issue a recall at manufacturer expense, and please advise how long the process may take, as my vehicle is less safe to drive

Filed Jul 20, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

All I did was simply change my battery. Up until this point the car had run perfect and no issues or warnings. Now after placing the correct AGM battery the dash has lit up like Christmas. I am getting ACC, LKAS, Auto Head light, forward collision and Brake System warning lights. I was informed that this is a very costly repair, a camera needs to be replaced and recalibrated, $2000 estimate. This should be a recall based on the other numerous complaints I'm seeing. I reached out to Honda with no response as of yet.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2021 Honda Pilot headlights

Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2021 Honda Pilot?

21 of 459 owner complaints about the 2021 Honda Pilot (5%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2019.

How much does it cost to fix headlights failing or too dim on the 2021 Honda Pilot?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Honda Pilot?

There are 0 recalls and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2021 Honda Pilot

Adaptive cruise 34Collision warning 34Lane assist 34Stalling 34Backup camera 30Start-stop 25Check engine light 18Engine failure 18Won't start 16Knocking 13Loss of power 12Warning lights 12Screen failure 8Jerking 8Airbag light 7Hesitation 7Fuel pump 6Phantom braking 6Sunroof shattered 6Misfire 5

All model years of the Honda Pilot

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