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2026 Honda Pilot problems

The most common problem on the 2026 Honda Pilot is steering. It has fewer complaints than a typical Pilot model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
31
Recalls
1
Worst area
Steering
Fuel economy
20-22mpg

The worst 2026 Honda Pilot problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Steering
    16
  • Seat belts
    5
  • Airbags
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Seats
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2026 Honda Pilot

Steering noise 12

Recalls 1

Structure: frame and membersReported July 1, 2026 · 3,933 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.
Risk
Loose rear subframe bolts can lead to a loss of vehicle stability or rear subframe detachment, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rear subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is OOY. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning July 10, 2026.

Recall number 26V424000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2026 Honda Pilot

2026 Honda Pilot fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.5L 6‑cylFWD192722
3.5L 6‑cylAWD18-1923-2520-21

What 2026 Honda Pilot owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 8, 2026 · Driver assistance · UT

I believe everything worked as intended and nothing failed. There is nothing to reproduce. Me and the family could have been killed.

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Steering · CA

The cable reel clock spring make noise when turning the steering wheel. I contacted honda dealer but they said it normal and refuse to replace the part.

Filed Oct 31, 2026 · Seat belts · WI

Seatbelt warning chimes sound multiple times in error after passengers previously buckled in the rear exit the vehicle. This is very alarming to the driver when resuming driving after a passenger dropoff for passengers riding in the back.

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · HI

I picked up a brand new 2026 Honda Pilot XLE with 10 miles on it. I drove it about 22 miles on my commute that evening and noticed the acceleration to be sluggish and shifting hard. I also noticed when I turned up the audio system the sound would skip out and make a crackling noise as if a wire wasnʻt attached to a speaker. I parked the vehicle overnight and then began my commute the next morning with my [XXX]. Less than a half mile from our home, upon acceleration of the vehicle in rush hour traffic it began to bog. It immediately shut down and threw the vehicle into neutral as I was attempting to accelerate. No warning lights initially came on. I could not figure out what was happening. I attempted to pull off but the car wasnʻt running despite the dash being lit. The car put itself into park. I attempted to restart the vehicle to get off the road (thankfully I did not get hit from behind when the vehicle went into neutral. I repeatedly attempted to turn on the vehicle and it would immediately shut off. The indicator to turn off the vehicle by pushing the button twice came on. When I attempted to do this the vehicle would attempt to restart and then shutdown again. I could not change gears or turn the engine over. It would start and turn off on its own. Eventually had the vehicle towed back to the dealer where I refused to take the vehicle back. Safety was compromised when the vehicle automatically shifted into neutral then park WHILE DRIVING. With my [XXX] child in the vehicle we had almost been hit multiple times because I could not get the vehicle onto the shoulder due to this malfunction. Even when I called Honda Roadside Assist they refused to send a tow unless I had called Emergency Personnel and I “got to safety”-which, of course, I couldnʻt do because the vehicle was completely disabled. Dealer was unable to replicate issue. No warning lights or indicators appeared until multiple on/off then the battery light came on when attempting to turn over. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFO

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · CA

The vehicle has a critical, severe multi-system factory safety defect involving structural steering/alignment and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) software. 1. STRUCTURAL DEFECT: From the time of delivery, the vehicle had out-of-specification factory alignment causing extreme handling instability, violent chassis/brake vibrations under acceleration/braking, and severe, premature tire rubber scrubbing/burning. Hayward Honda documented factory alignment failure on July 9, 2026, at 1,615 miles. AutoNation Honda Fremont documented severe vehicle pulling and drifting on September 4, 2026, at 2,533 miles. 2. LIFE-THREATENING ADAS SOFTWARE CRASH: The Honda Sensing Suite, specifically Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), intermittently malfunctions, short-circuits, and drops connection. On a high-speed bridge en route to San Francisco Airport, while traveling with my teenage son, the automated steering suddenly and violently jerked completely out of the lane to the left, attempting to collide with an adjacent vehicle. A fatal crash was avoided solely by instantaneous manual driver physical intervention to overpower the electronic steering rack. Dealership service management has admitted on paper that these safety features operate at a restricted 60% to 70% capacity, making the vehicle an immediate public safety hazard on public roads. Honda Corporate has failed to issue a recall or buyback over a three-month escalation matrix.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Steering · IN

Unknown issue and no recall available - Steering wheel started making a clicking noise at around 1200 miles on the vehicle. I have heard that many people have had this issue and got the clock spring replaced only for the issue to return.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Steering · PA

Steering wheel makes a clicking sound. Should not due that

Filed Oct 17, 2026 · Engine · FL

This is the description from my wife, who was driving the vehicle at the time. I was driving and the check engine light came on and the car started to violently shake. I lost the ability to accelerate. Fortunately, I was able to steer the car to safety and use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. I called the nearest dealership and they told me to turn it off and if they engine warning light came back on, to contact honda to tow it. The light did not come back on so they suggested that I drive it to them, which was only 7 miles away. Within 1/5 of a mile, they same thing happened- check engine light came on, I lost the ability to accelerate and all warning lights came on including brake system failed. I was again able to pull over safely and stop the vehicle. Honda corp. had it towed to the dealership. It was there for 5 days. It was an engine problem. I have uploaded detailed reports for you. After honda shipped the car back to me, the gas pedal was acting strange. There was a grinding/vibrating sensation upon acceleration. Sometimes it does hesitate to accelerate. I brought it to the dealership closest to me. They kept it for 5 days. They told me that the engine misfired but that could be from anything. They were in contact with honda corp. No codes happened even when they drove it 115 miles. I was told to pick it up and return the rental they provided. My concern is for my safety. The cause of the engine issue initially has not been identified to me and I do not feel safe driving this car. Fortunately, both times I could not accelerate there were no other vehicles behind me and I was able to get to safety very quickly and stop the vehicle. However, this was engine failure and should not have happened on a brand new car. We do have a case # with honda corporation and have not heard back from them. They are only reimbursing us for car rental and hotel.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Steering · AL

Steering wheel is stiff and constantly clicking when I turn the wheel. My dealership said there have been several complaints but no recall and they could not do anything to fix the issue at this time. I am concerned that it could be a safety issue if it is not addressed. This has been an issue since I purchased the vehicle brand new in August 2026.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Steering · MA

Steering wheel makes a clicking noise. the internal steering rack or the cable reel (clock spring) behind the wheel.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2026 Honda Pilot before you buy

Compare the 2026 Honda Pilot

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Other model years

200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2026 Honda Pilot

Is the 2026 Honda Pilot reliable?

Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 2026 Honda Pilot, fewer than a typical Pilot model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2026 Honda Pilot?

Steering, with 16 complaints. Next is seat belts (5).

How many recalls does the 2026 Honda Pilot have?

1 recall, covering structure.

What year does the Honda Pilot have bad steering?

The Honda Pilot model years with the most steering complaints are 2025 (44 complaints), 2005 (37 complaints) and 2011 (34 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2026 Honda Pilot get?

Official estimates for the 2026 Honda Pilot range from 20 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 27 highway.

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