Honda Pilot grinding brakes problems

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 2, 2026 · Steering · OH

My 2025 Honda Pilot Steering Rack was recently replaced for the second time due to failure/grinding of the bearing. First steering rack was replaced at 500 miles and second rack was replaced at 33,000 miles.

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Engine · TX

I was driving home from a road trip with my family of four, and I noticed that when I accelerated, the engine made a knocking noise. Prior to this, I had driven the car about 300 miles that day with no issues. While I was driving, my wife asked if we could record the noise so we could take it to a mechanic to diagnose the issue. While filming, I revved the engine a few times, and the noise would get really loud. After filming, I drove about 10 more miles, and the engine completely shut off. The check engine and oil lights both came on, and when I pressed the gas pedal, the car made a polite dinging noise. When the incident occurred, we were in the middle lane driving about 70 miles per hour. Knowing that I needed to get off the highway before I ran out of momentum, I carefully changed lanes and coasted off to the nearest exit. Thankfully, we were able to safely get off the highway and into a parking lot. Had we not, we would have been stuck in the middle of 70mph traffic potentially causing a high-speed collision. I was able to get the engine restarted, but it made a horrible squealing noise while running and a knocking noise when I revved the engine. The car also displayed an emissions check error, along with the oil and check engine lights still on. I had the car towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed it as catastrophic engine failure due to spun bearings. I did some research and found a recall for the defect, 23V‑751, but my car isn't covered in the initial campaign. I understand the federal safety agency is continuing an investigation into this defect as more cars, like mine, are reporting the same problem. As a result, I took it to the Honda dealer to get a Goodwill Repair, and they diagnosed the car with the same issue. Honda is not going to cover the repair, so I am left with a broken car because of their manufacturing defect.

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · WI

The engine required a short block replacement at approximately 40,000 miles. There was a severe knocking sound and the dealer diagnosed heavy scoring and abnormal wear present on the front bank cylinder walls. The result was excessive internal engine clearance and cylinder wall damage. Engine cylinder piston block holes were worn beyond spec. After 33 days the vehicle was returned and developed a growling/grinding noise when the AC was in operation and at lower speeds that followed the RPMs. Vehicle was returned to dealer and told sound was normal operation for this model and stated it was coming from AC Compressor. Independent shop verified 2 days later AC compressor was failing and possible metal contamination. AC compressor is backordered with no ETA. Advised to not use AC or Defroster to avoid seizing and causing serpentine belt to snap. Advised Honda Customer Care and assigned Case Manager who was made aware of knock and compressor failure and contacted dealer who stated vehicle could not be seen for 7 days due to being booked. Advised Case Manager of vehicle safety concern with internal engine failure damage and failing AC system and was denied emergency loaner or assistance and told it was all they could do. Vehicle now unsafe due to both with no timeline for fixing and known hazards due to severe engine failures and associated issues with main systems.

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Steering · OH

We bought our 2025 Pilot in XXX. Within the first 500 miles, the steering wheel was locking up when trying to turn left or right. I was very concerned driving it that it could have locked up during driving and caused an accident. It was taken to Honda East in [XXX] where they agreed the steering rack was bad and replaced it. Currently it has 33,000 miles and is making a grinding/growling sound when turning. Took it back to Honda East (same location) on XXX, where they again stated that there is something wrong with the steering rack and it needs to be replaced. I am currently waiting on a new one to be delivered and they told me I would have to bring it back in for repair. I am concerned with the safety of our Pilot and think there needs to be some type of investigation of the Honda steering racks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Body · NC

I presented the vehicle to a Honda service shop for a squeaking noise from the front of the vehicle. The technician diagnosed a 'loose crash bar/reinforcement bar.' The technician tried to tighten the bar but noted it did not tighten enough to stop the movement, and that the bar will need to be replaced to resolve the complaint. When I spoke to the service manager, he indicated that other vehicles had presented with loose crash bars recently and it 'was on their list.' This vehicle is 37,000 miles and has not been in any accidents. It seems unreasonable and a safety concern that a crash bar has loosened after 37,000 miles and cannot be tightened. This suggests a defect in the hardware or torque specifications that could affect how the crash bar performs in an accident.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Engine · MN

I am a [XXX] female driver in northern [XXX], and I am driving a 2016 Honda Pilot that is suffering from severe, documented engine failure symptoms that Honda refuses to address. The vehicle is producing a distinct squeaking and chirping sound from the engine bay, and a recent inspection of my engine oil revealed magnetic metal flakes. This indicates that critical internal engine components — likely the connecting rod bearings or camshaft—are rapidly tearing themselves apart and grinding down into the oil stream. The Check Engine Light continuously comes and goes. When taken to the dealership, instead of diagnosing this severe mechanical hazard, the dealership completely neglected the issue, stated they did not know why it was happening, and simply cleared the light, sending me back out on the road in a ticking time bomb. Although my specific VIN is currently excluded from Honda's active rod bearing recall, my vehicle is exhibiting the exact textbook symptoms of the manufacturing defect currently under the federal safety agency investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Suspension · LA

I am writing to request that the federal safety agency investigate a potential safety and repair adequacy issue regarding our 2017 Honda Pilot Elite. On June 29, 2026, we brought the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealership for a Rear Subframe Safety Recall. At drop-off, I specifically reported an ongoing grinding and rattling noise coming from the rear of the vehicle and requested an investigation. The Honda repair order documents this as "Concern rattle heard coming from the rear" but states they were "Unable to duplicate concern." The dealership also documented performing a multi-point inspection. The odometer was recorded at 87,508 miles in and 87,509 miles out. The abnormal noise continued after the recall repair. Due to ongoing safety concerns after driving the vehicle a considerable distance, we sought a second opinion from an independent repair facility on August 17, 2026. The technician there discovered and documented that the left rear upper control-arm bolt was incorrect and too short, and that the required washer and nut were entirely missing. Photographs were taken to document this condition. The technician advised us that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. It remains at the facility waiting for the correct hardware to be installed, followed by an alignment. We are deeply concerned that this critical suspension hardware issue was not identified by the authorized Honda dealer during the recall service, the multi-point inspection, or the targeted investigation of our rear suspension noise complaint. We request that the federal safety agency investigate whether this condition is related to the recall repair, and whether the recall repair and subsequent safety inspection were performed adequately. Thank you very much.

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · Engine, Suspension · NC

when trying to accelerate car is yanking very bad seems like it is a very bad shutter or something with the transmission there is also a very bad squeak when you drive under the car

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · KY

While operating my 2019 Honda Pilot, the vehicle experienced a sudden mechanical failure of the factory moonroof assembly. While driving, the moonroof became permanently stuck open / began violently grinding and refused to close.This mechanical failure presents an immediate safety and security hazard. Because the glass cannot be closed, it exposes the interior cabin and driver to distracting external wind turbulence, weather, and road debris while traveling at highway speeds. Furthermore, the inability to secure the vehicle leaves it vulnerable to theft and environmental damage. The vehicle currently has 88000 miles.Inspection reveals that the failure stems from fragile internal components within the track assembly and drive motor. This structural failure requires a costly, full replacement of the track frame mechanism. I request that the federal safety agency track these mechanical track failures to determine if a formal safety investigation or recall is warranted for the 2019 Pilot's moonroof assembly.