Honda Pilot power steering loss problems

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Steering · GA

We purchased a 2022 Honda Pilot Sport brand new. In 2024, it began shaking while slowing down. Hennessy Honda blamed worn tires. We replaced all four by 2025; the shaking briefly improved but returned. Hennessy then diagnosed bad control arms. On [XXX] at approximately 97,000 miles, an independent mechanic instantly identified a broken steering rack. He demonstrated that both front wheels had excessive play and could move independently when manually checked. He warned that this could cause loss of steering control or a catastrophic accident and told us to stop driving immediately. He considered the failure abnormal for the vehicle’s age/mileage and indicative of a defective component. Authorized dealer Ed Voyles Honda confirmed excessive internal play and a clacking noise inside the steering rack. It also identified an axle/half-shaft concern. Repairs are estimated at $5,274.54. Both an independent mechanic and authorized Honda dealer confirmed the problem. The vehicle remains unrepaired to this day. American Honda opened a case and received the diagnostic findings, but no corporate representative has physically inspected the vehicle. Police and insurance representatives have not inspected it because no collision occurred. The first symptom was shaking while decelerating in 2024. Collision-avoidance and driver-assistance sensor warnings began to appear at the beginning of 2026 while the problem was occurring. No warning specifically identified the steering rack before the independent inspection. This unstable steering system severely endangered our family of seven and other motorists, especially at highway speeds. We unknowingly continued driving after two incorrect diagnoses. We have now been without our only vehicle for more than 1.5 months, with no loaner offered. There needs to be a resolution for us and an official public recall for 2022 Honda Pilot steering racks in addition to the recall for 2023-2024 Pilot vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · OK

My 2025 Honda Pilot TrailSport has lost electric power steering assist twice. First failure, about 6,000 miles: the vehicle lost power steering while driving on pavement in normal road use, with no water or off-road driving involved. The Honda dealer replaced the steering rack under warranty. Second failure, about 24,000 miles: a few days after the vehicle was driven through shallow puddles on a trail at Broken Bow Lake, OK (about 5 inches deep, below the wheel rims, about 5 mph), it lost power steering assist while being driven to work on public roads in Lawton, OK. The dealer attributed the failure to water and mud entering the power steering electrical connector/wiring and denied warranty coverage. A Honda field representative upheld the denial and told me to file an insurance claim. This failure is in the same area the dealer worked on during the first rack replacement. The failed parts are at the dealer. The steering system's electrical connections should be sealed against ordinary road splash, especially on the TrailSport, which Honda markets as its most rugged and off-road capable SUV. Here, shallow water led to a loss of steering assist days later, in normal traffic on a public road. Any driver who goes through a flooded street or heavy rain could face the same failure without warning. Loss of assist sharply increases steering effort and could cause a crash. I ask the federal safety agency to review whether the electric power steering connectors on 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles are adequately protected from water intrusion.

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Engine · NM

Severe metallic engine knock, metal debris found in drained oil pan by Perfection Honda, pre-intake DTC codes P2651, and active dashboard alert ("Emissions System Problem"). Safety Hazard: Sudden engine stalling/seizure and loss of power steering/braking assistance at highway speeds.

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · MI

After going over a railroad track, at 15mph, several warning sensors appeared. Including brakes, power steering and several more flashed quickly. Power steering failed and I could not turn my wheel. It told me to not drive and see a dealer. Luckily I was in traffic and it was moving slow. I was able to turn my car off and back on and all the senor systems cleared. I took my car to the dealer, which it is at now, and they cant find a problem outside of wheel sensor going off in history. I dont feel safe with this car.

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

I own a 2023 Honda Pilot. On two separate occasions while the vehicle was being driven, the vehicle experienced multiple system warnings and a significant loss of steering assistance. The first incident occurred before July 16, 2026, at approximately 40,605 miles. While my wife was driving, multiple warning lights illuminated and the steering wheel suddenly became extremely stiff and difficult to turn, although the engine remained running. She was able to pull over, turn the vehicle off, and restart it. After the restart, the warning lights disappeared and the steering returned to normal. I brought the vehicle to John Eagle Honda of Dallas on July 16, 2026. The dealer's repair order documents: “CUSTOMER STATES MULTIPLE LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND STEERING WHEEL GOT REALLY STIFF BUT VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING.” The dealer reported that it performed a battery check and charging-system test, found no stored diagnostic trouble codes, could not duplicate the condition during a test drive, and performed no repair. The problem occurred again on September 8, 2026, at approximately 42,511 miles while my wife was driving. Once again, the steering became extremely difficult to operate. During this second incident, my wife also reported that the brakes were not functioning normally. Multiple warning lights and system-failure messages appeared simultaneously. Photographs were taken of the instrument cluster before the condition cleared. One message specifically stated: “Electric power steering system problem. Steering assist not available. Do not drive.” Another stated: “AWD All wheel drive system problem. Only front wheels may be powered. See your dealer.” The instrument cluster also displayed additional warning indicators associated with other vehicle systems. This is particularly concerning because the failure has now occurred twice while the vehicle was being driven. Turning the vehicle off and restarting it has caused the symptoms and warnings to disappear.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · WA

While driving to work this morning. Rate of speed under 45 mph with no apparent issues. Suddenly warning lights on the dash lit up and steering became difficult. Three separate information warnings: Lane Keeping assist problem, electric power steering problem, adaptive cruise control problem. I was able to continue to drive the 3 miles to work. Had to use 2 hands and pull hard on the steering wheel to pull into the parking lot from the street. Actually had to stop the car, turn it off and restart it just to get into a parking space. Turned engine off twice, both times all warning lights came back on on the dash when I restarted the car. I only have 29,043 miles on this vehicle. It was unsettling to find myself in an unsafe situation today.

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · WI

While driving on my way home from work (24 mile drive) I received on my dashboard faults that flashed briefly for my steering, lane keeping assistance, lane departure, forward collision, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and parking collision (warning lamps). My radio also had cut out at the same time. While that occurred my steering wheel jerked suddenly while going straight at speeds around 60mph. I brushed it off as a communication issue since it is known to occur on these vehicles, but the steering wheel jerking was new to me. Made it home turned the vehicle off (vehicle was off for 15 minutes). I started up the vehicle no warning lamps came on. But as soon as I got up to 40mph and a mile from my home the same issue occurred but more frequent, but less of the steering wheel jerking. I got where I needed to go and got back onto the road and reached 30 mph the warning lamps came on more a lot more frequently on my way home. As soon as reached my alleyway turning left, the steering wheel had a moment of locking up (about 5-10mph). This came as a shock for me. I backed up into my garage and had to turn the steering wheel left again and the same thing happened. I parked the while the vehicle was running I turned the steering wheel really fast, recreated the steering wheel locking momentarily a few times. I turned the vehicle off and tried to restart it but there was no power. Turns out that my battery had gone bad. I had no indication of a low voltage or battery issue. I replaced the battery and issue was resolved. For me and a situationally unaware driver and this issue occurs where the steering wheel jerked and/or an emergency evasive action was needed, this could cause an accident due to the sudden loss of steering. There was no indication of battery issues. No dealer or independent shops were involved. I am a mechanic myself.

Filed Aug 21, 2026 · Steering · OK

The vehicle has suffered a life-threatening, complete loss of power steering while driving under identical, hazardous conditions on two separate occasions. There were no warning lights or inductors prior to either event. 1. The vehicle suffered a complete steering failure while driving over railroad tracks with a child inside the vehicle. A full replacement of the steering gearbox and power steering rack was performed under warranty (Defect Code: 03001 [Binding/Sticking], Symptom Code: 03217 [Not Operating]). This failure occurred only 20 days after receiving routine manufacturer maintenance from a Honda service department. 2. The exact same dangerous defect recurred, causing another complete loss of power steering while driving over railroad tracks with a child in the vehicle. The service department confirmed they successfully duplicated this power steering failure twice during active diagnostics.

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · FL

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned and is it available for inspection upon request? The Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor seized completely, causing the A/C compressor clutch to overheat and melt. Yes, the vehicle and the failed components are available for inspection upon request.2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A completely seized A/C compressor pulley creates a severe mechanical hazard while driving. Because the compressor is driven by the engine's serpentine belt, a locked pulley can cause the belt to melt, snap, or throw off entirely while the vehicle is in motion. If the belt fails, it results in an immediate loss of power steering assist, loss of alternator charging, and engine overheating. This creates an abrupt, catastrophic loss of vehicle control on the road, putting my family and other drivers at extreme risk. Furthermore, dealership staff dangerously misinformed us that the vehicle was "safe to drive" despite this critical failure.3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?Yes. The problem was officially diagnosed and confirmed by a local authorized Honda dealership service center (8/17/26).4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, the vehicle was inspected, and the failure was documented by an authorized Honda dealership representative. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The primary symptom was a sudden failure of the air conditioning system to blow cold air (afternoon of 8/14/26).

Filed Aug 16, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · PA

during a routine trip thru the [XXX]/[XXX] section of [XXX] our 2025 Honda Pilot suddenly lost power steering capability, we could hardly control the vehicle and had to manage an exist to a side street. We received a message on the dash board of a lost of power steering assistance and to notify the dealer. We shut the car off, restarted and gained control of the vehicle less the lane departure feature. At this time we made an appointment with Fred Beans in Abington for service, we have lost confidence in the vehicles safety after this incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)