My wife operates a 2020 Honda Pilot Touring, purchased new and currently with approximately 60,000 miles. The vehicle's automatic idle stop/start system intermittently shuts the engine off while stopped in traffic but fails to restart when the driver releases the brake and attempts to proceed. The driver must shift the vehicle into Park and manually restart the engine, leaving the vehicle unexpectedly immobilized in active traffic. The vehicle was previously brought to Atamian Honda in [XXX], in spring 2026 for this same defect. Honda performed a corrective repair, but the identical failure has returned approximately six months later. The driver now feels compelled to manually disable the automatic idle stop feature every time she starts the vehicle to avoid another failure. We believe this represents a serious, unresolved safety defect and are particularly concerned that the condition has recurred after a previous manufacturer-directed repair. We request that the federal safety agency document this repeated post-repair failure and consider it in its ongoing evaluation of Honda idle-stop restart safety issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Honda Pilot start-stop problems
358 of the 9,442 owner complaints about the Honda Pilot describe start-stop system problems, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 358
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical repair cost reported
- $400
- typical mileage
- 50,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 92Won't start 52Engine failure 17Warning lights 14Key fob 8Jerking 8Collision warning 7Loss of power 5
Trouble codes mentioned
B12C5 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2022 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side brake light was intermittently inoperable. The dealer was contacted and provided an estimate for the repair. In addition, the contact stated that several warning lights and messages, including "Air Bag Malfunction", "Adaptive Cruise Control Problem", "Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem", "Road Departure Mitigation Problem", and "Auto High Beam Problem", were displayed upon starting the vehicle and while driving, followed by a loud dinging sound. The dealer was contacted for a battery replacement estimate. The dealer provided an estimate but informed the contact that a diagnostic test was required prior to any repairs. The contact believed that deactivating the Auto START/STOP system might have caused the battery failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure might be associated with the short lifespan of the battery. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
We just purchased last month a 2017 Honda Pilot Elite. We have had issues with the auto start/stop function. Once at a drive through and once at a stoplight. After letting off break, it failed to restart and had to put it in park and restart. This is a dangerous situation being stalled in the road at a busy intersection. I haven't got it in the shop yet, but planning it next week.
Auto Start / Stop for the engine when coming to a stop at idle. We cannot replicate the situation over and over, but it has happened numerous times. If the auto start stop feature is allowed to function and the vehicle motor turns off at a stop sign or a stop light, it sometimes does not turn back on when you let off the brake and push the accelerator. This puts us in a very dangerous situation at intersections with a stalled out car. It sometimes takes several minutes to restart the car, all the while (my wife usually drives this car) she is panicking while cars honk and swerve around her disabled car. Honda dealer has been less than helpful stating they cannot do anything unless they can replicate it in the shop. Most recent incident happened today while my wife was driving to work.
The vehicle is not starting after coming to a complete stop with the auto start stop feature at a red light or stop sign. After releasing the brake pedal, the engine does not start up again, which leads me to having to turn off the car and turn it back on manually, which could take up to a minute. The Honda dealer has already updated the vehicle replaced the starter and adjusted the valves two months ago and the issue is still persisting.
Engine fails to restart after stopping at stop lights or stop signs when AUTO START STOP feature is engaged. My safety as well as others pasenger was drivers safety was at risk since incidents occured on busy exit ramps in Dallas, TX and Southlake Texas. The problem has only been verbally confirmed by the dealer and Honda Corporate that it is a know defect and will only be handled as an extended warranty.
The Auto Idle Stop/Start system on my 2019 Honda Pilot has failed at least a dozen times. When the vehicle is stopped and Auto Idle Stop shuts off the engine, the engine sometimes fails to restart when the driver attempts to proceed. The dashboard lights illuminate, but the engine does not restart. The driver must turn the vehicle completely off and manually restart it. The vehicle is available for inspection. This has created a serious safety concern. On multiple occasions, the failure happened to a young driver in my family while stopped at a busy intersection. When traffic began moving, the Pilot would not restart and remained unexpectedly stopped in an active traffic lane. There was no warning that the vehicle would fail to restart, leaving the driver trying to shut down and restart the vehicle while traffic was moving around them. I have taken the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealer multiple times regarding this issue. This is now my third attempt to have the problem addressed. The dealer is now performing the applicable Honda warranty work related to the Auto Idle Stop no-restart condition. There have been no warning lamps or messages immediately before these failures. The Auto Idle Stop system appears to operate normally until the engine is supposed to restart. At that point, the engine fails to restart and dashboard warning lights illuminate. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives.
Ive had about 5 times my car Honda pilot 2021 stall at a stop light, a stop sign. The first it took a minute to go and the light was green. I was honked at and yelled at. It finally kicked on and we went, the next time it went into accessory mode at a stop sign, then into N then off…. All while in drive to start. The rest were times I was in auto start stop and it just wouldn’t start. Each 5 times it gave an error code that disappeared right after I had to try snd restart by pushing the button. I went to Honda 2 times now, first time they said they did the program… that didn’t stop the issue, I then took it again after the 4th time and they said it was a bad battery… replaced it mind you $400 later… and it did it the next day.. they won’t cover a free inspection and when I said there’s a bulletin about this they said they did id already but still doing it. I am very frustrated and j drive 3 kids under 7 this is very very unsafe especially someone who already has a brain injury from aka c I dent.
The contact owns a 2022 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop, the engine failed to restart with the Auto START/STOP feature engaged, causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was manually restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Action Number: EA25004 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
My car No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages I stopped at a stop sign between [XXX], and my vehicle wouldn't start again; the lights started flickering. I had to get my family out of the vehicle, and then I tried to start it using the ignition button; it finally started after several attempts. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Related recalls
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
- Risk
- A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is Y7Y.
Recall number 20V440000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to September 8, 2015 and 2016 Pilot 4WD vehicles manufactured May 7, 2015 to September 4, 2015. In the affected vehicles, when one of the safety systems such as tire pressure monitoring, anti-lock braking or electronic stability control malfunctions, there is potential that the instrument panel will not illuminate the corresponding warning light, however the warning lamps will illuminate when the ignition is turned off and then turned back on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic stability control systems", number 135, "Light vehicle brake systems" and number 138, "Tire pressure monitoring systems".
- Risk
- If a safety system cannot immediately warn the driver when needed, the driver may be at increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is JV7.
Recall number 15V668000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
- Risk
- Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 12V573000 · Recall details
Questions about the Honda Pilot start-stop
Which Honda Pilot years have start-stop system problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (99 complaints), 2017 (99 complaints) and 2019 (70 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix start-stop system problems on the Honda Pilot?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $400 (median of 15 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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