2016 Honda Pilot brake problems

SERVICE BRAKES

The component that failed in both incidents was the vehicle’s wiring system, specifically wiring insulation that appears to be vulnerable to rodent damage. In the first incident, squirrels chewed through wiring connected to the fuel injector system, which triggered a check engine light and was repaired. In the second incident, squirrels again accessed the engine compartment and chewed through wiring affecting the braking system. This resulted in a sudden and unexpected loss of braking function. Yes, the damaged components should be available for inspection through the repair shop or service records, although I would need to confirm the exact location of the retained parts. Safety was significantly put at risk. During the second incident, the vehicle was occupied by multiple passengers, including minors. While approaching a red light, the driver attempted to brake and found that the brakes were not functioning properly. The driver had to shift the vehicle into park and use the emergency brake to stop, narrowly avoiding a serious collision. This created a high-risk, potentially life-threatening situation. The first incident was addressed by a mechanic after the check engine light appeared, confirming damage to the fuel injector-related wiring. The second incident was formally confirmed by a mechanic that the brake line was leaking from damage from, what they highly suspected and have seen in the past, a rodent . In the first incident, a check engine light appeared, prompting immediate attention. In the second incident, there were no warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms before the brake failure occurred.

NHTSA complaint #11731338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

When I was paring my phone to Bluetooth I noticed my car started to pop up alerts in accessory mode (low power state engine off) that my Honda was hiding critical safety alerts with the Brake System and Charging System Problem and a Anti-Lock Brake System Problem when fully powering the car most of theses alerts are fully hidden from driver view the only thing I was able to see consistently was the U3006 control module input power fault with my scan tool this is very concerning that a driver would have to do all of this work to find essential hidden driver major safety alerts

NHTSA complaint #11645769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The brakes have been repaired and replaced repeatedly. The vehicle locked down yesterday 2/25/25 when the driver was headed to school to pick up the children. The car came to a complete halt and was a danger to others with a "transmission engine" warning light on the dash. This vehicle has numerous repairs in addition to being too dangerous to drive down a two lane road due to the severity of the following issues: •Abrupt jerking or 'juddering' while accelerating, which can cause sudden unintended movement. •Noticeable hesitation when pressing the gas pedal, impacting the vehicle's response time. •Unusual clunking noises or hard downshifting, indicating potential internal damage.

NHTSA complaint #11645078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

While driving and starting to brake the whole dashboard lights up stating there is brake failure. And low brake fluid.

NHTSA complaint #11636736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

1) First and most annoying is the start button displays code on the screen "keyless start system problem ". Its done it for about two three now. There is no recall for my VIN. 2) Back wheels brakes make very loud kicking noise when car put in reverse and moves in reverse. It started 4 years ago. I took it to dealership and they said breaks are fine and they don't know why its kicking. In cold weather break sensor displays warning "apply break before putting in park" while breaks are applied. So it can't sense that breaks are applied. 3)blue ray DVD player quit working years ago. 4) Transmission is jerking when switches to third gear. This car has 56000 miles. 5) Roof molding in the front came off while driving. The clips somehow broke and it flew away. This car has been parked in the garage during the day and driven carefully with all needed oil changes and one owner. It should not have this problems. 6) the tires fell apart when car was 4 years old with about 25000 miles on it. The dealership said they don't know why and its was not normal. The top of the tires pilled off in chanks.

NHTSA complaint #11575124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

At times, when you start the car, on the screen where the radio and Honda link and Bluetooth are a message ( like an email) with a red exclamation point appears. I check the HONDA LINK app and it says that it has to do with the brake system. I drive the car and it stays on or disappears. It will come back and the go away. It happens around every few months since July.

NHTSA complaint #11553269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

There is pulsating vibrations when applying brakes. This vehicle is rarely driven and has only logged 25,642 miles since I first bought it in 2016. I believe the rotors are warped. Must be a defect as this vehicle is rarely used.

NHTSA complaint #11466663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The Pilot defaults to the automatic engine shutoff when the brake is pressed. Several times, my car would shut off at the stop, but not restart when I took my foot off the pedal. When I'd go to restart the car, pressing the Start Engine button would just turn on accessories - it would never engage the gas/ignition. I'd have to give it a few minutes. I took it to my dealership who replaced the push button ignition. I had googled the issue and saw others had the same issue and warning message about the brake mitigation system, I saw that it was likely related to the brake booster/vacuum hose. I brought it back to the dealer the following month as the shut off had happened again and explained again about finding the brake booster as the issue. They replaced the part and the stall out hasn't happened again. It was never a consistent issue. I don't know what caused it to shut off, as it happened in cold or warm weather. Having to press the brake really hard is not a natural step in driving, so I'm thinking there's something wonky with the system. Even when I remote start my car, I have to press the brake pedal extremely firmly to have it remain started when I go to drive. Otherwise, the car will just switch to the accessory mode. This is a risk because the car defaults to the auto engine shut off when in traffic. If a car is unable to restart when the brake pedal is released, accidents can happen

NHTSA complaint #11465870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80-85 MPH uphill, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the warning message "Transmission Overheating" was illuminated. The contact stated that he continued to drive at a slower speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not replicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving uphill. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Moss Bros. Honda (27990 Eucalyptus Ave, Moreno Valley, CA 92555) who did not diagnose the vehicle but informed the contact that the transmission fluid needed to be flushed and replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the transmission fluid was replaced. The contact also stated that the steering wheel was shaking whenever the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front rotors needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he was unable to replace the front rotors himself as there were abnormally small compared to the replacement parts. The contact also stated that the front rotors were abnormally smaller than the rear rotors of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and a case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

NHTSA complaint #11454083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Steering wheel shaking violently when braking especially at highway (down hill) speed.

NHTSA complaint #11429952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

PURCHASED A 2016 PILOT EX-L CERTIFIED USED WITH 8K. WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKES, THEY WOULD GO PRETTY FAR DOWN BEFORE ENGAGING. IF I LET UP ON THE PEDAL AND PRESS AGAIN, THEY IMMEDIATELY GRAB LIKE THEY ARE SUPPOSED. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES, BRAKES BLED AND FLUSHED, STILL THE SAME. I WAS INFORMED THAT HONDA SAYS THE DISTANCE OF BRAKE PEDAL PRESSING DOWN IS 2" IS NORMAL. I ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE SCREEN GOING OUT, AND THE DRIVER SIDE VENT WOULDN'T STAY UP, AND THE A/C WASN'T COOLING PROPERTY. ALSO THE SYSTEM WONT CONNECT TO MY PHONE RANDOMLY. I NOW HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING/COASTING AT ANY SPEED. HAVE TAKEN IT IN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BUMPER AND HOOD NOISE. AFTER PAYING FOR THAT, I STILL HAVE THE NOISE. THE RPMS JUMPS FROM UNDER 2 TO JUST ABOVE TWO, THEN DOWN AGAIN. WHEN THE RPMS DO THIS THE NOISE HAPPENS AND ALSO THE ECONO MODE TURNS OFF TO WHITE, THEN GREEN AGAIN. NOW IT FEELS LIKE WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE TRANSMISSION FEELS AS IFF IT IS TRYING TO GO INTO GEAR, SLIPPING. NOW WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO PASS, IT SEEMS TO SLIP. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE! COME ON HONDA PLEASE FIX THE ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #11364653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

IT ENGINE IS IDLE ALL THE TIME WHEN THE AC IS ON

NHTSA complaint #11233411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE IDOL AT RED LIGHT, THE AUTOMATIC IDOL KICKED IN FOR POWER SAVE YET JERKED AND ALL RED LIGHT INDICATORS TURNED ON, INCLUDING PARKING BREAKS, AND CAR SEIZED UP. NO POWER, NO ABILITY PUT CAR IN PARK OR DRIVE. ON/OFF SWITCH NO REACTION TO TURN CAR ON OR OFF. NO BRAKE FUNCTION. I SAT IN AN UNRESPONSIVE VEHICLE AT VERY BUSY INTERCETION. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME WAS STOPPED AND ONLY LAID ON THEIR HORN FOR 2 RED LIGHT CYCLES RATHER THAN HITTING ME. I ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS YET OTHER DRIVER DID NOT RESPOND. I REPETITIVELY KEPT PUSHING POWER BUTTON IN EFFORT FOR CAR TO RESPOND AND RESTART, EVENTUALLY DID AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF. HAVE APPT WITH DEALERSHIP IN AM.

NHTSA complaint #11230891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET WHEN SEVERAL ALERTS WENT OFF ON MY DASHBOARD: ROAD DEPARTURE MITIGATION SYSTEM PROBLEM, TRAILER STABILITY ASSIST PROBLEM, HILL START ASSIST PROBLEM, VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST PROBLEM, EMISSIONS SYSTEM PROBLEM, POWER STEERING SYSTEM PROBLEM. I COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THESE ALERTS. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO ISSUE AND THE LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF. 10 DAYS LATER THEY ALL CAME ON AGAIN AS I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WENT TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER, THE LIGHTS HAD TURNED OFF. I TOOK IT IN ANYWAY, AND THEY AGAIN SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUE. I REPORTED THE ISSUE TO HONDA CORPORATION AND WAS TOLD BY ONE AGENT THAT THIS WASN'T THE FIRST TIME THE ISSUE HAD COME UP IN A NEWER MODEL PILOT. AGAIN 2 DAYS AGO, ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND NOW ALSO THE BRAKE ASSIST ALERT IS ALSO ON. I WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED ALL THE FALSE ALARMS MAY BE HIDING AN UNDERLYING ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN A DANGEROUS ACCIDENT. I ALSO FEEL THAT HONDA GLOBAL IS NOT TAKING ME SERIOUSLY AS I AM ACTIVE DUTY STATIONED OVERSEAS AND HAVE TO RELY ON LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIPS THAT DO NOT HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE WITH THE HONDA PILOT. THE DATES OF THE LIGHTS WERE 17 SEPT, 27 SEPT, AND 6 OCT 2018.

NHTSA complaint #11139016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I AM HEARING A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT RO HONDA AND THEY SAID IT'S SOMETHING PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT AND THEY DON'T HAVE A FIX AND THWY KNOW ABOUT IT. THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #11052131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

VEHICLE IS 16 MONTHS OLD WITH ONLY 5,200 MILES ON IT. BRAKING ACTION CURRENTLY SEEMS UNAFFECTED, HOWEVER, THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR HAD GREEN ALGAE ON THE STRAINER, HEAVY BLACK SEDIMENT ON THE FLOOR OF RESERVOIR, AND THE FLUID WAS BROWN. THE RESERVOIR WAS NEVER OPENED UNTIL 2 DAYS AGO WHEN I NOTICED THE FLUID WAS BROWN WHILE LOOKING THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE RESERVOIR AS I WAS CHECKING THE FLUID LEVEL AND DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER. THE CAP WAS PROPERLY SEALED BECAUSE THERE WAS A SLIGHT SUCTION AS I BEGAN TO LIFT THE CAP AFTER TWISTING AND THE SEAL WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION. THE HONDA DEALER STATED THAT HONDA WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY A FLUID FLUSH BECAUSE THEY ASSUME IT WAS FROM SOMETHING I DID AND FURTHER ASSUMED IT WOULD NOT BE FROM CONTAMINATED FLUID THEY PUT IN AT THE FACTORY. AS A RESULT I JUST FLUSHED THE SYSTEM MYSELF WITH DOT 3/4 SYNTHETIC FLUID. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT HONDA MAY HAVE USED CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID AT THE FACTORY THAT COULD HAVE AFFECTED OTHER CARS OR, IF NOT, SOMETHING SPECIFICALLY HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE PRIOR TO MY PURCHASING OF IT FROM HONDA.

NHTSA complaint #10965968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT ABOUT 30 MILES AND HOUR TOWARDS A RED LIGHT. I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN WITH THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND SKIDDED RIGHT THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. I ALSO TRIED STEERING THE CAR TO THE RIGHT, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STEER RIGHT AND KEPT SKIDDING THROUGH THE RED LIGHT UNTIL IT SLIGHTLY HIT THE MEDIAN AND STOPPED. LUCKILY, NO ONCOMING CARS WERE COMING OR MY CAR WOULD HAVE WENT RIGHT INTO THEM. THE TIRES CLAIM TO BE "ALL WEATHER TIRES" WHICH ARE BRIDGESTONE DUELER TIRES, 245/60R18. ON OTHER OCCASIONS IN THE RAIN, I HAVE FELT THE CAR SKID WHEN TAPPING ON THE BRAKES WHILE TURNING, BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT OF YESTERDAY WHEN I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I ALSO READ ON LINE OF ANOTHER PERSON REPORTING SKIDDING WHILE TURNING IN THE RAIN IN A HONDA PILOT. SOMETHING HAPPENS WITH THIS CAR IN THE RAIN THAT CAUSES THE BRAKES TO NOT STOP THE CAR AND INSTEAD SKID AS IF IT IS ON ICE WITHOUT CONTROL OF THE STEERING AT THE SAME TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10939724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA PILOT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED LUBRICANT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,858.

NHTSA complaint #10934832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

SINCE PURCHASING NEW, I HAVE NOTICED A PECULIAR PHENOMENON WHEREBY THE BRAKE PEDAL DEVELOPS A VERY HIGH RESISTANCE FROM THE TIME OF BEING PARKED, UNTIL THE NEXT TIME I GET IN THE VEHICLE. I WILL ROUTINELY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK AT THE CONCLUSION OF A DRIVE. THE PEDAL FEELS NORMAL AT THIS POINT. APPROXIMATELY 80-85% OF THE TIME UPON RE-ENTRY IN TO THE VEHICLE AFTER ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO SIT STATIONARY (OFF) FOR 2-12 HOURS, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES VERY FIRM. TO THE POINT WHERE I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE AMOUNT OF FORCE I MUST PRESS WITH MY FOOT, IN ORDER TO THE ENGINE TO START. I DON'T WANT TO OVER-PRESSURE THE BRAKE LINES UNNECESSARILY. HOWEVER, MOST OF THE TIME, IF I SIMPLY PRESS THE BRAKE WITH AN AVERAGE AMOUNT OF FORCE TO START THE CAR, I PRESS THE "START" BUTTON, AND THE SYSTEM WILL ONLY TURN ON TO AUX MODE, THE ENGINE STARTER WILL NOT ACTIVATE. DUE TO THE HIGHLY FIRM PEDAL, MY "ACCEPTABLE" LEVEL OF FOOT FORCE WILL NOT SUFFICIENTLY DISPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ENABLE "ENGINE START" READY MODE. I AM PERPLEXED BY THIS ODD BEHAVIOR. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED IN MY 17 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW HOW THE BRAKE SYSTEM BECOMES "LOADED" IF IT IS JUST SITTING. THIS IS THE SORT OF RESULT I MIGHT EXPECT IF ONE WERE TO "PUMP" THE BRAKES WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING, BUT I AM DOING NOTHING OF THE SORT. PLEASE HONDA, ADDRESS THIS. I REALLY HAVE TO WONDER IF OTHER 2016 AND NEWER PILOT AND RIDGELINE OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10927664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM (CMBS) DOES NOT WORK IN STAGE 2 OR STAGE 3. ONLY THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. BRAKES ARE NEVER APPLIED. GOING MORE THAN 10 MPH FASTER THAN THE CAR AHEAD OF YOU, ONLY STAGE 1 COMES ON WITH A WARNING NOTICE. NO LIGHT BRAKING FOR STAGE 2. NO HARD BRAKING FOR STAGE 3. I AM EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATOR COURSE TRAINED. I HAD SOMEONE WHO I KNOW KEEP A CONSTANT SPEED OF 30 MPH AND THEN RETESTED AGAIN GOING 50 MPH. I WOULD APPROACH GOING 10 MPH FASTER THAN THE LEAD CAR AND ONLY STAGE 1 WARNING WOULD ACTIVATE, EVEN WHEN I WAS ONLY 10 FEET AWAY BEFORE I HAD TO MANUALLY APPLY THE BRAKES HARD. APPARENTLY HONDA/ACCURA HAD AN EARLIER ISSUE WITH THE CMBS FALSELY ACTIVATING DUE TO BEING TOO SENSITIVE. THEY DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE BUT NOW IT IS NOT ACTIVATING STAGE 2 OR STAGE 3. THIS OCCURS NO MATTER WHAT SETTING ( LONG, NORMAL, SHORT) YOU HAVE THE CMBS SET TO. I BROUGHT IT IN TWICE TO THE DEALER AND ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE TECH TEST DROVE IT AND COULDN'T GET THE BRAKES TO WORK THE COMPUTER STATED EVERYTHING WAS FINE. HONDA TECH LINE WAS ALSO CALLED BY THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IF THE COMPUTER SAID THERE WAS NO ERRORS THERE IS NOTHING TO DO. I CALLED HONDA CORPORATION AND THEY ALSO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL WORKS SO IT CAN'T BE THE RADAR OR CAMERA. THIS IS A 2016 HONDA PILOT ELITE WITH CMBS

NHTSA complaint #10870185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

2016 HONDA PILOT SURGE WHILE TRYING TO STOP ON A CITY STREET AND 2 TIMES ENDED UP PART WAY IN THE INTERSECTION. NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. HAD PILOT ABOUT A MONTH. ONLY DROVE ABOUT 500 MILES. CONCERNED, SO KEEP LONGER DISTANCES IN TRAFFIC. SETUP AN APPOINTMENT TODAY WITH LOCAL DEALER TO INSPECT PER HIS SCHEDULE IN 4 DAYS.

NHTSA complaint #10824191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.