731 of the
13,073 complaints filed about the Honda Pilot
are about the airbag system —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2005.
1.The vehicle’s airbag unexpectedly deployed while the vehicle was in Park and the driver was attempting to reverse out of a parking space. Multiple airbags deployed, including the driver-side airbags, the front airbag near the windshield area, and the long side/curtain airbag extending toward the passenger side. There was no collision or impact that would reasonably explain the deployment. The vehicle and deployed airbag/SRS components are available for inspection upon request. 2.The unexpected deployment of multiple airbags created a serious safety risk. The driver was struck in the head by the deploying airbag, resulting in dizziness, and was also struck in the chest, causing chest pain. A toddler was also present in the vehicle at the time of the unexpected deployment, creating an additional risk of injury to the child. The sudden deployment also created a risk of distraction, impaired visibility, and loss of control while the driver was attempting to maneuver the vehicle. There was no collision or impact preceding the airbag deployment. 3. No. The unexpected airbag deployment has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle is available for inspection, including the airbag/SRS components and vehicle systems associated with the deployment. 4.Yes. The vehicle was towed to a dealer following the incident and was inspected by the dealer. The dealer provided an estimate of at least $10,000 to repair the damage associated with the airbag deployment. The vehicle has not, to my knowledge, been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or an independent service center. 5. No. There were no known warning lamps, warning messages, or other symptoms indicating an airbag/SRS problem before the incident. The airbags deployed suddenly and unexpectedly while the vehicle was in Park and the driver was attempting to reverse out of a parking space. There was no collision or impact immediately before the airbags deployed.
NHTSA complaint #11758816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
i was involved in a fairly significant accident at 55mph and another vehicle pulled out in front of us. Our Honda pilot had significant front and side damage on passenger side and not air bags deployed at all. This is and was alarming to us. So much so we did not feel safe in keeping the vehicle after the $26,000 repair. I did suffer minor injuries with my neck (surgery required and arm issues from hitting the door) Has this been noted in Honda Pilot models?
NHTSA complaint #11752363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In an accident where car collided with a concrete barrier on the highway at high speed, front drivers side, airbags did not deploy. Vehicle is available as of now, problem has not been reproduced, insurance representatives totaled the car but did not check the airbags, no warning lights or symptoms prior.
NHTSA complaint #11751915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel made an abnormal clicking sound. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure and associated the failure with air bag and an incorrect installation of the steering wheel. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
NHTSA complaint #11750240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the message "Air Bag System - SRS Fault" was intermittently displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer retrieved an intermittent diagnostic trouble code associated with the cable reel. The contact stated that the message was constantly displayed. The dealer was notified of the failure and forwarded an email with an estimate for a diagnostic test and the repair. The contact advised the dealer to notify the manufacturer of the failure; however, the contact believed that the manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,800.
NHTSA complaint #11747115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the message "Air Bag System - SRS Fault" was intermittently displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer retrieved an intermittent diagnostic trouble code associated with the cable reel. The contact stated that the message was constantly displayed. The dealer was notified of the failure and forwarded an email with an estimate for a diagnostic test and the repair. The contact advised the dealer to notify the manufacturer of the failure; however, the contact believed that the manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,800.
NHTSA complaint #11747115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On XXX at approximately 6:04 PM, the vehicle was being driven on a highway in [XXX] — after dark, during an active snowstorm, on slick roads, at approximately 40 MPH — when the front passenger-side airbag deployed spontaneously with no collision, no impact, and no warning of any kind. There were no prior warning lamps or symptoms. The deployment cracked the windshield and caused interior damage. The component is available for inspection upon request. This vehicle had the Takata recall performed in 2019. The failure is believed to be related to NHTSA Recall 19V502000 (Honda Recall Nos. F5F/Q5E), covering 2009-2015 Honda Pilots with passenger frontal airbag inflators that may explode due to propellant degradation from humidity and temperature cycling. A spontaneous deployment with no crash is consistent with this defect. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Honda dealership. Technician findings included: blown fuses 9 and 11, diagnostic system crashing repeatedly, complete loss of SRS/ABS/gauge communication, burning smell from the airbag inflator, copious F-CAN malfunction codes, and DTC U0151. Technician concluded: "ADVISE replacing deployed passenger airbag and inflator assembly." The dealership confirmed the component needs replacement but could not determine the cause. A spontaneous airbag deployment at highway speed during a snowstorm with no crash poses extreme risk to the driver and public. This incident warrants investigation to determine whether recall remedy parts from prior Takata campaigns are continuing to fail in other vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11744589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The occupant detection system for all five rear seats is erratic, frequently reporting seats as occupied and unbuckled when they are empty or folded flat. Once the vehicle reaches 10 mph, audible alerts trigger and recur up to three times for 30 to 60 seconds each, even if no passengers are present. Because these sensors are integral to the restraint system, there is a critical concern that the airbags may not deploy correctly based on this inaccurate occupancy data. Extremely distracting. First time we noticed: Leaving the chanhassen Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s witnesses. We had 4 kids in the vehicle when they were all seated and buckled up and the third row seat (middle) that nobody was sitting in started alarming several times thinking that a passenger was in the and needed to be buckled. This is everyday recurring problem in all 5 rear seats.
NHTSA complaint #11740960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My wife was driving at about 40mph and hit a curb while driving straight. The car’s swerved and hit the front right and right rear tire with the curb. The right side curtain airbag deployed. This vehicle was taken to the Honda dealership a few months ago to address the exact same problem that was addressed through a safety recall with a sensor that was supposedly replaced but the Honda dealership in Waco Texas. I am requesting assistance to hopefully get the vehicle inspected and repaired at no cost by the dealership. This should not be happening.
NHTSA complaint #11728656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am submitting this letter as an official complaint regarding a potential safety defect involving the airbag system in my 2021 Honda Pilot. I was involved in a motor vehicle accident on February 3, 2026 in Atlanta, GA. The collision was a direct frontal impact with another vehicle at approximately 35 mph. The vehicle sustained damage with repair estimates over $8,000. Despite the nature of the crash, the airbags did not deploy. However, post-accident diagnostic information reported by the auto body repair shop indicates that the vehicle’s computer system recorded the airbags as having deployed. This discrepancy raises serious safety concerns, as the system appears to have registered a deployment event that did not physically occur. This could indicate a malfunction in the airbag control module, sensors, wiring, or software. A failure of this kind prevented the proper airbag deployment in a crash where it was needed, posing a significant risk to my safety. To my knowledge, the airbag system had no prior warnings or indicators of malfunction before the accident. Directly following the accident an error appeared on the screen behind the steering wheel stating "Airbag System (SRS) Problem." The vehicle is currently at the body shop and available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11725688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have a 2007 Honda Pilot. While just taking off again from a stoplight, the passenger side, "curtain-side" airbags randomly deployed. The airbag light had been flickering on and off - it would then be on for a few moments, and turn back off, flicker again, and remain off, for about a day and a half, two days prior to this happening. There was no collision. There was no pothole. There was no harsh breaking or takeoff. There was no agitation to the vehicle to demand this deploy. It happened out of nowhere and for no reason. I have called my insurance company to total out the vehicle as the repairs will cost more than the vehicle is worth. I am waiting for a call back, though they were extremely hesitant and said that they most likely will not cover because there was no collision. The Pilot was in perfect working condition prior to this event. I had my 12 year old dog in the backseat at the time, who was laying with his head next to the back passenger door. He hasn't been acting normal since the incident. He's been acting subdued and despondent ever since. He nosed my arm during the seven minute ride back to the house, after the airbags randomly deployed. I didn't want him in the front seat, as I was afraid that the passenger dash airbag would also randomly deploy. I had to put my seat further back and hold my head against the head rest as I was also afraid of the steering wheel airbag randomly deploying before I got home as well. After it happened, I immediately rolled the windows down due to the chemical smell, and stayed in the right lane in case I had to quickly pull over. Which is no way to safely drive. I have not driven it since. Since the passenger side window was covered with an airbag I was "blind" on that side for the rest of the drive home. I stayed in the right hand lane, and luckily the only left turn I had to make was at a light with a left turn signal and light. After the airbag deployed the airbag light remained on for the rest of the ride home.
NHTSA complaint #11725054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
One day my pilot 2012 suddenly started turning on and off the passenger airbag then out of the blue the airbag system light when on. Scanned it an it reads the passenger weight sensor is not communicating the part is no longer available to purchase and it is in backorder with date of delivery to be determined. Car is not safe to operate and Honda is not selling the part anymore to get the repair. What should be my options?
NHTSA complaint #11724777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Second row passenger seatbelt alarms even when the seat belt is connected and secured. Went to dealer and needed a new seat belt installed. Now receiving dash warnings of supplemental seat belt issues.
NHTSA complaint #11723182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.