420 of the
13,244 complaints filed about the Honda Pilot
are about the body and structure —
100% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2016.
On September 13, 2026, I was cleaning my 2015 Honda Pilot at a car wash while my young child was inside the vehicle. My keys and phone were also inside. After I closed the front passenger-side door, the vehicle unexpectedly locked all doors with my child, keys, and phone inside. I did not intentionally lock the vehicle and did not expect the doors to lock when the passenger door closed. I immediately attempted to regain access. A car wash employee and others also tried to help. I borrowed a phone and called 911. A locksmith was contacted but estimated approximately 35 minutes before arrival. Because my young child remained trapped inside the closed vehicle in hot weather, the situation became increasingly urgent. After continued unsuccessful attempts to gain access, 911 was contacted again and police and fire personnel responded. My child was trapped inside the vehicle for approximately 30 minutes. Emergency personnel ultimately broke the rear driver-side window to gain access and remove my child. Due to the duration of the incident and heat exposure, my child was taken for medical evaluation and later discharged. I do not know what specific component or system caused the vehicle to unexpectedly lock. The problem has not yet been diagnosed or confirmed by Honda or a dealership. I am reporting this because the unexpected locking created a serious safety situation requiring emergency personnel to break a window to rescue a young child. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11764221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V365000 (STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION) and 24V064000(AIR BAGS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11762787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There is significant rust on the frame and undercarriage of the vehicle. There has been no actual safety concerns yet, but it may lead to severe issues if unaddressed. It has since an active recall exists for the corrosion of the rear subframe. A specific rust-related inspection is on hold until I receive further direction from the dealership I purchased the vehicle from.
NHTSA complaint #11762227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11760558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V365000 (Structure, Suspension); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-25 MPH from a complete stop, the vehicle partially spun out. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure could have caused a crash. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the earliest appointment for the recall repair was in four weeks. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
NHTSA complaint #11754926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Premature paint delamination on a 2019 Honda Pilot. Notifying NHTSA to track factory paint adhesion defects correlating with active Attika v. American Honda Motor Co. litigation.
NHTSA complaint #11751188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The factory clear coat and paint on the roof of this 2013 Honda Pilot are delaminating and peeling away from the metal. The failure began about 1.5 years ago and continues to spread; in places it has now progressed through the paint to bare metal that is corroding and rusting. The vertical body panels remain glossy and intact while the entire horizontal roof has failed - a top-down failure pattern consistent with a defective factory finish rather than wear or environmental exposure. This matches a well-documented paint-adhesion defect in Honda vehicles of this generation: Honda issued warranty-extension service bulletin 19-057 for 2013-16 Pilots in White Diamond Pearl after identical roof peeling, a companion bulletin covers other white finishes, and an active class-action lawsuit alleges the same peeling and delaminating paint defect across 2013-and-later Honda and Acura vehicles. As the paint separates, detached clear-coat material can lift off the moving vehicle, and the exposed roof metal is now corroding. The affected roof/body panel is available for inspection upon request. No warning lamps applied; the defect is visible. The vehicle was not in a crash, and there was no fire and no injury. I am reporting this so it is documented as a manufacturing defect affecting colors beyond those the manufacturer has chosen to cover.
NHTSA complaint #11745465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taligate is rusting through near the handle as well as around the right taillight. Another recall for this exact issue is in place for the same year/make/model, yet my vehicle is not included in the recall. Faulty seals allow water to get into the tailgate and rust from the inside-out. Honda has told me they won't help even though it is a known issue (recall).
NHTSA complaint #11741661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The paint is peeling/ flaking off. The areas are the top of the lift gate and by both taillights. Those parts have never been painted before. Originally factory paint. It’s blue.
NHTSA complaint #11736929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
no incident : recall that was done on hood. gas cap/lid doesn't close tightly Hood looks like it going to open , left side front end lifts when driving on freeway, Honda of the Desert replaced latch but it did not solve the problem
NHTSA complaint #11735564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paint failure - rear roof panel. Paint chips flaking off. NOT a gradual failure, clear coat in good condition. No skuff marks or damage prior. Large paint chips pealing off exposing bare metal. Paint color : Modern steel metallic
NHTSA complaint #11730911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving at approximately 55 mph on a clear day, the panoramic sunroof glass spontaneously shattered with a loud explosion. There were no overpasses, construction zones, or other vehicles in the immediate vicinity to suggest an external impact from a rock or debris. The glass shattered into small granules, some of which fell into the cabin while the vehicle was in motion, creating an immediate distraction and safety hazard.
NHTSA complaint #11730662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at slow and moderate speeds, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle lurched and jerked. The failure was more evident while driving uphill. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the torque converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and exceeding 40 MPH, the hood was flapping. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V932000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11715620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The driver seatbelt was soaking wet after a rainstorm. The vehicle does not have a sunroof. Upon further inspection the airbag and its electronics were also soaked in water. It has never been in an accident or had any work done to it. There is a factory installed roof rack(Sport model). I am concerned for the safety in the function of the airbag and seatbelt tensioner in the event of an accident after being soaked in water an unknown amount of times. Secondary, possibly related issue. The rear drivers side door will randomly not unlock/open from the exterior(have to reach through and use the interior handle). Posing a safety issue in the event of child removal in an emergency.
NHTSA complaint #11712295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The white paint on my 2016 Honda Pilot (White Diamond Pearl, NH-603P) is peeling and flaking off on the roof and tailgate, exposing the primer. The vehicle has never been repainted or damaged. Honda confirmed my VIN isn’t covered, but this is the same factory paint defect affecting other Pilots and Hondas with the same color. The issue keeps spreading and reduces resale value while exposing metal to corrosion. This is a clear manufacturing defect, not wear or neglect. I’m requesting that NHTSA investigate and push Honda to expand coverage for all affected VINs.
NHTSA complaint #11693820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Passenger got out of front passenger side door and the door bounced back and gashed his right calf, resulting in significant bleeding and requiring 9 stitches. The door can be inspected if needed, but this is a design issue, not an issue specific to my vehicle. I have looked at the other front door and another Honda of this model type and it has the same issue, a metal edge. This issue appears numerous times on Piloteers.org (Front Doors, Lower Edges). I contacted Honda and reported the incident with a request for a quick repair and medical costs for the injured passenger. I filed the report 10 days ago and followed up with Honda several times with a request to have the case expediated, but have yet to hear back from Honda. I am worried that another passenger or the driver could be similarly injured.
NHTSA complaint #11687396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear subframe damaged with no reason. Vehicle has been garaged and in moderate climate since it was purchased. Confirmed by dealer and insurance adjustor.
NHTSA complaint #11685701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunroof exploded while driving at a normal rate of speed with no cars surrounding us. Upon inspection, there was no debris within the roof hold that would denote a rock or something causing incident. We jumped a lane but no cars were around. All occupants were safe.
NHTSA complaint #11685747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Since purchasing the vehicle there was a leak under the driver's side console after heavy rains. After multiple trips to the dealer they directed us to replace the windshield. We did so (under protest). The leak still existed. The dealership determined that there was a gap at the A pillar. We worry that this is related to the Sturcture recall about missing welds. Honda will not admit to any issue.
NHTSA complaint #11683081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.