Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Honda Pilot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the vehicle stability assist system, ABS, check engine, and brake system warning lights illuminated. The contacted stated that after pulling over, placing the gear shifter into park(P) and turning off the vehicle, the vehicle was able to restart but was unable to accelerate above 15 MPH. The contact also stated that after coming to a stop at a stop light, the failure recurred, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it remained awaiting diagnostic test and repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
When driving my Honda Pilot (2006) the check engine light will com one with indicating a problem with the vsa. What happens next is the car slows down significantly and comes to a complete stop. Which means you can be on the highway and the car slows down. I check to see if there was a recall on this issue, and there is one for the 2005 model, not the 2006. However, it is the same problem, which means the problem was not fixed in the next model year. I reached out to Honda corporate and they indicated that they had no recall for this issue for the 2006 model and could not help me. I told them it was the same issue as the 2005 and apparently the problem was not fixed in the next still no help. Please note the following concerning the 2005 model. Tsa action number: ea13002 model year 2005. Same problem. On March 14, 2013, American Honda motor co., inc. …
This is the exact issue that the 2005 Honda Pilot has with its vsa the recall for this is NHTSA recall # 10694296 with over 625 complaints. As everyone describes after one mile of driving the vsa will come on if you attempt to accelerate when on it will engage the brakes but not fully so it shutters and RPM soar but you go no where causing daily near miss accidents. Honda dealers acknowledge this module is the issue but due to the 2006 not being on the govt recall list they will not repair or replace you have to pay to have it done at a cost of 1650.00. The Honda mechanic showed me the whitepaper Honda has on how to replace this module and the issue it creates but unwilling to stand behind repairing it for free only offer a 125.00 discount on the repair. So im clear 1. Vsa light comes on stays on and vsa switch will not turn this function off as it is designed to. 2. …
After driving my leased 2003 Pilot for 3 years, I knew how it handled on turns and how it stopped in emergencies. Barely 100 miles into my 2006 lease, I had to make an emergency stop on a rainy road due to an accident in front of me, and rear-ended a car when my ABS system failed to stop in time, despite the fact that my 2003 Pilot would have stopped at least 6 feet before the next vehicle. Knowing my 2003's stopping distance when ABS kicks in, I was flabbergasted that the new car didn't come close to stopping in time. I noticed one time since that the ABS system just doesn't compare to the 2003, and is extremely dangerous as a result. Another dangerous thing it has done twice is fishtail if I accelerate going into a turn or curve. …
While driving the vehicle the vsa light and triangle light will come on and the brakes will apply hard with very little pressure applied to brake peddle. Sometimes the vsa light will come on as soon the vehicle is started and will have the same problem with the brakes . Turning off the vsa button after starting the vehicle does not make the problem go away , have almost been rear ended several times since this happens ,the brakes stop the car then the vsa light comes on . The Honda dealership reprogrammed the vsa module but shortly afterward the same problem occurs . Now they say it needs a new vsa module at $2000 plus dollars, seems like I am not the only 2006 Pilot having the same problem, only have 74000 miles on vehicle for having it 13 years this happens on city streets at 40 MPH or so afraid to get on the highway because I wouldn't want this to happen at 60-70 MPH. …
The car was parked. I started it up and put it in reverse and it wouldn't move. So I put it back in drive. It wouldn't move. So I put it back in reverse and gave it a little gas. It barely moved. So I put it in park and shut it down and pumped on the brakes a few times. I let it sit for a few seconds and tried it again and it was back to normal. Another time the same thing happened but it seemed like the brakes squeezed really tight. Overtight.... Because it made a loud spring like popping noise from the brakes. It's done this now several times and im worried that it will happen while driving.... Especially on the freeway. Like I said, its happened multiple times. Parked on the street, in a parking garage, on a steep hill in seattle, on a dirt road in the mountains coming back from fishing, some 22 miles from any main road.
The vsa system seems to be applying a small amount of brake force without any input by the driver. The small amount of break force seem to be constantly pulling the vehicle to the left. At times, the amount of brake force applied exceeds the driver's intended input. The vsa warning light and ABS light are constantly on. The vehicle has been serviced and is up to date on all maintenance. Dealer and another mechanic say it is the vsa or yaw sensor in the center console that needs to be replaced at a cost of $1,000-$2,0000. It seems to be the very same issue that the recall on the 2005 model addressed.
Car was parked. I started it up and put it in reverse and it did not move. I put it back in drive and didn't' move, waited for a few minutes, tried again and the brakes squeezed really tight but was back to normal. Drove to work and on the way back brakes got tight and started to overheat and smoke came out of the passenger side front wheels. Stopped by the side of the road, waited for half an hour until cooled down and called a tow service. Call local Honda dealer and they do not have a recall even though there are more than 200 complaints.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle exhibited a loud squeaking noise. The contact then noticed that the rear of the vehicle began to shift toward the right, causing the contact to crash into a railing. The police were called and a report was filed. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was ruled as destroyed and was towed to an insurance lot. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000. Updated 01/05/13
Tl contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The vehicle was parked on a steep hill with the parking brake engaged. As the contact attempted to open the passenger side door, the vehicle suddenly started to roll down the hill flipping over an embankment and coming to a stop. The failure has not been diagnosed and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 70000. Updated 12/10/09. The consumer stated the parking brake was engaged. Updated 12/10/09
Brake complaints in other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Honda Pilot, 13% of the model year's 268 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Honda Pilot brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2006 Honda Pilot, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Honda Pilot brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.