Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
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).
Voice commands shutting radio off putting radio on air on air off asking to repeat .dashboard lights going haywire lost all electrical to dashboard instruments car started vibrating while driving replaced battery and alternator and battery light flashing on and off but battery and alternator testing fine car accelerates on own with cruise set all this happened while I was driving on a city street. Car accelerated on own while I was driving on highwy doing 65 my I had to apply brakes and shut down cruise. Had computer tested to see if anything wrong had computer checked to see whats wrong with engine indicated no codes everything fine. Also while making a turn steering wheel locks up but everything OK with power steering fluids. …
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 vsa system on multiple occasions has applied the vehicles brakes while driving. It has happened during stop and go driving as well as while driving above 35 MPH. When it happens the vsa light as well as the ! Vsa light comes on. The vehicle comes to a very abrupt stop, and I am no longer able to drive. The only way I am able to drive the vehicle is by disabling the vsa system completely. Luckily it has only happened once while driving at highway speeds. I am very worried to drive my vehicle with my children in the car due to just simply not knowing when it will happen again. I have taken the Pilot into my local Honda dealership and they can not diagnose the problem. I have seen a recall on the 2005 model and all symptoms sound the same as the issues my 2006 Pilot is having. …
While driving at any speed, vsa light comes on and the car comes to a stop. It feel as though the brakes are engaged and vehicle will not move. This is a serious safety hazard since we could get rear ended, especially if this were to occur oba highway. We have taken the Pilot for repair 3 times for this issue. A few months ago, the dealership reprogrammed the vsa module and now we've been told it has to be replaced for $2500. There is a recall on this part in the 2005 pilots and some 2006. I have contacted Honda twice to request they wrvice this under the recall but was told that since my VIN does not qualify for the recall, they will not pay for the repair. This is a very serious safety risk which is clearly being experienced by many 2006 Pilot owners and Honda simply won't do anything about. May take a class action lawsuit. I pray no one is severely injured due to this malfunction.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective vehicle stability assist(vsa). The contact had not taken the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.
My wife's Honda Pilot 06 has been experiencing almost catastrophic vsa symptoms while driving normal speeds. Brakes iwill lock up without pressing brakes and ABS will come on and all vsa lights. Have towed vehicle twice to mechanic and problem clears itself and then without warning happens again thankfully no ones been killed. Contacted Honda they deny any issues with vsa system.
The vsa light comes on and the anti-lock brakes activate unexpectedly. This happens on dry roads, while accelerating, or maintaining speed, even with cruise on at 70+ MPH. It caused a sudden loss of speed, and had caused the vehicle to veer in a different direction. This is ongoing, not an isolated occurrence and began within 2 weeks after we purchased the vehicle used.
The vsa light started coming on intermittently while the vehicle was being driven and the brakes would engage to varying degrees. This has happened several times in the last two weeks while the car was being driven this is my wife's car and she is scared to drive it now. It can be a safety hazard to her and those around her if it occurs at the wrong time.
Traction Control complaints in other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2006 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2006 Honda Pilot, 9% of the model year's 268 complaints. The component named most often is automatic (asc) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Honda Pilot traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 116,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
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.