Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Honda Pilot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Steering has felt loose for as long as I remember. Tires were lasting only 15K miles and front brakes go bad yearly. I have a good 1 to 2 inches of play turning the wheel to both left and right. I asked multiple mechanics to tighten the steering column down including Honda service department mechanics but they said it couldn't be done. When I moved farther away from my kids school in 2018 I had the car inspected by Honda for anything wrong since now my kids will be commuting 25 miles to school and back in it. Service told me my bushings were bad. My car had about 40K miles on it at that time. Also at that time no one mentioned that the part was previously on an extended warranty or that there was a recall on the spindle nuts that weren't tightened down correctly nor did I receive notification from Honda regarding those issues. …
While leaving a parking ramp at a slow walking pace heard a loud bang, followed by the steering wheel spinning rapidly to the right followed by the vehicle turning into the exit door frame. I backed up, trying to determine what caused the loud bang. Nothing out of the ordinary was observed. Upon driving forward again, noticed the power steering had failed. I brought it into the Honda dealer who had never seen a power steering fail like that. They replaced the pump, but that was not the issue. They are now in the process of changing the rack and pinion unit. There was some sidewall scuffing on the right front tire, which indicated that I May have been rubbing on the exit curb, which May have been trying to turn the wheel to the right. …
Teering column makes a knocking noise when turning. Dealership replaced power sterring three times and rack and pinion along with other parts of power steering. Dealership also indicated that this is a problem for pilots and suggested I trade in my vehicle. Car has 100,000K but only is driven in town 90% and 10% hwy; original owner and otherwise in good condition.). Others have posted same complaint with Pilot online. This can't be normal wear and tear! To replace a steering column should not be a routine maintenance. Safety is a concern but dealership indicated that it should be safe to drive if repairs are not done but the noise will get louder. Seems to me that dealership is dealing with this problem quiet often. Contacted am. Honda customer service and reported this issue. They indicated that there are not sufficient number of complaints and inquiry will be closed. …
When turning the steering wheel to the far right or to the far left (or on a sharp turn) as in making a u-turn, there is a clicking sound and vibration in the steering wheel and feels like it is tied to the axles or tires. This has been happening since the vehicle was purchased brand new in 2010. As you are driving, there is a sensation that the wheels are momentarily locking up for about 2 seconds. This is not related to the eco system. The car feels as if it is skidding or skipping and then it resumes to normal driving. This happens about every 5 miles.this happens when the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 40 miles or higher on the freeway not in stop and go traffic. This has been happening within the last six months, had vehicle inspected and all was reported normal.
My 2011 Honda Pilot touring had to have all 3 engine mounts and the transmission mount replaced. The whole front end of the vehicle would shake uncontrollably on acceleration and especially at high speeds. I bought the vehicle brand new. I do a lot of highway driving and put a lot of miles on my vehicle. Currently I have 128,000 miles on my vehicle. I realize that a vehicle with a high number of miles will experience some wear tear, I never thought I'd have to replace mounts that hold my engine in place. Also, I had to replace both bushings as they were both ripped. Needless to say this SUV has cost me a lot money in the last few weeks. Everything seems to be failing at the same time. I will have to reconsider my next Honda purchase.
Rather than take vehicle back to dealership, decided to try local shop instead. Clicking & popping noise continue in steering when turning left. Sound getting worse and can now hear in a parking lot whereas before, was just turning on roads. Was told by local technician that sound coming from inside the steering shaft and would cost upwards of $500 to repair. Blower motor needs replacing, purchased new battery, and also told right front cv axle leaking oil, another $400 to replace. Surprise surprise, was told again (third time now having owned this vehicle for just 4 years) that the front rotors are warped and the front brake pads down to 50%. Total cost to replace again is upwards of $600 plus labor. Seriously?!
I had noticed while driving my vehicle it felt as if the front brake rotors where warped due to the vibration in the steering wheel while under braking. I brought the vehicle to the Honda dealership and after inspection was told that in fact rotors where warped and break pads worn all parts replaced and problem seemed to be corrected this was done at 85,000 miles. Now at 98,000 same problem has returned brought back to dealer and they informed me now that both the front compliance bushings need replacement. I have checked to see if this is a recall issue and cannot imagine it is not seeing it could have catastrophic failure issues. Please hold American Honda to standards set by the NHTSA for customer safety.
Warping of rotors causes extreme shaking when breaking also wrenching of steering wheel when sudden stopping or fast descents of stopping/breaking. Clicking in steering column while driving turning,in reverse and straight forward driving, shudder in shifting 5-30 MPH , eco light coming on and causes delay in speed pickup or continuing in same speed during driving 01/15/2019. Door locks failure 06/05/2019 gas purge valve gas smell in ac vent replaced 06/05/2019. Ac/heat blower motor front replaced not working 02/14/2019. Rear blower ac/heat motor broken smelled of smoke replaced 08/05/2019
I was experiencing some clunking and popping noises as I turned my steering wheel right or left, as I turned onto city street; private parking lots, u-turns and such. I had my father test drive it and he thought it May be the cv axles and had it checked at auto air & axle, san antonio, tx. They found it was not the cv axles, but a steering column problem and as it was a safety issue, we should check into any recalls. We found NHTSA assigned recall id# 10V640000 on my make and model, front suspension damper bolts and spindle nuts - making the clunking and popping noise.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that steering fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The contact added steering fluid to the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (Honda of sumner, 16302 auto ln, sumner, wa 98390, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the steering column rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000. The VIN was not available.
Steering complaints in other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2011 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Honda Pilot, 12% of the model year's 293 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Honda Pilot steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2011 Honda Pilot, though it has 11 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 2011 Honda Pilot steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.