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 2020 Honda Pilot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. Upon purchase of the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal, screeching noise emit from the front driver-side tire. The contact's husband took the vehicle to a dealer where they found no defect with her rotors or tires. The contact stated that while in stop and go traffic, the brake warning light appeared on the instrument panel as the vehicle independently came to a sudden stop; the contact was able to resume normal operation after the failure. On a separate occasion while traveling downhill at approximately 20 MPH, the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard without warning. The contact panicked and pumped the brake pedal but to no avail. The contact steered the vehicle into the grass to avoid oncoming traffic. The contact hit a neighbor's mailbox and then a tree, which stopped the vehicle. The airbags did not deploy upon impact. …
The contact owned a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 55 mph the brake pedal was applied however failed to respond the vehicle crashed into a fence. The wheel assembly detached. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The driver sustain muscle injuries and medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. The air bags deployed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss.
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle at the local dealer and leaving the parking lot, the brake sensor message was illuminated, and the wheels began to vibrate and jerk slightly to the left and right. The contact also stated the radio was resetting independently. The contact took the vehicle back to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the camera sensor to be refocused and to replace the audio system. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure daily. The contact took the vehicle back to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the camera sensor to be refocused and the audio system replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience a failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,700.
My husband was getting off the highway when a car ahead of him braked suddenly. He attempted to hit the brakes, but the car did not stop. The automatic stop crash feature did not turn on. The abs did not work. Ultimately, crashing into the car ahead of him. Manufacturer Safety-related recall issued NHTSA #23V-174 Recall #FE5 2020-22 Multi-Model Door Mirror Glass Safety Recall Status: Remedy Available
Almost every day since new the vehicle will alarm 'brake' on dash while driving on 2 lane back roads that have some slight curves (these are all around our house). At least once a month the car will automatically apply the brakes while coming around a curve or over a blind hill. Both of these scenarios occur 50/50 when there is oncoming traffic or no oncoming traffic. It can happen with someone ahead of me in the same lane, but not as often. In all cases throughout the years there has not be a need for braking. In one instance a few years ago we were driving on a divided 4 lane state highway. Cruise control was on and ACC was on. We moved into the left lane to pass a car. When we came within ~20' of the car, the Pilot engaged in automatic braking hard as it detected the car we were attempting to pass as an obstacle in front of us. There was never any danger of hitting the other car. …
While driving with auto-idle on the car, I stopped at the red light on the left lane by stepping on the break and Auto-idle comes on and the engine stopped while continue to step on the break. When the green lights comes back on, I release the break, but the car completely shut down and require me to power off the car completely and push the start button on the car again. It took a few tries for the car to start. All while there were trucks passing by and cars behind me are honking at me for stopping at a Green light, by the time I got the car to start again, the light turned RED again. I feel like it is very dangerous for me as all the cars behind had to go around me to continue their way, as result, accidents can easily cause because cars on the right side are driving faster than the left lane and cars in the left lane had to move to the right lane in order to continue. …
There have been a total of 11 (since 2020) incidents when I applied the brakes they did not engage fully and the SUV surged forward 2 feet and the engine was still trying to go forward even with brake pedal to the floor. I have had it looked at the dealership but they say nothing is wrong. They said the battery was not talking to the brakes and I got a new battery but the brakes are still not dependable. When I apply the brakes they still surge forward 1 - 2 feet the engine revs up trying to go forward. The music CD player works sometimes but not all the time. The brakes do not work all the time. The electrical system did not work - it wouldn't show the dash board. The dealership said they fixed it. Both side mirrors never stays where they are set.
The large amber Brake warning indicator on the dash and the associated buzzer comes on giving a false positive indication periodically in two way traffic even on straight roads with adequate traffic separation. There is no specific pattern to getting this false indication and it is very annoying. I am concerned that it could also automatically apply the brakes when it is not necessary. In my normal commute of 20 miles it may occur five or more times. I have read online that other 2020 Honda Pilot owners are having the same problem and that dealers have been unable to correct it.
The automatic collision avoidance system continually gives false warnings, shaking the steering wheel and beeping, while flashing a brake warning. This occurs even if there is no other traffic on the road, which could cause an accident by startling the driver when it unexpectedly activates. The automatic brakes are also overly aggressive, which could cause a rear end collision.
Several system failures relates to a faulty multipurpose camera used by the Honda Sensing system from collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control and land keeping assist. Multipurpose camera premature failure leads to loss of several safety features.
Brake complaints in other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2020 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 Honda Pilot, 5% of the model year's 492 complaints. The component named most often is antilock › wheel speed sensor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 Honda Pilot brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2020 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 2020 Honda Pilot brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 4,000 miles, and 93% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 6 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.