2020 Honda Pilot Collision Avoidance Problems

Which parts fail

• Warnings
  51
• Automatic emergency braking
  48
• Adaptive cruise control
  34
• Warning
  29
• Assist
  19
• Blind spot detection
  7

Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  764%
• 25k–50k
  19%
• 50k–75k
  19%
• 75k–100k
  218%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  00%

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. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V431000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the contact drove her vehicle to a dealer prior to receiving the recall letter due to the failure of the camera image. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired, however, the rear view camera failure reoccurred. The contact was in reverse (R) and backing the vehicle up at approximately 3 MPH when the camera failed and she crashed into her mail box at the end of her drive way. The damage to the rear bumper was light. There were no injuries, the police were not called. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure. The failure mileage was 35,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

In two, separate, instances the vehicle exhibited sudden acceleration with the brake pedal depressed. The first instance was, as the 2020 Honda Pilot was pulling into a driveway and was approximately 10 feet behind another vehicle parked in the driveway. With the brake pedal being depressed, as one does when parking, the 2020 Honda Pilot suddenly accelerated and struck the rear of the other vehicle. The automatic braking system was never deployed. The second instance was when the 2020 Honda Pilot was on a city street and was parked behind another vehicle on the right side of the street against the curb. The 2020 Honda Pilot was approximately 10 feet behind another vehicle parked against the curb. …

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the message "Brake" was displayed, and the vehicle shuddered while there was no vehicles or objects in front of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds with the Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control Mode activated, the collision mitigation braking system (CMBS) engaged abruptly while there were no vehicles or objects in front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer contacted the manufacturer, and a Honda engineer was sent to assist the dealer in diagnosing the vehicle; however, the engineer could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. …

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 25-35 MPH and passing a vehicle on the left side of the vehicle, the vehicle stopped independently. The contact stated that the failure occurred while another vehicle was driving on the lane that was on the right side of the vehicle. The brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving, the message "Emissions Control" was displayed intermittently, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Part store, where DTC: P219B was retrieved, and the contact was informed that the fuel injectors had failed. …

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the radio made an abnormal crackling and popping sound, and the instrument cluster flickered with the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), and the cruise control became inoperable while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The contact associated the failure with TSB: 20-058 and 21-012, and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V431000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the contact was informed that there would be a charge for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 10.

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message that the radio was shutting off was displayed. Additionally, the speakers made a crackling sound before the radio shut off, and the main screen became inoperable. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V431000 (Back Over Prevention); as a possible cause for the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer times; however, the technicians were unable to duplicate the issue. During the final visit, the dealer diagnosed the vehicle with an amplifier failure and replaced the part; however, the issue persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle shifted into park independently. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while restarting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to restart for approximately 90-seconds, and then operated as intended. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where was it diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the the front camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the failure was not covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

My 2020 Honda Pilot has stalled 4 times in the past two weeks after the auto engine idle occurs at a red light. The engine will shut off automatically, but when I lift my foot from the brake, the car engine does not turn back on, and the car shifts into park, and acts as if stalled. In order to get the car to restart, I have to power down completely, open the driver side door(!!!) and "reset" the whole system before I can apply the brake and press the ignition button. Even then a couple of times it doesn't start for me doing that, and I have to cycle through the entire process a second time. This happened to me with my 3 children in the car twice on very busy (50mph) roads, and is incredibly dangerous. …

The car's front and back sensors will trigger for no reason. In a drive-thru it'll tell me that I am going to run into something after I've been sitting there for three minutes and not moving. The brakes slam on consistently, this happens at least three times every time I drive the car, as I'm driving down a road not about to run into anything or anyone. It's quite scary, and luckily, I haven't been rear-ended yet, I honked a few times but was not rear-ended. The low tire sensor goes off even though there's no low tire. I checked at several different service places, and all of them say the tire is fine. After It's checked, the light goes off, but it comes back on within a few weeks. There is a bad smell inside the car as if a diesel truck is passing us. it is so bad That we have to roll down the windows to be comfortable inside the car. …

Lane Assist Camera Failure (Part #36160-TG7-A63) Vehicle Information: Make/Model/Year: 2020 Honda Pilot EX-L Failed Component: Lane Assist Camera, Part #36160-TG7-A63 Safety Issue Description: The lane assist camera has failed, disabling multiple critical safety systems, including: Adaptive Cruise Control Lane Keeping Assist Collision Mitigation Braking System Road Departure Mitigation Auto High-Beam System Concern: This camera component is not subject to normal wear and tear, being housed within the vehicle's protected interior near the rearview mirror. The failure of this part represents a potential manufacturing defect that compromises essential safety features designed to prevent accidents and save lives. …

Related recalls

Collision Avoidance complaints in other Pilot years