Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 7 | 1% | 7,000 miles |
| 2019 | 9 | 1% | 6,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% | 7,000 miles |
| 2017 | 10 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2016 | 14 | 1% | 10,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% | 211,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% | 13,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% | 31,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | 112,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% | 69,000 miles |
| 2008 | 10 | 8% | 82,000 miles |
| 2007 | 18 | 9% | 94,000 miles |
| 2006 | 14 | 5% | 152,000 miles |
| 2005 | 34 | 5% | 126,000 miles |
| 2004 | 13 | 2% | 130,000 miles |
| 2003 | 32 | 4% | 109,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While driving to work my back passenger tire bumped a shallow pothole. After the bump, several warnings came on the screen about ABS, Power Steering, automatic bright headlight control and a couple of others. The power steering was completely out. I turned my car off and restarted my car. This restored the power steering, but there was a lane assist error and one other error. I turned around to head home and the sensors went away as if they were reset. When the vehicle was taken to the dealer it did not display that any alerts had been registered on the car and they were not able to duplicate the problem after driving the car for 50 miles. I took the car back home after getting the tires aligned. 2 weeks later the same thing happened again.
I've had to replace the puddle lamp bulbs on my Honda Pilot three times so far, and I purchased it brand new less than a year ago. My local dealer would not cover this under the bumper to bumper warranty either. It would seem that this is a prevalent issue with Honda Pilots and other model Honda/Acura vehicles if this forum post is accurate: [redacted] You would think that after a few years Honda would've redesigned/corrected the casting so that water intrusion isn't an issue, but that has not happened. This is disappointing for a "reliable" car brand. Can anything be done to at least acknowledge this is an issue?
Last week the the security alarm went off for no reason. The following day, I arrived to work and parked my car. 45 minutes later, I am notified my headlights were on. I ALWAYS keep my headlights on AUTO so they never should have been on. After I started my car for a minute, everything seems fine. 3 hours later, I hear an alarm in the parking lot but did not think it was my vehicle. I leave work and go to outside and realize my alarm has been going off for a couple of hours. I go to open my vehicle and try to start the car but all the whole dashboard lit up and the speakers were popping and making horrible noises. I could not get the car started and my driver seat kept moving on its own. I called Honda of Murfreesboro and they advised that I needed to get my vehicle towed. …
Headlights were replaced under the 3yr/36k mile warranty just prior to the 3 yr mark due to the clear coat peeling and headlights showing excessive wear and scratching. 6 months after replacement, the replaced headlights are showing the same signs of clear coat peeling and excessive wear and scratching, far sooner than the original 3 yr mark. The headlight condition continues to deteriorate and will eventually need replacement or refurbishment. Now, the Honda emblem on the front, which is covered in clear plastic since it houses anti-collision components, is showing the same signs of wear. This seems premature considering the vehicle was purchased in 2021 and will pose a safety risk soon.
Auto high bean is not working and no sign of auto( headlight on with letter A) on dashboard is not show. Trying to reset by holding high beam for 40 seconds still not working ( only blinking once), meaning still not working. That problem had after came back from recall on cracking sound inside speakers. Recently brought the car to Honda Beltsville, MD on January 15, 2024 about when stopping at traffic light when pressed the brakes hard the auto on/off engine is not working. Message on dashboard show that( the auto engine idle stop unavailable ). With my vehicle had 2 problems 1- light is not working on auto high beam and no sign on of auto headlight with letter A showing on dashboard. 2- auto on/off is still not working when stop at traffic light( Auto engine idle stop unavailable) massage on dashboard Please check this out, thank you.
I was driving and a LOUD cracking popping noise started coming from the dash. The stereo went dead and the instrument panel went dead. I was startled at the noise and almost lost control of the car. I can't see my speed or other functions of the car. Honda has no permanent fix for this.
I was driving late at night and noticed that the headlights were not lighting the road. Upon inspection, I observed excessive amounts of moisture had accumulated on the inside of both headlight assemblies and was refracting the headlight beam resulting in extremely poor visibility placing myself and other drivers at risk for an accident and injury. It is likely that the moisture entered the headlight assemblies while I was driving in a severe thunderstorm the prior day. Much to my surprise, I learned that this is a known issue to Honda. Please see the attachment Service Bulletin number 23-024, titled "Moisture in the Headlights". Upon review of the technical information from Honda, I learned that the cause of the moisture in the headlight is a broken seal that resulted from improper assembly of the vehicle. …
The sensor system for my car are malfunctioning when the car is off. This causes the fuse system to malfunction and power the vehicle without keys being located near the vehicle. The car tries to start as well as the lights flash, dash turns on, and also the horn blares. The fuse system located under the steering wheel sounds like it will spark or blow fuses. The dealer is unable to fix the problem until May because the part is backordered due to many others having the same issue. This has been occurring for months. This issue required the removal of the horn fuse which is a public and personal safety hazard to drive without a functioning horn. The technician with Honda also mentioned I should remove the battery cable every night to prevent the car from draining the battery. The technician himself is also experiencing the same problem with his car.
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v; model year 2003 through 2005 pilot; and model year 2002 and 2003 civic vehicles. In March 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v and certain model year 2003 pilot vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the low beam terminal harness or replace the lighting switch as necessary, free of charge. The original recall began in April 2012.
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Pilot years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (34), 2003 (32), 2007 (18), 2006 (14) and 2016 (14) model years. Headlight complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Honda Pilot headlight problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 12V-136 (switch, Mar 30, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Pilot headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (24 mentions), followed by the headlights › switch (5).
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.