Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 15% | 12,000 miles |
| 2025 | 12 | 6% | — |
| 2024 | 25 | 22% | 59,000 miles |
| 2023 | 34 | 23% | 60,000 miles |
| 2020 | 2 | 0% | 30,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% | — |
| 2018 | 12 | 3% | 0 miles |
| 2017 | 14 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 0% | 30,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2014 | 3 | 3% | 12,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% | 92,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 2% | 54,000 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 3% | 140,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% | 152,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% | 204,000 miles |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% | 91,000 miles |
| 2005 | 13 | 2% | 178,000 miles |
| 2004 | 13 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 2003 | 9 | 1% | 67,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and placing a child inside the safety seat, the rear passenger's side seat belt was loose, and the locking mechanism failed to perform normally and became inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
When dropping off rear-seat passengers, the seat belt alarm continues to sound loudly for an extended period after passengers unbuckle and exit the vehicle. This behavior persists even after the door has been opened and closed. In contrast, the front passenger seat does not behave this way, and in my previous vehicle-a 2023 Honda Pilot Touring-the rear seat alert would disengage promptly once the door was opened and closed. At the dealership we tested a 2026 Honda Pilot Touring and this issue does not exist in that model either. Seems specific to only 2026 Honda Pilot Trailsport trim level or possibly just some 2026 Honda Pilot Trailsport vehicles. This issue occurs regardless if the vehicle is put into park or not. The only way to eliminate the issue is for the vehicle to be turned off after rear passenger exits during a drop off. …
Safety Complaint - 2025 Honda Pilot EX-L Brake/Electric Parking Brake System Warning I am filing this complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my 2025 Honda Pilot EX-L, which I purchased brand new from Paragon Honda in Queens, New York, approximately one year ago. The vehicle currently has only 47,089 miles and has never been involved in an accident. While driving, multiple warning lights suddenly appeared on the dashboard, including a Brake System warning indicating a problem with the Electric Parking Brake system and that the parking brake was unavailable. This occurred unexpectedly while the vehicle was in operation and created a serious safety concern. A brake-related warning and loss of parking brake availability on a nearly new vehicle is unacceptable and requires immediate investigation. …
My Seat Belt Reminder System Not Operating Properly. In fact, the second-row seat belt behind the passenger seat is malfunctioning. I learned that Honda put out a service bulletin (26-027) (https://dot.report/bulletins/MC-11028510-0001.pdf) in regards to the safety issue. I contact Honda and was told the issue was covered under a warranty claim. However, my vehicle has 39,000 miles and is no longer under warranty. I asked if the issue was a safety concern and was told not to drive the vehicle as it was 100% a safety issue. However, the repair would not be covered until Honda recalls the vehicle. I'm concerned that I can no longer safely drive my vehicle until Honda initiates a recall. The service bulletin was dated January 21, 2026. As such, Honda has had seven months to issue a safety recall. …
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle with the second-row passenger's side seat occupied and the seat belt buckled, there was an audible chime indicating that the seat belt was not securely buckled. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and the manufacturer were contacted about the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed of NHTSA ACTION Number: PE25017 (SEAT BELTS). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the investigation. The failure mileage was 59,000.
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the second-row passenger's side seat belt became inoperable while buckled and a passenger was seated in the seat. The contact stated that there was a loud chime while the was occupied and the seat belt was buckled; however, the warning sound failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the second-row seats which were occupied had properly latched the seat belts; however, the seat belt alarm was activated. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. The failure reoccurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The rear passenger seat belt warning system in the 2023 Honda Pilot suffers from a critical malfunction. Specifically, the right rear passenger seat belt sensor triggers false, persistent, and loud "unbuckled" audio alarms and visual dashboard alerts while an occupant is sitting in that position with the seat belt securely and properly fastened. According to an official Honda Service Bulletin addressing this precise symptom, the root cause is a manufacturing defect involving a damaged or broken wire inside the seat belt buckle assembly, which causes the vehicle to misread the occupant's buckled status. Safety Hazards & Risks: Severe Driver Distraction: The loud, continuous auditory chime and flashing dashboard alerts create an extreme, immediate distraction for the driver while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of a crash. …
Related recalls (3)
Seat belts › Rear/other
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The third-row passenger seat belt assembly may not function, due to incorrect routing that traps the seat belt behind the passenger side panel.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the seat belt routing as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Seat belts › Rear/other
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to June 5, 2015. Due to an assembly issue, the third row seatbelt may be trapped between the rear seat and the rear sideliner.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the rear third row seat belt, free of charge. The recall began on August 6, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000.
Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 pilot vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through August 30, 2011. There is a possibility that the stitching that secures the end of the driver and front passenger lap section of the seatbelt May be incomplete or missing.
Remedy: Honda dealers will conduct a specialized inspection of the driver and front passenger seatbelts, and if necessary, replace the seatbelts, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 5, 2011.
NHTSA investigations
Inaccurate Rear Passenger Seat Belt Warning Status
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 6 complaints, and multiple Early Warning Reporting (EWR) field reports alleging inaccurate rear seat belt warning status. These allegations concern both false positive and false negative statuses in model year (MY) 2023-2024 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured by American Honda Motor Co. (Honda).
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Pilot years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2023 (34), 2024 (25), 2017 (14), 2004 (13) and 2005 (13) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 23% of all complaints for the 2023.
Is there a recall for Honda Pilot seat belt problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 25V-056 (rear/other, Feb 5, 2025); 15V-424 (rear/other, Jul 6, 2015); 11V-468 (webbing, Sep 9, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Pilot seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rear/other (7 mentions), followed by the front (2).
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.