Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2023 | 10 | 7% | 8,000 miles |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2019 | 3 | 0% | — |
| 2018 | 6 | 1% | 16,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 0% | 22,000 miles |
| 2016 | 8 | 0% | 35,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2013 | 7 | 3% | 6,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2011 | 7 | 2% | 4,000 miles |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% | 20,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 6% | 136,000 miles |
| 2007 | 16 | 8% | 105,000 miles |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% | 126,000 miles |
| 2005 | 21 | 3% | 127,000 miles |
| 2004 | 81 | 15% | 140,000 miles |
| 2003 | 40 | 6% | 103,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was an abnormally loud grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the driver's seat was moving whenever the brake pedal was depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Motor Werks of Barrington (1475 S Barrington Rd, Barrington, IL 60010); who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 8,468.
Safety Concern: 2023 Honda Pilot - Persistent False Seat Belt Warnings (2nd & 3rd Row Seats) Issue Description: Repeated false seat belt warnings originating from: Second-row middle seat Third-row passenger-side seat The system triggers loud, repetitive auditory alerts and dashboard warnings even when seats are unoccupied or belts are properly buckled. Attempted fixes (unbuckling/rebuckling, restarting the vehicle, power cycles) fail to resolve the issue. Alerts recur intermittently, causing significant distraction. Safety Risks: Driver Distraction: Constant false alarms increase crash risk by diverting attention from the road. Alert Fatigue: Occupants may ignore all seat belt warnings due to repeated false positives, compromising safety. …
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. …
I would like to present an issue with the third row seat headrest in my 2021 Honda Pilot. After stowing the third row seat to utilize the rear storage area the third row driver side head rest on the seat would not return to the upright position. After a few attempts to fold the seat/reset the position of the seat and still the headrest not folding up - took to dealership and upon their inspection determined the seat folding mechanism (which also folds the headrest) needed to be replaced. This was not covered by the factory warranty nor the extended warranty company which the dealership uses. As such, the mechanism needed to be replaced by the dealership (the third row in my vehicle is used everyday for occupants).
In my Honda 2020 Pilot, the driver's side headrest in the 3rd row will no longer stay upright. It simply stays flat and will not lock into place. As the headrest will not stay upright, the seat is unusable. If someone used that seat or if the headrest would fail while a person is sitting in that seat, it would cause an injury risk. It looks like their is evidence that Technical Information and Support may be aware of the issue as indicated in a document on the nhtsa website.
Another vehicle pulled out in front of me, I had to slam on my brakes to prevent accident. The second row passenger seat unlatched and slammed forward. Had my daughter been with me she would have been seriously hurt or worse. Her seat slammed forward and was lodged into the back of the front seat. I honestly do not believe this was related to her seat not being locked in place well on my behave. Anytime one of the second two seats are moved I make sure they are pushed back as far as they will go to give the kids the most leg available. I truly believe I had to hit my brakes so hard the seat latch/lock failed and released the seat.
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.
While operating I was on Highway driving my car the driver seat was set up according to my height, when I use the break to slow down for the heavy traffic during the rush hour wasn't that fast at all I believe my car was at 30 in mph around somehow my car seat dropped too low and I was afraid that I can barley seen in the front. Some how I manage to get home but not sure if there is blown fuses, faulty switches, or loose wiring connectors under the seat or electrical seat problems. This Vehicle is from year 2019 when we purchased. I haven't call the Honda for service yet, cause it's weekend now. I will call on following Monday 22. for Check up.
Related recalls (3)
Seats › Critical fasteners
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, and 2024 HR-V, Pilot, and Acura Integra vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in a loose seat.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 10, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Seats › Critical fasteners
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured seat.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Seats
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivets.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles, free of…
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Pilot years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (81), 2003 (40), 2005 (21), 2007 (16) and 2006 (12) model years. Seat complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Honda Pilot seat problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 26V-054 (critical fasteners, Jan 29, 2026); 24V-859 (critical fasteners, Nov 14, 2024); 18V-221 (seats, Apr 5, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Pilot seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › head restraint (9 mentions), followed by the front assembly › recliner (3).
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.