Traction Control complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 10 | 2% | 3,000 miles |
| 2019 | 19 | 2% | 13,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% | 13,000 miles |
| 2017 | 8 | 1% | 12,000 miles |
| 2016 | 37 | 2% | 37,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% | 68,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% | 94,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 2% | 80,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% | 198,000 miles |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% | 167,000 miles |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% | 134,000 miles |
| 2006 | 23 | 9% | 116,000 miles |
| 2005 | 100 | 15% | 110,000 miles |
| 2003 | 5 | 1% | 160,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
When I started the car, put my car into reverse mode as I was moving out (backward) the rear view camera screen will go black and will not display after the error "network communication lost" on the screen. It takes at least a minute to two until it restart, sometimes more than 10 mins or it restart and go black again. Another multiply times, same error happened, and everything went black, the center infosystem and the drivier information screen. (see picture) the GPS was lost, so I am not sure if I am still on the right path, I have no idea how fast I am going, or if any of the driving assistance are still active. I.e. Cruise control, lane departure warning/assistance, speed meter tires pressures if any other warnings. All these started happening in around middle of June. …
2020 Honda Pilot touring has complete black out of all electronics and the dash board since purchase regardless if the vehicle is moving or stationary. Popping and cracking constantly throughout and behind dash/windshield regardless if the car is stationary or moving. There is no way to measure engine speed, fuel, oil pressure, or what gear you are in. Total electrical failures are occurring since purchase, and the dealer has no fix for the issues, but does acknowledge all of these safety and electrical failures are factory born, and Honda has failed to find or provide a fix. With all systems failing, the car is not safe to drive. The brake system will brake when you are traveling slow or at high speeds, regardless of the fact that nothing is around the vehicle. This car should be recalled and returned to the factory before more people are killed or injured. …
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the battery and the traction control system warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to manually shift to neutral. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was not available.
1st problem...video display worked only intermittently. 1st visit, wolfchase Honda updated software, problem continued. 2nd visit they replaced video unit. 2nd problem...speakers started making crackling noise. Went on their site to make appt and received a notice that ot a recall notice about electrical issue (or a fleet campaign not sure which). They updated software on that 3rd visit. Speaker problem worsened after that visit and speedometer display and video (stereo system, navigation etc) would blank out while driving. System would generally reset but only after 30 seconds of non visibility to my speed, cruise control status etc.. Took it back for 4th visit. They stated they found an issue with tailgate sensor. Picked it up on Friday oct 4th and it started making the crackling noise in the speakers again yesterday, oct 5th. …
Since the transmission was replaced at 12,181 miles in June 2019 on a 2018 Honda Pilot elite, other issues have popped up. The forward collision system has gone off twice on a 2 lane state highway. In both cases, I was on a 2 lane highway going about 50 miles an hour with no cars in front of me for at least a mile or two, no vehicles coming the other way, on a straight part of the road, nothing in the road and nothing on the side of the road. The dealer said that it didn't happen to them when driving the car, so there's nothing to fix & Honda corporation said the dealer couldn't find anything to fix. …
My 2018 Honda Pilot elite turns on the "auto idle stop" feature each time I start the vehicle. Basically, this means that the engine shuts off when I'm at a complete stop. When I release the brake, the engine starts again. However, there is lag time between the time I release the brake and acceleration. This has nearly caused a deathly accident on more than a dozen occasions during the past 6 months at intersections. I've nearly been t-boned each and every time because the vehicle will simply not accelerate at the precise moment when I need it to. There is over a 1 second lag before acceleration occurs. Perhaps this is meant to be an emissions control feature, but it comes at the price of safety. This "auto idle stop" feature makes the vehicle completely unsafe to drive for families. …
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH he went through a standing pool of water on the right side of the road, the vehicle instantly slowed as if the contact had applied the brakes with force. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact did not take the vehicle to local dealer and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred on both sides of the vehicle while driving through standing water. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
Two times my 2017 Honda Pilot with only 2600 miles on it has lost engine power at speeds of 45 plus miles per hour. The service engine now light flashes along with all other system warnings including emission warnings, vehicle stability warnings, and engine power failure warnings. I have read at least 30 other complaints on the internet about this happening. It is extremely dangerous if there is no shoulder and tractor trailers behind you like happened to me. I was five miles from a safe exit on an uphill incline. This is a very bad accident waiting to happen. Car also feels like it is misfiring often leading up to these events over three days. Vehicle is at dealer a second time, but I am very concerned about what I will be told. The first time I was told nothing is wrong. …
Related recalls (1)
Traction control system
Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through September 22, 2005; and model year 2005 Acura RL vehicles manufactured March 1, 2004, through June 29, 2005.
Remedy: Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a dealer of their respective brand. The dealer will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA modulator, free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction
On March 14, 2013, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) submitted a Defect Information Report to NHTSA identifying a defect in the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system in approximately 183,576 model year (MY) 2005 Honda Pilot, Acura RL and MY 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles (NHTSA Recall No 13V-092).The population and failure counts provided pertain only to the MY 2005 Honda Pilots that were the subject of this…
Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction
In a letter dated April 9, 2012, a consumer petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged stability control failures in model year (MY) 2005 Honda Pilot vehicles. The petitioner alleged that, in the malfunctioning of these systems, steering failures occur and the brakes apply involuntarily.
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Pilot years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (100), 2016 (37), 2006 (23), 2019 (19) and 2020 (10) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Honda Pilot traction control problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 13V-092 (traction control system, Mar 14, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Pilot traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic (asc) (2 mentions).
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.