Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 54% | — |
| 2025 | 43 | 20% | 8,000 miles |
| 2024 | 20 | 17% | 48,000 miles |
| 2023 | 19 | 13% | 28,000 miles |
| 2022 | 7 | 4% | 59,000 miles |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% | 9,000 miles |
| 2020 | 7 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2019 | 9 | 1% | 124,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% | 167,000 miles |
| 2017 | 8 | 1% | 12,000 miles |
| 2016 | 18 | 1% | 25,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 3% | 99,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 3% | 15,000 miles |
| 2013 | 12 | 4% | 55,000 miles |
| 2012 | 11 | 6% | 26,000 miles |
| 2011 | 34 | 12% | 46,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 5% | 55,000 miles |
| 2009 | 13 | 10% | 40,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 6% | 16,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% | 117,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 2005 | 37 | 5% | 108,000 miles |
| 2004 | 16 | 3% | 120,000 miles |
| 2003 | 32 | 4% | 103,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Slowed down to turn right into a parking lot, power steering suddenly disabled and multiple warning lights appeared on dash. Warning messages stating auto brake system disabled, lane departure assist disabled, hill assist and start disabled, and more warning lights. Steering suddenly became difficult and dangerous with moving traffic behind me. Pulled into a parking lot and restarted car multiple times. After more than 10 minutes and restarting vehicle, power steering came back.
Steering wheel started making a clicking noise after a couple hundred miles. Dealer replaced clock spring and wrapped in felt tape. I could hear the felt tape a few days later when turning the wheel, and the clicking returned within a few hundred miles, returned to dealer again and they replaced clock spring again and wrapped in felt tape. The issue was only fixed for 1 day before I started hearing the felt tape when turning the wheel.
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 5 MPH and making a left turn, the power steering assist failed without warning. The driver attempted to complete the turn; however, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle while the vehicle was drifting into oncoming traffic. The driver was able to steer the vehicle off to the shoulder of the road, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a defective inner tie rod and inner tie rod alignment. There were no recalls or warranties on the vehicle for the failure. The contact was provided with an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. While the contact's wife was driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The driver was able to forcefully steer the vehicle over to the shoulder. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the steering failure was self-corrected, and the vehicle operated normally. The driver was able to continue driving without any additional failures. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, and a service appointment was scheduled. The failure mileage was 8,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V735000 (STEERING). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the recall repair was performed; however, the contact stated that afterwards, while driving at various speeds and making a right or left turn, the steering wheel was making an abnormal clicking sound and was jerking abnormally. The Lane Keep Assist warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the rack and pinion were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, after the vehicle had warmed up, there was a popping and clicking sound coming from the vehicle while turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The contact stated that one year later, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack needed to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Pilot The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact attempted to accelerate however, the messages "Brake system, Brake Hold Failure, Apply Brake while Stopped, See Your Dealer, Electric power steering Failure, Steering Assistance Reduced - See Dealer, VSA, and brake failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle started to decelerate, and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to bring the vehicle to a stop, and restarted the vehicle, and the steering wheel unlocked; however, the warning lights remained illuminated, and the vehicle accelerated slowly. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure; however, the system was reset, and the vehicle was returned to the contact. The vehicle was not repaired. …
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.
Related recalls (2)
Steering › Rack and pinion › Rack
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Pilot vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the gear box assembly may contain a loose ball bearing, which can result in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Steering › Column
On certain minivans and sport utility vehicles, the steering column May be incorrectly assembled, which could result in a loss of steering control.
Remedy: Owners were notified by telephone on January 25, 2005, and arrangements were made to have their vehicles towed to their dealers and have the repairs performed. The recall began on January 25, 2005.
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Pilot years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2025 (43), 2005 (37), 2011 (34), 2003 (32) and 2024 (20) model years. Steering complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2025.
Is there a recall for Honda Pilot steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-735 (rack, Nov 2, 2023); 05V-039 (column, Feb 3, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Pilot steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist system (5 mentions), followed by the steering wheel/handle bar (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.