2012 Honda Pilot

▲ Better than typical

2012 Honda Pilot
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:25:25.472Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2012: 171 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2003	720
2004	544
2005	679
2006	267
2007	211
2008	133
2009	134
2010	111
2011	293
2012	171
2013	271
2014	116
2015	109
2016	1696
2017	920
2018	439
2019	898
2020	484
2021	429
2022	151
2023	139
2024	112
2025	196
2026	19

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE 20%

20% of complaints: engine — 35 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

On April 9, 2026, my daughter came in from school and parked her Honda Pilot at about 5:10PM. At about 7:03PM, my wife and I were sitting outside and heard a loud POP, it sounded like a car backfiring.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260412

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SERVICE BRAKES 16%

16% of complaints: service brakes — 28 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FOR NO KNOWN REASON AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIME IN ONE WEEK. FIRST TIME IT WAS MOVING AT A VERY SLOW RATE AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171105

Also filed under FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPOT, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131209

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

MY WIFE PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND EXITED THE CAR JUST A SHE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE CALLED ME OUT OF THE HOUSE TO LOOK AND I SAW THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121101

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-70 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHUTTER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120227

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING AN HIT A DEER ON DRIVER SIDE, MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE PASSAGER SIDE DID I MENTIONED THIS TO THE INSURANCE AGENT THAT CAME OUT TO DETERMAND THE DAMAGE HE SAID THE LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG SAID IT WAS...

NHTSA ODI report, 20171214

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS AT STOP THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 60 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131112

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20120313 — fuel system, gasoline

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PILOT AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. THE VENT SHUT FLOAT (VSF) VALVE CASE IN THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY DOES NOT MEET THE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS.

Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VSF ASSEMBLY DATE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTA

Campaign 12V063000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130314 — air bags

Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag m

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the driver's airbag module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began o

Campaign 13V016000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170222 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available.

Campaign 17V030000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171030 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 17V545000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180216 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 18V042000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180622 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 18V268000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20181106 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 18V661000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190705 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019.

Campaign 19V378000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V502000 — check if this car was fixed