Recalls · problems · safety

2012 Honda Pilot: recalls and problems

9 recalls and 171 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine.

9recalls
171complaints
17crashes reported
3fires reported
19injuries reported

Recalls

Check recalls for your exact VIN

Most common problems

  • Engine35 · 20%
  • Service Brakes25 · 15%
  • Electrical System22 · 13%
  • Power Train20 · 12%
  • Air Bags19 · 11%
  • Vehicle Speed Control17 · 10%
  • Suspension13 · 8%
  • Fuel/Propulsion System11 · 6%
  • Steering11 · 6%
  • Engine And Engine Cooling10 · 6%

What owners report

Unknown Or Other

I own a 2012 honda pilot touring equipped with the factory navigation system. the navigation system clock recently developed a problem where the time displays as 0:00 and does not operate normally. i attempted the available clock-setting procedures through the navigation system. i was temporarily able to set the correct time, but after exiting the settings the clock returned to the incorrect 0:00 display. this appe

Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System Fire

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. i went to investigate and saw a little smoke and a small orange glowing piece of something on the ground under the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle. i grab a fire extinguisher from my work truck and went towar

Air Bags

One day my pilot 2012 suddenly started turning on and off the passenger airbag then out of the blue the airbag system light when on. scanned it an it reads the passenger weight sensor is not communicating the part is no longer available to purchase and it is in backorder with date of delivery to be determined. car is not safe to operate and honda is not selling the part anymore to get the repair. what should be my op

Power Train,Engine

The check transmission light comes and goes. ive had the transmission flushed with no issues. it pulls codes for the torque converter as its supposedly getting stuck per mechanic or is over heating and throwing the code. it does not drive rough and i believe it is a faulty code that needs to be addressed and updated and cleared. ive had it cleared out once and it stayed off for a whole month. the light and blinking d

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. They are owner reports and have not been verified.

Crash-test ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2012 Honda Pilot SUV 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
2012 Honda Pilot SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Source: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP APIs, covering Pilot. Last refreshed 2026-09-29.