KnownCarProblems2011 Honda Pilot Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 293 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Honda Pilot, most often about the air bags (23% of complaints, typically around 72,500 miles). It is 10th of 24 Pilot model years by number of complaints and has 11 recalls.
Most common 2011 Honda Pilot problems
Air bags
68 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that when the passenger entered the vehicle and shut the door, the air bag deployed inadvertently and struck the passenger on the head and arm. The failure caused all three of the child passengers and the driver to endure head and ear aches from the loud noise of…
Taketa recall is affecting my only vehicle. I take my elderly family to doctor appointments in this vehicle. Nothing got resolved for me in weeks as I can't take my family in the vehicle as no one can ride in passenger seat. Honda isn't replying. Feel like I'm left with a unusable car which I'm still paying off. I'm…
Brakes
40 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 30,500 miles.
When slowing down in the vehicle the steering wheel vibrate and driver can lose control of vehicle. The brakes when applied to slow down or stop also has pulsating or feels like they may not be stopping the car at all and more pressure has to be applied to the pedal to stop. I have found same complaints from other…
When brakes were applied, brake pressure did not engage. Had to pump brakes to get them to work. The problem became more frequent. Eventually discovered premature failure of the brake master cylinder.
Engine
36 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
Moving key back and forth in driver's door lock will result in engine repeatedly turning over, even with no key in ignition. Engine doesn't actually start but will crank by itself. Car does not have any type of remote start installed. Video of example here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yefib2tbmj0
When I started the car this morning, I heard a high-pitched grinding noise - something I've never heard before. Driving at 30mph, the car suddenly accelerated as I applied the brakes rounding a corner. I could hear the engine revving up so I quickly shifted it into neutral until it went back to normal. Then shifted it…
Suspension
34 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 45,500 miles. Parts named most often: front.
2011 Honda Pilot has cracked, leaking compliance bushings. Now whenever I press on the break pedal at any speed above 30mph the whole large vehicle shakes and shakes until I take my foot off it, and on a downslope it feels as if the Pilot dives forward with no intent of stopping.. Honda is aware of the many complaints…
I have a 2011 Honda Pilot with only 45,243 miles. I took it to the dealership where I originally purchased for routine maintenance service on 10/05/20, and was told that the compliance bushings are leaking and needs to be replaced. This is a well maintained and driven vehicle, so it is surprising to learn about this…
Steering
34 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. The contact noticed that the vehicle was leaking black oil from the front driver side bushing. In addition, the steering wheel hesitated to turn left or right. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage…
Same issue as others have posted here. For the last six months the cars steering wheel and seat shake violently when you apply the brakes going over 50 MPH. When the weather is warmer and the car has been driven for over 1/2 hour, the shaking gets even worse. You have to reapply the brakes and hope that the car slows…
Electrical
26 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument cluster/panel.
Driver door lock actuator failed causing multiple doors to stay locked or unlocked including the rear door and could potentially cause persons to be trapped inside.
Moving key back and forth in driver's door lock will result in engine repeatedly turning over, even with no key in ignition. Engine doesn't actually start but will crank by itself. Car does not have any type of remote start installed. Video of example here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yefib2tbmj0
Other or unspecified
22 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles.
Some times when turn on my Pilot the SRS ligt stay on in the dash bord for my whole ratite and another times does not stay on just for around 5 seconds I don't know what is that but the ligth is red and thats mean danger and someone told me thats something about the airbag. I bought this car in november 2016
Driving onto on ramp of highway from prior highway at approximate speed of 30 MPH. Driver noticed a lurch from front of vehicle. Unknown part that was involved. Possibly transmission or fuel line but only suspicion with no evidence left to investigate (see pictures included). Acceleration no longer engaging. Driver…
Transmission
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
While making a 3 point turn in a driveway in order to parallel park on the street my 2011 Honda Pilot accelerated at a high rate of speed and hit a parked car. My 2011 Honda Pilot continued out of control hit a curb and almost hit a chain link fence which would have caused me to travel into a busy four lane road. My…
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Pilot. While accelerating, the vehicle vibrated violently without warning. Crown motors (555 cypress ave, redding, ca 96001, ([phone]) repaired the transmission switch, but the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that the torque converter needed to be repaired. The contact…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Honda Pilot recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are f5f and q5e.
Full defect summary
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, 2007-2011 cr-v, 2009-2013 fit, 2014 fit EV, 2010-2014 insight, and 2009-2015 pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are m4o, p4r, t4q, and w4p.
Full defect summary
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, 2007-2011 cr-v, 2009-2013 fit, 2010-2013 insight, and 2009-2015 pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are m2j and s2k.
Full defect summary
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 rico, texas, alabama, georgia, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, california, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan) and the u.s. Virgin islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 acura tsx, tsx wagon and zdx, honda crosstour, insight, fit and pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 honda accord and 2011 honda civic ngv, civic, civic hybrid and cr-v vehicles in arizona, arkansas, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia and west virginia. Lastly, honda is recalling ce
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are k1p, and m1o.
Full defect summary
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 2012 ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are b0k and l0j.
Full defect summary
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 vehicles and 2013 honda fcx clarity and fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." additionally, honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 acura tsx, honda accord, accord crosstour, fit and pilot, 2010-2011 honda civic, civic ngv, civic hybrid and cr-v, and 2010 acura zdx and honda insight vehicles ever registered in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri,
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are o07, y0a, n06, g05, m04, y01, and o09.
Full defect summary
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 frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are ke1 and ke2.
Full defect summary
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 honda cr-v, 2012 honda fcx clarity and 2006-2011 honda civic, civic hybrid, civic ngv vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, if not included in "zone a" above, honda is recalling certain 2009 acura tsx, honda fit and pilot, 2008-2009 honda accord, 2006-2009 civic, civic hybrid and civic ngv, and 2007-2009 honda cr-v vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, i
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began march 2017. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is ka4, ka5, ka6, and ka7.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 acura tsx, 2011 tsx wagon, 2010-2011 acura zdx, 2008-2011 honda accord, 2010-2011 accord crosstour, 2006-2011 civic, civic hybrid, and civic gx, 2007-2011 cr-v, 2010-2011 fcx clarity and insight, and 2009-2011 fit, and pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless already included in "zone a" above, honda is recalling certain model year 2008 honda accord, 2006-2008 civic, civic hybrid and civic gx, and 2007-2008 cr-v vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, neb
Air bags
Risk: The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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 on march 14, 2013. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
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 module to the airbag cover may be missing.
Seat belts: webbing
Risk: If the stitching is incomplete or missing, the seatbelt may detach from the anchor webbing, increasing the risk of personal injury in a crash.
Fix: Honda dealers will conduct a specialized inspection of the driver and front passenger seatbelts, and if necessary, replace the seatbelts, free of charge. The safety recall began on october 5, 2011. Owners may contact honda automobile customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 pilot vehicles manufactured from march 13, 2008, through august 30, 2011. There is a possibility that the stitching that secures the end of the driver and front passenger lap section of the seatbelt may be incomplete or missing.
Suspension
Risk: Loss of steering increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealer will inspect and replace any loose front damper bracket bolts or spindle nuts on the pilot if necessary. Dealer will inspect and replace the spindle nuts on the accord v6 if necessary. The safety recall began december 23, 2010. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
Honda is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 honda accord v6 and model year 2011 honda pilot vehicles. The bolts that attach the lower left and right front damper bracket to the front suspension and the spindle nuts on the pilot may not have been properly tightened which may result in loss of steering. The spindle nuts for the axle on the accord v6 may not have been tightened properly which may result in excessive noise and/or loss of steering.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2011 Honda Pilot
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Honda Pilot?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (68 complaints, typically around 72,500 miles); brakes (40 complaints, typically around 30,500 miles); engine (36 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Honda Pilot have?
- 11 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 27, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Honda Pilot?
- It is 10th of 24 Pilot model years by number of complaints, with 293 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.