KnownCarProblems2012 Honda Pilot Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 171 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Pilot, most often about the engine (26% of complaints, typically around 12,500 miles). It is 15th of 24 Pilot model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2012 Honda Pilot problems
Engine
45 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 12,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
My vehicle vibrates when I am driving. It does not behave this way all the time. However, when the vehicle vibrates, it seems as though it wants to shut off. This has been happening frequently since I purchased my vehicle. It usually happens when I slow down to make a turn or while I am cruising at highway speed. When…
I have a 2012 Honda Pilot- I purchased used with 9k miles. I have put approximately 5k miles on the vehicle and immediately noticed an engine vibration similar to being in the wrong gear in a manual transmission. I took the car into the Honda dealership and asked them to check the transmission- as I initially thought…
Brakes
29 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: conventional.
I have been driving my Honda Pilot 2012 lx since nov 2012, though have been visited Honda about 03 times for brakes, the current miles are approx 37400 miles and already resurfaced the front brake rotors 2 times, this is due to the vehicle weight per Honda, it seems the issue is with rotors, even after driving really…
2012 Honda Pilot certified pre owned purchased from hendricks Honda, bradenton, fl. I purchased 1/27/2015. Original in service 4/19/2012. In florida. Vehicle has not been in winter weather or on salted roads since original in service date. Appr. 1 week after purchase I brought to the attention of used car dept.…
Electrical
22 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, alternator/generator/regulator.
The keys for the 2012 Honda Pilot are very cheaply made. Our vehicle was purchased in december 2011. After two years of normal driving, the plastic key fob part of the key started to crack and eventually broke in half. The key is now useless. Replacement keys are $200 at the dealer which requires an hour appointment…
From a dead stop or slow roll, the engine fails to respond immediately to the accelerator pedal. There is a slight delay from the pressing of the accelerator to the engine responding, creating a very dangerous situation when trying to clear intersections, turning on to a highway, turning from a blind curve and many…
Transmission
20 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. While driving 15 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate before going into a higher speed. The failure recurred intermittently. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
After the break-in period, I took the vehicle to highway speed. Constant vibration under light throttle at constant speed (between 63-68 MPH), eco mode. Only solution is to raise or reduce the speed which is a safety concern on the highway - running over people or get run over. The vibration is very annoying which…
Air bags
20 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles.
I got an accident on 06/30/2016 and still waiting for my Honda Pilot 2012 airbag (passenger side) since month and a half. I opened a case with american Honda to provide me an alternative transportation as they are not able to deliver the airbag within reasonable timeframe but it ended up with a moment of…
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Speed control
17 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. While at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate before going into a higher speed. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not…
While trying to stop at a red light on a regular city street last night my car kept on moving even when pushing really hard on the brakes!! I switched the gear to neutral and the engine made a very loud noise and I kept on moving the gear between neutral park and so till the gas pedal got disengaged and car went back…
Fuel system
16 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
The check engine light and vtm4 light come on after over an hour of driving. Sometimes the whole inside of the car smells has while driving and the fuel consumption is not efficient. In addition when the car sits in the garage for a few days, maybe 2-3, and I start driving, the wheels make some deep brushing noise.…
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. The second time I was sitting in line at a drive thru, waiting to move forward, when I took my foot off…
Suspension
14 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles.
Front lower control arm bushing failed and started leaking. I have heard that many other Honda pilots have had the same problem and even my Honda mechanic has told me that he has repaired many of these and said Honda should recall them.
Front lower control arm bushing failed and started leaking. Honda notified the dealers but not the owners like me see https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/tsbs/2015/mc-10107367-9340.pdf the warranty extension need to be 10 years not 7 years since 1) this was not communicated to owner 2) this is a quality issue that shows up…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 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
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.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: As a result, fuel may leak from the tank, increasing the risk of fire.
Fix: 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 contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
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.
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 2012 Honda Pilot
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Pilot?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (45 complaints, typically around 12,500 miles); brakes (29 complaints, typically around 36,000 miles); electrical (22 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Honda Pilot have?
- 9 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 2012 a bad year for the Honda Pilot?
- It is 15th of 24 Pilot model years by number of complaints, with 171 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.