general problems of the 2017 Honda Pilot - part 1

The issue appears to involve the vehicle’s electrical control system responsible for power management and system activation while the vehicle is off, possibly including the Smart power control module and related components. It may be arranged for the vehicle to be inspected. The vehicle behaved as though it had been remote started, initiating engine cranking without any user input while turned off. If this occurs while parked in a garage or enclosed space, it could lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup and pose a serious risk to occupants. Unintended engine activation also presents a risk to nearby people or property. The unintended engine cranking event occurred once and was directly witnessed while I was seated inside the vehicle observing other electrical oddities. The issue has not been reproducible on demand. However, related symptoms including the alarm activating on its own and unexplained electrical activity while the vehicle is off have occurred multiple times. The vehicle has not yet been inspected for this issue by a dealership, manufacturer, or third party. No police or insurance reports have been filed. I plan to take it to the dealership tomorrow (4/4/2026). There were no warning lights or messages before or during the event. Prior symptoms include intermittent alarm activation, display flashing, clicking fuses, and electrical activity while off, beginning before the engine cranking incident.

I was stopped at a traffic light, and my vehicle would not re-start when the traffic light turned green. It stalled because the auto idle stop/start (ais) function did not work as intended. The dashboard cluster lights were all on (or many of them, at least). I had to collect myself, put the car in park, and wait a couple of minutes to try to restart the vehicle, all while I had a line of vehicles behind me honking. This isn't the first instance. It has happened several times before, and I am familiar with what the Honda service reps say when I have taken the vehicle in for repair, so I'll cut through the nonsense they have told me. I recently replaced my battery with a quality name brand battery, so it's not an issue with the battery. I have had the pgm-fi idle stop software update recall service performed twice, one in response to a March 2023 recall notice, and again from a may 2024 recall notice. There is something seriously and obviously wrong with this ais feature. I have looked on many forums and this is a frequently recurring problem. This shouldn't happen simply because I (or my family member) forget to hit the ais-disengage button. There should be a permanent fix for this feature if it frequently fails.

Alarm randomly goes off when parked and locked without doors being open. Unplugged hood latch sensor and it stopped but security system is not armed (absence of blinking light).

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 65 mph on the freeway, the vehicle stalled due to battery failure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the battery was replaced. After restarting the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound consistent with a rod knock. Additionally, the trunk handle paint had chipped and was rusted. The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was pending an appointment with the dealer. The contact used a handheld scanner and retrieved seventeen different undisclosed diagnostic trouble codes. The contact stated that the warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

While driving my 2017 Honda Pilot elite, the vehicle has experienced four separate incidents of sudden and complete loss of power, including while traveling at highway speeds and during rush-hour traffic. The engine shuts off without warning, causing the vehicle to stop in traffic. In multiple incidents, the vehicle would not restart for several minutes. These incidents occurred on u. S. 19 and interstate 275 in heavy traffic, creating an immediate risk of collision. In one incident, the vehicle died while traveling at highway speeds. In another, it shut off at a red light and blocked traffic during rush hour. The vehicle has been taken to an authorized Honda dealership multiple times. Diagnostic testing initially found no issues. Later visits attributed the problem to the battery, despite the battery being recently replaced and the condition recurring after replacement. The symptoms exactly match Honda Pilot start/stop engine failure recalls affecting nearby model years. However, because my model year is not included, the dealership refused to repair the vehicle in accordance with the recall, even when I offered to pay for the repair. I believe this represents a safety-related defect involving sudden engine shutdown while driving. The vehicle is unreliable and unsafe to operate. Furthermore, given the repeated failure of this vehicle, the dealership’s inability to permanently repair the condition after multiple attempts, and the ongoing safety risk, I am concerned this matter may meet the criteria for a nonconformity under florida’s motor vehicle warranty enforcement act. I am hopeful Honda will resolve this matter cooperatively and without the need for further regulatory or legal action.

The vehicle constantly says “ keyless start system problem” I’ve only had the car for a year, it also says “ break system problem and won’t let me start the car often”.

Auto-idle feature shut off vehicle at a stop and would not restart when light changed. Have to shut off vehicle and start like it was parked. Not safe in city traffic. Dealership said there is no issue with auto-idle feature.

So I have a Honda Pilot and have been seeing a light saying that my collision mitigation system is broke so I took it in for a diagnostic which I was charged for which is fine and normal I guess but they told me that the system was broken possibly from just driving through construction zones and this causes phantom braking so I have to get it fixed but they want to charge me for the repairs which from my perspective the customer I shouldn't have to pay for a defect like that that can cause injurie or much worse.

Auto start/stop issue. I finally experienced what some other members of my family have experienced with this car. My Honda Pilot stalled at a stop light in heavy traffic after the engine was turned off when I stopped at the light using the auto start/stop function. After I released the brake when the light turned green, the car did not start.

Failure occurred at highway speed. A host is warning light came on and the car lost power. Lights that came on included emissions, traction control, power steering, all wheel drive and towing (I wasn’t towing anything). No lights were on before the incident. The vehicle lost power and could not maintain any speed. I was able to roll into the breakdown lane. The vehicle was brought to a local Honda dealer who preformed the diagnosis and determined the issue to be a failure of the high pressure fuel pump. Seems this has been the source of several recalls including the 2017 Pilot but not my VIN. It seems like the recall my need to be expanded.

After fixing a few of the recalls, the alarm on my 2017 Honda Pilot would start going off at random times. After several attempted fixes - replacing the key fob batteries, replacing the car battery - the issue has persisted and we noticed a clicking noise coming from the dash. Essentially the car would attempt to turn on without anyone near it. There are no warning messages present. Thus far, it has not replicated while driving. We have just taken the issue to the Honda dealer and they have come back with a $1400 charge to replace the Smart power control module. In researching the issue, I've seen a number of owners have this issue with 2016-2018 Pilots and even seen some complaints in your database.

The alarm kept going off randomly/intermittently. Honda recalled the control unit/alarm/tpms control unit on Honda ridgeline bit not on Honda Pilot.

Transmission seems to be slipping the truck in getting louder when I switch gears it takes a min to take off.

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the auto idle stop system activated, turning the vehicle off. While attempting to continue driving, the contact became aware that the system had failed to restart the vehicle. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to be manually restarted. After restarting, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. However, the dealer replaced the battery as a precaution. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.

Electrical system – body control module the bcm in my 2017 Honda Pilot fails intermittently, causing the alarm to activate randomly, warning lights to flicker, and battery drain. The issue occurs without warning, even while parked or driving, creating distraction and reducing confidence in the vehicle’s safety. Numerous other owners have reported identical issues online and with NHTSA, indicating a systemic defect. Honda should issue a recall to address this problem.

Pilot will shut off at stop signs and red lights. Software update completed in 2023 but issue persists. I shut the “feature” off as soon as I turn car on. It has happened despite this. It may be draining the battery. On third battery in two years. Currently at dealership to complete next warranty update.

Transmission locked up and had to be replaced April 8 of 2025. I was blessed it did not lock up while I was driving, but did as soon as I pulled in my driveway. While driving that evening I had some issue with it not downshifting. When stopped in driveway could not restart the car. Had to have a special tow truck take it to the repair shop. I never got a warning light regarding the transmission needing to be checked. I had issues prior to the lock up, engine revving, gearshifting too late. Obvious transmissions issue. As I never got a warning light no code would show to have it repaired. I took it to the Honda dealer for repair. After the replacement with another 9 cyclinder transmission the autoshut off is problematics causing me to stall out when stopping at lights and intersections. I had a previous experience with the 1999 Honda odyessy and had 3 transmissions replaced. I am concerned about my safety as I could only replace it with another Honda 9 cylinder transmission.

My Pilot has stalled multiple times at a stop light when the auto stop feature restarts the engine. It seems to happen most frequently when the heat or air conditioning is running as if there is not enough power to restart the engine. I did have the service bulletin software update performed, which seemed to solve the issue initially. The vehicle has stalled twice in the last few months.

My 2017 Honda Pilot in 4/2023 I was driving the belt way my hood was bouncing as if it was going to fly off an kill us all and who was behind us in rush hour traffic. I called made appointment with dealer. My son went on line there was a recall for 2017 Pilot for hood problem, but not my VIN # I was very very upset. I was told it was fixed when I was there last. I told the dealer if they didn't fix it put it in writing. So my family will know what happen to us if that hood came off. Now my Pilot has been jerking sputtering when I take off it's been going on about a year. I keep putting it off until. I was almost hit in the back trying to get on the beltway, everyone screaming. So I check the recall list guess what there is a recall on the 2017 Pilot but not with my VIN #. Sometimes, my auto start won't work. My dash radio will go black for a minute, so that's and electrical issue. We are going to have a problem if my grandchild can't watch here movies on the monitor when we go for a ride. Why is my Pilot having the recall issues and not on the recall list? I looked up recall for 2017 Honda Pilot there is one for fuel pump please add my Pilot to the recall list please. I love Honda's my whole family does, I hate to have to change.

Issue where the headlights would come on intermittently while parked in garage, horn would start going off intermittently, car making noises while sitting parked every few minutes. Appears to be a common issue related to the keyless access control unit (a. K. A. Smart power control unit).

My car started sputtering and lost power on the interstate and the dash lit up with warnings while driving. I brought the vehicle home and the code is for a bad camshaft position sensor after only 78,000 miles. That is absurd. The neglect for safety here is astonishing by Honda.

I am reporting a recurring “keyless start system problem” warning on my 2017 Honda Pilot. This is a known and widespread issue affecting 2016–2017 Honda Pilot models, as acknowledged by Honda in service bulletin 20-117, which identifies a defect in the push-button start/stop switch assembly. In my vehicle, the warning appears intermittently, and the engine sometimes fails to start or requires multiple attempts to engage the ignition. This is a serious reliability and safety concern, as the vehicle may not start when needed, potentially leaving drivers stranded or unable to respond in emergencies. Although Honda recognizes the defect in their service bulletin, they have not issued an official recall and refuse to repair or replace the part outside of warranty coverage. Many owners are being forced to pay out-of-pocket for a clearly documented manufacturer fault. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate this issue and consider requiring Honda to issue a recall or provide a no-cost remedy for all affected 2016–2017 Honda Pilot vehicles. Additional details: •model: Honda Pilot •year: 2017 •issue: “keyless start system problem” warning, intermittent failure to start.

All of the warning lights come on the dashboard, the d for drive flashes. While driving the vehicle downshifts and stalls and loses power and 75% of the time when you come to a complete stop the car completely stalls, loses power and you have to manually turn the engine off and restart the vehicle.

Engine fails to restart after the engine idle stop shuts off the engine when stopped. It is difficult to restart the engine from this state and creates a safety hazard with the car being disabled for a period of time. It does not happen every time. The battery in this vehicle was replaced 18 months ago and the vehicle has no trouble starting normally.

Honda has a bulletin 20-117 warranty extension: 2016-17 Pilot and 2017 ridgeline keyless start system error with dtc b12c5 that does not include my vehicle VIN but my vehicle is having this exact issue. This warranty extension needs to be extended to all vehicles with this year and model as the issue is obviously happening to them.

The car engine was revving up intermittently, with rough shifting of gears, poor acceleration and 3 of the dashboard malfunction indicator lights activating - emission system, transmission system, and blind spot information system. Car still at dealer.

Vehicle fails to restart after the auto engine idle stops the car. Looks like this is a known issue but the dealer I bought this car from isn't doing anything to fix it.

Car shut down while driving on highway. After 10 seconds, restarted but engine was sputtering along.

After driving for over 30 minutes, mixed highway and road, at a stop light, the autostart failed, engine turned off, and went into neutral, w/ a warning the autostart failed. Put into park and restart engine. Cars honking, got the car started after 30 seconds or so. Did not immediately go into park when pushed!.

The auto idle stop feature restart did not work properly and instead the car froze in stop and go traffic on a freeway. Not only did the restart, not work properly in addition the car's electronics froze with multiple error messages on the dashboard coming up. I had to turn the car off by pressing the engine start/stop button, waiting and then restarting it like normal.

My 2017 Honda Pilot touring edition stopped suddenly in a busy intersection causing major traffic back up and dangerous situations until police officers showed up to help. I called road service and it would ne over an hour before I could get help. I was unable to place push button in neutral by several means to get out of traffic and with officers help. No means to override shifter to neutral in cabin. It was discovered on this model you needed to manually place in neutral under the hood after removing several items air filter covers and locating a specail screw which required a special tool to override which none of is had. I am at the dealership now and they are telling me the same thing. Very dangerous situation for me others with same year.

Auto shut down/ restart does not work properly. Car was recalled for this issue and a software update was installed. However, car still will not restart after auto shut off. On several occassions we had to use car stop button and wait several minutes before car would restart. This left us stranded at busy intersections in heavy traffic. Very dangerous situation.

Horn stopped working which prevented notice to other car at stop backing up, resulting in a crash. Vehicle started turning itself on in accessory mode, flashing lights, disabling keyless entry and starting the vehicle and smelled of an electrical fire, was unable to disconnect battery due to unpredictable turning on and off at vehicles will. Brought vehicle to dealer who confirmed that it was a bad Smart entry main control unit module which caused the horn to stop working and the vehicle to turn itself on.

After owning 2017 Pilot (brand new) for 3 to 4 years, started experiencing intermittent stalling at stops when auto idle engaged. Similar to many other complaints, car would stall out, entering into an accessory mode. At times takes several attempts to restart the car. Have replaced battery and had the software update related to the issue done at the dealer. However, the issue persists and we now much remember to turn off the auto idle feature every time we start the car, or else we will end up stalled after a stop - usually creating a very dangerous situation and infuriating the drivers around us.