Steering Related Problems of the 2020 Honda Pilot

Table 1 shows one common steering related problems of the 2020 Honda Pilot.

Table 1. Steering related problems of Honda Pilot

Problem Category Number of Problems
Steering problems
7

Steering problem #1

While driving on my way home from work (24 mile drive) I received on my dashboard faults that flashed briefly for my steering, lane keeping assistance, lane departure, forward collision, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and parking collision (warning lamps). My radio also had cut out at the same time. While that occurred my steering wheel jerked suddenly while going straight at speeds around 60mph. I brushed it off as a communication issue since it is known to occur on these vehicles, but the steering wheel jerking was new to me. Made it home turned the vehicle off (vehicle was off for 15 minutes). I started up the vehicle no warning lamps came on. But as soon as I got up to 40mph and a mile from my home the same issue occurred but more frequent, but less of the steering wheel jerking. I got where I needed to go and got back onto the road and reached 30 mph the warning lamps came on more a lot more frequently on my way home. As soon as reached my alleyway turning left, the steering wheel had a moment of locking up (about 5-10mph). This came as a shock for me. I backed up into my garage and had to turn the steering wheel left again and the same thing happened. I parked the while the vehicle was running I turned the steering wheel really fast, recreated the steering wheel locking momentarily a few times. I turned the vehicle off and tried to restart it but there was no power. Turns out that my battery had gone bad. I had no indication of a low voltage or battery issue. I replaced the battery and issue was resolved. For me and a situationally unaware driver and this issue occurs where the steering wheel jerked and/or an emergency evasive action was needed, this could cause an accident due to the sudden loss of steering. There was no indication of battery issues. No dealer or independent shops were involved. I am a mechanic myself.

Steering problem #2

Loud clicking noise when turning/steering at low speeds. Problem has been worsening over past several months.

Steering problem #3

My 2020 Honda Pilot steering wheel locks or sticks while driving, which terrifies me. After researching the problem online, I found that 2020 Honda vehicles have been recalled due to a manufacturing defect in the steering gearbox assembly. My vehicle is not on the list. Please advise. Thank you!.

Steering problem #4

The vehicle pulls hard to the right when the driver lets go of the steering wheel for a few sseconds. This happens with lka on or off. This happens no matter which lane is being driven in or what speed. The alignment has been verified 4 different times at both an independent mechanic and Honda dealer. Honda is unwilling or unable to remedy the situation. New tores did not fix the pull, rotation did not correct it. They basically told us there was nothing wrong with the car. This is dangerous because the car will end up in the ditch if the driver is incapacitated or distracted for just a few seconds. This is an expensive vehicle that we were confident was safe. Our oldest will be driving this car in a few short weeks. Not sure we feel safe letting him.

Steering problem #5

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle with fuel injector failure. The fuel injector was replaced. The contact stated that the emissions light illuminated after the repair. The vehicle was taken to autozone who diagnosed that the catalytic convertor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the catalytic convertor failure was confirmed. The catalytic converter was replaced. The emissions light was then blinking consistently with the tpms, power steering, and other unknown warning lights intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking abnormally while idling. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Steering problem #6

While diving at times, the vehicle will flash brake and the wheel will shutter when a vehicle is going the opposite direction, or while ascending and descending on a hill. On a rare occasion, the vehicle will attempt to brake itself. Also, when at a complete stop, the vehicle will go into auto-engine stop. When the brake pedal is release, the vehicle stalls out and collision mitigation braking system (cmbs) will flash. In-order to restart the vehicle, a sequence needs to be followed, put the vehicle in neutral, then park, then turn engage the start/stop ignition button. It is only when you follow this sequence will the car restart and you can engage the transmission. A recall was completed for the autostop issue, but since that repair, the above issues have increased in frequency and almost caused an accident in the middle of an intersection. The dealership says they have no clue as to the cause and need to scan the vehicle at a cost of $300 just to investigate.

Steering problem #7

1. Car flashes brake and sometimes brakes on its own when it detects an object along the side of the road or when a car may be approaching in the opposite lane or in a center turning lane. This has nearly caused an accident on two different occasions. Each time the lane we are in is clear and usually doesn't even have a vehicle in front of us. 2. When in cruise control the acc will detect a vehicle in front of us going maybe 2 mhp slower than our set speed and our car will abruptly slow down to about 10 mph below the acc set point. Then it detects there is clear distance to the vehicle in front and will abruptly accelerate till it again detects the vehicle and then repeats the same actions - abrupt slowdown - abrupt acceleration and so on vs. A gradual slowdown to match the vehicle in front speed and holding steady at that speed. I have set the distance detection to each setting and it makes no difference. 3. Lane keep assist is plain down dangerous. Tried to merge onto a busy highway with turn signal on and the lka would not let us merge and jerked the wheel back to the right and the vehicle abruptly hit the brakes when there was nothing in front of us. Nearly caused traffic behind to rear end us. 4. Hands free cell feature is not hands free if connected to apply car play. This was not what we were lead to believe at the time of sale. Honda has some serious issues with the Honda sensing and a recall is a must as these issues will eventually cause an accident and I have to assume already have. To date the car is unsafe with the sensing on and if I turn it off I risk liability with my insurance as they provide discounts because of the Honda sensing safety features.


Steering related problems in other Honda Pilot model year vehicles:



☘ Pilot Service Bulletins
⚑ Pilot Safety Recalls
☤ Pilot Defect Investigations