Warnings problems of the 2023 Honda Pilot

Four problems related to warnings have been reported for the 2023 Honda Pilot. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2023 Honda Pilot based on all problems reported for the 2023 Pilot.

1 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 09/23/2025

While driving on u. S highway 521 in south carolina, the vehicle experienced sudden, unexpected braking and violent shaking even though there were no cars or obstacles directly in front of me. The sensation was so strong it felt as if the car had been rear-ended, but there was no impact. The issue has happened multiple times since I purchased the vehicle new in 2023. Each time, traffic was flowing normally, and no immediate hazard was present. The closest car in front of me was several car lenghts away, yet the Pilot suddenly braked on its own. The problem appears to be linked to the collision mitigation braking system or related driver-assist sensors, which seem to be misreading conditions and triggering false emergency braking. This defect creates a serious safety hazard. The abrupt, forceful braking puts me and my family at risk of being rear-ended by following vehicles. It has also caused panic and near-miss incidents in traffic. I am filling this complaint to ensure it is formally documented and investigated as safety defect. This is a serious risk to driver and passengers and could lead to accidents. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate whether this defect affects other Honda Pilot vehicles.

2 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 03/11/2025

While driving the Pilot warning alerts popped up that none of the collision detection, lane assist, cruise control, and seemingly all radar related systems were working. Additionally, the headlights turned off. We have brought this to the Honda dealer on now three occasions, and there doesn’t seem to be any understanding of why this is happening. On the evening of March 11 this issue happened again after the dealership having the car for a week to “fix “this problem and the lights turned off on an unlit road almost causing an accident. The car is again back at the dealer, who apparently is working with Honda again. I have seen this type of problem reported for other 2023 Honda vehicles, including the Pilot, passport, and crv on various internet forums.

3 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 01/25/2025

If there is rain, snow, fog, moisture or salt from the roads builds up or collects on the emblem of my Pilot, I get a warning saying something to the effect of “ some driver assist systems cannot operate clean area shown”. This is quite dangerous when you live in the midwest snowbelt. You can’t always pull over and clean it. The system will repeat the message even after acknowledging the issue, if it clears itself or improves, which is equally alarming.

4 Warnings problem

Failure Date: 12/03/2024

I have a 2023 Honda Pilot elite. I have noticed a few times that the driver assist system doesn't work as intended during driving in snow or just rain. I will get an error message on my dash, "some driver assist systems cannot operate, clean area shown. " Honda wants the driver to pull over and clean the snow off of the h in front of the SUV. This also happens when it's raining and no snow. The driver assist sensors must be located there. What happens if I should get in an accident when this malfunction goes off and I get hurt or even kill someone? I see this complaint all over the internet from us owners on different forums. The dealerships are doing nothing. I paid a lot of money for this SUV. I expect it to work at all times, especially the safety features. .


Other Forward Collision Avoidance related problems of the 2023 Honda Pilot



Pilot Service Bulletins
Pilot Safety Recalls
Pilot Defect Investigations