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2017 Honda Pilot

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2017 Honda Pilot has 898 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (550 complaints) and body (141 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Honda Pilot, consider the 2024 model year which has 88% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2024 has 88% fewer complaints

View the 2024 Honda Pilot dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20031832624877211
20041841913867135
200516512216594130
20069932883710
20077819792510
2008526442010
2009441331397
201034837283
201111337804416
20124325345512
20139138278925
201451816365
2015421122284
201626420350907117
20171411910755081
20188943224447
20192183316637062
20201252115413726
2021161249610513
2022581522268
2023661316154
202459118156
20257222202914

By Category

Engine
550
Body
141
Electrical
107
Transmission
81
Brakes
19

By Severity

1
447
2
436
3
1
4
14

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2017 Honda Pilot stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Brakes 1

On XXX, while my wife was driving our 2017 Honda Pilot Elite (VIN: [XXX]) southbound on [XXX], approaching the intersection with [XXX], the vehicle experienced a complete engine stall due to the Auto Idle Stop feature. The engine shut off at a stop but failed to automatically restart when she released the brake to proceed. All dashboard warning lights flashed, and the vehicle became inoperable in the middle of traffic, creating a significant traffic jam at a busy intersection. My wife was able to restart the vehicle manually by shifting to Park and pressing the engine start/stop button. This is part of a persistent safety defect with the Auto Idle Stop (Idle Stop-Start) system. The vehicle has stalled multiple times in traffic and on highways since new. Honda performed TSB 23-008 (PGM-FI Idle Stop software update/product update campaign) on XXX at Autopark Honda in Cary, NC, but the issue was not resolved. I also replaced the battery in November 2024 at the dealership's recommendation, but the no-restart/stall problem continues. I normally keep the Auto Idle Stop feature disabled for safety, but my wife forgot on this occasion. **Cause:** UNKNOWN (per Honda TSBs 23-008 and 23-009, the issue relates to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque after Idle Stop engages; prior fixes have not resolved it). This defect creates a dangerous situation where the vehicle can unexpectedly lose power in traffic, increasing collision risk. I have reported this to the dealership multiple times and am seeking resolution under TSB 23-009 (warranty extension). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

11d ago
Engine 4

DRIVING HOME FROM CHURCH SUNDAY JUNE 28TH DOWNSLOPE OF A SMALL HILL SMELLED HOT METAL; WASN'T SURE IF THE ODOR WAS FROM US, THE LARGE TRUCK THAT JUST PASSED US OR ENVIRONMENTAL; SUDDEN "POP" WAS HEARD ACCOMPANIED BY A "JERK" IN THE VEHICLE; LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES; DASH WAS LIT AND SHOWED RPM/MPH/ETC THEN BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON SMOKE BILLOWING FROM ENGINE FOLLOWED QUICKLY BY COMPLETE FIRE FROM ENGINGE; ALL 4 PASSENGERS EVENTUALLY GOT OUT; POLICE AND FIRE DISPATCHED; COMPLETE LOSS; TRAUMATIC TO SAY THE LEAST; ONLY LIGHT PREVIOUS WAS SERVICE SOON AS OIL LIFE WAS AT 15%; BELIEVE TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2017 PILOTS RODS BEND AND BREAK BUT NOW WARNING (RESEARCHED AFTER THE FIRE)

12d ago
Body 2

My speedometer display keeps going blank in the instrument cluster. I will be driving and it would go blank, and stay blank in extented periods of time. This is a car not driven much due to this reason. The milage is still 70k. The speedometer gage goes blank and does not turn on.

17d ago
Transmission 2

my connecting rod bearing wore are ruined my engine. this is addressed in 23v-751 for 2016, 2018, and 2019 Honda Pilots, but not 2017 for some reason. could you please see why this year is not included on the recall.

17d ago
Engine 2

My son was driving the car and the engine started knocking and engine shut off.

19d ago
Engine 1

Since purchasing this vehicle new, the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system on my 2017 Honda Pilot has intermittently failed during the engine restart sequence after the vehicle comes to a complete stop. When the AIS system shuts the engine off and I release the brake to resume driving, the vehicle intermittently fails to restart properly or does not restart at all, preventing the vehicle from moving as expected. In some instances, warning messages, including a collision mitigation message, has appeared on the dashboard before the car restarts. This condition has occurred repeatedly over several years and has happened at intersections, while stopped in traffic, and while stopped on highways. The inability of the vehicle to restart and move creates a safety risk because the vehicle may remain disabled in active traffic when acceleration is needed. The issue was reported to the selling and servicing Honda dealership (Cambridge, Honda in Cambridge MA) multiple times over several years. In August 2025, the vehicle received Honda's prescribed repair under Service Bulletins 23-008 and 23-009, including replacement of the starter assembly, starter relay, and battery. Despite these repairs, the same condition returned less than one year later and has occurred at least seven additional times. The vehicle stalls and sometimes displays the collision mitigation/crash warning message before restarting. In June 2026, the vehicle was inspected again by the dealership. Technicians were unable to reproduce the condition during testing and declined to perform additional repairs. The defect remains unresolved. The vehicle has already received Honda's recommended AIS repair, yet the same stalling and crash mitigation message continues to occur. The intermittent nature of the defect makes it difficult to reproduce during short dealership evaluations, but it continues to occur during normal operation and presents an ongoing safety concern.

24d ago
Engine 2

All of a sudden, the car began to make a ticking noise (it sounded like a playing card was in the spoke of a bicycle). I brought the car home and took it to the Honda dealership in Poway, CA. They diagnosed the car with pitting in the rod bearings in cylinder 4. They told us that this can cause engine failure (do not drive the car) and that the engine needed to be replaced. There were no error messages or warning lights. This could have been extremely dangerous for those around us had the engine failed while my daughter and I were driving, or if the car had stopped suddenly. The three options given were to replace the engine with one with 20,000+ more miles than the original engine, replace the short block and associated gaskets with a new one, or $2500 (as-is) for the car. We replaced the short block and associated gaskets at a cost of approximately $ 8,500. As my husband was doing his research, he found that there had been a recall for the 2016 and 2018-2020 Honda Pilots for the same issue. Please be aware that this has happened to our car too, and it is very dangerous and expensive to repair. Honda should be held responsible for ensuring that all Pilot engines are safe and that the defective rods are replaced free of charge to owners under a recall.

25d ago
Body 2

I have been frequently getting the message on my dash "Keyless Start System Problem" This message appears when starting or stopping the vehicle and while driving. The message does not stay on the dash it eventually disappears.

29d ago
Transmission 1

We have a 2017 Honda Pilot EXL. It had approximately 163,000 when the engine seized.

1mo ago
Engine 2

There is a loud metallic knocking sound coming from my engine. I have lack of acceleration power, and the check engine light came on. You are more than welcome to come inspect the car. My safety was placed at risk as my engine can blow up, and/or I lose acceleration while driving and cause an accident. The sound is continuous and will be until the Rod Bearing is fixed so it’s easily reproducible. Yes it’s been looked at by a mechanic.

1mo ago
Electrical 2

My 2017 Honda Pilot Touring has experienced ongoing electrical and battery-related issues for several years and has been in and out of authorized Honda dealerships numerous times. The vehicle has been serviced repeatedly at both Fowler Honda in [XXX], and Pensacola Honda in [XXX]. Due to the inability to diagnose the problem, the issue was escalated by Pensacola Honda to American Honda’s technical line. After extensive diagnostics over two days, the technicians informed me that Honda engineers are aware of an issue but currently do not have a solution, although they are working on one. On XXX, while turning left from [XXX] onto [XXX], I had sufficient time to complete the turn and pressed the accelerator to proceed. However, the accelerator became completely unresponsive and the vehicle would not accelerate. My vehicle was left partially in the intersection while an oncoming vehicle approached. The other driver could have easily struck the driver’s side of my vehicle, creating the risk of a serious or fatal accident. Fortunately, a collision was avoided, but this incident demonstrated a significant safety hazard. In addition to this loss of acceleration, the vehicle has experienced recurring starting problems and electrical malfunctions. Pensacola Honda found that the battery tests normally when removed from the vehicle, but does not function properly when installed. Despite numerous repair attempts and escalation to American Honda, the problem remains unresolved. I believe this defect poses a serious safety risk to myself, my passengers, and others on the road due to the potential for sudden loss of acceleration while driving. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1mo ago
Engine 2

On May 23, 2026 I was driving family and friends around San Francisco, CA in my 2017 Honda Pilot (48K miles). We were driving up multiple steep hills, up to a 20% grade in some places with a full car of 7 people. The car handled it well. However, as we neared my home 25 miles away, the car started shaking and the check engine light started flashing. We searched online and the advice was to pull over immediately to prevent the car from overheating and causing permanent, expensive damage. We eventually made it home, shaken, and didn't touch the car for a couple days to let it rest. I learned that there is a warranty extension "Warranty Extension TSB 20-100" for what seems like this exact problem concerning the fuel injectors. The spark plugs have been replaced in the last year, which eliminates that as a potential issue. The next week, I took the car to Honda San Carlos where it's been maintained most of its life. I informed them of the symptoms and that the car is eligible for this warranty extension. They tested it and found nothing. I told them that testing it in the shop or driving it around a few minutes on flat ground with one person is not going to replicate the driving conditions we encountered but they didn't seem to care and I had to pay $250 anyway. I took this to another dealership and the guy said it sounded exactly like an Warranty Extension TSB 20-100 issue. They tested it and also could not find anything. I called Honda Corporate and they will also do nothing. This is clearly a safety issue as this problem will happen again at some point. I have a family and young children and do not want to be stuck on the freeway as a road hazard to ourselves and other drivers. Honda has clearly identified this as a problem yet they won't authorize the repair. They are waiting for this to happen again before they'll fix it, and who knows if this ticking time bomb will occur in a safe place or a dangerous one.

1mo ago
Body 1

The paint is peeling on the pearl white color. This is a known issue and it is large sections that could cause a hazard while driving

1mo ago
Engine 2

Engine Idle at Stop light or Start & Stop at Traffic Stop Light doesn't work. It does stop completely; however, it didn't start after releasing the brake. You have to put the vehicle back in the parking gear, put the brake to restart the engine. This has happened three times in the last week.

1mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 60-65 MPH, the check engine light was blinking. The vehicle began to jerk. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with faulty fuel injectors. The injectors were replaced. After further evaluation, it was determined that the engine and knock sensor needed to be replaced Additionally the rod bearing was blown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but declined the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

1mo ago
Engine 1

The car began making a knocking noise when it was turned on and began moving. The noise continued every time the car was started until the engine light turned on and began blinking. We pulled the car over immediately. After turning the engine off and letting the car rest, we tried starting the car again and the light was off. Roughly 20 minutes later, the engine light began to blink again, followed by all the lights on the dashboard blinking. We had the car towed to a local Honda dealer. After being inspected, the dealer said the car needed new fuel injectors and an "Engine rebuild/replace: the engine rod knocking during start up and shutdown, drained oil sample and found excessive mental particles suspended in oil."

1mo ago
Engine 1

While driving on the highway at approx 60mph my car completely lost power. I had no warning lights on the dashboard and the only warning I got was an alarm sound right as all the power to the vehicle cut off. I had to use my e-brake to help me stop and coast to the brake down lane. I couldn't get my car completely off the highway lane and had no way of getting out of the vehicle. I was towed off the highway and contacted my dealership. Prior to this the car was idling a little rough in the morning.

1mo ago
Engine 1

The engine failed. The car stopped completely with no warning. The same issue that other models are being recalled for turned out to be the problem with this engine. We had to have the engine replaced

2mo ago
Engine 2

The connecting rod bearing went out in the engine of our 2017 Honda Pilot. The car stalled and then died. It cost us $10,000 to fix it and it only had around 130,000 miles on it. Our Honda dealer told us to hold onto our receipt because this is happening a lot with Honda Pilots and there will eventually be a recall on this. This was so unsafe and we were fortunate that our teen son was only going 5-10 miles on a gravel road when this happened.

2mo ago
Engine 2

We have had a number of issues and several recalls associated with our 2017 Honda Pilot which has less than 78,000 miles on it. The issue I am writing about today involves the recent failure of the high-pressure fuel pump which I believe is related to the prior failure of the low-pressure fuel pump. In 2023, there was a recall of the low-pressure fuel pump for our 2017 Honda Pilot. The repair for our low-pressure fuel pump was delayed for 14 months because Honda did not have enough parts to cover all recalled vehicles. Therefore, we had to wait for over a year to get the low-pressure fuel pump replaced. Last week, our high-pressure fuel pump failed due to "internal failure" per the dealer. It is common knowledge that damage or failure of a low-pressure fuel pump can directly cause damage or failure of a high-pressure fuel pump because the high-pressure fuel pump relies on consistent, pressurized supply of fuel from the low-pressure fuel pump for lubrication and cooling. I believe the failure of the low-pressure fuel pumped coupled with the delay replacement of the low-pressure fuel caused the failure of the high-pressure fuel pump. Based on shared experiences online from other Honda Pilot owners, it seems like a lot of people are suffering similar issues. The high-pressure fuel pump is not currently under recall and, therefore, vehicle owners have to pay for the replacement of this part. I believe the failures of the high-pressure fuel pump and the connection to the failures of the recalled low-pressure fuel pumps should be investigated. Thank you.

2mo ago

898 total

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