NHTSA Complaint #11664179 — 2023 HONDA PILOT

Safety Concern: 2023 Honda Pilot – Persistent False Seat Belt Warnings (2nd & 3rd Row Seats) Issue Description: Repeated false seat belt warnings originating from: Second-row middle seat Third-row passenger-side seat The system triggers loud, repetitive auditory alerts and dashboard warnings even when seats are unoccupied or belts are properly buckled. Attempted fixes (unbuckling/rebuckling, restarting the vehicle, power cycles) fail to resolve the issue. Alerts recur intermittently, causing significant distraction. Safety Risks: Driver Distraction: Constant false alarms increase crash risk by diverting attention from the road. Alert Fatigue: Occupants may ignore all seat belt warnings due to repeated false positives, compromising safety. Sensor/System Failure: Indicates potential defects in seat occupancy sensors, wiring harnesses, or body control module (BCM) software affecting multiple seating zones. Expanded Scope: Affects critical seating positions (2nd row middle is common for child seats; 3rd row is high-traffic). Issue emerged IMMEDIATELY post-warranty (typically 3 years/36k miles).