2020 HONDA PILOT Electrical System Problems
194 NHTSA complaints on file
Electrical System Issues in the 2020 HONDA PILOT
194 electrical system complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 HONDA PILOT. Of these, 2 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 2 resulted in injury.
194
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Electrical System Complaints
CAR WILL RANDOMLY LOSE ALL POWER AS IF THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND THEN FLICKER AND COME BACK ON. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ARE ON. NOTHING HAS BEEN INSPECTED YET BUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL
Driving on the highway dash goes completely black. Can’t see speed. Cruise control shuts down. Have to pull off the highway shut the engine down and wait for a couple minutes then restart. I have had all recalls repaired at the dealership where purchased but this happens weekly. At 50,000 miles I noticed rough and abrupt transmission shifting and clunking with a lag in acceleration. This continues despite multiple transmission flushes. The problem continues to worsen and current mileage is at 71000
My wife drives this vehicle daily with our 3 children all of sudden these warning lights come up: Trailer stability assist problem Road departure mitigation system problem Power steering system problem Emission system problem Vehicle stability assist problem Hill start assist problem The last time this happen was 1/28/2026 Took it to the dealer 1/31/2026 showed the association the video he said he has not heard of this but mostly caused by the battery. They looked at the battery all is well. If it happens again to bring it in he said. This was the 3rd time this happens the warning lights will go off. Took it to auto zone and they could not find the caused. This is dangerous to happen and unacceptable. Based on social media multiple people have this issue and causinga safety concern. What would it take for HONDA TO FIX THIS. PLEASE MAKE A RECALL!!
2020 Honda pilot will sporadically turn off at highway speeds and at stop lights and will not turn back on until placed in park with foot on the brake. This is not to be confused with the start/stop feature used to save fuel. Additionally the 2020 pilot will lurch forward (like stuck in drive) while still in park.
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that an ABS message was frequently displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was informed that there was a miscommunication error with the front camera, which caused the failure. The contact was informed that the failure was not a safety issue and was given an estimate for the repair; however, the contact declined the repair. Since the failure, the contact received various messages on the instrument panel, with one message related to the transmission. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed the miscommunication error and that if not addressed, the failure could lead to other major safety issues. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
The infotainment center goes out, the screen reads "Network Communication Lost" "MOST Net off". This occurs while using the rearview camera, causing a safety issue. This is a known Honda issue, bulletin 20-049, 20-058, A19-030B. Replacement of FAKRA connectors, MOST bus wiring harness (parts 39817-TJB-ACO housing or 39165-TG7 cords) or the entire floor harness.. Vehicle has 79,000 miles.
The auto shut off has been not working properly and the vehicle wont restart after it shuts off. My wife was at a traffic light, and the vehicle shut off. When the light turned green, it did not restart. As a result of this she about got taken out by a semi that was coming in behind her. This could have been a deadly accident as it is raining and wet. She was stuck at the light on a busy highway for 3 minutes before the vehicle would restart.
My battery died while the vehicle was parked. I needed to physically move the vehicle but could not because the electronic button shifter would not allow me to put the transmission in Neutral. The only way to move it out of Park is a lengthy process requiring tools, engine component removals and a manual shifting of the linkage using a long wrench. My solution, was I had to leave the vehicle unattended, call a friend, get tools and replace the battery while blocking traffic. Safety concerns were that the vehicle was blocking traffic at a business and no documentation by Honda of how to fix or even shift the vehicle into Neutral. Now consider if someone has to try and manually tow the vehicle while in Park! I replaced the battery myself, but this is a well documented issue with electronic shifters, that will never make a dealership or service...
Lane departure front facing projection camera suddenly went out disabling multiple safety features of the car. The part number for the car is 36160-TG8-A83. This car only has ~86,000 miles and this is unacceptable. This failure disables the Lane keep assist, lane departure, auto high/low beam, adaptive cruise control, auto braking safety features and causes the brake light system light to come on. Apparently, this is a common issue and should be investigated. The parts are on back order nationally and good luck finding a used one.
The auto stop/start idle function does not re-engage after stopping the engine. This has happened at least 4 times in the last 3weeks with my vehicle. When stopped in traffic or at a light and stop sign the engine idle engages and stops running the engine, when releasing the brake pedal the engine does not turn on as it should and the car stalls. This requires the operator to engage hazard lights, shift into park and repeatedly try the push start button to turn on the vehicle to proceed. The passenger safety of myself and children are of concern. While having to wait on a car function, that is the core operation of the vehicle, it is dangerous to shut off a vehicle while in operation. Having other vehicles honking and trying to pass or even stopping at a highway entrance ramp then trying to engage the car to meet...
I am reporting a safety defect in my 2020 Honda Pilot EX-L ~86,300 miles. The rearview camera and electrical/infotainment system intermittently fail, showing static, disconnecting Bluetooth, and sometimes leaving the camera blank. This creates a serious safety risk when reversing, driving in tight spaces, or transporting my children. These issues began within the first year of ownership (2020–2021) and continued after Recall 23-047, during which cables were replaced and the system later rewired in August 2023. Despite these repairs, the defects persist. The dealership Pohanka Honda Fredericksburg confirmed the faults multiple times but now refuses to repair, quoting over $3,000. The vehicle has also experienced three dead batteries since 2020, leaving me stranded multiple times, including once during out-of-state travel. There were no warning lights for the battery failures, but infotainment and camera issues were noticeable immediately. The vehicle has been out of service for approximately three cumulative months, impairing...
While stopped at red light the auto off feature engaged and the car stalled out when restarting. This has happened multiple times since buying the vehicle
The LKAS camera stopped working and it won’t allow any of the connected systems to operate including ACC, emergency brake assist, cruise control, etc.
All safety features on the dashboard have lit up all are constantly on. Honda America states no open recall, I see many forums for Honda owners having this issue that also impacts safety
Since purchasing the vehicle there was a leak under the driver's side console after heavy rains. After multiple trips to the dealer they directed us to replace the windshield. We did so (under protest). The leak still existed. The dealership determined that there was a gap at the A pillar. We worry that this is related to the Sturcture recall about missing welds. Honda will not admit to any issue.
Car intermittently won’t start due to insufficient battery charge. Jump starting will start the car. Dealership testing of battery and charging system determined no issues. However, issue reoccurs. Suspect charging doesn’t occur until battery reaches a minimum voltage level which is currently set too low. Safety issue in that car starting is unreliable.
The idle engine turn back on feature has not turned on several times. It has happened a couple of times upon turning it back on after a complete turn off in a parking lot. Also, it has happened in traffic at a stop light on busy roads where I was sitting there dead stopped in the road unable to get the car started. Another time, it did not turn back on as I was pulling out of my neighborhood and we almost got hit because of it. The battery seems to be involved and seems to have to recharge for a few minutes and then it will turn back on. I've called 911 to help me get out of the road, have taken out the battery and put it back, and had it checked at the dealership. I have to remember to use the button that turns off the idle...
I’m reaching out regarding a persistent and hazardous issue with the Auto Stop/Start function on my vehicle. The system routinely fails when stopping at lights and stop signs, causing the engine to shut off and not restart. On several occasions, the vehicle has shut off while in motion—on highways, at intersections, and in the middle of roadways—putting me and others at serious risk. I brought the vehicle to John Eagle Honda of Dallas on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. The dealership diagnosed two recall-related issues (Recall #23-008 and #21-012), temporarily resolving the problem. However, the failure returned just five days later and has persisted ever since. I purchased the vehicle in May 2020, practically new from the dealership. This issue began roughly a year after purchase and has only escalated. I’m requesting further review and a permanent resolution, as this continues to be a severe safety hazard.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? When calling the dealer they believe it is the “Smart Control unit.” How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My vehicle will not start most of the time…leaving me stranded when I have to go anywhere and I have to get out to take the battery terminal off and back on just to try to reset it long enough for it to try to start. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, from my understanding of reading other people having the same problem Honda knows it is a common issue and has not done anything about it. The dealer wants paid to do an inspection. I do not have the money they are asking for. I know inspections aren’t very expensive but...
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle shifted into park independently. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while restarting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to restart for approximately 90-seconds, and then operated as intended. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where was it diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the the front camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the failure was not covered under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to lose automotive power, and failed to return to normal operation. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle remained at the residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
In April 2021 Honda issued a warranty extension due to loose connection in the MOSTbus network causing. Popping or crackling and Network Loss. My vehicle was checked and nothing done. Then in 2023 recall-Due to improperly designed and manufactured connectors, the Media-oriented system transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable counter may have a poor connection. My car was taken in for this recall and this “repair” had not been resolved.
All the associated warnings are on dash, diagnosed at local Honda dealership with code u 3006-16. Advised multi camera failure and requested $1600 to repair. Immediate after I am now getting a transmission warning problem on dash.
The infotainment screen is turning off and says “Network Communication Lost. MOST Net Off”. This means the infotainment screen goes black, often for long periods before it cycles back on, making it difficult to use Navigation and the screen for reverse camera.
•What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The “smart” control module, part# 38320-TG7-L112-M1 was removed and inspected; obvious incomplete conformation coverage was discovered along with significant dendritic growth on an uncovered IC. Proper cleaning of the board alleviated the issue – for the time being at any rate. I am including pictures of the board and growth that clearly show this defect and its related consequences, but I can provide the part for inspection if it’s feasible timewise and if I haven’t sold the vehicle by that point. •How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle was rendered completely and utterly inoperable by this condition and additionally necessitated the removal of the battery to keep the car alarm from triggering randomly. If this condition manifests itself at the wrong time it could easily create a dangerous...
The car's engine randomly stopped working and required jump start twice. Despite replacing the valve adjustment and battery, the problem persisted. The Honda dealer we approached did diagnostic testing twice, stated that it could be a problem with the car's Auto Idle Stop system, but did not offer a definitive solution.
The instrument panel blacks out and does not display critical information such as engine oil pressure radio goes out speedometer goes out rear camera goes out. There was a recall T89 but Honda says my VIN does not come up under the recall even though it is the same issue. This is an intermittent problem. Everything will be working and then while driving it blacks out. The black could last hours. Unable to get navigation. Then when it comes back on the panel light up with engine light warning brake warning low gas warning even though tank is full traction control light comes on These warning lights will come on and after a few minutes go out.
2020 Honda Pilot Touring was purchased in CT at Honda of Stamford, May of 2023. I started having issues in July pertaining to extreme dust coming into the cabin causing my children and myself asthma conditions to worsen. I took the car to the dealer and they blew out something connected with the system. I than started having issues with the radio system and large popping sounds coming from it. The dealer didn't check this for me. The car also brakes on it's own while driving without warning and nothing is in front of me. The dealer didn't check this. On [XXX] the dashboard lite up with a lot of error messages and the car brake light was on. The car would only go 20mph on the highway. The car was stuck in Greenwich, CT at my son school for 2 days until I got it towed to the dealer....
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that upon arriving at the destination and attempting to reverse into a parking space, the transmission failed to shift into reverse even though the gear shifter was in reverse. The vehicle failed to shift back into drive, prompting the contact to turn off and restart the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality and the contact continued driving the vehicle. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and was unable to accelerate above 20 MPH. The contact was able to reach her destination and turned the vehicle off, after which the vehicle was unable to restart. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the brake switch and possibly other faults with the electrical system. The vehicle...
The engine stalled when I did not disable idle-stop. When I slowed down and stopped my Pilot 2020 due to traffic or traffic lights, the idle-stop activated. The engine was then stalled occasionally and the system requested me to step the brake and push start button to restart my Pilot. However, when I tried to restart it, the battery warning sign lit up and it made restart unsuccessful. I will then have to wait for a minute or two and tried again. I found this problem a few months after I bought my Pilot 2020 and I had reported the problem to my Paul Miller Honda service at West Caldwell, NJ. Honda service identified the problem but they do not know what is the exact cause of the symptom and suspect faulty battery. Honda service helped me to change batteries several times already and last time was Dec 10, 2024.
The Honda Pilot radio center includes the back-up camera and also Apple-Play used for navigation. This system was subject to a recall earlier when the radio would crackle and then the info center would lose power on an intermittent basis. A recall was performed, and a cable was replaced. That seems to have fixed the loud crackle issue, but I still have an intermittent problem with the info center losing power. The dealer told me to contact Honda. Honda told me it is a dealer decision to charge for troubleshooting and diagnostics. Meanwhile this is a safety issue especially when backing up and while driving because I lose my GPS map. Honda has not fixed the earlier problem, and the dealer will not do anything without getting paid for their efforts (which seems reasonable).
Every week or two, sometimes multiple times in same week, the 2020 honda pilot would turn on randomly in accessory mode where headlights would come on and/or infotainment/radio would come up, or alarm/horns would go on by themselves. Often in the middle of the night when car was in a garage. Sometimes during the day. New vechicle battery was replaced 2 months earlier. Batterries in key fobs were replace but issue continued. Honda dealership diagnosed it as keyless access unit letting voltage through transistor waking ignition switch and recommended replacement of keyless access unit. 2020 pilot was 4 years old with 55,832 miles. Appears to be a common issue/complaint on online forums with replacement of remote keyless access control unit. Dealership replaced unit 19 days ago.
Car shuts off when going into idle when at a traffic stop or in traffic. Does not restart. Completely shuts off goes into neutral then park and have to press brake and start the car again. Has happens 4 times in last 2 weeks.
The car goes into neutral automatically when idle. It then needs to be shut down and restarted. This happens in traffic at a light or intersection. Although, I received the idle stop start recall software update the issue persists. The dealer was unable to reproduce the issue and there were no codes when diagnosed.
About a month ago my car started acting like it didn't want to restart at traffic lights when the auto idle kicked in. One time to completely did not restart on a major highway and I had to completely turn the car off then back on again. Then last week I tried to get into my car and multiple components had stopped working: my keyless entry, blind spot sensor, parking sensor, entertainment system, back up camera, lane keeping assist, etc. I tried taking it to a mechanic and they could not figure out what the problem was. I tried replacing the battery and the car is still stuck in this mode. I have it at a dealership now and they are trying to determine what the problem is.
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...
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while turning left at an intersection, the vehicle stalled. Multiple unknown warnings illuminated. The v. The vehicle was restarted and no warning lights were illuminated. The failure was intermittent and was occurring at speeds lower than 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the stalling failures reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after another stalling failure, he drove the vehicle back to the same dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair....
When the vehicle comes to a stop and the auto-engine-start-stop feature is engaged, the vehicle will shift itself into neutral and will not disengage until you shut off the vehicle and turn it back on.
While stopped at a red traffic light after taking a freeway exit with one foot on the brake, my 2020 Honda Pilot engaged in auto stop (auto idle stop). When the traffic light turned green, I took my foot off of the brake, the vehicle attempted to start but stalled with the electrical components still on (dashboard indicators and ventilation still on). I stepped on the brake and attempted to put the vehicle in park, but noticed the vehicle would not shift out of neutral. I pressed the start/stop button (ignition) and the dashboard indicators flashed but the engine did not start until the second attempt. Somewhere in between, I pressed the emergency lights to indicate to drivers behind me of an issue. About 15-20 seconds had lapsed during my troubleshooting attempt. Prior to this event, there were at least 8 individual events where when the auto start/stop was engaged...
The car's front and back sensors will trigger for no reason. In a drive-thru it'll tell me that I am going to run into something after I've been sitting there for three minutes and not moving. The brakes slam on consistently, this happens at least three times every time I drive the car, as I'm driving down a road not about to run into anything or anyone. It's quite scary, and luckily, I haven't been rear-ended yet, I honked a few times but was not rear-ended. The low tire sensor goes off even though there's no low tire. I checked at several different service places, and all of them say the tire is fine. After It's checked, the light goes off, but it comes back on within a few weeks. There is a bad smell inside the car as if a diesel truck is passing us. it is so bad...
The recurring malfunctions in my vehicle's front screen system have repeatedly endangered me, especially when it suddenly blacks out while navigating unfamiliar roads or during backing maneuvers. Additionally, the faulty front vehicle sensor has caused my vehicle to halt abruptly, even when no obstacles are present. Despite numerous visits to the dealer, the issues persist, and their repeated requests to bring it in have yielded no solutions. Since purchasing the vehicle new in 2020, these persistent safety concerns have become increasingly dangerous as they are getting worse. I have attempted to contact Honda with no resolution
The vehicle has a defect with the radio/audio/bluetooth system making a crackling sound while operating the vehicle. The Honda dealer acknowledged that this is a recall issue, although no recall currently exists and as a result they replaced the FAKRA service cables. This did not solve the problem and it is one that is common to all Honda Pilots of this year. It is very distracting and cannot be stopped unless the vehicle is completely shut off.
On four (4) separate incidents, my car has either abruptly stopped running (waiting at a stoplight) or not been able to start. When I push the Engine Start/ Stop button to restart the car, it does not start and several random warning and dashboard lights flash on and off like crazy. These incidents occurred twice before the recall was fixed and twice AFTER the recall was (supposedly) fixed. Please help as I don’t want to be stranded AGAIN! This car is only a few years old. Thank you
American Honda states they performed NHTSA Recall Number 23V-431 but rear view camera still does not operate correctly. They are stating that I must pay out of pocket to replace a different part to be able to have the rear view camera operational again and per the terms of the recall notice, I am to have this fixed without charge and within a reasonable amount of time. Please help!
NHTSA Recall Number 23V-431 calls for cable connectors to be changed out due to poor connections resulting in the rear view camera image to function intermittingly or not display at all. Per Honda engineering, this repair is not sufficient to fix the issue and the main head unit has to be replaced too. Please include this as a part of this safety recall because of the safety issues it is causing as it relates to driver safety and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, "Rear Visibility".
When stopping at a red light, my vehicle completely shut off (engine stopped, all lights went out, radio went blank) for a few seconds. The car turned back on (except for the engine). I was able to restart the engine after about 10 seconds, but I was stuck in the middle of traffic. I disabled the engine idol-stop feature.
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the Auto START/STOP feature activated; however, after releasing the brake pedal, the engine failed to restart. Additionally, the transmission had erroneously shifted into neural. The contact stated that the vehicle was turned off and shifted into park before pressing the START/STOP button to restart the vehicle. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed a software update, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Numerous times while stopped at a red light/stop sign/traffic, the auto idle stop feature will kick in, but then the car will not immediately restart. Most times if the car is then turned all the way off and put in park it will restart. Now two different times, it would not start back up at all causing to car to be stuck in the middle of the road and requiring it to be towed. Prior to the incident occurring there were no warning lights or error messages.
The engine failed to start after being stopped at a red light. I engaged the gas and the entire car just shut down. I was stuck at the light in the middle lane with cars honking all around me. I attempted to put the car in drive, neutral, park and nothing worked. Somehow I was able to restart the car after many cycles of the light. This came out of nowhere; i.e. - it's never happened to me prior and is a HUGE safety issue. After doing some research, it seems this is an issue many Honda owners are complaining about. The incident occurred to me just as many others are detailing the exact same issue. To date, no one has inspected the vehicle but an appointment with the dealership has been made. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to this occurring.
I received a recall notice from NHTSA about my Pilot. The MOST cable connected needs to be replaced. I am writing because I have contacted two different dealerships. They are unable to address the defect until January 2024 or April 2024 respectively. You letter said that if the repair could not be done within 60 days of receiving the letter, to contact the NHTSA. The second dealership informed me that they only schedule one recall appointment per week, and that was why they can't fix it until April of next year. Please advise what I should do.
Other 2020 HONDA PILOT Problem Areas
Unknown Or Other
89 complaints
Engine
88 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking
34 complaints
Power Train
32 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings
30 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
26 complaints
Service Brakes
22 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
21 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
19 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
16 complaints
Lane Departure Warning
15 complaints
Lane Departure Assist
12 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
10 complaints
Exterior Lighting
7 complaints
Equipmentelectricalinfotainment
6 complaints
Steering
6 complaints
Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking
4 complaints
Back Over Prevention Warnings
4 complaints
Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection
4 complaints
Structurebody
4 complaints
Visibilitywiper
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints
Air Bags
3 complaints
Seats
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Tires
3 complaints
Back Over Prevention
2 complaints
Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera
2 complaints
Equipment
2 complaints
Seat Belts
2 complaints
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
1 complaint
Electrical Systemignition
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiring Rear Compartmenttrunk
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Cooling
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
1 complaint
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Sensing System Camera
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airantilockwheel Speed Sensor
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulic
1 complaint
Visibility
1 complaint
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior
1 complaint
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
1 complaint