2012 Honda Pilot problems
Owners have filed 230 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Pilot. Engine is the most reported problem area, at 20% of complaints. After that come brakes (13%) and electrical system (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 230 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 20% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 22 and 5
- Injuries and deaths
- 27 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 33,000 miles 170 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 64 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 28 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 33 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 13 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 8 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 8 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Among the 170 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 33,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 13,000 miles (32 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 22 complaints mention a crash; 5 complaints mention a fire; 27 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2012 ranks 16th most-complained-about out of 24 model years of the Honda Pilot with enough data (156 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 9 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 honda pilot. The contact stated that while he was at stop the vehicle was crashed into from the rear by another vehicle traveling 60 MPH. The impact pushed the contact's vehicle forward, causing the contact to crash into a brick wall and then a tree. The front and side air bags all failed to deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the head, neck, back, left side of the body and the left leg. The front seat passenger suffered injuries to the head, face and legs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 honda pilot. The contact stated that another vehicle traveling 60-70 MPH crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The contact's vehicle was pushed into an intersection, which then crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver suffered injuries to the back and neck. The front passenger suffered injuries to the back, neck, face and ribs. There were two rear seat passengers who also suffered injuries to the ribs. The vehicle was destroyed.
Driving in the city when the 3 vehicle collision happened going 25-30MPH. The first car stopped suddenly to let pedestrians cross the street. Then the second car followed and I did not catch the stop in time. Front air bags did not deploy when my car rear ended the other vehicles. And driver seatbelt did not lock. Injuries of whiplash, concussion and a broken nose resulted from this
The pilot cranks, but the engine intermittently fails to start. Honda recognizes problem, but offers no solution or time frame for a fix. Car was bought new, but honda will not provide alternative safe vehicle.
2012 honda pilot has vibration/shaking in the steering wheel when braking from 50+ MPH. Not noticeable at lower speeds, but very noticeable above 50MPH. Steering wheel shakes and makes it seem as if the car wants to lose control or not brake as it should.