According to Au7o's analysis of 923+ owner reports, the 2023 Honda Pilot has 4 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Engine Stall and Power Loss from Mis-Programmed Fuel Injection ECU ($0-$0 repair) and Unsecured Driver's Seat From Untightened Cushion Frame — Pilot Recall 24V859 (2023-2024). The most commonly reported issue is Parasitic Battery Drain Causing Dead Battery with 634 owner reports. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 2023-2025 Honda Pilot 3.5L V6 (J35Y8), fourth-generation Pilots built on the 2023 redesign store P061B when the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) mis-handles a fast throttle transient. Supplier Denso reported to Honda that the settings for the correction control logic of the air flow rate and fuel injection volume were improper, which can cause a torque control failure to be detected. When the driver makes a sudden, large change in throttle opening — a hard tip-in from a roll, a quick lift-and-reapply while merging, or a sharp stab of throttle from low rpm — the torque the FI-ECU calculates diverges far enough from the torque it commanded that the module's internal plausibility monitor trips. Because that monitor is a torque-safety supervisor rather than an ordinary sensor check, it does not just log a code; it commands a torque limit. Drivers report the malfunction indicator lamp coming on together with an abrupt loss of drive power, a deep hesitation in the throttle, and in the worst cases an outright stall, which on a busy road is a genuine crash risk. American Honda filed NHTSA safety recall 25V-031 in January 2025, covering 294,612 vehicles: 2023-2025 Pilot (built 13 Sep 2022 - 9 Jan 2025), 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type S and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type S. Nothing is mechanically wrong with the engine on an affected Pilot — no sensor is out of range and no part has worn out — which is why parts-swapping diagnosis on these trucks wastes money.
Common Symptoms
Check engine light with sudden loss of drive power
Engine hesitates or stumbles on a fast throttle change
Engine stalls while driving or when merging
Reduced-power / limp behavior after a hard tip-in
MIL on with no other apparent driveability fault
How to Fix
Do not begin by replacing hardware. Check the VIN against NHTSA campaign 25V-031 first; if the truck is in scope, an authorized Honda dealer reprograms the FI-ECU with the corrected control program free of charge under the recall, regardless of mileage or warranty status. The reflash is a short shop visit — owners of the sibling Acura vehicles report 30 minutes to an hour — and requires a fully charged 12-volt battery and Honda's ECU reprogramming tooling; independent shops without that tooling cannot perform it. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning 17 March 2025. After the flash, clear the stored P061B and any secondary codes and drive the vehicle through the conditions that provoked it — several hard tip-ins and merge-throttle transients — to confirm the fault does not return. If P061B reappears on software that is already at the recall level, the diagnosis changes completely: now treat it as a genuine torque-model disagreement and check for an intake leak downstream of the mass airflow sensor, a contaminated or failing MAF, a dirty or drifting throttle body and accelerator pedal position sensor correlation, and any aftermarket tune or intake that would make measured airflow disagree with commanded torque.
On the 2023-2024 Honda Pilot, a limited number of 2023 and 2024 Honda Pilots are covered by recall 24V859000 because the driver's seat cushion frame may not have been properly tightened. An improperly tightened cushion frame can leave the driver's seat unsecured to the vehicle. Honda filed this as a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207, "Seating Systems." For a three-row family vehicle this is worth taking seriously for the reason NHTSA gives: an unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing injury risk. The 121-vehicle figure attached to this campaign is the total for every Honda and Acura model in it combined, not a Pilot-specific count.
Common Symptoms
Driver's seat is not firmly secured to the floor
Seat shifts or rocks in normal driving
How to Fix
Take the Pilot to a Honda dealer, who will replace the driver's seat cushion frame free of charge. Notification letters were mailed January 6, 2025. Since this recall spans two model years and a very small build population, the reliable way to know whether yours is affected is to enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a Pilot built days apart from an affected one may not be included. Questions about scheduling or parts availability go to Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
On the 2016-2023 Honda Pilot, honda Pilots experience excessive parasitic battery drain (over 80mA) causing dead batteries after 24-48 hours. Common causes include radio/audio staying active when off, Bluetooth module constantly searching, and AC compressor clutch relay sticking on. Normal draw should be 12-30mA. Vehicle requires 30+ minutes to fully "fall asleep" with hood, doors, and trunk closed.
Pull radio fuse to test if radio causing drain. Replace defective Omron AC clutch relay (39794-SDA-A03) with updated Mitsuba relay (39794-SDA-A05). Disconnect or replace Bluetooth/hands-free module if causing drain. Test parasitic draw with multimeter after 30+ minutes. Replace weak battery. Check three main ground connections for oxidation/corrosion.
What you need to diagnose it
The fix here starts with a test, not a part — which repair you need depends on what the test finds.
UNI-T UT210E Low-Current DC Clamp Meter
1 mA resolution on the 2 A range — a 0.1 A meter reads a 50 mA drain as zero
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Testing and isolating the fault is DIY work. Replacing or reprogramming a control module is not — most are VIN-programmed, so a new one does nothing until a shop codes it to your car. Check for an open recall or service bulletin before buying anything.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
Genuine Honda/Mitsuba 39794-SDA-A05 power relay
OEMHonda 39794-SDA-A05
Honda Pilot applications; the OEM engine-room catalog identifies this part as the magnetic-clutch relay. For the source's 2023 year, confirm the VIN-specific fuse-box cat
High ConfidenceVerified634 owner reportsLast reported by owners Jan 2025Reviewed Feb 2026
Community reported
289 owners
On the 2016-2023 Honda Pilot, aWD Honda Pilots experience rear differential fluid leaks from temperature/pressure sensors, axle seals, and case deterioration. Loose or damaged fluid pressure sensors drip onto axle seals. Some cases involve holes in differential case with extensive aluminum deterioration. Leaks can lead to low fluid levels causing noise and judder on turns. Rear differential uses DPSF (Dual Pump System Fluid) and holds 2 quarts.
Common Symptoms
Differential fluid puddle under rear of vehicle
Low differential fluid level
Humming or whining noise from rear axle
Judder or binding when turning
Clicking noise during turns
Visible fluid on differential case or axles
How to Fix
Inspect rear differential for leaks during oil changes. Tighten or replace leaking temperature/pressure sensors ($50-$100 parts). Replace axle seals if leaking ($150-$300 per side with labor). For case leaks, differential may need replacement ($800-$1,500). Change rear differential fluid every 30,000-50,000 miles using Honda DPSF fluid (2 quarts, $40-$60 + $80-$120 labor).
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
Genuine Honda 08200-9007 Dual Pump Fluid II, one quart
OEMHonda 08200-9007
specified rear-differential service fluid after leak repair or when Maintenance Minder sub-code 6 calls for fluid replacement Fitment/availability: 2016-2023 Honda Pilot AWD rear differential; Honda DPSF-II, one quart per bottle. Buy the…
Medium ConfidenceVerified289 owner reportsLast reported by owners Dec 2024Reviewed Feb 2026
NHTSA Recalls17 recalls
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Passport and 2023-2025 Pilot vehicles. The fuel filler neck tube and fuel filler pipe may separate, allowing fuel to leak.
Campaign #24V90000027/11/2024
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
Campaign #25V03100023/01/2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Campaign #25V39100012/06/2025
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The third-row passenger seat belt assembly may not function, due to incorrect routing that traps the seat belt behind the passenger side panel. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Campaign #25V05600005/02/2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
According to Au7o's analysis of 923+ owner reports, the 2023 Honda Pilot has 4 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Engine Stall and Power Loss from Mis-Programmed Fuel Injection ECU, Unsecured Driver's Seat From Untightened Cushion Frame — Pilot Recall 24V859 (2023-2024), Parasitic Battery Drain Causing Dead Battery. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Honda Pilot reliable?
The 2023 Honda Pilot has 4 known issues documented across 923+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Engine Stall and Power Loss from Mis-Programmed Fuel Injection ECU and Unsecured Driver's Seat From Untightened Cushion Frame — Pilot Recall 24V859 (2023-2024). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Honda Pilot problems?
Repair costs for known Honda Pilot issues range from $0 to $0, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Engine Stall and Power Loss from Mis-Programmed Fuel Injection ECU, typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2023-2025 Honda Pilot Engine Stall and Power Loss from Mis-Programmed Fuel Injection ECU?
Fourth-generation Pilots built on the 2023 redesign store P061B when the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) mis-handles a fast throttle transient. Supplier Denso reported to Honda that the settings for the correction control logic of the air flow rate and fuel inject… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2023-2024 Honda Pilot Unsecured Driver's Seat From Untightened Cushion Frame — Pilot Recall 24V859 (2023-2024)?
A limited number of 2023 and 2024 Honda Pilots are covered by recall 24V859000 because the driver's seat cushion frame may not have been properly tightened. An improperly tightened cushion frame can leave the driver's seat unsecured to the vehicle. Honda filed this as a noncompli… Severity: high.
What is the 2016-2023 Honda Pilot Parasitic Battery Drain Causing Dead Battery?
Honda Pilots experience excessive parasitic battery drain (over 80mA) causing dead batteries after 24-48 hours. Common causes include radio/audio staying active when off, Bluetooth module constantly searching, and AC compressor clutch relay sticking on. Normal draw should be 12-3… Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2023 Honda Pilot Rear Differential Fluid Leaks from Seals and Sensors?
AWD Honda Pilots experience rear differential fluid leaks from temperature/pressure sensors, axle seals, and case deterioration. Loose or damaged fluid pressure sensors drip onto axle seals. Some cases involve holes in differential case with extensive aluminum deterioration. Leak… Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
