2012 Honda Pilot Electrical System
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact then discovered a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 67,450. The contact stated that at the time of retrieving a Carfax report, it was discovered that the mileage was 140,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Pilot. After contacting the seller on Facebook Market Place the contact purchased the vehicle and later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the odometer mileage reading was 94,397. After obtaining a Vehicle Carfax, the mileage listed for the vehicle was 204,943.
Odometer Fraud. The contact has never owned or purchased these vehicles. The vehicles never purchased in any type of sale. The contact stated that the state of New York has asked for additional paper for the vehicle's registration. The vehicle was not a private sale or dealer sale but illegitimately obtained. The contact has received a letter from state of New Jersey 182,007 sold to fidelity 182,008 actual fidelity transferred with no odometer dis transferred [XXX] with no odometer disclosure. The contact is a [XXX] the tittles and odometer Fidelity Auto grp out of Wisconsin Marie Knight in Ohio they are signing title in her name for her company. The contact stated she has never sold these vehicle milage is rolled back. The contact has tried to contact the city of New York and have been flagged as fraud the city stated they are providing titles. The contact has requested copies and has not received anything through the freedom of information. New Jersey 182,007 sold to fidelity 182,008 actual fidelity transferred with no odometer dis transferred [XXX] with no odometer disclosure. 2012Honda Pilot VIN: [XXX]Recall data refreshed on Apr 16,2025 0Â Unrepaired Recalls associated with this VIN What if my car isn't recalled now? Could it be recalled later? Yes. Whether a manufacturer independently conducts a safety recall or NHTSA orders one, the manufacturer must file a public report describing the safety-related defect or noncompliance. Manufacturers are also required to notify owners by mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA of a recall decision. Â Look for this distinct label to distinguish critical safety recall information from other marketing material. Montana 211,026 with 211,510 actual with no odometer disclosure 2014TOYOTA Camry VIN: [XXX] Recall data refreshed on Apr 17,2025 0Â Unrepaired Recalls associated with this VIN What if my car isn't recalled now? Could it be recalled later? Yes. Whether a manufacturer independently conducts a safety recall or NHTSA orders one, the manufacturer must file a public report describing the safety-related defect or noncompliance. Manufacturers are also required to notify owners by mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA of a recall decision. Â Look for this distinct label to distinguish critical safety recall information from other marketing material. 203,574 bought actual Fidelity Group 205,374 transferred to her with 203,514 it was sold to [XXX] 109,000. 2013Acura MDX VIN: [XXX] Recall data refreshed on Apr 16,2025 0Â Unrepaired Recalls associated with this VIN What if my car isn't recalled now? Could it be recalled later? Yes. Whether a manufacturer independently conducts a safety recall or NHTSA orders one, the manufacturer must file a public report describing the safety-related defect or noncompliance. Manufacturers are also required to notify owners by mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA of a recall decision. Â Look for this distinct label to distinguish critical safety recall information from other marketing material. New Jersey 201,019 transferred 253,000 actual fidelity transfer to with no odometer sold from The contact to [XXX] no odometer disclosure. 2012Honda Pilot VIN: [XXX] Recall data refreshed on Apr 16,2025 0Â Unrepaired Recalls associated with this VIN What if my car isn't recalled now? Could it be recalled later? Yes. Whether a manufacturer independently conducts a safety recall or NHTSA orders one, the manufacturer must file a public report describing the safety-related defect or noncompliance. Manufacturers are also required to notify owners by mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA of a recall decision. Â Look for this distinct label to distinguish critical safety recall information from other marketing material. Montana 263,614 transfer 263,615 actual fidelity sold it with no odometer disclosure sold to [XXX] with 100,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 112,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 240,000.
Check engine light came on followed by shaking of the vehicle. The code was checked indicating a cylinder 1 misfire. This has been an ongoing issue of cylinders misfiring. The spark plugs and coils have been replaced multiple times and the issue is still persisting.
The car started smoking, I was able to pullover and get out. The fire department came and removed the hood because it was too hot and appeares to be on fire. They disabled the battery. Car was towed to mechanic and inspected for cause. It was discovered that the alternator melted and the wire harness was burnt and plastic components melted. Car has been totalled.
Back up camera stop working. Apparently alot of honda pilot owners complain that the camera stops working.
YESTERDAY (AUGUST 13TH) I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET ABOUT 45 MPH AND MY 2012 HONDA PILOT'S DASHBOARD WENT COMPLETELY DARK AND THE SPEED WENT FROM APPROX 45 MPH TO ZERO IN A MATTER OF SECONDS . I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE AT THE TIME WITH CARS ZIPPING BY ME AT MUCH FASTER SPEEDS AND I HAD TO "COAST " TO THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES I DIDN'T KNOW IF I WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BUT IT DID COME TO A STOP. NOTE: THE RADIO STILL PLAYED . I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH , TURNED IT IMMEDIATELY BACK ON AND THE CAR STARTED . I DROVE ON US INTERSTATE 85 FOR 20 MORE MINUTES DIRECTLY TO THE HONDA PLACE THAT SERVICES OUR VEHICLE .THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT NO CODES HAVE SHOWED ANYTHING SO FAR AND HAVE KEPT THE CAR OVERNIGHT TO SEE IF THEY CAN REPLICATE THE INCIDENT . MY CONCERN OBVIOUSLY IS THAT THEY WILL FIND NOTHING AND I WILL BE BACK ON THE ROAD NERVOUS THAT IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN. AFTER READING MANY SITES ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH MANY MODEL YEARS OF HONDA PILOT , EVEN BRAND NEW ONES , IT MAKES ME WONDER IF HONDA HAS REALLY LOOKED INTO THIS . OUR FAMILY HAS OWNED MANY HONDAS FOR MANY YEARS WITHOUT EVER ENCOUNTERING ANYTHING LIKE THIS . I DON'T WANT TO GO PICK MY CAR UP TODAY AND HEAR " COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG " . I DRIVE GRANDCHILDREN IN THIS CAR ! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND FROM THE BLOGS ON THE INTERNET IT SEEMS HONDA NEEDS TO SERIOUSLY FIND THE PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE DIE . I PLEAD WITH THE POWERS TO BE TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE DEATHS OCCUR. NOTE: SO FAR THE TECHNICIANS AT OUR HONDA DEALERSHIP ACT CLUELESS ABOUT THIS AND OTHERS ONLINE HAVE TAKEN THEIR CARS BACK TIME AND TIME AGAIN WITH NO REAL SOLOUTION. YOU HAVE A GREAT PRODUCT ...NOW STAND BEHIND IT, PLEASE.
THE KEYS FOR THE 2012 HONDA PILOT ARE VERY CHEAPLY MADE. OUR VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2011. AFTER TWO YEARS OF NORMAL DRIVING, THE PLASTIC KEY FOB PART OF THE KEY STARTED TO CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BROKE IN HALF. THE KEY IS NOW USELESS. REPLACEMENT KEYS ARE $200 AT THE DEALER WHICH REQUIRES AN HOUR APPOINTMENT TO PROGRAM A NEW KEY. KEYS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, NOT TWO YEARS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT FUNCTION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCESS ANY OF THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,200.
I PURCHASED A HONDA PILOT 2012 EX-L 4WD IN NOV 2011. SINCE DAY ONE I NOTICED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE'S A/C SYSTEM. SPECIFICALLY, I HEAR A LOUD HUMMING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN THE A/C COMPRESSOR TURNS ON. THE NOISE IS VERY ANNOYING AND WAS DISMISSED BY THE DEALER AS "NORMAL" WITHOUT DIAGNOSTIC WORKS. HAVING OWNED MANY OTHER VEHICLES OVER THE YEARS, MY EXPERIENCE TELLS ME THAT THE NOISE DEFINITELY CANNOT BE CHARACTERIZED AS "NORMAL". AFTER ONLINE RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAD PROMISED A SOLUTION SINCE LAST YEAR. TO DATE, OTHER PILOT OWNERS AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION FROM CORPORATE HONDA REGARDING THE FIX ON THE ISSUE. I'M HOPING THAT MORE POTENTIAL BUYERS ARE AT LEAST AWARE OF THIS ISSUE WHEN THEY COMPARE VEHICLES AND THAT HONDA HEARS OUR COLLECTIVE CONCERNS AND TAKE RESPONSIBLE ACTIONS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GRINDING NOISE WAS DUE TO THE STARTER ENGAGING. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO REPAIR FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. UPDATED 05/11/12 *BF UPDATED 05/21/12
MY WIFE PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND EXITED THE CAR JUST A SHE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE CALLED ME OUT OF THE HOUSE TO LOOK AND I SAW THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT IT SPREAD TOO FAST. THE END RESULT IS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS BURNT WITH NOT MUCH LEFT. I AM ASSUMING IT WAS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE INITIAL SMOKE AND THE LOCATION OF THE FIRE ORIGINS. *TR
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Quick Summary
The 2012 Honda Pilot has 13 Electrical System complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.