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2020 Honda Pilot Brakes Problems

16 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data

16
Complaints
3
Crashes
Jan 2023Nov 2020
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (16)

criticalSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Mar 2026

Almost every day since new the vehicle will alarm 'brake' on dash while driving on 2 lane back roads that have some slight curves (these are all around our house). At least once a month the car will automatically apply the brakes while coming around a curve or over a blind hill. Both of these scenarios occur 50/50 when there is oncoming traffic or no oncoming traffic.

NHTSA #: 11721562
criticalSERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: May 2025

Several system failures relates to a faulty multipurpose camera used by the Honda Sensing system from collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control and land keeping assist. Multipurpose camera premature failure leads to loss of several safety features.

NHTSA #: 11659924
criticalSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Mar 2024

Phantom braking from the CMBS collision avoidance system. It occurs randomly and applies brakes when the road is clear. The amount of braking varies from a partial second to more severe.

NHTSA #: 11575686
criticalSERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2023

While driving with auto-idle on the car, I stopped at the red light on the left lane by stepping on the break and Auto-idle comes on and the engine stopped while continue to step on the break. When the green lights comes back on, I release the break, but the car completely shut down and require me to power off the car completely and push the start button on the car again.

NHTSA #: 11502483
criticalSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. Upon purchase of the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal, screeching noise emit from the front driver-side tire. The contact's husband took the vehicle to a dealer where they found no defect with her rotors or tires.

NHTSA #: 11471305
criticalSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Mar 2022

The automatic collision avoidance system continually gives false warnings, shaking the steering wheel and beeping, while flashing a brake warning. This occurs even if there is no other traffic on the road, which could cause an accident by startling the driver when it unexpectedly activates. The automatic brakes are also overly aggressive, which could cause a rear end collision.

NHTSA #: 11454864
criticalSERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Nov 2021

The contact owned a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 55 MPH the brake pedal was applied however failed to respond the vehicle crashed into a fence. The wheel assembly detached.

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NHTSA #: 11439838
criticalSERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Mar 2021

Tl* the contact owns a 2020 honda pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 1 MPH while turning and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle lost functionality in the brakes, which resulted in the contact crashing the vehicle into a wall. 1 person was injured (the contact) and sustained soreness to the body but medical treatment was not sought.

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NHTSA #: 11403712
criticalSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Aug 2020

The forward collision system in our 2020 honda pilot will alert us to brake, shake the steering wheel back and forth and beep with nothing in front of us or will do it when another vehicle is out of the alert zone in the opposite lane. We have taken it to our local dealer and they have not found an issue. We can be on backroads, main streets and recently on empty bridges.

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NHTSA #: 11343361
criticalSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jan 2020

The collision mitigation system (brakes) will slam on the brakes with no hazard in the area. The system frequently flashes a message on the display to brake in red and black. At least once the system has actually slammed on the brakes and nearly caused an accident.

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NHTSA #: 11300489
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Aug 2023

There have been a total of 11 (since 2020) incidents when I applied the brakes they did not engage fully and the SUV surged forward 2 feet and the engine was still trying to go forward even with brake pedal to the floor. I have had it looked at the dealership but they say nothing is wrong.

NHTSA #: 11540418
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Filed: Oct 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle at the local dealer and leaving the parking lot, the brake sensor message was illuminated, and the wheels began to vibrate and jerk slightly to the left and right. The contact also stated the radio was resetting independently.

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NHTSA #: 11436757
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Aug 2021

The large amber Brake warning indicator on the dash and the associated buzzer comes on giving a false positive indication periodically in two way traffic even on straight roads with adequate traffic separation. There is no specific pattern to getting this false indication and it is very annoying. I am concerned that it could also automatically apply the brakes when it is not necessary.

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NHTSA #: 11429887
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Nov 2020

Tl* the contact owns a 2020 honda pilot. The contact stated that while applying the brakes, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to frank fletcher honda (2921 moberly ln, bentonville, ar 72712) where the contact was informed that the sound was normal.

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NHTSA #: 11374528
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2020

Brakes are too low and soft.idling is rough during cold start.I brought to the dealer last september 28,2020 but dealer did nothing.technician said there is nothing wrong with it.the dealer is holler honda in orlando florida.this is my fourth honda and only experience this.brakes are like that all the time.always stopping too close to the vehicle in front of me.

NHTSA #: 11362286
lowSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Feb 2020

I was driving down the highway , had the cruise control set . 75 no other cars around when is slammed the breaks and the screen flashed a big red brakes box . Scared the life out of me .

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NHTSA #: 11306908

Other 2020 Honda Pilot Issues