2020 Honda Pilot driver assistance & safety tech problems
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
116 owners have reported driver assistance & safety tech problems with the 2020 Honda Pilot, 24% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 3,500 mi.
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech complaints
- 116
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Related recalls
- 3
- Median mileage
- 3,500 mi
Specific components reported
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech covers: Automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, backup camera, stability and traction control.
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 48 |
| Forward collision avoidance: warnings | 47 |
| Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control | 34 |
| Lane departure: warning | 29 |
| Lane departure: assist | 19 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 10 |
| Lane departure: blind spot detection | 7 |
| Back over prevention | 4 |
| Back over prevention: warnings | 4 |
| Back over prevention: rearview system braking | 4 |
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech complaints across Honda Pilot years
Mileage when the problem appeared
Related recalls
- BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 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."
Risk: A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is Y7Y.
What owners say
- Filed Oct 7, 2026ALDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
On October 7, 2026, at approximately 131,425 miles, my 2020 Honda Pilot Elite suddenly displayed multiple Honda Sensing safety-system failures simultaneously without prior warning. The vehicle displayed Adaptive Cruise Control Problem, Lane Keeping Assist Problem, Collision Mitigation System Problem, Road Departure Mitigation System Problem, and Auto High-Beam Problem. I shut the vehicle completely off and restarted it, but the warnings returned. These failures appear to…
NHTSA complaint #11769729 · source - Filed Oct 4, 2026INDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
When driving in normal conditions on a 2 lane road and passing oncoming vehicles the ‘auto emergency brake’ will flash on screen and briefly slow/attempt to apply brakes. Very intermittent, no consistency with other conditions such as weather, traffic flow or driving conditions. Concern - safe driving conditions are interrupted causing driver distraction and higher risk of accident.
NHTSA complaint #11768803 · source - Filed Sep 29, 2026VADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
My front sensor camera has malfunctioned which is causing numerous failing safety systems such as lkas, adaptive cruise control and automated braking.
NHTSA complaint #11767715 · source - Filed Sep 27, 2026OHDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
I own a 2020 Honda Pilot with approximately 85,000 miles. While driving, the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) warning lights intermittently come on, causing these Honda Sensing safety functions to become unavailable. The warnings sometimes disappear and the systems operate normally again, but the problem continues to return. The vehicle was diagnosed with DTC U3000-49, Multipurpose Camera Unit Internal Electronic Failure. I took…
NHTSA complaint #11767231 · source - Filed Sep 18, 2026ARDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
Front facing camera fail. Causing brake system adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist , collision mitigation, road departure mitigation. Auto high beams to not work
NHTSA complaint #11765352 · source - Filed Aug 31, 2026GADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
I got in the car one morning and had 5 error codes come on and they have not gone off. None of the driver assist controls are working. The cruise control does not work either. All of the dash lights are on. Toyota determined it is the front camera that failed and repair would be $2000. Car is available for inspection anytime. Unable to drive for long periods as the cruise control does not work. The lane assist option does not work. The automatic break system does not work.…
NHTSA complaint #11760834 · source - Filed Aug 29, 2026WIDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemSteering
While driving on my way home from work (24 mile drive) I received on my dashboard faults that flashed briefly for my steering, lane keeping assistance, lane departure, forward collision, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and parking collision (warning lamps). My radio also had cut out at the same time. While that occurred my steering wheel jerked suddenly while going straight at speeds around 60mph. I brushed it off as a communication issue since it is…
NHTSA complaint #11760548 · source - Filed Aug 21, 2026OHDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
While driving the vehicle on a family trip all of the driver assist functions shut off. Cruise Control, Lane Assist, etc. Numerous warning lights were triggered including brake system. Most noted the various driver assist functions became disabled. We had the vehicle codes read by a couple non-dealer locations. The OBD readers indicted that everything was fine with no codes being presented suggesting an error. Vehicle could be driven but none of the standard safety features…
NHTSA complaint #11758419 · source - Filed Aug 18, 2026FLDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
Tachometer is starting to surging idle. Getting a wave of errors lights and messages. It’s also a known problem on the 2019 of the same model and it has a recall. I received the same code from an auto repair shop. Service Bulletin 21-010
NHTSA complaint #11757579 · source - Filed Aug 10, 202610 miRIDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the radio made an abnormal crackling and popping sound, and the instrument cluster flickered with the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), and the cruise control became inoperable while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The contact associated the failure with TSB: 20-058 and 21-012, and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V431000 (Back…
NHTSA complaint #11755856 · source - Filed Aug 4, 202658,000 miMADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message that the radio was shutting off was displayed. Additionally, the speakers made a crackling sound before the radio shut off, and the main screen became inoperable. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V431000 (Back Over Prevention); as a possible cause for the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer times; however, the technicians were unable to…
NHTSA complaint #11754784 · source - Filed Jul 14, 2026TXDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
Lots of crackling noises via the audio system. Display reboots itself many times before it finally went BLANK. Radio / DVD DEAD. Blind Spot warnings DEAD. Back up camera DEAD. Navigation DEAD. Eventually the battery goes DEAD and the car will not start. Got Stranded a few times. Changed the battery. But hopeless and reliability is DEAD. Definitely disappointed with HONDA.
NHTSA complaint #11750225 · source
Other 2020 Honda Pilot problem areas
- Electrical System (211)
- Engine (104)
- Other / Unknown (103)
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (54)
- Transmission & Drivetrain (35)
- Brakes (26)
- Acceleration & Cruise Control (16)
- Body & Structure (8)
- Visibility & Wipers (8)
- Wheels & Tires (7)
- Lighting (7)
- Steering (7)
- Seats & Seat Belts (5)
- Airbags (4)
- Suspension (3)
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology