CarRecallWatchThe 2012 Honda Pilot has 9 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 172 complaints with NHTSA, including 17 crashes, 3 fires, 19 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (35 reports).
2012 Honda Pilot recalls
Passenger airbag inflator can explode, sending metal fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in certain vehicles may rupture because its propellant can degrade after long exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature cycling.
Passenger Front Airbag May Not Deploy in a Crash
The front passenger airbag inflator may have been installed incorrectly when it was replaced during a previous repair.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
Certain 2010 Honda and Acura vehicles have a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can rupture.
Passenger Air Bag May Deploy Improperly in a Crash
A front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly when it was replaced, so it may not deploy properly in a crash.
Passenger Airbag Inflator Can Explode, Sending Metal Fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles may explode.
Passenger Airbag May Deploy Improperly in a Crash
Some replacement passenger-side frontal airbag inflators in certain Honda and Acura vehicles may have been installed incorrectly at one dealership.
Passenger airbag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments
The passenger-side front airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture during a crash that requires the front airbags to deploy.
Most common 2012 Honda Pilot problems
Problem areas named in the 172 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 35 |
| Service Brakes | 25 |
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Power Train | 20 |
| Air Bags | 20 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 |
| Suspension | 14 |
| Steering | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 10 |
What owners report
My Honda Pilot is losing paint all over the body.It's everywhere these days. My Honda Pilot is losing paint all over the body.
I own a 2012 Honda Pilot Touring equipped with the factory navigation system. The navigation system clock recently developed a problem where the time displays as 0:00 and does not operate normally. I attempted the available clock-setting procedures through the navigation system. I was temporarily able to set the correct time, but after exiting the settings the clock returned to the incorrect 0:00 display. This appears to be an electronic/software or GPS-related issue rather than a normal mechanical failure. I am concerned because other Honda owners with similar factory navigation systems appear to be experiencing the same issue. I contacted American Honda regarding the problem, and Honda
On April 9, 2026, my daughter came in from school and parked her Honda Pilot at about 5:10PM. At about 7:03PM, my wife and I were sitting outside and heard a loud POP, it sounded like a car backfiring. I went to investigate and saw a little smoke and a small orange glowing piece of something on the ground under the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle. I grab a fire extinguisher from my work truck and went towards the vehicle. The car was locked and I saw flames under the hood standing by the driver door looking down where the windshield wipers are. I used the extinguisher till it was empty and the flames kept getting worse. I just walked away and my wife was already calling 911. No on
One day my pilot 2012 suddenly started turning on and off the passenger airbag then out of the blue the airbag system light when on. Scanned it an it reads the passenger weight sensor is not communicating the part is no longer available to purchase and it is in backorder with date of delivery to be determined. Car is not safe to operate and Honda is not selling the part anymore to get the repair. What should be my options?
The check transmission light comes and goes. Ive had the transmission flushed with no issues. It pulls codes for the torque converter as its supposedly getting stuck per mechanic or is over heating and throwing the code. It does not drive rough and I believe it is a faulty code that needs to be addressed and updated and cleared. Ive had it cleared out once and it stayed off for a whole month. The light and blinking D doesn't come on all the time or in patterns so that also tells me it isn't a transmission issue or it would be on more frequently and consistently. To where when mine comes on and then I shut my car off for an hour it stays off for quite some time. This really needs to be addres
2012 Honda Pilot questions
Does the 2012 Honda Pilot have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls for the 2012 Honda Pilot: Passenger airbag inflator can explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger Front Airbag May Not Deploy in a Crash; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger Air Bag May Deploy Improperly in a Crash; Passenger Airbag Inflator Can Explode, Sending Metal Fragments. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Pilot?
Based on 172 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (35), Service Brakes (25), Electrical System (22).
How do I check if a recall on my 2012 Honda Pilot has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.