2017 Honda Pilot problems
The Honda Pilot is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating manufactured by Honda since 2002. Primarily aimed at the North American market, the Pilot is the largest SUV produced by Honda. Pilots are currently manufactured in Lincoln, Alabama, and the Pilot was produced in Alliston, Ontario until April 2007. The first generation Pilot was released in April 2002 as a 2003 model.
The Pilot shares its platform with the Acura MDX, as well as the North American market Odyssey minivan. The Pilot's unibody construction and independent suspension are designed to provide handling similar to that of a car, and it has integrated perimeter frame rails to permit towing and light off-road use.
Prior to the introduction of the Pilot, Honda marketed the compact crossover CR-V and the Honda Passport (a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo). The Honda Passport that was sold between 1993 and 2002 was a truck-based design. The Pilot is Honda's largest SUV, although the 2010 Crosstour surpassed the Pilot in length. The Pilot is now currently in its fourth generation, with multiple design changes occurring from getting bigger and resembling a truck to downsizing and becoming sleeker to now a slight mix of both.
The Pilot is sold in North America and the Middle East, while the Honda MDX (first generation Acura MDX) was marketed in Japan and Australia for several years. The second-generation Pilot was also sold in Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, Latin America, and the Philippines.
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Common 2017 Honda Pilot problems
The 2017 Honda Pilot has several common problems that have been reported by owners, including check emissions light issues, rearview camera problems, and paint failing on the hood.
A check emissions light on the dash is the most common complaint from owners, with the problem occurring around 50,000 miles. The source of the problem is often a worn-out gas cap, which costs $30 to replace. However, some owners have reported that a software update can fix the problem. Dealerships may charge up to $100 for the software update, while others may install it for free.
Rearview camera issues have also been reported by some 2017 Honda Pilot owners, with the camera displaying a black image when the system is having a problem. Resetting the stereo system usually fixes the problem, while others may require a software update.
Paint failing on the hood is another problem mentioned by Pilot owners, with the clear coat failing on the hood when it's left in direct sunlight and not properly cared for. Repainting the hood is the only way to fix the issue, costing around $1,000.
The 2017 Honda Pilot has only one recall, which covers the hood latch, which can be opened while driving. Honda will repair or replace the hood latch on affected models for free.
In terms of reliability, the 2017 Honda Pilot is expected to last around 250,000 miles, which is about 100,000 miles less than the top-rated Toyota 4Runner. Regular annual maintenance costs are cheaper than average, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $373 per year.
Other issues reported by owners include oversensitive safety systems such as the adaptive cruise control, a finicky (but optional) nine-speed automatic transmission, and a not-so-user-friendly infotainment interface.
Transmission failures have been reported in the 2003 model, although there are some isolated incidents of transmission failures in other Pilot models.
In conclusion, while the 2017 Honda Pilot has several common problems, it is still a reliable vehicle with a spacious interior and good fuel economy. Regular maintenance and addressing issues promptly can help ensure the longevity of the vehicle.
What are the common problems with 2017 Honda Pilot?
Owner Reported Trouble Spots
- In-car Electronics. Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display. ...
- Transmission Major. ...
- Electrical Accessories. ...
- Fuel System/Emissions. ...
- Transmission Minor. ...
- Engine Electrical. ...
- Noises And Leaks. ...
- Exhaust.
Is 2017 good year for Honda Pilot?
Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread problems on the 2017 Honda Pilot. Buyers should avoid models from 2016 since they have engine & transmission problems. Models from 2017–2022 are much more dependable.
Does the Honda Pilot have any problems?
Honda Pilots built between 2006 and 2008, as well as 2017 to 2021 models, have considerably fewer reported complaints than other model years. This is despite the investigation into engine stop-start system failures in the later model years and a recall involving the hood latch on 2016 to 2019 Pilots.
Are there any recalls on 2017 Honda Pilot?
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
2017 Honda Pilot car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Honda Pilot problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Power train problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2017 Honda Pilot vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2017 Honda Pilot
The NHTSA has received 657 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2017 Honda Pilot. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2017 Honda Pilot vehicles.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-24
- VIN: 5FNYF5H54HB
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: On October 24th I was parked at a rest area and started the engine on my 2017 Honda Pilot. When I did I heard a knocking in the engine and the oil light came on. I immediately shut the engine off and checked the oil. I contacted a wrecker and had it towed to the nearest Honda Dealership. I was advised that it’s probably a faulty Rod bearing. I did research and found out there was a recall on the 2016, 2018, 2019 pilots but skipped my year except the 2016 Ridgeline. I contacted Honda Corporate and they stated I had to get a physical inspection done at the Honda dealer again and it might or might not be covered. I did not get a definitive answer. I don’t understand when the 2016 and 2018 have a recall for an issue that occurred on my car, but my car is not included on the recall and I will probably be out a minimum of $10k for a faulty designed engine. Make note my vehicle has only 80k miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
- VIN: 5FNYF5H50HB
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-15
- VIN: 5FNYF6H71HB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the failure might be related to Technical Service Bulletin: 17-015. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-11
- VIN: 5FNYF6H51HB
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 1. While driving on the highway at approximately 70 MPH, the engine’s crankshaft and connecting rod bearings suffered premature wear, leading to a catastrophic engine seizure. The engine failed while the vehicle was in motion, leaving us in a highly dangerous situation. The odometer reading at failure was 60,764 miles. 2. This mechanical failure put my children’s lives and mine at significant risk. When the engine seized, the vehicle rapidly decelerated without warning, which could have easily resulted in a high-speed collision and potentially fatal consequences. By sheer luck, I was able to navigate across lanes of traffic and pull the car onto the shoulder without incident, narrowly avoiding a serious accident. 3. I authorized a full engine tear-down to pursue goodwill assistance from Honda of America, but despite the clear mechanical failure, my request was ultimately denied. The root cause of the failure was the shredding of the connecting rod and related rod bearing, which led directly to the engine seizing. Despite this, the vehicle is not covered under safety recall report 23V-751, and Honda of America has refused to offer any goodwill assistance. 4. The vehicle was inspected and diagnosed by a certified Honda dealership, further confirming the severity of the issue. 5. There were no warnings, error messages, or any indication of mechanical problems prior to the engine seizing, leaving no opportunity to take preventive action before the failure occurred. This version highlights the severity of the mechanical failure, the danger to your family, and the steps you have taken to seek assistance, providing a stronger basis for requesting recourse.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-08
- VIN: 5FNYF6H91HB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: Vehicle fails to restart after the auto engine idle stops the car. Looks like this is a known issue but the dealer I bought this car from isn't doing anything to fix it.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- VIN: 5FNYF6H57HB
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: While the vehicle was being driven, the engine suffered catastrophic failure putting the driver and nearby motorists lives at risk. Vehicle was taken to Honda dealership for inspection, and it was found that there was a large hole in the bottom of the engine block with one of the pistons poking through the hole.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-12-18
- VIN: 5FNYF6H38HB
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while depressing the hatchback release button to open the hatchback, the hatchback failed to open. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuse box had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic contacted the dealer to order the parts and was informed that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-02
- VIN: 5FNYF6H92HB
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I am the original owner and have regularly maintained my vehicle. Current miles is around 69k, now needs a new engine. Early engine failure, something about a rod. This is the same problem the 2016, 2018, and 2019 Pilots have been recalled for. Original quote from dealer (Norm Reeves Honda in Vista, CA) to repair was over $10k. I have gotten an offer from Honda America to repair it for $1982 now, but the value may be as low as $11,500 after I pay to repair it. About 2 weeks ago I had a Carmax offer for $19,000. Not sure why the value of the car would drop almost $8,000 after I pay to repair it. I see many people online reporting early engine failure on their 2017 Honda Pilots, too. After we shared on Instagram that we were stranded 700 miles from home (and had to pay for a hotel, two rental cars, and $700 to have the vehicle shipped to our dealer for repair) we have heard personally from other owners who had the same problem with the same car.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-13
- VIN: 5FNYF6H93HB
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: When Engine goes idle during the brief traffic stop, Collision mitigation warning shows on and goes off quickly, sometimes causes the engine to not turn on during the times. Problem is so intermittent and hard to track as it is random behaviour and comes on for milli seconds in terms of warning on the dash board.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-15
- VIN: 5FNYF6H92HB
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding Honda's refusal to address a known issue with my 2017 Honda Pilot Touring AWD, despite the existence of a service bulletin. My vehicle has been consistently experiencing error code P0430, which pertains to the catalytic converter and emissions system. This error happens while driving several times. Honda has issued a service bulletin (NHTSA ID: 10187006) to address this very issue, accessible in the attachement. I scheduled an appoitnment at Honda to request the repair outlined in the bulletin. Unfortunately, they have refused to perform the necessary repairs due to my vehicle having a salvage title. I want to emphasize that although my vehicle has a salvage title, there has never been any engine or mechanical damage that would affect the emissions system or components causing this error code. Additionally, I am not alone in experiencing this issue. Many members of the Honda Pilot community have reported the same problem, and there is a large Facebook group where numerous owners are discussing their frustrations with the P0430 error code. This widespread issue further demonstrates that Honda needs to address the defect, regardless of a vehicle's title status, particularly since it is unrelated to any previous damage or title condition. It is disappointing that Honda is using the salvage title as a reason to deny what should be a covered repair, as the service bulletin explicitly addresses this mechanical defect. Given the direct impact this has on emissions compliance and potentially broader safety and environmental concerns, I am seeking NHTSA’s assistance in urging Honda to comply with their own service bulletin and perform the necessary repairs. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I hope for a swift and fair resolution to ensure my vehicle is properly repaired according to the service bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-07
- VIN: 5FNYF6H00HB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: After driving for over 30 minutes, mixed highway and road, at a stop light, the autostart failed, engine turned off, and went into neutral, w/ a warning the autostart failed. Put into park and restart engine. Cars honking, got the car started after 30 seconds or so. Did not immediately go into park when pushed!
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-04
- VIN: 5FNYF6H92HB
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Transmission needs replaced after I did transmission flush 5/24/24
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-23
- VIN: 5FNYF6H00HB
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I was sitting at a red light with my foot on the brake. The Auto Engine Idle Shut Off system was engaged. When the light turned green, I lifted my foot off the brake to start moving an the engine wouldn't turn back on. Instead, the vehicle automatically kicked itself into neutral and displayed a message on the screen telling me that I had to put the car in park when the engine was off. It so happened that a police car was a couple of cars back from me. So I put the car in park, turned on my emergency blinkers, and went to tell the policeman what happened. When I went to show him, I turned the engine on and it started up like normal. It sounds like the Honda Pilot Auto Engine Idle Shut Off is a dangerous and defective feature that can leave a person getting rear-ended or stranded.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-20
- VIN: 5FNYF5H94HB
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: See attached document for complaint
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-17
- VIN: 5FNYF6H57HB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I was driving on the highway home and received the transmission system error warning message. Pulled over safely after leaving highway and shit off the truck and was able tot skenabck roads home after restarting truck and error cleared. There was never a check engine light on, just the warning light.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-30
- VIN: 5FNYF5H9XHB
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: The front facing camera was working intermittently. When it wasn’t working all the advanced driving features would not work. After several months the car would intermittently go into limp mode per the dealership due to electrical confusion with all the codes/lights from the camera malfunction and shift while driving into neutral nearly causing me to have an accident while making a left hand turn. The camera had to be replaced at a large cost and they said it was not able to be repaired despite the fact that it worked perfectly 10% of engine starts
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-20
- VIN: 5FNYF6H03HB
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Engine spun connecting rod bearing on Cylinder 1 just as described in TSB 23-097. Car shutoff going highway speeds on the interstate. The car is currently at the honda dealer getting an engine replacement. Honda OEM certified powertrain warranty will only put a used engine with potentially the same issue in the vehicle Check engine light, and transmission problem lights all came on. Engine initially reported a misfire and transmission complained of not enough torque coming from the engine.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-02
- VIN: 5FNYF5H54HB
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that on three occasions while driving at various speeds, the messages "Emissions System failure", "Stabili-trak Assist Failure", "Hill Start Assist Failure", “Vehicle Stability Assist Failure", and "Power Steering System Failure" were displayed. Additionally, the power steering and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle then stalled each time. The vehicle was restarted after approximately four attempts. The contact stated that after the first and second failures, DTC code: P0087; was retrieved on a handheld diagnostic scanner. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V215000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 179,831.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-01
- VIN: 5FNYF6H54HB
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: car hesitates when accelerating at both low and high speed, check engine light is also on now. It started several years back, but problem has became worsen.
LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-05
- VIN: 5FNYF6H91HB
- Components: LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: During the last week, alerts would appear on my dash from the Collision Mitigation Braking System and Road Departure Mitigation System. These alerts will appear while driving at 30mph on a city street. When the alerts appear, the brakes are activated and the steering wheel locks up. The alerts immediately clear but it is very alarming to the driver and passengers. Yesterday while parallel parking, in the mist of reversing into the parking space, the systems triggered alerts along with a transmission alert. The system immediately put the vehicle into park and would not permit the change of gears. While halfway in the parking spot with the front of the vehicle sticking out into on coming traffic, I was forced to completely turn the vehicle off, wait about 3 minutes before turning it back on. This allowed me to complete parking the vehicle in the spot.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-02-14
- VIN: 5FNYF5H50HB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I have had a problem with my vehicle throwing the same codes for over a year and my mechanic and I could not figure out the problem. Finally he ran a report and showed me that these codes match recalls that should have been done on my vehicle but have not been done. I don't know who put it in the system that they had done it but my vehicle is not safe or okay and the dealership won't address my problems because their system shows that it was already fixed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-26
- VIN: 5FNYF6H93HB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: The auto idle stop feature restart did not work properly and instead the car froze in stop and go traffic on a freeway. Not only did the restart, not work properly in addition the car's electronics froze with multiple error messages on the dashboard coming up. I had to turn the car off by pressing the engine start/stop button, waiting and then restarting it like normal.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-30
- VIN: 5FNYF6H00HB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: In April my transmission started slipping and making a whirring noise. I took it to my dealership three times and they could never find a problem. In late June 2024 while driving back from OH to PA, the transmission died and left us stranded on [XXX] in WV with car zipping by. We spent several hundred dollars on towing, hotel rooms and rental cars. Had to leave our car in WV for two weeks for repair. The car was five hours from home. There is a lawsuit for the 9 speed transmission and I am here to confirm there is a problem. There was only 90000 miles on the car and all preventive services have been performed prior to transmission dying. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-23
- VIN: 5FNYF6H99HB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: My 2017 Honda Pilot touring edition stopped suddenly in a busy intersection causing major traffic back up and dangerous situations until police officers showed up to help. I called road service and it would ne over an hour before i could get help. I was unable to place push button in neutral by several means to get out of traffic and with officers help. No means to override shifter to neutral in cabin. It was discovered on this model you needed to manually place in neutral under the hood after removing several items air filter covers and locating a specail screw which required a special tool to override which none of is had. I am at the dealership now and they are telling me the same thing. Very dangerous situation for me others with same year
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-01
- VIN: 5FNYF5H88HB
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: This vehicle has continued to have faulty fuel injectors. Upon investigation I found that American Honda Motor Inc. submitted a recall and that it was covered under warranty. I am a department of State employee overseas with this American made vehicle which has faulty fuel injectors. I asked that the Honda American company provide the fuel injector parts to the Mexican Honda company so my vehicle could be fixed and they refused. According to their customer service representatives “the warranty does not extend past the United States” and therefore they are not responsible for the faulty fuel injectors.
2017 Honda Pilot recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2017 Honda Pilot.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
- Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
- Consequence: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
Negative 2017 Honda Pilot car reviews
Positive 2017 Honda Pilot car reviews
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I love the design of the 2017 Honda Pilot! It's so attractive on the outside and incredibly comfortable on the inside. While the rear seats could be a little more comfortable, they're not used every day, so it's not a big issue. Additionally, the heat takes a while to kick in, which was unexpected for a brand-new vehicle, but it's understandable given the large space. Unfortunately, the Bluetooth hasn't consistently worked, but overall, I still think it's a five-star car. It's great in snow and ice, and it has very good gas mileage for this type of vehicle.
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I've put 1100 miles on my new car so far and I'm really enjoying the smooth ride. Although I do miss my 2016 Toyota Highlander, the Pilot has so many more options that make up for it. While I don't necessarily need the DVD player that comes with this version, I'm sure it will add value later on. The car's ApplePlay is okay, but I do wish I didn't have to plug in my phone every time I want to use it. The auto engine idle is a great feature, and the navigation is really neat - it shows you exactly where you are as if you're looking from the sky, and even has pictures of exit signs. While some people have said that the sensing isn't very sensitive, I think it's doing exactly what it's supposed to do. There's also plenty of interior storage and leg room, and the car seems so much bigger from the inside. Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase!
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We are thrilled with our Pilot after owning it for nearly seven years. It has been the perfect family hauler, accommodating both people and cargo with ease. We have noticed an improvement in fuel economy over the years, which is a great bonus. The acceleration is impressive and the ride is well-balanced. Despite its size, the handling is excellent. We do wish that Honda had included a standard roof rack or at least roof rails. After conducting extensive research over a long period, we ultimately decided on the 2017 Pilot to meet our need for a 7-8 passenger vehicle. We considered many makes and models, including the Mazda CX-9, Toyota Sienna AWD, Toyota Highlander, Audi Q7, VW Atlas, and Nissan Pathfinder. Our key criteria for purchasing were sufficient third seat room, dimensions that could fit in our garage, reliability, resale value, and safety. We narrowed it down to two vehicles: the Pilot and the Sienna AWD. Although the Sienna AWD had sliding doors and positive reviews, it was a bit too long for our garage. Overall, we are very pleased with our Pilot EX AWD model. We opted for the fabric interior since, in our experience, leather tends to crack and look frumpy over time, even with conditioning/treatment. Here's a quick rundown based on our early experience: Positives - good interior room, plenty of third-row passenger space, excellent ride quality, back-up camera that functions well, nice large center console display, LED DRLs that look great, and decent handling. Negatives - snow traction was originally just average (especially compared to our Subarus), touchscreen display is slow to react, some interior material choices (e.g. hard plastic for second-row doors instead of soft touch like first row), no standard roof rails, no standard LED low/high beams, fuel economy average, and narrow opening for third-row access. Also, the lack of heated windshield nozzles makes winter driving a challenge if ever parked outside. Overall, we are very pleased with the Pilot for its interior room and drivability.The Pilot has been a great partner in all conditions. We considered the Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander, but ultimately chose the Pilot because it offered the perfect balance of size, reliability, performance, low cost of ownership, and safety.
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I recently purchased the Pilot AWD Touring package, but unfortunately, I am considering trading it in after driving it for less than 1000 miles. Although the package includes some options that I wanted, I knew I would not enjoy the push button transmission, and my experience has confirmed this. The transmission has too many gears, and it can be confusing at lower speeds, especially when turning into my subdivision. The default setting for Honda's gas rating is to turn the engine off at stops, which can be inconvenient, and I am concerned about the long-term effects on the starter and battery. While you can disable this feature, it requires an extra button press every time you start the car. Overall, I wish I had gone with the Highlander or purchased the EX-L without all the options. It's important to remember that you don't always need every feature available.
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I LOVE my new Pilot! It is comfortable, quiet, and a nice ride. There is plenty of interior room, and head/leg room, even in the 2nd and 3rd rows. Good storage between two front seats. With the 60/40 3rd row split you can put different size cargo in and only give up minimal seating. The rear 'trunk' space is very limited, so I would suggest installing roof rack bars and investing in a sturdy storage container. The climate control and entertainment options keep all rows of travelers happy too. Plenty of cupholders too. One of the issues I have experienced is a seriously over-sensitive front impact safety sense. It 'screams' BRAKE at you and shakes the steering wheel even when there is no chance for front impact (this is especially true when vehicle is taking a corner to the right and there is a car coming around the same curve on the opposite side). Can be very unnerving.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2017 Honda Pilot problems:
2017 Honda Pilot List of Problems. | Honda Pilot - Honda Pilot Forums
Sep 11, 2023 ... The 2017 Pilot shifted like when I first bought it… I found out Honda is known for bad grounds. These cars need the ground to work properly.
2017 Honda Pilot Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
Nov 23, 2022 ... The 2017 Honda Pilot lasts around 250,000 miles with only minor emissions and rearview camera issues. At $20,275 to $27,600, it's a good value ...
2017 Honda Pilot Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · In-car Electronics · Transmission Major · Electrical Accessories · Fuel System/Emissions · Transmission Minor · Engine Electrical.
2017 Honda pilot question : r/hondapilot
Jan 22, 2023 ... Does this issue apply to a 2017 pilot with the 6 speed auto transmission or are these problems relating to the 9 speed trans. Maybe both ...
2017 Honda Pilot Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2017 Honda Pilot? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Other years of Honda Pilot
Are you having problems with your 2017 Honda Pilot?
Edwardo Schuster 2025-11-07
Honda's reputation from the 90's and 2000's is no longer a reflection of their current standards. Despite negative reviews of the touring and elite models with the 9-speed transmission, we confidently purchased a fully loaded EX-L with only 8,000 miles from a reputable dealer. However, we noticed moisture in the front passenger floorboard and mold on the seatbelt shortly after. We took the vehicle to the Honda dealer for repair and, after some investigation, they found some seepage on the top rail molding and repaired some bad welds or seams under the vehicle. They also ordered new carpet to replace the saturated one. Although there were some delays, the service advisor was transparent and kept us informed throughout the process. We appreciate their commitment to resolving the issue and ensuring our satisfaction.We informed them that we could not accept the vehicle without a replacement seatbelt. The safety of our baby is our top priority, and we were not willing to compromise on that. Unfortunately, we also discovered mold and bad welds in the vehicle, which further reinforced our decision. We test drove a 2017 touring pilot as an alternative, but found that the carpet on the passenger side was soaked. As a result, we made the decision to switch to a 2017 Toyota Highlander. We are now very satisfied with our new vehicle and have decided to move on from Honda.
Vito Hirthe 2025-10-15
I had to replace the transmission at 30k miles, which was covered by warranty but took a week. Unfortunately, I also had to pay out of pocket for the fuel injection at 50k. The second issue is especially worrisome because it's a common problem that Honda is aware of, and it's well-known among Pilot forums. It's disappointing that Honda specifically excludes the injection system from their powertrain warranty. On the bright side, the car's driving and interior are okay and comparable to many competitors. It's also great that it fits 8 people, which is one more than many competitors. That's why we bought it. However, if I had known about the mechanical issues and poor addressing by Honda corp., I would not have bought it. Therefore, I cannot recommend it to you either.
Scottie Mohr 2025-09-04
In December 2016, we purchased a 2017 Honda Pilot with high hopes of owning a reliable vehicle based on Honda's reputation. Unfortunately, we have had a few issues with the SUV. At around 10,000 miles, we started experiencing service issues such as the back-up camera not working, the navigation system failing, a rear window leak, and traction control issues. The most significant issue was the 'Emissions System Problem', which resulted in numerous visits for repairs. Thankfully, the vehicle was still under warranty, and the dealership was able to perform the necessary repairs. As a working mom with three kids, dealing with these issues has been a significant burden on our family. We consulted legal counsel under the lemon law and also met with the General Manager Ken Snyder as CDA Honda is a local company and our preference is to get the reliable vehicle we thought we were purchasing. In our conversation, Ken spoke highly of what Honda does to take care of their customers and really supports the local dealerships. We appreciate his support and hope to resolve the issue soon.However, what he really meant was to trade it in. As we found out in the process, his staff sprang to life with the excitement of selling a new car. After all of the transportation hardships we have dealt with for the past year and a half, the thought of paying more money for a vehicle that might function better just seemed completely unreasonable. We received a letter from CDA Honda approximately a month ago indicating Honda was reviewing our case, but we have had zero follow-up from Ken Snyder or anyone else at CDA Honda. When I inquired about the status, I was informed it was with Honda and out of their control. While everyone in the service department has been friendly, there has been no effort to proactively resolve this issue. We feel that it would be absolutely unconscionable to sell this vehicle as a private party. Historically, we have purchased new vehicles and have driven them for years. We currently have a Toyota with 130,000 miles that we use for family trips since our Honda Pilot with 30,000 miles hasn't been reliable, and we are uncomfortable driving it too far from home.
Brown Toy 2025-08-23
Today we test drove a 2017 Pilot XLE as part of a segment comparison with the Highlander and the CX-9. We intentionally avoided the higher trims for the Pilot due to the bad reviews of their 9-speed transmission. Unfortunately, we were unimpressed with the interior, which was the least refined of the three. However, we acknowledge that this may be due to the lower trim level we were testing. The exterior design was also quite bland compared to the Highlander and CX-9, although this is subjective. At least we can say that the CR-V has more character. It's worth noting that there were no issues with the driving experience or the entertainment system. We tested Android Auto by plugging in an Android phone, and while it did work, it wasn't the screen mirroring we expected. Instead, it was some old-looking Android apps that were synchronized with the phone, such as Google Maps. It wasn't as good as we thought it would be. We wish we had brought a lightning cable to test Apple CarPlay with my wife's iPhone. However, there were several design issues that made us pass on this car. Firstly, the camera-based LaneWatch feature was more dangerous than just turning your head, as another reviewer has already mentioned. Unfortunately, the proper BSI system is only available on the higher trims, so you're stuck with it. Secondly, the 2nd-row folding seats won't slide without folding first, which means no child seats on the second row if you also need access to the third row. We double and triple checked this, as it was a huge issue for us. We can't believe they call it a family car, unless they're targeting families with grown children only. This might be different with the captain's chairs, as we only tried with the 2nd row bench.Anyway, it definitely makes your decision between the Highlander and the Pilot easier.
Linwood Denesik 2025-07-13
I should love this car, but unfortunately, I don't. I wish I had bought an older model instead. It's been 13 years since I last bought a new car! There are a few features that I find quite frustrating. Firstly, the auto stop function is quite unnerving. The engine shuts off when you stop for even a tiny amount of time and restarts when you move the steering wheel or take your foot off the brake. Although the dealer said you can turn it off, you have to do it every time you start the car. Secondly, the beeping can be quite annoying. You can turn it off, but then you risk backing into something if you're not used to the camera. Thirdly, there's a feature that unlocks all the windows, which can be quite inconvenient, especially when it's raining. Overall, there are too many features that I find unnecessary. I prefer to drive the car myself. Lastly, going over speed bumps or into a big profile driveway can be detrimental to your spine.