2017 Honda Pilot Electrical System Problems

The issue appears to involve the vehicle’s electrical control system responsible for power management and system activation while the vehicle is off, possibly including the Smart Power Control Module and related components. It may be arranged for the vehicle to be inspected. The vehicle behaved as though it had been remote started, initiating engine cranking without any user input while turned off. If this occurs while parked in a garage or enclosed space, it could lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup and pose a serious risk to occupants. Unintended engine activation also presents a risk to nearby people or property. The unintended engine cranking event occurred once and was directly witnessed while I was seated inside the vehicle observing other electrical oddities. The issue has not been reproducible on demand. However, related symptoms including the alarm activating on its own and unexplained electrical activity while the vehicle is off have occurred multiple times. The vehicle has not yet been inspected for this issue by a dealership, manufacturer, or third party. No police or insurance reports have been filed. I plan to take it to the dealership tomorrow (4/4/2026). There were no warning lights or messages before or during the event. Prior symptoms include intermittent alarm activation, display flashing, clicking fuses, and electrical activity while off, beginning before the engine cranking incident.

I was stopped at a traffic light, and my vehicle would not re-start when the traffic light turned green. It stalled because the Auto Idle Stop/Start (AIS) function did not work as intended. The dashboard cluster lights were all on (or many of them, at least). I had to collect myself, put the car in park, and wait a couple of minutes to try to restart the vehicle, all while I had a line of vehicles behind me honking. This isn't the first instance. It has happened several times before, and I am familiar with what the Honda service reps say when I have taken the vehicle in for repair, so I'll cut through the nonsense they have told me. I recently replaced my battery with a quality name brand battery, so it's not an issue with the battery. I have had the PGM-FI Idle Stop Software Update recall service performed twice, one in response to a March 2023 recall notice, and again from a May 2024 recall notice. There is something seriously and obviously wrong with this AIS feature. I have looked on many forums and this is a frequently recurring problem. This shouldn't happen simply because I (or my family member) forget to hit the AIS-disengage button. There should be a permanent fix for this feature if it frequently fails.

Alarm randomly goes off when parked and locked without doors being open. Unplugged hood latch sensor and it stopped but security system is not armed (absence of blinking light).

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH on the freeway, the vehicle stalled due to battery failure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the battery was replaced. After restarting the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound consistent with a rod knock. Additionally, the trunk handle paint had chipped and was rusted. The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was pending an appointment with the dealer. The contact used a handheld scanner and retrieved seventeen different undisclosed diagnostic trouble codes. The contact stated that the warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

While driving my 2017 Honda Pilot Elite, the vehicle has experienced four separate incidents of sudden and complete loss of power, including while traveling at highway speeds and during rush-hour traffic. The engine shuts off without warning, causing the vehicle to stop in traffic. In multiple incidents, the vehicle would not restart for several minutes. These incidents occurred on U.S. 19 and Interstate 275 in heavy traffic, creating an immediate risk of collision. In one incident, the vehicle died while traveling at highway speeds. In another, it shut off at a red light and blocked traffic during rush hour. The vehicle has been taken to an authorized Honda dealership multiple times. Diagnostic testing initially found no issues. Later visits attributed the problem to the battery, despite the battery being recently replaced and the condition recurring after replacement. The symptoms exactly match Honda Pilot start/stop engine failure recalls affecting nearby model years. However, because my model year is not included, the dealership refused to repair the vehicle in accordance with the recall, even when I offered to pay for the repair. I believe this represents a safety-related defect involving sudden engine shutdown while driving. The vehicle is unreliable and unsafe to operate. Furthermore, given the repeated failure of this vehicle, the dealership’s inability to permanently repair the condition after multiple attempts, and the ongoing safety risk, I am concerned this matter may meet the criteria for a nonconformity under Florida’s Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act. I am hopeful Honda will resolve this matter cooperatively and without the need for further regulatory or legal action.

The vehicle constantly says “ keyless start system problem” I’ve only had the car for a year, it also says “ break system problem and won’t let me start the car often”

Auto-idle feature shut off vehicle at a stop and would not restart when light changed. Have to shut off vehicle and start like it was parked. Not safe in city traffic. Dealership said there is no issue with auto-idle feature

so i have a Honda pilot and have been seeing a light saying that my collision mitigation system is broke so i took it in for a diagnostic which i was charged for which is fine and normal i guess but they told me that the system was broken possibly from just driving through construction zones and this causes phantom braking so i have to get it fixed but they want to charge me for the repairs which from my perspective the customer i shouldn't have to pay for a defect like that that can cause injurie or much worse

Auto Start/Stop Issue. I finally experienced what some other members of my family have experienced with this car. My Honda Pilot stalled at a stop light in heavy traffic after the engine was turned off when I stopped at the light using the auto start/stop function. After I released the brake when the light turned green, the car did not start.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while searching on Carfax ,it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 85,000, and at the time of searching on Carfax, it was discovered that the mileage was 184,753.

After fixing a few of the recalls, the alarm on my 2017 Honda Pilot would start going off at random times. After several attempted fixes - replacing the key fob batteries, replacing the car battery - the issue has persisted and we noticed a clicking noise coming from the dash. Essentially the car would attempt to turn on without anyone near it. There are no warning messages present. Thus far, it has not replicated while driving. We have just taken the issue to the Honda dealer and they have come back with a $1400 charge to replace the Smart Power Control Module. In researching the issue, I've seen a number of owners have this issue with 2016-2018 Pilots and even seen some complaints in your database.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that upon retrieving the Carfax report history of the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 85,174; however, the Carfax report history displayed that the mileage was 184,073 on August 22, 2023, but was reported as 66,137 on November, 2023.

The alarm kept going off randomly/intermittently. Honda recalled the control unit/alarm/tpms control unit on Honda Ridgeline bit not on Honda Pilot.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 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 144,8000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 360,000.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 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 on Facebook. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 76,000, and at the time of checking the Carfax, it was discovered that the mileage was 145,755.

Transmission seems to be slipping the truck in getting louder when I switch gears it takes a min to take off

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the auto idle stop system activated, turning the vehicle off. While attempting to continue driving, the contact became aware that the system had failed to restart the vehicle. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to be manually restarted. After restarting, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. However, the dealer replaced the battery as a precaution. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.

Electrical System – Body Control Module The BCM in my 2017 Honda Pilot fails intermittently, causing the alarm to activate randomly, warning lights to flicker, and battery drain. The issue occurs without warning, even while parked or driving, creating distraction and reducing confidence in the vehicle’s safety. Numerous other owners have reported identical issues online and with NHTSA, indicating a systemic defect. Honda should issue a recall to address this problem.

Pilot will shut off at stop signs and red lights. Software update completed in 2023 but issue persists. I shut the “feature” off as soon as I turn car on. It has happened despite this. It may be draining the battery. On third battery in two years. Currently at dealership to complete next warranty update.