2020 Honda Pilot · symptom sheet

Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)

39owner reports
5,000median miles
$1,700median quote
2involved a crash

Newest report Jun 20, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

115 of the 484 complaints on this car are about collision avoidance. 39 of those describe phantom braking.

Tick what matches of 39 reports

nothing was in front of me

on the highway

near an overpass, shadow or truck

nearly rear-ended

the dealer found no fault

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the radar or camera sensor (19 reports), the windshield (5 reports) and the software (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on collision avoidance covers the 2020 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into collision avoidance on the Pilot

PE12-028opened Oct 9, 2012

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 2005

Vehicle stability assist malfunction. Closed mar 15, 2013.

NHTSA summary

The Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system in the model year (MY) 2005 Honda Pilot vehicles integrates braking control strategies for anti-lock braking, traction control, electronic stability control and brake assist functions. The system consists of a VSA modulator (an electronic control unit and electronic/hydraulic actuator) that receives data from an integral brake pressure sensor and from wheel speed sensors (four wheels), the steering wheel angle sensor and a combination yaw rate and lateral acceleration sensor.Allegations of unexpected braking appear to be related to inappropriate activation of the brake assist (BA) function.The BA system is designed to minimize stopping distances in emergency braking maneuvers by rapidly applying maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected. ODI's analysis of complaints and information provided by Honda in its response to DP12-002 and PE12-028 identified fault conditions that may result in false detection of a panic stop by the BA system, resulting in unexpected, severe brake application. The VSA control algorithm should detect inappropriate BA activation in less than 1 second and turn the system off. However, some complaints allege longer duration incidents of severe braking with no brake pedal application. Honda implemented countermeasures in the control and fault detection algorithm in the MY 2006 Pilot VSA modulators, which are not interchangeable with the MY 2005 parts.Allegations of steering anomalies appear to be related

None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.

What owners paid

7 of the 39 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $300 to $2,000.

$300$1,700$2,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.

320

321

922

323

524

725

926

What owners wrote

“The LKAS camera stopped working and it wonât allow any of the connected systems to operate including ACC, emergency brake assist, cruise control, etc.”
Filed Sep 4, 2025

“No incident. Turned my car on and the ACC, LKAS, Collision mitigation and brake system lights all are amber.”
Filed Jun 10, 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.”
Filed May 9, 2025

“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. This will cause an accident.”
Filed Mar 5, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 2 of 39 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.