2021 Honda Pilot · symptom sheet
Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)
- 46owner reports
- $1,900median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 10, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
111 of the 425 complaints on this car are about collision avoidance. 46 of those describe phantom braking.
Tick what matches of 46 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the radar or camera sensor (17 reports), the windshield (7 reports) and the software (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on collision avoidance covers the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
NHTSA investigations into collision avoidance on the Pilot
Vehicle stability assist malfunction. Closed mar 15, 2013.
NHTSA summary
None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.
What owners paid
8 of the 46 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,800 to $2,000.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“Car in front of me stopped. My vehicle did not causing a rear end collision. I do not recall the brake warning flashing to alert me to brake. The automatic braking system did not seem to engage. Even though I pressed the brake pedal the vehicle did not seem to want to stop. It reminded me of a vehicle without power brakes. Nor did the wheels lock up or leave any skid marks from hard braking.”
Filed Sep 7, 2024
“Frequently, my 2021 Honda will apply the brakes without warning or very abruptly. While using the adaptive cruise control, the car will brake suddenly when there is not a car anywhere near me. Also, when driving on two lane roads, the car slams on the brakes when there is not a car in front of me.”
Filed Apr 17, 2024
“When driving the collision mitigation and brakes come on for no reason. Once when driving down a two lane road with a car coming in the opposite direction in their lane and I was in mine, the car braked. Then once getting on a road nothing coming nor any other vehicle around the vehicle did a hard brake. I just purchased the car last month and it just started happening.”
Filed Jun 23, 2023
“When driving the collision mitigation and brakes apply , flash dash and shake wheel violently. Almost loss of vehicle control. Almost not drivable on 2 lane roads This happens multiple times during any driving. This has been ongoing since Purchase and has been reviewed by Honda dealer without correction. Only recourse was replace controls at owner cost even while under new car warranty”
Filed May 19, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 46 reports involved a crash and 1 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.
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 77 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 74 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 35 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 30 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 30 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 26 reports