2011 Honda Pilot Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 14%of 293 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Honda Pilot, 14% of the 293 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Purchased brand new Pilot in june 2011. I was driving on a freeway at 60 MPH and wheel started shaking when I hit brakes. Driving became very dangerous because of shaking. Talked to Honda service dealer about it and issue is rotors/brakes which is not covered under warranty. This should not happen in a care that's under 3 years 36000 mile warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10578263, filed 2014-04, 33,000 miles“I began to accelerate from a stop sign and my steering wheel started to shake. In an effort to gain control of the vehicle, I pushed the brakes. The problem was, my brakes were not responding to any inputs. I had to drive my vehicle in a ditch in order to come to a complete stop. Luckily, I was only going 30mph when this occurred. This is a very dangerous and life threatening situation.”
NHTSA complaint #10660746, filed 2014-11, 60,130 miles“I feel that NHTSA should look into 2011 Honda Pilot brakes and steering because when slowing down in the vehicle the steering wheel can vibrate and driver can lose control of vehicle. The brakes when applied to slow down or stop also has pulsating or feels like they may not be stopping the car at all and more pressure has to be applied to the pedal to stop. I have found same complaints from other consumers on different complaint websites. …”
NHTSA complaint #10513772, filed 2013-05, 35,000 miles“The brakes didn't function properly which caused me to strike a tree with my family in the car. I was traveling at approximately 45 miles per hour when another vehicle hit the front passenger side quarter panel and it sent us on part of a gravel road and then off the road. I engaged the brakes upon impact and had plenty of time to stop before heading into trees. The vehicle did slow, but not enough to avoid hitting a tree at approximately 25-35 MPH, which totaled the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10655318, filed 2014-11, 62,000 miles“I was stopped in a drive thru with my foot on the brake and 2 vehicles in front of me. Suddenly ,while my foot was still on the brake, my truck lunged forward hitting the truck in front on me and forcing that truck to hit the truck in front of them. But it didn't end there. When my truck originally lunged, the engine revved and after hitting the truck in front of me, my truck engine continued to rev up and down and my truck continued to bounce off and on the truck in front of me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10604414, filed 2014-06, 75,760 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10052477May 1, 2013Honda: the engine shuts off, power on, but in accessory; never use conventional wheel & tire assemblies on pax vehicles; mil on after throttle body cleaning or replacement; s/m…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2025 | 33 | 15% |
| 2024 | 13 | 11% |
| 2023 | 17 | 12% |
| 2022 | 20 | 12% |
| 2021 | 28 | 6% |
| 2020 | 26 | 5% |
| 2019 | 43 | 5% |
| 2018 | 10 | 2% |
| 2017 | 27 | 3% |
| 2016 | 31 | 2% |
| 2015 | 12 | 11% |
| 2014 | 9 | 8% |
| 2013 | 42 | 15% |
| 2012 | 29 | 17% |
| 2011 | 41 | 14% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 14 | 10% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 21 | 10% |
| 2006 | 34 | 13% |
| 2005 | 134 | 20% |
| 2004 | 22 | 4% |
| 2003 | 25 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2011 Honda Pilot
68 complaintsSteering
34 complaintsSuspension
34 complaintsEngine
31 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology