2012 Honda Pilot Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 9%of 172 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the fuel system of the 2012 Honda Pilot, 9% of the 172 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The check engine light and vtm4 light come on after over an hour of driving. Sometimes the whole inside of the car smells has while driving and the fuel consumption is not efficient. In addition when the car sits in the garage for a few days, maybe 2-3, and I start driving, the wheels make some deep brushing noise. This gets worst when I brake. Sometimes it smells like something is burning under the hood or around the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10608297, filed 2014-07, 42,000 miles“My car suddenly accelerated for no known reason and the brakes would not stop the car. This has happened 2 time in one week. First time it was moving at a very slow rate as I was coming to a stop at a stop light. The second time I was sitting in line at a drive thru, waiting to move forward, when I took my foot off the brake the car suddenly accelerated and when I pushed on the brake pedal it went to the floor and would not stop the car. I took the car to my garage and they said they could not find anything wrong. …”
NHTSA complaint #11043599, filed 2017-11, 51,000 miles“As I proceed to accelerate onto a highway or road my vehicle is very hesitant no matter how far you push down on the gas pedal it will not go and then all of the sudden it lurches accelerating the speed very fast as if it's trying to catch up. This has caused me to almost I have three accidents now. I have to be very cautious when entering an intersection or pulling onto a freeway as my vehicle declines to accelerate as it needs to causing people to run into me almost. It is a pretty significant delay for the vehicle to catch up on its own and could be very dangerous for anyone. …”
NHTSA complaint #11361162, filed 2020-09, 172,322 miles“I purchased this vehicle from brickell Honda in miami with 7,000 miles. I had traded my 2010 Honda Pilot so I was very familiar with this vehicle in general. Immediately, I felt a hesitation when I pressed the gas pedal. At first I thought it was my imagination. However, after driving it for a week it became apparent that this was a huge safety issue as it continually hesitated when accelerating in traffic. I took it back to the dealer and expressed my safety concerns. They drove the car and told me that they could not duplicate the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10531949, filed 2013-07, 7,500 miles“2012 Honda Pilot - does not start consistently. Consistently has a rough start, and often stalls. Within days of owning my brand new 2012 Honda Pilot, the car stalled when I attempted to start it in my garage. I immediately brought the car into the dealership. The dealer's service department could not find a problem. They kept the car for the day, then reported to me that Honda of america is aware of the problem and trying to fix it. They promised to keep me posted on the status of the Honda of america engineers progress on the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10452727, filed 2012-03, 63 milesRelated recalls
- 12V063000Feb 17, 2012Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 pilot and acura mdx vehicles. The vent shut float (vsf) valve case in the fuel tank assembly does not meet the…Covers: Honda Pilot 2012, Acura MDX 2012
Related service bulletins
- 10216874Jul 19, 2022"Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co…
- 10129552Feb 18, 2014Service bulletin - The MIL comes on and DTC P0455 (EVAP system large leak) and/or DTC P0456 (EVAP system very small leak detected) is set. The fuel fill cap (gas cap) may also be…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | 7% |
| 2024 | 7 | 6% |
| 2023 | 5 | 3% |
| 2022 | 10 | 6% |
| 2021 | 23 | 5% |
| 2020 | 54 | 11% |
| 2019 | 198 | 21% |
| 2018 | 125 | 28% |
| 2017 | 142 | 15% |
| 2016 | 192 | 11% |
| 2015 | 6 | 6% |
| 2014 | 5 | 4% |
| 2013 | 13 | 5% |
| 2012 | 16 | 9% |
| 2011 | 10 | 3% |
| 2010 | 4 | 4% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 5 | 4% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 1% |
| 2004 | 18 | 3% |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Honda Pilot
35 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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