2020 Honda Pilot Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 1%of 493 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 7,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2020 Honda Pilot, 1% of the 493 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have been going back and forth with the dealership about the car makeing poping sounds a.d the entire dashboard going out and I can't see anything on there. Screen is out I can not see my speed and it hits the brakes when ever im driving and I almost crashed with my kids in the car with me. I am worried for the safty of my kids.”
NHTSA complaint #11340056, filed 2020-07, 7,000 miles“I was driving and a LOUD cracking popping noise started coming from the dash. The stereo went dead and the instrument panel went dead. I was startled at the noise and almost lost control of the car. I can’t see my speed or other functions of the car. Honda has no permanent fix for this.”
NHTSA complaint #11449245, filed 2022-01“I am writing to formally report a safety concern related to a recent maintenance issue on my Honda vehicle. Approximately one month ago, I had my vehicle serviced to address an issue with the rear tailgate lighting. Although the issue was supposedly repaired, I discovered during nighttime driving that the tailgate lights were still not functioning properly. Despite the headlights being on, the rear tailgate lighting failed to illuminate, creating a serious safety hazard. I was nearly involved in a rear-end collision with a truck due to this malfunction. …”
NHTSA complaint #11663917, filed 2025-05“1675 miles- rear taillight including brake light failure 10,094 miles- rear differential oil stain noted 23028 miles- front passenger seat motor and seat frame failure 23258 miles- AC compressor failure 24090- very leaky rear differential noted”
NHTSA complaint #11501806, filed 2023-01“As I was driving vehicle it shut down. Dashboard went haywire as did the front panel, radio, windows. Could not turn on car at all, not even put it on neutral. Hazard lights did not work either.”
NHTSA complaint #11511679, filed 2023-03Related service bulletins
- 11020574Jul 7, 2025Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025 Passport Blacks, TrailSports & 2019-2022 Pilots with a customer complaint of the…
- 10232959Mar 3, 2023Service Bulletin - The headlight seal may become damaged from a misadjusted hood. Damage to the headlight seal may lead to moisture condensation building up in the headlight.
- 10215491Jun 14, 2022Service bulletin - One or more accessory running board lights are flickering or not working. The running board light assembly is faulty. * Denotes Required Fields TSB ID : TSB…
- 10215488Jun 7, 2022Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2020 Passports, Pilots & 2021 Ridgelines with a customer complaint of moisture in the…
- 10175802May 20, 2020Service Bulletin - One or more accessory running board lights are flickering or not working.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 1% |
| 2019 | 9 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 10 | 1% |
| 2016 | 14 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% |
| 2014 | 3 | 3% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 9 | 7% |
| 2007 | 17 | 8% |
| 2006 | 14 | 5% |
| 2005 | 30 | 4% |
| 2004 | 12 | 2% |
| 2003 | 32 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2020 Honda Pilot
214 complaintsEngine
101 complaintsOther or unknown
95 complaintsForward collision avoidance
90 complaintsFuel system
54 complaintsLane departure
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
12 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsEquipment
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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