HONDA: 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 FIX BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING, DIALOGUE FOR DVD SURROUND SOUND FROM FRONT SPEAKERS ONLY. VARIOUS MODELS AND MODEL YEARS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Honda Pilot brakes problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
1injury
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2006 Pilots are reporting brakes that apply hard without any foot input—typically tied to VSA system lights coming on. The vehicle slows or locks up unexpectedly, sometimes at highway speeds, and owners say this happens randomly, making it impossible to predict. One owner has been managing it for four years by braking early; another had brakes lock at 40 mph and had to replace the ABS module and master cylinder for $1,600, only to find the pedal still feels wrong a few months later.
The flip side is brake failure: owners press the pedal and the truck does not stop, or stops much longer than expected. One owner rear-ended a car when ABS failed on a wet road; another accelerated to over 100 mph and could not stop, crashing into a pole. Dealers run computer tests and test drives but cannot reproduce the faults during inspections.
Owners also report brake lock-ups where wheels seize solid, rotor/pad overheating and smoking, grinding noises, and premature rear brake wear at 45,000 miles. One owner's brakes failed after driving through water or over a pothole. A few complaint narratives describe the vehicle stalling with multiple warning lights at highway speed and refusing to restart.
Owners state there are over 200 complaints but no recall for this model year.
Same Honda Pilot brakes reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Spontaneous brake application (VSA/ABS related)
Brakes apply hard and suddenly with no driver input, often paired with VSA light illumination. Vehicle slows or locks up without the driver pressing the brake pedal, typically at highway or moderate speeds. Owners report this happens randomly or intermittently.
When: Random, intermittent; one owner noted it occurs a couple times per month; another reported four occurrences within two months; happens at various speeds (10 MPH to 65 MPH)
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes lock or engage with no foot on pedal; VSA warning light illuminated; Vehicle unable to accelerate normally during event; Vehicle slows unexpectedly at highway speeds; ABS light also illuminated in some cases
Codes mentioned: VSA system fault, ABS module malfunction, Brake light switch fault (reported in at least one case)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced brake light switch without resolving the issue; another owner reported $1,600 repair including ABS/VSA module and brake master cylinder replacement. Some owners unable to get dealer diagnosis because issue does not occur during inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to replicate issue during inspections; Honda stated vehicle does not fall under brake-related recalls; one owner noted Honda showed lack of interest after vehicle warranty period was approaching (at 52K miles on 60K warranty)
Brake pedal unresponsiveness / failed braking
Brake pedal depressed but brakes do not stop the vehicle or stop inadequately. Vehicle continues to move or slows much less than expected when brake is applied, creating collision risk.
When: Early ownership (first year reported in one case); occurs at 25 MPH to 65 MPH speeds; reported at 99,000 miles and other mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle does not stop when brake pedal pressed; Inadequate stopping distance compared to normal performance; Brake pedal must be pushed harder or vehicle requires additional braking distance; Brake does not respond for several feet
Repairs/costs cited: One owner rear-ended another vehicle when ABS failed on rainy road; dealers tested brakes with computer diagnostics and test drive but found no fault
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer inspection found no problem; dealer told one owner they did not apply brake properly; no recalls issued for this issue in this model year per owners' statements
Brake pedal abnormal feel / sensitivity
Brake pedal feels different than normal—either no play in pedal, extremely sensitive to slight pressure, or requires pedal to be pushed halfway before response. Pedal behavior changes from normal baseline.
When: After major repairs; less than 4 months after $1,600 brake/ABS repair in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal has no play or feels locked; Brake pedal is overly sensitive to pressure; Pedal requires being pressed halfway to function; Pedal feel inconsistent with previous operation
Repairs/costs cited: Described after ABS/VSA module and master cylinder replacement
Brake lockup / wheel seizure
Wheels lock up or seize when brake pedal is depressed, preventing normal controlled braking. Brakes lock hard and do not release properly, sometimes causing smoking or overheating.
When: 40 MPH, 10 MPH, at 75,000 miles, 89,000 miles; can occur after sitting parked
Symptoms owners cite: Wheels seize when brake applied; Brakes lock and fail to release; Brake rotor and pad overheating, smoking; Grinding noise from brakes
Codes mentioned: ABS modulator fault
Repairs/costs cited: One mechanic diagnosed brake system control needed replacement; one dealer diagnosed ABS modulator needed repair; neither repair completed by time of report
Premature rear brake wear and corrosion
Rear brake rotors and pads wear prematurely; rotors become corroded. Occurs after relatively low mileage, causing grinding noise.
When: At 45,000 miles; on two separate occasions after 17,000 miles each
Symptoms owners cite: Rear rotor and brake pad premature wear; Rotor corrosion; Grinding noise from rear brakes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired
Unintended acceleration combined with brake failure
Vehicle accelerates suddenly on its own while braking is either applied or attempted. Brakes fail to stop vehicle during unintended acceleration event. This is distinct from VSA issues—represents a combined powertrain and brake failure.
When: At 30 MPH spontaneously; at various speeds noted in other narratives
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates to over 100 MPH without driver input; Brakes do not stop vehicle when acceleration occurs; Driver loses control
Repairs/costs cited: One owner crashed into metal pole; vehicle involved in accident
Brake failure after water/ice exposure
Brakes lose function or become unreliable after vehicle encounters water, ice, or potholes. Brakes stop working temporarily in these conditions.
When: After driving over pothole, through water, or in icy conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes stop working after water exposure; Brakes fail to function in icy conditions; Brakes fail after hitting pothole
Brake system stalling / loss of vehicle power
Vehicle stalls and becomes unable to accelerate, accompanied by brake system warning lights and other system failures. Vehicle may fail to restart after initial stall.
When: At 65 MPH while driving at 112,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls at highway speed; VSA system warning light; ABS warning light; Check engine light; Brake system warning light; Unable to accelerate above 15 MPH after restart; Vehicle fails to restart after second stall event
Codes mentioned: Check engine, Brake system fault, VSA system fault, ABS fault
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer, awaiting diagnostic and repair at time of report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware of failure
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Car was parked. I started it up and put it in reverse and it did not move. I put it back in drive and didn't' move, waited for a few minutes, tried again and the brakes squeezed really tight but was back to normal. Drove to work and on the way back brakes got tight and started to overheat and smoke came out of the passenger side front wheels. Stopped by the side of the road, waited for half an…
Had brakes trouble with your 2006 Honda Pilot?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2006 Honda Pilot?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 56,435 and 112,000 miles, with the median around 89,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 56,435; a quarter make it past 112,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Honda/Pilot.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.