Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Honda pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v346000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not…
2011 Honda Pilot airbags problems
severe 63 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
63
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
13crashes
1fire
21injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 63 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 Honda Pilot, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 63 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 18 model years of Honda Pilot in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2011 Pilot has a documented Takata inflator recall (campaign 16V346000) with severe parts shortage that dragged on for years—many owners waited 60+ days with no passenger seat usable. Beyond the recall, owners reported airbags failing to deploy in moderate-to-high-speed collisions, SRS warning lights lighting up without accident history ($900+ to fix), and in rare cases, inadvertent deployment.
The 2011 Pilot is most notorious for the prolonged Takata airbag inflator recall (campaign 16V346000), issued July 2016. Owners waited months—often 60+ days—for replacement parts that never arrived at dealers. Honda repeatedly told owners to avoid the front passenger seat indefinitely, denied loaner vehicles, and failed to provide delivery dates or call back with status updates. Owners with families or those needing to transport passengers found the vehicle unusable for its intended purpose.
Beyond the recall backlog, owners reported airbags failing to deploy in head-on collisions at 30–60 mph, including one incident where the vehicle hit a utility pole head-on at 45 mph without either airbag firing. In a separate near-head-on collision, the driver's side curtain airbag did not deploy, leaving the driver's head just inches from a crushed door frame. One unusual case involved an airbag deploying without warning when a passenger simply shut the door—the bag struck the passenger's head and arm, causing hearing injuries to occupants.
Separately, owners reported SRS warning lights illuminating years into ownership with no accident history; dealers quoted $900–$1,200 replacements and claimed no warranty coverage. One owner documented suspected exposure to airbag chemical irritants (sodium azide and potassium nitrate) causing progressive throat, eye, and lip burning over months and years, despite multiple cabin filter replacements and HVAC inspections.
Same Honda Pilot airbags reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Takata airbag inflator part shortage / delayed recalls
Owners received Takata recall notices (primarily campaign 16V346000) starting July 2016, but dealers could not source replacement inflators for extended periods (often 60+ days). Honda and dealers offered no firm delivery dates, loaner vehicles were repeatedly denied, and owners were instructed to avoid using the front passenger seat indefinitely. This created significant hardship for families and those who needed to transport passengers.
When: 2016-2018, recalled vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received with no parts available at dealer; Honda case managers failed to call back after multiple contact attempts; No estimated delivery date provided; Loaner vehicle requests denied repeatedly; Owners forced to avoid front passenger seat for months
Codes mentioned: 16V346000, 18V661000
Repairs/costs cited: Airbag inflator replacement pending; no parts in stock. One owner reported inflator was finally replaced in late September after months of waiting.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall (campaigns 16V346000, 18V661000). Honda instructed owners to avoid front passenger seat. No proactive communication or loaner program established. Parts distribution was severely delayed.
Airbag failure to deploy in moderate/high-speed collisions
Multiple owners reported airbags that failed to deploy in head-on or significant-impact collisions at speeds of 30-60 mph. In one case, a vehicle hit a utility pole head-on at 45 mph and neither airbag deployed. In another, a near-head-on collision at 45+ mph disabled the driver's side curtain airbag while the passenger side did deploy. A third crash at 30 mph head-on resulted in no airbag deployment; owner suffered chest injuries requiring hospitalization.
When: Various mileages; incidents reported at 10,000 to 20,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy in head-on collision at 30 mph; Airbags did not deploy in head-on collision at 45 mph against utility pole; Driver's side curtain airbag did not deploy in near head-on collision at 45+ mph; Owner struck steering wheel and windshield without airbag protection; Chest injuries, facial injuries, and loss of consciousness reported
Codes mentioned: 13V016000
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported airbag control unit and airbag sensors had to be replaced after a collision. Others reported no repairs were made because manufacturers stated the vehicles were not included in recalls.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One vehicle inspection revealed no recall was applicable despite failure. Owners stated manufacturer was not notified of some failures.
Inadvertent airbag deployment at low or no speed
One owner reported a passenger airbag deployed when the passenger simply entered the vehicle and shut the door while stationary. No collision occurred. The airbag struck the passenger on the head and arm, and the loud noise caused headaches and ear aches in the driver and three child passengers.
When: Approximately 61,100 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed when passenger shut the door while vehicle was stationary; Passenger struck on head and arm; Loud noise caused headaches and ear aches in driver and children
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer for diagnostic testing; mechanic had never experienced the failure. District manager had to confirm vehicle was not in a crash.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
SRS warning light illumination / airbag circuit faults
Multiple owners reported the SRS (airbag) warning light coming on intermittently or continuously. One owner reported the light began in November 2014 and diagnostics revealed code 11-21 (open or increased resistance on airbag), requiring a $1,200+ airbag replacement. Another owner reported the light illuminated at 135,000 miles. Dealers claimed the failures were not covered under warranty and were not part of recalls, despite the vehicles never being in accidents.
When: 5-6 years of ownership; intermittent starting November 2014 in one case; 135,000 miles in another
Symptoms owners cite: SRS warning light coming on intermittently or constantly; Light appeared after 5-6 years of ownership with no accident history; Light illuminated on instrument panel after starting vehicle
Codes mentioned: 11-21
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted $900-$1,200 for airbag replacement. One owner suspected tampering with airbag wiring, though as original owner they had not tampered. Owner questioned quality of original airbag installation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed failure not covered under warranty and not part of recalls. Manufacturer did not offer goodwill repairs.
Chemical irritant exposure from airbag components (suspected sodium azide/potassium nitrate)
Wife experienced progressive eye, throat, nose, and lip irritation when traveling in the vehicle for 30+ minutes, with worsening over months and years. Symptom onset and year-round persistence (with heater and A/C both in use) suggested chemical exposure. Owner's internet research pointed to sodium azide and potassium nitrate used in airbag inflators. Dealer checks for HVAC/engine leaks and cabin filter replacements found no relief. Problem later affected other passengers including four grandchildren.
When: Ongoing from shortly after purchase (2011 model year); worsened over months and years
Symptoms owners cite: Eyes and throat irritation after 30+ minutes in vehicle; No visible odor; Burning sensation in eyes, nose, throat, and lips; Headaches; Affected wife, owner, and four grandchildren over time; Problem persisted year-round with heater and A/C operation
Repairs/costs cited: Cabin air filter replaced multiple times; no HVAC or engine leaks found. No repairs resolved the issue. Owner managed by turning off vents and opening windows.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No known Honda response documented. Two other Honda dealers claimed no knowledge of the problem but offered to troubleshoot at owner's expense.
Airbag-related facial and upper-body injury in low-speed collision
Owner's wife (5'3") was in a low-speed collision (parked vehicle) while sitting close to the steering wheel (necessary to reach pedals). The airbag deployed and struck her face, fracturing the bridge of her nose, causing bleeding in the left eye, and severe facial swelling. Owner contended that at such low speed, the airbag deployment caused more injury than the collision itself would have, and noted the vehicle lacked a telescoping steering wheel to provide clearance.
When: Low-speed collision with parked vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed into face at low speed; Fractured bridge of nose; Bleeding in left eye; Severe swelling of left side of face; Inability to recognize facial features due to swelling
Repairs/costs cited: Airbag deployed and caused injury; vehicle design (no telescoping wheel) contributed to harm.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented.
Seat belt failure / improper retraction in crashes
In one head-on collision at 30 mph, the seat belt failed to retract properly and did not restrain the driver, resulting in the driver striking the steering wheel and windshield. In another low-speed parking garage impact (5 mph), a rear second-row seat belt failed to pretension, and the passenger sustained bruises to the neck, ribs, and other body areas. Airbags also failed to deploy in both incidents. One vehicle involved in a crash had front seat belts damaged beyond repair from the impact.
When: Various; 5 mph to 30 mph impacts
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt failed to retract in head-on collision; Driver struck steering wheel and windshield due to lack of restraint; Rear seat belt failed to pretension in low-speed impact; Passenger sustained neck, rib, and body bruises; Front seat belts damaged beyond repair in high-impact crash
Codes mentioned: 11V468000
Repairs/costs cited: Front seat belts replaced after impact; rear seat belt inspection not documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One vehicle had NHTSA campaign 11V468000 (seat belts) noted; manufacturer verified vehicle was not included in the recall.
Synthesized from 63 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I took my car to dealer to work on 3 recall notices on driver side airbag (not takata related since it's not a takata airbag), passenger side airbag, and seat belt. I also had a SRS warning light that was on constantly for about 2 years so I had the dealer diagnose the warning light. The code showed 11-21 (something about open or increased resistance on the airbag). The dealer said the airbag…
I received a letter from Honda early last summer notifying me of the recall of my airbags saying parts would be ready in the fall and I would get another letter. So far I have heard nothing else from them.
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 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 airbags problem on the 2011 Honda Pilot?
It's a meaningful issue. 63 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 42,500 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 61,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,500; a quarter make it past 120,000. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2011/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.