A few times when I attempt to stop at a light or stop sign the vechicle would not stop even when I had the brakes on. I have to take my foot off the brake and push down again to get the car to stop, also a few times when I am at a complete stop the engine starts to revvs as if it wants to take off, I took my car to Honda and they could not duplicate the problem so they said they couldn't do…
2015 Honda Pilot brakes problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 10 brakes complaints filed for the 2015 Honda Pilot, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2015 Pilot brake system reports a pattern of soft/spongy pedal feel, reduced stopping power, and recurring problems even after component replacement—with some dealers unable to diagnose or fix the issues. Multiple owners report needing to pump the pedal or apply excessive force for adequate braking.
Ten owners report brake problems on the 2015 Pilot that fall into two main buckets: pedal feel and stopping power.
The soft pedal complaint shows up repeatedly. Owners describe needing to depress the pedal nearly to the floor to get stopping force, or finding that the pedal is spongy until they pump it once. One owner hit a deer because of delayed stopping. Dealers have bled brakes (with minimal, temporary improvement) or told owners nothing is wrong.
The stopping power issue appears alongside ABS noise during hard braking or turns—one owner called out reduced stopping distance and ABS activation on parking lot and freeway driving. Honda service told that owner the noise and weak stopping are normal for a heavy vehicle.
Brake vibration and shaking at highway speeds show up at 65,000 miles and recur after pad and rotor replacement, suggesting rotor warping. One complaint specifies violent steering shake during braking at high speed, recurring despite multiple service visits.
One owner's master brake cylinder failed at 2,800 miles—the cylinder was replaced, but the failure came back. Another owner's Pilot rolled backward 500 feet while parked and in gear, resulting in a crash and a broken tibia.
Dealers sometimes cannot duplicate the soft pedal or stopping issues, limiting their ability to address complaints.
Same Honda Pilot brakes reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Soft/Spongy Brake Pedal
Brake pedal feels soft or spongy, requiring depression to the floor or multiple pump cycles to achieve firm pedal and adequate stopping power. Owners report the pedal firms up after pumping once.
When: Present from new; some reports at 1 year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal feels soft or spongy; Requires depression nearly to the floor; Pedal firms up after pumping; Increased stopping distance; Inconsistent braking response
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have performed brake bleeds (temporary minimal improvement). One complaint mentions dealer inspection found nothing wrong.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers cite normal operation for heavy vehicle; no permanent resolution offered. Some dealers unable to duplicate issue.
ABS Activation with Reduced Stopping Power
ABS system activates and generates audible noise during braking while turning or hard braking, accompanied by reduced or delayed stopping power and extended stopping distance.
When: Early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: ABS activates with loud noise during braking; Reduced stopping power when braking while turning; Extended stopping distance; Vehicle does not stop as expected; Occurs during parking lot and freeway driving
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda service personnel stated ABS noise is normal for heavy vehicle; no fix provided.
Brake Vibration and Shaking
Vehicle vibrates or shakes violently during braking, typically at highway speeds. Occurs after brake pad and rotor replacement, suggesting ongoing rotor wear or warping.
When: Around 65,000 miles; also reported after component replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Violent vibration when braking; Shaking in steering wheel during braking; Occurs at high speed; Recurs after pad and rotor replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced brake pads and rotors; brake fluid flushed. Problem persists or returns.
Master Brake Cylinder Failure
Master brake cylinder malfunction causing brake pedal to extend to the floorboard with extended stopping distance. Failure recurred after initial dealer replacement.
When: 2,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal extends to floorboard; Extended stopping distance; Braking malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Master brake cylinder replaced by dealer. Failure recurred.
Brake Screeching Noise
Audible screeching sound from brakes after pad and rotor replacement, persisting through multiple service attempts.
When: After replacement performed
Symptoms owners cite: Screeching sound during braking; Weak braking feel; Shaking during braking
Repairs/costs cited: All brake pads and rotors replaced; issue persists through multiple returns.
Loss of Braking During Stop
Brakes fail to hold vehicle at complete stop or fail to stop during initial application; requires releasing and reapplying pedal. One case involved vehicle rolling in Park.
When: Various points of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle does not stop even with brakes applied; Requires foot release and reapplication; Engine revs while at complete stop; Vehicle rolling when in Park gear
Repairs/costs cited: One case: vehicle rolled 500 feet backward while in Park, resulting in crash and driver injury.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to duplicate issue; no repair attempted.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Vehicle was put in park, passengers got off, driver tried to open trunk using side trunk button but it did not open. Driver went to trunk to open it manually but it still failed to open. Driver went in front to try opening the trunk again and that's when the car started rolling back. Gear was still in park but it rolled back. Driver tried to manage it since a baby was in the car. Car crashed…
Breaks seem off & weak a year after ownership. Took into dealership look into problem. Said they looked great and completed multi point inspection. Gave me paperwork saying they were still good. Few months later vehicle would shake and break poorly. Took it back to dealship for service. Then said I need to replace all breaks and rotors. Two weeks later after replacing everything breaks still seem…
Had brakes trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Honda Pilot?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 31,788 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2015/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.