There is an issue with 2025 Pilot Safe Systems such as adaptive cruise and blind spot detection. Honda knows about this issue and working on a fix however there is no ETA.
2025 Honda Pilot cruise control problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
1crash
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report that ACC disengages without warning during highway driving, with failures occurring roughly every 40 minutes of continuous use. The system throws a message telling drivers to clean the Honda emblem on the grille, but cleaning doesn't fix it. The system usually restarts on its own after 10-20 minutes. One owner's dealership confirmed this is a known issue with no available fix; another reports Honda said the problem is "not unsafe enough" to warrant a recall.
Several owners describe sudden hard braking events where the collision mitigation system fires on clear roads with no obstacles in sight, dropping speed 20-30 mph in heavy traffic. One owner experienced uncontrolled acceleration while parking, hitting a wall repeatedly despite brake attempts.
Lane Departure Warning has also shut off unexpectedly. When ACC fails, all associated safety systems disable at once, leaving only manual gas and brake. Owners note that in 10 cars with fewer than 10,000 miles, the failures are frequent and repeatable. Honda has stated it is working on a fix but provided no timeline.
Failure modes owners describe
Adaptive Cruise Control Dropout / System Malfunction
ACC disengages or shuts down unexpectedly during highway driving, often triggered by radar-sensor issues. Owners report the system fails nearly every 40 minutes of continuous ACC use, with failure messages prompting them to clean the front Honda emblem on the grille. System typically resets itself within 10-20 minutes without intervention.
When: First occurrence reported at 670 miles, recurring throughout ownership; incidents happening within 40-minute intervals during highway use
Symptoms owners cite: ACC suddenly disengages while driving; Unexpected speed loss (20-30 mph drop); Warning message on instrument cluster instructing driver to clean emblem; Loss of all safety features (road departure mitigation, collision mitigation braking disabled); Vehicle requires rapid deceleration when ACC fails in traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership reports this is a known issue with no fix available from Honda. Cleaning the emblem as instructed does not resolve the problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda acknowledged to owners that there is no fix available and system is 'not unsafe enough' for recall action. Honda is working on a fix with no ETA provided.
Unintended Acceleration in Parking / Low-Speed Scenarios
Vehicle accelerates on its own without driver input while maneuvering in parking garage, causing collision with wall. No warning lights or messages precede the event.
When: Occurred 2 weeks after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden uncontrolled acceleration in parking garage; Inability to stop vehicle despite multiple brake applications; Vehicle slamming repeatedly into wall; No warning indicators before acceleration event
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was inspected but outcome unknown. Owner requested black box data review.
Automatic Collision Mitigation Braking System Activation
Collision mitigation braking system engages automatically without obstacle detected, causing sudden speed reduction on highway. Vehicle drops 20-30 mph without driver command.
When: Occurred during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic brake application without detected obstacle; Sudden 20-30 mph speed drop; Jerking motion from rapid deceleration; Vehicle eventually resumes prior speed
Lane Departure Warning System Dropout
Lane Departure Warning system disengages unexpectedly during driving, sometimes accompanied by cruise control dropout. System failure occurs without advance warning.
When: Recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Lane Departure Warning suddenly turns off; Sometimes occurs with simultaneous cruise control disengagement; No advance warning before disengagement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda stated there is no fix available for this issue.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2025 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 cruise control problem on the 2025 Honda Pilot?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/2025/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.