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2012 Honda Pilot Transmission & Power Train Problems

NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026

20Power Train complaints
11.8%Of all 170 complaints
#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How power train ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE35 · 20.6%
SERVICE BRAKES25 · 14.7%
POWER TRAIN20 · 11.8%
AIR BAGS20 · 11.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17 · 10%

Share of the 170 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Honda Pilot overview page.

What owners report

“VEHICLE DEVELOPED A VIBRATION AROUND 45000 MILES IN REAR AND THOUGHT TIRES NEEDED REBALANCING. THAT DIDN'T HELP AND AFTER VIBRATING ON A 1600 MILE TRIP…”NHTSA complaint 10853425 — filed 04/04/2016
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE BEFORE GOING INTO…”NHTSA complaint 10761673 — filed 09/04/2015
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…”NHTSA complaint 10706166 — filed 04/16/2015

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Power Train complaints by year filed

3201242013620142201512016120192202312026

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Honda Pilot have transmission & power train problems?

Power Train is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Honda Pilot: 20 of 170 complaints on file (11.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Honda Pilot have in total?

170 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 17 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 19 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's power train category include?

NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.