# Honda Pilot aBS warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 10 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (2) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 10 owner complaints about the aBS warning light on the Honda Pilot (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (2). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. Drive to a shop this week: If only the ABS light is on and the brakes feel normal, you can drive carefully to a shop, leaving more stopping room. ## Honda Pilot aBS warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the abs light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2016 | 2 | 1725 | 0% | | 2017 | 1 | 938 | 0% | | 2019 | 2 | 928 | 0% | | 2020 | 2 | 494 | 0% | | 2021 | 1 | 454 | 0% | | 2025 | 2 | 217 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Is there a recall for the Honda Pilot aBS warning light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Honda Pilot has 34 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Honda Pilot page](/vehicles/honda-pilot) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Honda Pilot owners report - "The check engine, ABS, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The transmission failed to shift into the intended gear. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to shift into the intended gear. Additionally, the transmission jerked while accelerating, the RPM failed to..." -- owner of a 2025 Honda Pilot, complaint filed 2026 - "the vehicle started cycling through all warning indicators (adaptive cruise control problem, abs problem, lane keep assist problem, brake mitigation system problem etc) brought it to Honda today and they confirmed that the "multi purpose camera/millimeter wave radar unit with aiming" had failed and needed to be..." -- owner of a 2021 Honda Pilot, complaint filed 2026 - "During my last drive, after disabling the system, I received a warning message stating: "ABS Failure -- Take to Dealer." I have also experienced dangerous behavior from the Lane Departure Warning/Assist system. When exiting the freeway, if the lane lines disappear or become unclear, the vehicle has slammed on the..." -- owner of a 2020 Honda Pilot, complaint filed 2025 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the aBS warning light means The ABS light means the anti-lock brake system has found a fault and turned itself off. Your regular brakes should still work, but the wheels can lock up in a hard stop, especially on wet or icy roads. The most common cause is a failed wheel speed sensor. If the red brake warning light is also on, the problem may affect normal braking and you should stop driving. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Failed wheel speed sensor** (most common) 2. **Damaged sensor wiring or tone ring** (common) 3. **Low brake fluid** (less common) 4. **ABS module or pump failure** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [ABS warning light](/warning-lights/abs). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Honda Pilot abs light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often. ### Which Honda Pilot years have the most abs light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2019 and 2020 Pilot model years have the most complaints mentioning the aBS warning light, with 2 for 2016. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Honda Pilot with the abs light on? Drive to a shop this week. If only the ABS light is on and the brakes feel normal, you can drive carefully to a shop, leaving more stopping room. Stop driving and have it towed if the red brake light is on too, the pedal is soft or sinks, or the car pulls hard when braking. ### How do I check if my Honda Pilot has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Honda dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Honda Pilot warning lights - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-pilot): 27 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/honda-pilot): 32 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-pilot): 223 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/honda-pilot): 357 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/honda-pilot): 46 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/honda-pilot): 22 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-pilot): 108 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/honda-pilot): 12 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/honda-pilot): 24 complaints ## ABS warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/ram-1500): 280 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/jeep-wrangler): 180 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-silverado): 89 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/honda-accord): 72 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/jeep-grand-cherokee): 58 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-traverse): 53 complaints - [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-santa-fe): 45 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-sonata): 42 complaints - [Toyota Prius](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/toyota-prius): 40 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/gmc-sierra): 37 complaints ## Honda Pilot - [Honda Pilot specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/honda-pilot) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/honda-pilot Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.