# Honda Pilot brake warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 223 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (46) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 223 owner complaints about the brake warning light on the Honda Pilot (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (46). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Stop driving: If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. ## Honda Pilot brake warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the brake light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2016 | 46 | 1725 | 3% | | 2017 | 29 | 938 | 3% | | 2018 | 11 | 442 | 2% | | 2019 | 33 | 928 | 4% | | 2020 | 29 | 494 | 6% | | 2021 | 33 | 454 | 7% | | 2022 | 12 | 173 | 7% | | 2023 | 6 | 149 | 4% | | 2024 | 7 | 118 | 6% | | 2025 | 15 | 217 | 7% | | 2026 | 2 | 29 | 7% | 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. ## Honda Pilot recalls related to the brake warning light **[25V391000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V391000)** (2023-2025 models, reported 2025-06-13): A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. **[23V458000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V458000)** (2021-2022 models, reported 2023-06-29): Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Recall repairs are free at any Honda dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Honda Pilot owners report - "Warning messages stating auto brake system disabled, lane departure assist disabled, hill assist and start disabled, and more warning lights. Steering suddenly became difficult and dangerous with moving traffic behind me. Pulled into a parking lot and restarted car multiple times. After more than 10 minutes and..." -- owner of a 2026 Honda Pilot, complaint filed 2026 - "The collision warning signal came on when the brakes suddenly engaged. I am scheduling an appointment with dealer to see what the cause was." -- owner of a 2025 Honda Pilot, complaint filed 2025 - "When the issue reproduces, All the warning messages will illuminate, and the parking brake will engage automatically. I suspect the drive controller getting reset due to some electrical tripping when brake hold and/or engine-idle stop is toggled which is causing a cascade of failures." -- owner of a 2024 Honda Pilot, complaint filed 2024 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the brake warning light means The red brake warning light most often means the parking brake is still on. If it stays on after you fully release the parking brake, the brake fluid is likely low, which can mean worn pads or a leak in the brake system. A brake light that stays on while driving is a reason to pull over and check, because a fluid leak can lead to loss of braking. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Parking brake on or not fully released** (most common) 2. **Low brake fluid from worn pads** (common) 3. **Brake fluid leak** (less common) 4. **Faulty fluid level sensor or parking brake switch** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Brake warning light](/warning-lights/brake). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Honda Pilot brake light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (25V391000, 23V458000) covering 2021-2025 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Honda Pilot years have the most brake light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2019 and 2021 Pilot model years have the most complaints mentioning the brake warning light, with 46 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 brake light on? Stop driving. If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. If it stays on, especially with a soft pedal, low fluid, or the ABS light also on, stop driving and have the car towed, because the brakes may fail. ### 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 - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/honda-pilot): 10 complaints - [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 - [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 ## Brake warning light on other models - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-cr-v): 561 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-silverado): 383 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-accord): 360 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-cherokee): 215 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ram-1500): 208 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/gmc-sierra): 206 complaints - [Honda Odyssey](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-odyssey): 176 complaints - [Chevrolet Equinox](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-equinox): 154 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-grand-cherokee): 142 complaints - [Chevrolet Tahoe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-tahoe): 136 complaints ## Honda Pilot - [Honda Pilot specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/honda-pilot) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-pilot Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.