# Honda Pilot coolant temperature warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 46 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (19) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 46 owner complaints about the coolant temperature warning light on the Honda Pilot (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (19). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Stop driving: No. ## Honda Pilot coolant temperature warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the coolant temperature light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 1 | 109 | 1% | | 2016 | 19 | 1725 | 1% | | 2017 | 9 | 938 | 1% | | 2018 | 2 | 442 | 0% | | 2019 | 5 | 928 | 1% | | 2020 | 6 | 494 | 1% | | 2021 | 1 | 454 | 0% | | 2023 | 1 | 149 | 1% | | 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. ## Honda Pilot recalls related to the coolant temperature warning light **[23V751000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V751000)** (2016-2019 models, reported 2023-11-13): A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification... **[19V298000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V298000)** (2018-2019 models, reported 2019-04-12): Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash. **Remedy:** Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer... 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 - "Coolant temperature gauge read normal (under half) at time of incident. At a stop, AIS shut off the engine as designed. Engine did not start when I released the brake pedal. I have tried to turn off the car completely and start it again. Engine would not restart via the ENGINE START/STOP button afterward. Cranking..." -- owner of a 2025 Honda Pilot, complaint filed 2026 - "This happened in the desert heat, creating an extremely dangerous situation for my children, who were sitting in a vehicle that quickly began to overheat. At no point were we warned by the dealer, the vehicle itself, or any documentation that this idle shutoff would activate even when occupants are inside the car...." -- owner of a 2023 Honda Pilot, complaint filed 2025 - "The contact stated that the engine started overheating. The contact pulled over to a safe location and inspected the underhood. The contact noticed that the passenger's side cooling fan had separated. The contact was able to drive to the destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the..." -- owner of a 2021 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 coolant temperature warning light means A red coolant temperature light means the engine is overheating or about to. The most common cause is low coolant from a leak, followed by a stuck thermostat, a failed radiator fan, and a worn water pump. Pull over and shut the engine off as soon as it is safe, because continued driving can warp the cylinder head and destroy the engine. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low coolant from a leak** (most common) 2. **Thermostat stuck closed** (common) 3. **Radiator fan not working** (common) 4. **Failing water pump or broken belt** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Coolant temperature warning light](/warning-lights/coolant-temperature). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Honda Pilot coolant temperature light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (23V751000, 19V298000) covering 2016-2019 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 coolant temperature light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2020 Pilot model years have the most complaints mentioning the coolant temperature warning light, with 19 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 coolant temperature light on? Stop driving. No. Stop driving as soon as it is safe and shut the engine off. Driving an overheating engine even a few miles can cause damage that costs thousands of dollars to repair. ### 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 - [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 - [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 ## Coolant temperature warning light on other models - [Ford Escape](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-escape): 1520 complaints - [Ford Edge](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-edge): 752 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-explorer): 222 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/honda-accord): 193 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/jeep-wrangler): 143 complaints - [Nissan Rogue](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/nissan-rogue): 140 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/chrysler-pacifica): 139 complaints - [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-sorento): 138 complaints - [Jeep Compass](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/jeep-compass): 112 complaints - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-soul): 110 complaints ## Honda Pilot - [Honda Pilot specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/honda-pilot) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/honda-pilot Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.