# Honda Pilot power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 108 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (41) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 108 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Honda Pilot (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (41). There is **1 recall** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Honda Pilot power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 1 | 109 | 1% | | 2016 | 41 | 1725 | 2% | | 2017 | 9 | 938 | 1% | | 2018 | 4 | 442 | 1% | | 2019 | 6 | 928 | 1% | | 2020 | 2 | 494 | 0% | | 2021 | 1 | 454 | 0% | | 2022 | 4 | 173 | 2% | | 2023 | 11 | 149 | 7% | | 2024 | 6 | 118 | 5% | | 2025 | 22 | 217 | 10% | | 2026 | 1 | 29 | 3% | 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 power steering warning light **[23V735000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V735000)** (2023-2024 models, reported 2023-11-02): A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 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 - "Slowed down to turn right into a parking lot, power steering suddenly disabled and multiple warning lights appeared on dash. 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..." -- owner of a 2026 Honda Pilot, complaint filed 2026 - "When low speed turning, power steering would not activate and all dashboard lights would shut off for a brief moment. Incident has been verified and repaired by replacing the power steering rack assembly" -- owner of a 2025 Honda Pilot, complaint filed 2026 - "Sometimes my power steering cuts out and my wheel locks and unlocks and my computer screen shuts off when this happens. I have to shut off and start my car for it to work again. Other times, all of my automated safety features stop and I get a huge slew of messages telling me that my lane assist, automatic hill..." -- owner of a 2024 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 power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Honda Pilot power steering light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (23V735000) covering 2023-2024 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 power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2023 and 2025 Pilot model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 41 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 power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### 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 - [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 - [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 ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Honda Pilot - [Honda Pilot specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/honda-pilot) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-pilot Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.