About this problem
The infotainment system runs the touchscreen, radio, phone pairing, navigation and often the backup camera. Software bugs and failing hardware can make it freeze, go black, reboot by itself or drain the battery. Beyond being annoying, a dead screen can take out the backup camera and climate controls on cars where those run through it. Software updates fix some cases.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Honda Pilot since 2012, 149 (2.4%) describe infotainment screen freezing or rebooting, the second most reported problem we track on the Pilot. The reports cluster on the 2016, 2019 and 2020 model years, and the 2019 drew the most, with 50. It tends to show up early in the car's life: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 2,000 and 28,000 miles. No recall covers it, but Honda has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners report the Pilot's touch screen freezing, going black, rebooting while driving, or not responding. When it happens the backup camera, audio and phone connection can drop out too. The 2016, 2019 and 2020 model years drew the most reports.
How it gets fixed
A software update from the dealer fixes many cases. When the unit itself fails, the screen or head unit is replaced.
Typical cost: Updates are usually free. A replacement head unit costs $800 to $2,500 depending on the model.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"My 2020 Pilot has several issues. 1. The dashboard and infotainment system blackout. In sept 2020, Honda replaced the most module and said this would fix the problem."
2020 Honda Pilot, 5,000 miles
"Navi-screen goes black, instrument panel goes black. This occurred in oct.2019 while on a long trip. Unpredictable & unreliable, couldn't use navigation system at all--occasionally booted up & would work for a few hours at a time."
2019 Honda Pilot, 14,000 miles
"Car will stall when stopped with the auto-engine idle engaged. First started with radio cutting out when engine was restarting. Progressed to stalling when engine idle is engaged and foot is taken off the brake - car will jolt and then stall."
2016 Honda Pilot, 33,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins
Honda has sent dealers 19 bulletins that mention this problem on the Pilot. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
When the vehicle is put into reverse, the rear camera may display a black and white image.
Servicenews article - when lanewatch camera aiming is complete, the android display audio (ada) screen should switch back to the lanewatch camera view.
There is a software problem within the audio-navigation unit that may cause the display screen, including any video images, to go blank and the unit to stop working.
During the shutdown process, the audio/navi system may enter into an infinite loop that the fail-safe mechanism cannot break out of.
Dealer message - american Honda (ahm) is investigating certain 2016pilots with a customer complaint of the android display audio screen going blank and is inoperative even after a key cycle.
Before you buy a Pilot
- Spend a few minutes using the screen on the test drive: pair a phone, use navigation and the backup camera.
- Ask whether the system software has been updated.
- Make sure the backup camera comes on every time you shift into reverse.
Questions
Which Honda Pilot years have infotainment screen freezing or rebooting?
Complaints are highest for the 2016, 2019, 2020 model years. The 2019 drew the most, with 50 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 6,000 miles, and half reported it between 2,000 and 28,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Updates are usually free. A replacement head unit costs $800 to $2,500 depending on the model.