2011 Honda Pilot: Pulsating brakes
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2011 Pilot report: pulsating brakes. CarComplaints.com lists 5 owner complaints, average mileage 28,400 miles.
NHTSA has 41 owner complaints for the 2011 Pilot in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11695719 (filed 10/27/2025): “Malfunctioned the brake the pedal and the seatbelt it was on friday to i was driving after i yield drive there was few cars head of me on a distance now i am trying to start slowdown early can't find the brake so i press the pedal with force when the pedal re…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11669371 (filed 06/26/2025): “Break pedal goes to the floor…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace brake pads and rotors (3 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Pads and rotors are a common DIY job with hand tools and a jack; ABS/hydraulic faults need a scan tool. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $470 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .