While much recent attention regarding vehicle safety has focused on Tesla, other manufacturers are also under scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Honda, in particular, is currently being investigated for significant passenger safety issues affecting its popular Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan. These investigations encompass a total of 583,000 vehicles, a development that should be of particular concern to families and anyone who regularly transports passengers in the rear seats of these models.

The 2023 to 2024 Honda Pilot models are under investigation due to a potentially inaccurate seatbelt warning system. This system may incorrectly indicate that second- and third-row passengers are buckled when they are not, or vice versa. This flaw presents a considerable challenge for drivers, as it is often difficult to visually confirm the buckle status of passengers, especially those in the back seats. For drivers with young children, who already face the perennial task of ensuring kids buckle up and stay buckled, this inaccurate system could be a constant source of distraction as they attempt to verify passenger safety. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received six complaints related to this issue, prompting a deeper look into the Pilots' seatbelt warning system. Approximately 142,572 owners of the 2023–24 Pilot are potentially affected.

Meanwhile, the 2018 to 2022 Honda Odyssey minivan faces a different, yet equally alarming, safety concern. While its seatbelt usage reports may be accurate, rear passengers in these vehicles are at risk of inadvertent airbag deployment. Should the driver encounter a pothole or another significant bump with sufficient force, the rear curtain and side airbags can unexpectedly activate. Airbag deployment is a violent event, designed for specific crash scenarios, and can cause injury if it occurs unnecessarily. Furthermore, the loud bang accompanying an unexpected airbag deployment can startle and distract the driver, potentially leading to a collision where airbags are genuinely needed. If such an event occurs, and the airbags have already deployed, the consequences could be more severe. The ODI has documented 19 complaints for this Odyssey issue, including one early warning report that cited injury or death. An estimated 441,002 owners of the 2018–22 Odyssey should be aware of this situation.

It is crucial to emphasize that, as of now, no recalls have been issued for either the Honda Pilot or the Honda Odyssey concerning these issues. However, the ongoing investigations by the NHTSA underscore the seriousness of these potential defects. Owners of the affected 2023–24 Pilots and 2018–22 Odysseys are advised to remain vigilant regarding these situations. The hope is that these potential problems will either be limited to a small number of vehicles or, in the worst-case scenario, Honda will initiate an expedient recall and repair process to ensure passenger safety.