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P2638 on HONDA PILOT

Severity
Medium
NHTSA Reports
5
Most Affected
2016, 2017

What P2638 Means on Your HONDA PILOT

Real HONDA PILOT Owner Reports (Source: NHTSA Complaints Database)

"For years, dating back to 2018, our 2016 Honda Pilot Elite auto on/off switch operations has been failing. Vehicle will not restart the engine after its engaged the auto start off. Engine and all components including electrical are off."

— 2016 HONDA PILOT owner • POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE • Filed 09/19/2018

"Vehicle stalls and shuts off at a stop when engine idle stop is enabled. All lights on dashboard are illuminated and vehicle automatically sets to N gear."

— 2016 HONDA PILOT owner • POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE • Filed 04/28/2022

"I was driving around town running errands. as i pulled out of a parking lot, my display panel showed emissions system problem and the engine light came on."

— 2016 HONDA PILOT owner • POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE • Filed 01/11/2017

"Shifts hard and accelerates too fast between gear 1 and 2."

— 2017 HONDA PILOT owner • POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL • Filed 02/02/2025

"The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the highway and stop the vehicle."

— 2017 HONDA PILOT owner • ENGINE • Filed 01/10/2025

Data from NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. All reports are filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Common Causes of P2638 on HONDA PILOT

60%
20%
20%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2016
3
2017
2

What To Do Next

  1. 1
    Check for recalls on YOUR VIN

    Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. Free repairs if your vehicle is covered.

  2. 2
    Get a proper diagnosis

    A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50-$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.

  3. 3
    Compare repair quotes

    Get 2-3 quotes. Dealer vs independent shop prices often differ 30-50% for the same repair.

P2638 on Other Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation) and the SAE J2012 OBD-II standard. Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standard. Owner reports are filed directly with NHTSA by vehicle owners. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional automotive diagnosis. Always consult a qualified mechanic for vehicle repair decisions.

Last updated: March 2026