Imagine the sheer panic of realizing your 19-month-old child is locked inside your 2017 Honda Pilot, with the car running, on a scorching 100-degree day. This terrifying scenario became a reality for a 2016 Pilot EXL owner, highlighting a potentially dangerous auto-lock issue with Honda Pilot key fobs.
The owner recounted using the remote start to cool down the vehicle before placing their child inside – a routine they’d performed countless times. After buckling their child in the back and placing their bag, containing the 2017 Honda Pilot Key Fob, in the second row, disaster struck. Upon closing the rear door, the car immediately locked. No hesitation, no warning – just instant, automatic locking of all doors. This wasn’t a case of user error; the key was inside the vehicle.
The immediate concern was the child’s safety in the intense heat. Although the remote start kept the engine running and the AC cooling, the owner knew time was limited. Panic set in as attempts to open any door or the trunk proved futile – the car was securely locked. The looming threat of the remote start shutting off, leaving the child in a rapidly heating vehicle, was palpable.
A frantic call to the husband, who thankfully worked nearby, offered a glimmer of hope. However, the second 2017 Honda Pilot key fob was at home, necessitating a stressful 15-20 minute round trip to retrieve it. Even though the ordeal lasted only about ten minutes from the remote start shutting down until the husband’s arrival, the fear and uncertainty were overwhelming. The owner could only watch their child, desperately seeking any sign of overheating.
This incident isn’t isolated. The owner discovered similar accounts from other Honda Pilot drivers experiencing the same inexplicable auto-lock issue. It raises serious questions about the reliability of the 2017 Honda Pilot key fob and the vehicle’s automatic locking system. A car should not lock itself with the keys inside, especially when such a malfunction can endanger children.
This experience serves as a stark warning to all 2017 Honda Pilot owners. While the owner acknowledges the lesson learned – never leave the key in the car and shut all doors – human error is inevitable. Honda needs to investigate this potential defect and implement a solution to prevent future occurrences. The safety and well-being of passengers, especially children, should be paramount. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a serious safety hazard that Honda must address. Owners experiencing similar issues are encouraged to contact Honda corporate and their dealerships to report these alarming auto-lock incidents with their 2017 Honda Pilot key fobs.
