2021 Honda Pilot – Battery suddenly dropped to ~2V after driving
Hi everyone,
I experienced a strange electrical issue with my 2021 Honda Pilot and I'm trying to understand what might have happened.
Battery:
AGM Energizer battery from Costco (manufactured 2024/2025)
What happened:
· I drove the car for about 20 minutes.
· Shortly after parking, someone near the car noticed the left/right turn signals flickering on and off, almost like the vehicle was trying to start electronics with a very weak battery.
· About 10 minutes later, I arrived and checked the battery with a voltmeter.
Voltage readings:
· Initial measurement: ~2V
· Over the next few minutes, the voltage slowly climbed back toward ~12V
· After about 5 minutes, the car was able to start normally
After starting the car:
· After ~2 km drive + 5 minutes idling, engine off battery voltage: ~12.8V
· With engine running: ~14.8V
So the alternator appears to be charging normally.
Questions:
1. Has anyone seen a Honda battery drop to something like 2V and then recover?
2. Could this be caused by a loose battery terminal, ground issue, or BCM/module staying awake?
3. Are there any known electrical issues on the 2021 Pilot (multiplex/BCM, brake booster wake-ups, Auto Idle Stop, etc.) that could cause flickering lights and a sudden battery collapse?
The battery itself is relatively new, so I’m trying to determine whether this is more likely a connection issue, battery defect, or vehicle electronics problem.
Any ideas or similar experiences would be appreciated.
I experienced a strange electrical issue with my 2021 Honda Pilot and I'm trying to understand what might have happened.
Battery:
AGM Energizer battery from Costco (manufactured 2024/2025)
What happened:
· I drove the car for about 20 minutes.
· Shortly after parking, someone near the car noticed the left/right turn signals flickering on and off, almost like the vehicle was trying to start electronics with a very weak battery.
· About 10 minutes later, I arrived and checked the battery with a voltmeter.
Voltage readings:
· Initial measurement: ~2V
· Over the next few minutes, the voltage slowly climbed back toward ~12V
· After about 5 minutes, the car was able to start normally
After starting the car:
· After ~2 km drive + 5 minutes idling, engine off battery voltage: ~12.8V
· With engine running: ~14.8V
So the alternator appears to be charging normally.
Questions:
1. Has anyone seen a Honda battery drop to something like 2V and then recover?
2. Could this be caused by a loose battery terminal, ground issue, or BCM/module staying awake?
3. Are there any known electrical issues on the 2021 Pilot (multiplex/BCM, brake booster wake-ups, Auto Idle Stop, etc.) that could cause flickering lights and a sudden battery collapse?
The battery itself is relatively new, so I’m trying to determine whether this is more likely a connection issue, battery defect, or vehicle electronics problem.
Any ideas or similar experiences would be appreciated.
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barbaranna
Honda Forum Help & Suggestion Center
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Jul 10, 2023 07:21 AM



