2006 Honda Pilot

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Air bags is the leading concern among 268 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 23 Pilot model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 268

Of the 2006 reports, 23 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 119 people were injured and 99 people died.

Primary concernAir bags61 reports · 23% of complaints
Owner complaints268Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship10 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Air bags61
  2. Service brakes33
  3. Structure26
  4. Electronic stability control (ESC)22
  5. Engine22
  6. Vehicle speed control20
  7. Electrical system18
  8. Suspension18

Recalls and investigations

  1. Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalOct 10, 2019

    Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

    If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.

    Campaign 19E068000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

    Campaign 19V501000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

    Campaign 19V499000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMar 6, 2019

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

    An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

    Campaign 19V182000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleApr 26, 2018

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

    An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

    Campaign 18V268000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 10, 2017

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

    Campaign 17V029000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 23, 2016

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

    Campaign 16V344000 on NHTSA.gov

  8. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 28, 2015

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.

    Campaign 15V320000 on NHTSA.gov

  9. Equipment, mechanical, carrier/rackFeb 5, 2008

    HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE "HITCH" STYLE BICYCLE RACK.

    WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.

    OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

    Campaign 08E013000 on NHTSA.gov

  10. Equipment, other, owners/service/other manualJul 26, 2006

    ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.

    THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.

    HONDA WILL SEND A POSTCARD TO DEALERS AND OWNERS WITH THE CORRECT NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION AND WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSERT THE CARD INTO THE "REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS" SECTION OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009, ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 OR HONDA MOTORCYCLES AT 1-866-784-1870.

    Campaign 06V270000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: air bags

61 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Air bags, Jan 7, 2015

    TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. DJR

  2. Air bags, Dec 8, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 01/15/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 6/11/2015 *JS

  3. Air bags, Dec 5, 2014, crash

    STRUCK 2 MAILBOXES AND POST. AIRBAG EXPLODED, RIPPING OPEN ON RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES. BOTH HANDS OF DRIVER RECEIVED MULTIPLE SMALL HEMATOMAS (BROKEN SMALL BLOOD VESSELS) AND LEFT HAND RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT DEEP CUTS. STRONG IMPACT OF AIRBAG HITTING DRIVER LEFT DRIVER DISPLAYING SYMPTOMS OF POSSIBLE CONCUSSION. *TR

  4. Air bags, Oct 24, 2014

    MY VEHICLE IS LISTED AS HAVING A POTENTIAL AIR BAG PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT BECAUSE I DO NOT LIVE IN A SOUTHERN STATE MY VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR A REPLACEMENT. MY RESIDENCE CONNECTED WITH MY VIN NUMBER IS SHOWN AS NEW JERSEY BUT I LIVE IN FLORIDA AT LEAST 6 MONTHS. AS OF 10/24/2014 SAFECAR.GOV SHOWS 0 NUMBER OF OPEN RECALLS. I THINK ALL VEHICLES WITH A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM SHOULD BE INCLUDED REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED. *TR

  5. Steering, Air bags, Jul 17, 2014, crash

    WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, SUDDENLY THE WHEEL JERKED TO THE LEFT AND MY VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN GUARD RAIL THEN VEERED BACK ACROSS THE ROAD TO STOP ON AN EMBANKMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE WHEEL JERKING TO THE LEFT IS UNKNOWN. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED, MY HEAD BECAME TRAPPED BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND THE AIRBAG, RESULTING IN CLOSED HEAD INJURY. I BELIEVE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED LATE CAUSING THIS TO OCCUR. I ALSO BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK THE WAY IT DID. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND WAS IN GREAT CONDITION. *TR

  6. Air bags, Feb 27, 2013, crash

    PURCHASED VEHICLE 2009 ODOMETER 35818. 2013 2013 THE ODOMETER READ 70827 OPERATOR HIT A DEER RESULTING TO FRONT AND SIDE DAMAGE, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS REGARDING THE FAILURE WITH THE SRS SENSOR? *TR

  7. Air bags, Jan 8, 2013, crash

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND HAVING TO ABRUPTLY APPLY THE BRAKES, HE CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE STOPPED AHEAD OF HIM. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE BACK. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

  8. Air bags, Nov 5, 2010, crash

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A CHEMICAL ESCAPE FROM THE AIR BAGS THAT BURNED THE CONTACT'S RIGHT HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT, BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,800.

  9. Air bags, Jun 22, 2010

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 5 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED UNKNOWN INJURIES FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER ADVISED PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT YET STATED THE FAILURE POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE HOT WIRE FRONT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE TO THE REAR POWER INVERTER. THE DEALER CUT THE AIR BAG FROM THE VEHICLE USING A RAZOR BLADE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A TRAILER PACKAGE THAT WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,971.

  10. Air bags, Feb 25, 2009

    AIR BAG COVER DISCOLORED AND COMPONENTS IMPRESSION VISIBLE. CONCERNED AIR BAG MAY BE AFFECTED AND NOT WORK PROPERLY IF IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

  11. Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 14, 2006, crash

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED NUMEROUS TIMES AND LANDED ON IT'S TOP DUE TO THE IMPACT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. BOTH OCCUPANTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS; HOWEVER THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD THE OCCUPANTS TO THE SEAT AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT UNBUCKLE; HOWEVER THERE WAS TOO MUCH SLACK IN THE BELT THAT DID NOT RETRACT BACK INTO THE SIDE POST. AS A RESULT, BOTH OF THE OCCUPANT'S HEADS HIT THE WINDSHIELD SUSTAINING INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK AND RIBS. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A COMPLETE LOSS.