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.
Of the 2006 reports, 23 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 119 people were injured and 99 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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: service brakes
33 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Jan 18, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT TOWARD THE RIGHT, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A RAILING. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS RULED AS DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE LOT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 01/05/13*LJ
Service brakes, Oct 17, 2012
I AM WRITING BECAUSE MY 2006 HONDA PILOT IS TRYING TO STOP FASTER THAN I AM PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE BRAKING SYSTEM TRYING TO STOP AS IF I WAS SLAMMING ON MY BRAKES INSTEAD OF A CONTROLLED STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THE MOTION OF THE BRAKING FEELS AS THOUGH THE BRAKE CALIPER IS PUSHING ON THE BRAKES TO HARD. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 15, 2012
I JUST BOUGHT A USED HONDA PILOT AFTER HAVING A BABY, NEEDING A BIGGER AND SAFER CAR FOR MY KIDS. 5 DAYS AFTER BUYING MY CAR THE VSA LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT.3 WEEKS LATER IT CAME BACK ON AND AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN FULL BRAKES WERE APPLIED FOR NO REASON. MY FOOT WAS NOT EVEN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THANK GOD NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME.I HAD NO IDEA WHY THAT HAD JUST HAPPENED. SO I WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH WHAT THE VSA SYSTEM, NOT THINKING THE BRAKING HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE VSA SYSTEM, THEN I COME ACROSS A HONDA FORUM AND FIND OUT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ALOT OF OTHER PILOT OWNERS, AND THAT THE BRAKING IS CONNECTED TO THE VSA SYSTEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS HAZARD AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. UNFORTUNATELY ALOT OF PEOPLE TAILGATE AND IF THIS WERE TO HAVE HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I WILL ALSO BE WRITING A LETTER TO HONDA TO SEE IF THERE ANY KIND OF RECOURSE FOR US PILOT OWNERS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 28, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE BRAKES SEIZED AND FAILED TO RELEASE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 18, 2010
I HAVE A 2006 HONDA PILOT WHICH I BELIEVE HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM AS TOYOTA'S RECENT RECALLS ABOUT STICKY ACCELERATION. I AM THE FIRST OWNER OF THIS SUV AND NOTICED THE PROBLEM DURING THE VERY FIRST YEAR ITSELF. THAT TIME MY VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP ON A STOP SIGN. THE PROBLEM I FACED WAS WHEN I APPLIED BRAKE, THE CAR DIDN'T STOP AND IT CONTINUED IN THE ACCELERATION MODE AND FINALLY STOPPED AFTER CROSSING THE STOP SIGN. I HAD REPORTED THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY TO THE HONDA DEALER, FROM WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND RETURNED TO ME SAYING THAT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. IN FACT THEY LAUGHED AT ME THAT I DIDN'T APPLY THE BRAKE PROPERLY. THE DEALER DIDN'T DOCUMENT MY CONCERN. AFTER THAT TILL NOW (ALMOST 4 YEARS) I AM EXPERIENCING THIS KIND OF PROBLEM QUITE OFTEN. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE TO ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO BRAKE AN ADDITIONAL 2 OR 3 FEET AHEAD OF MY PROPOSED STOP AS THE VEHICLE MAY NOT STOP WHERE I THINK IT SHOULD STOP. IF IT DOES NOT STOP, I BRAKE HARDER AND AT THAT TIME I HEAR THE ACCELERATION IS STILL ON. I ALWAYS IGNORED THIS PROBLEM MAINLY BECAUSE THIS HAPPENS QUITE RANDOMLY LIKE MAYBE A COUPLE OF TIMES EVERY MONTH. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT EXACTLY TRIGGERS THIS. RECENTLY AFTER READING ABOUT THE TOYOTA RECALL, I HAVE A FEELING THAT MY VEHICLE ALSO HAS THE SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND I NOTIFIED THE AMERICAN HONDA COMPANY. THEY ACTUALLY DIDN'T SHOW MUCH INTEREST IN ADDRESSING MY PROBLEM MAINLY BECAUSE MY VEHICLE ALREADY HAS 52K MILES AND THE WARRANTY PERIOD (60K MILES) WILL END SOON. SHOULD I BE REALLY CONCERNED? ARE THERE ANY INDEPENDENT SERVICE ENGINEERS WHO CAN TAKE A LOOK AT MY VEHICLE? *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 5, 2010
HI , I HAVE 2006 HONDA PILOT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES,SOMETIMES WHEN IT GOES OVER POT HOLE OR THROUGH WATER OR LITTLE ICE THE BRAKES STOP WORKING AND IT MAY CAUSE BAD ACCIDENT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 17, 2006
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 22, 2006, crash
AFTER DRIVING MY LEASED 2003 PILOT FOR 3 YEARS, I KNEW HOW IT HANDLED ON TURNS AND HOW IT STOPPED IN EMERGENCIES. BARELY 100 MILES INTO MY 2006 LEASE, I HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP ON A RAINY ROAD DUE TO AN ACCIDENT IN FRONT OF ME, AND REAR-ENDED A CAR WHEN MY ABS SYSTEM FAILED TO STOP IN TIME, DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY 2003 PILOT WOULD HAVE STOPPED AT LEAST 6 FEET BEFORE THE NEXT VEHICLE. KNOWING MY 2003'S STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN ABS KICKS IN, I WAS FLABBERGASTED THAT THE NEW CAR DIDN'T COME CLOSE TO STOPPING IN TIME. I NOTICED ONE TIME SINCE THAT THE ABS SYSTEM JUST DOESN'T COMPARE TO THE 2003, AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS A RESULT. ANOTHER DANGEROUS THING IT HAS DONE TWICE IS FISHTAIL IF I ACCELERATE GOING INTO A TURN OR CURVE. THE DEALERS SERVICE DEP'T USED ALL KINDS OF COMPUTERS TO TEST THE BRAKES, AND TOOK IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE, AND SAID IT FUNCTIONED FINE, AND MAYBE I'M JUST NOT USED TO A 2WD. I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE THIS NEW CAR, IT'S NOT SAFE, AND WOULD RATHER HOLD ON TO MY 2003 PILOT. I KNOW THEY THINK I'M CRAZY, BUT I'D RATHER BE CONSIDERED CRAZY THAN HAVE MY EPITAPH READ, "I TOLD YOU THERE WAS A PROBLEM." *JB