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
268 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010
TODAY WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 PILOT, I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 33MPH. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. IT WAS VERY QUICK, ALMOST LIKE A LUNGE. I HIT THE BREAK AND IT DID SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE STRANGE THING ABOUT THIS IS, THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWO OTHER TIMES THAT I CAN RECALL. IT HASN'T HAPPENED IN QUITE A WHILE BUT I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS, 9 MONTHS, AND IT WAS SOMETIME DURING THAT TIME PERIOD. I NEVER HAD IT CHECKED OUT BECAUSE IT HAD ONLY HAPPENED TWICE AND FROM EXPERIENCE, IF YOU BRING IT TO THE DEALER, UNLESS IT DOES IT FOR THEM, THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE IT. I NEVER EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT THIS HAVING HAPPENED, EVEN WITH THE TOYOTA RECALLS, UNTIL IT DID IT TO ME AGAIN TODAY. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE WET, HOWEVER I WAS NOT GOING THROUGH A PUDDLE AT THE TIME. I WAS NOT BRAKING. I WAS MAINTAINING MY SPEED. UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT REMEMBER THE ROAD CONDITIONS OR SPEED THE OTHER TWO TIMES THIS HAPPENED. *TR
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
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 13, 2010
I EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS INCIDENT OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN MY 2006 HONDA PILOT EX-L ON FEBRUARY 8, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:45 A.M. EST NEAR THE REAR GARAGE ENTRANCE TO THE OFFICE TOWER. AS I WAS APPROACHING THE GARAGE ENTRANCE AT UNDER 10 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED ROARING TO 5000 RPM. I IMMEDIATELY AND WITH MAXIMUM FORCE PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH FORTUNATELY DID STOP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN PARK, AND THE ENGINE NEVER DEVIATED FROM THE 5000 RPM LEVEL. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AT THE IGNITION AND WAITED MAYBE A MINUTE. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO 5000 RPM. I SHIFTED BACK TO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AGAIN AT IGNITION. I WAITED ANOTHER MINUTE, AND RESTARTED AGAIN WITH THE SAME FRIGHTENING RESULT. A KENT SECURITY OFFICER FOR THE MIAMI PARKING AUTHORITY WITNESSED (SAW AND HEARD) THE ENTIRE INCIDENT AND OFFERED ASSISTANCE. I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND HE PUSHED IT BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE ENTRANCE AND TO THE CURB, OUT OF TRAFFIC, WHILE I STEERED WITH NO POWER. I WAITED MAYBE THREE TO FOUR MORE MINUTES AFTER THAT AND DECIDED TO TRY RESTARTING THE CAR ONE MORE TIME TO MOVE IT TO TRY TO MOVE IT INTO THE GARAGE. THAT TIME, IT STARTED NORMALLY. I SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND DROVE IT INTO THE GARAGE AND PARKED. WE ARE TRYING TO OBTAIN THE SURVEILLANCE VIDEO OF THE ENTIRE INCIDENT. AMERICAN HONDA EXAMINED THE CAR AT BRICKELL HONDA IN MIAMI, DRIVING IT 64 TOTAL MILES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER 3 DAYS, AMERICAN HONDA IN CALIFORNIA (CHRIS SCHROEDER 800-999-1009 EXTENSION 117703) DECIDED THERE WAS NO NEED TO CONDUCT ANY FURTHER TESTING AND DECLARED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. HE EXPRESSED NO CONCERN THAT IT PRESENTED ANY DANGER IN THE FUTURE AND THAT AMERICAN HONDA WOULD DO NOTHING UNLESS I COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT A SERVICE FACILITY. *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
Vehicle speed control, Jan 5, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE SPEEDING UP SUDDENLY EVEN WHEN HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL. HE WAS FORCED TO SHIFT GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO RE-START THE VEHICLE AND SEE IF IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. THE ISSUE DID NOT RE-OCCUR SO HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT. HE HAD A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AT THE TIME THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. HE HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Parking brake, Power train, Oct 2, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A STEEP HILL WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL FLIPPING OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND COMING TO A STOP. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70000. UPDATED 12/10/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. UPDATED 12/10/09
Structure, Jun 23, 2009
BEGAN NOTICING A MUSTY SMELL IN THE VEHICLE, FOLLOWED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER BY A SLOSHING SOUND THAT EVENTUALLY MANIFESTED ITSELF INTO A ROLLING WAVE OF WATER THAT SWEPT OVER MY FLOOR MATS. WATER IS SATURATING THE CARPETS (THINK OF A WET SPONGE) AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH UNDETERMINED POINTS AT OR NEAR THE FIREWALL. THIS DEFINITELY OCCURS WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN RAIN, WHEN DRIVEN OVER WET AND SNOW-COVERED ROADS, AND WHEN SITTING IN A CAR WASH. I HAVE NOT DETERMINED IF IT OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE SITS UNUSED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER HAS REMOVED, CLEANED, REINSTALLED, AND RESEALED A "BODY PLUG" THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY IMPROPERLY SEALED AT THE FACTORY; YET, EVEN AFTER THIS SERVICE WORK, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. SEARCHING THE WEB, I'VE NOTICED OTHER HONDA PILOT AND RIDGELINE OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME TYPE OF WATER LEAKAGE PROBLEM; AND, WITH VARYING DEGREES OF SUCCESS, DEALERS SEEM TO BE PUTTING "BAND AIDS" (CAULK) ON A VARIETY OF NOTED AND POTENTIAL ENTRY POINTS THROUGH THE FIREWALL, WHEEL WELLS, AND WELDED METAL JOINTS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 6, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE MISFIRED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND RECOMMENDED THAT A SPECIFIC TYPE OF FUEL BE PLACED IN THE VEHICLE. THE HIGH LEVEL OF LETHAL BUILD-UP IN THE ENGINE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURES, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,050.
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
Visibility, Feb 25, 2009
INTERMITTENT NOISE (AS IF SOMEONE KNOCKED ON REAR WINDOW) WITHIN 5 SECONDS OF STARTING CAR. OCCURS AT ANY TEMPERATURE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 22, 2009
CONDENSER DESIGN ON 2006 HONDA PILOT. CONDENSER IS EASILY DAMAGED BY ROAD DEBRIS AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND THIS IS A COMMON DESIGN FLAW ACROSS ALL HONDAS. THE NEWER MODELS HAVE MODIFIED THE GRILL TO PREVENT DEBRIS DAMAGE TO THE CONDENSER. *TR
Steering, Nov 6, 2008
MY 2006 HONDA PILOT SUV HAS HAD A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL SINCE DAY 1. WE HAVE HAD THE TIRES BALANCED 20 TIME. WE HAVE HAD A HONDA DEALER PUT NEW TIRES ON OUR 2006 PILOT AND IT STILL HAS STEERING VIBRATION AROUND 70 MPH. WE NOW HAVE 40,450 MILES ON OUR PILOT AND WE STILL HAVE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS. THE DEALER EVEN PULLED THE AXLES AND HAD THEM CHECKED OUT. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEM. I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER WITH 163,350 MILES ON IT AND I DON'T HAVE STEERING VIBRATIONS. *TR
Tires, Sep 23, 2008
RE: FAILURES OF TIRE VALVE STEMS 2006 HONDA PILOT NUMBER OF FAILURES: 2 1. EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURES COMMON FILLING OF TIRES WITH HIGH PRESSURE AIR LEAD TO DISINTEGRATION OF THE VALVE STEM. THE VALVE STEM SEPARATES AT THE THREADS FOR THE VALVE CAP, COMPLETELY EXPOSING THE TIRE FILLER VALVE. 2. THIS EVENT HAS OCCURRED ON TWO OF THE FOUR OPERATING TIRE VALVES IN THIS 2006 HONDA PILOT. THERE HAVE BEEN NO CONSEQUENCES, BUT THE EXPOSURE TO TIRE VALVE FAILURE FROM BEING EXPOSED IS OBVIOUS. 3. CORRECTION REQUIRES THE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRE VALVE AND ITS UNDERLYING TIRE PRESSURE SENDING UNIT. FAILURE MODE: THIS FAILURE APPEARS TO BE A RESULT OF THE USE OF SOFT ALUMINUM IN THE TIRE VALVE STEM, THE CUTTING OF SHARP, V-SHAPED THREADS ON BOTH THE EXTERIOR TO HOLD THE VALVE CAP AND THE INTERIOR TO HOLD THE VALVE AND TIRE PRESSURE SENDING UNIT. THE SHARPLY CUT THREADS, COMPARED TO CONICALLY CUT THREADS, RESULTS IN FRACTURE WHEN THE INTERIOR THREADS AND EXTERIOR THREADS CROSS, LEADING TO MINIMAL METAL BETWEEN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR. THE FAILURE IN ONE CASE OCCURRED WHEN REMOVING THE VALVE CAP, COMPLETELY EXPOSING THE TIRE VALVE ITSELF. THE FAILURE IN THE SECOND CASE OCCURRED WHEN THE HIGH PRESSURE AIR FILLING VALVE (BRASS) ADHERED TO THE VERY SHARP EXTERIOR THREADS AND SIMPLY RIPPED THE VALVE STEM APART. NOTE THAT THE VALVE STEM IS COMPOSED OF A SOFT ALUMINUM, RATHER THAN HARDENED BRASS OR STEEL. I BRING THIS TO NHTSA SINCE, IN MY OPINION, THERE IS A REAL POSSIBILITY THAT THESE VALVE STEM FAILURES CAN LEAD TO RAPID DEFLATION OF THE SUBJECT TIRE, LOSS OF OPERATOR CONTROL, AND CONSEQUENT ACCIDENT AND INJURY IF THE VALVE STEM SEPARATES SUCH THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE TIRE VALVE IS DAMAGED. IN MY ESTIMATION, THIS IS AS SIGNIFICANT A PROBLEM AS WAS THE HISTORIC SUDDEN TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ISSUE. IN FACT, THIS PROBLEM CAN RESULT IN THE SAME UNEXPECTED LOSS OF TIRE INTEGRITY IF THE TIRE VALVE IS DAMAGED SUBSEQUENT TO A FAILURE IN THE VALVE THREADS. *TR
Tires, Sep 7, 2008
FRONT WHEEL VIBRATION. THE FRONT WHEEL ON MY HONDA PILOT VIBRATES AT 65-70MPH, THE HONDA DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM ON SIX (6) OCCASIONS HOWEVER THEY CANNOT FINDOUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. HONDA, CORPORATE SERVICE IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE HOWEVER, THEY CANNOT OFFER A SOLUTION EITHER. IS THIS GOING TO BE ANOTHER FORD EXPLORER TIRE-FRONTEND PROBLEM??? PLEASE ADVISE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 4, 2008
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON IN MY 2006 HONDA PILOT. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN I WAS TOLD THAT ALL SIX CYLINDERS WERE MISFIRING AND THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE REAR ROCKER ARMS AND ALL RELATED PARTS, WHICH WERE REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THE ALL CYLINDERS WERE MISFIRING AND A RESET CODE WAS COMPLETED CRANK PATTERN RESET AND LEARN WERE PERFORMED. THE THIRD TIME I WAS TOLD THAT ALL CYLINDERS WERE MISFIRING AND THAT I NEEDED TO SWITCH TO USING CHEVRON GASOLINE ONLY. THE FOURTH TIME THE LIGHT CAME ON I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA IN CALIFORNIA. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR AT WILLETTE HONDA SOUTH SINCE AUGUST 19, 2008. I KEEP GETTING A DIFFERENT EXPLANATION FROM HONDA WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKETS, COOLING GASKETS AND INJECTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. TODAY (9/4/08), I WAS TOLD THAT THE PISTONS HAD TO BE ADJUSTED. *TR
Seat belts, Sep 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT'S THREE YEAR OLD CHILD WAS SEATED BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER'S HEAD IS A SEAT BELT THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE ROOF, WHICH CROSSES INTO THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO GRAB THE SEAT BELT. WHILE PLAYING WITH IT, THE SEAT BELT SOMEHOW WRAPPED AROUND THE CHILD'S NECK. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO UNWRAP THE SEAT BELT DUE TO THE CONNECTION OF THE SEAT IN THE VEHICLE. SHE HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT BECAUSE THE CHILD WAS TURNING BLUE DUE TO LACK OF OXYGEN. SHE CALLED HONDA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS WORKING PROPERLY AND SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UNLATCH THE SEAT BELT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 34,000.
Tires, Apr 12, 2008
MY 2006 PILOT CAME WITH GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES. DESPITE WHEEL BALANCING AND REGULAR ROTATIONS, THE TIRES WORE OUT, DOWN TO ZERO TREAD IN 20,000 MILES. THEY ARE PURE GARBAGE AND UNSAFE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Equipment, Mar 14, 2008
ROCKS IN THE CONDENSER CAUSED THE A/C TO BREAK. *TR
Equipment, Jan 21, 2008
THIS PROBLEM PRESENTED ITSELF SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT ANNOYANCE SINCE THEN. SOMETIMES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE RADIO ON THERE WILL BE NO SOUND FROM THE SPEAKERS. SOMETIMES AFTER DRIVING A WHILE, PERHAPS 20 MINUTES OR SO, THE RADIO WILL EMIT A LOUD ELECTRICAL POPPING NOISE AND SOUND WILL COME FROM THE SPEAKERS AGAIN. ALSO IF THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF LET SIT AND THEN TURNED BACK ON THE RADIO WILL START WORKING AGAIN. *TR
Seat belts, Dec 11, 2007
TRAVELING ON A DESOLATE HIGHWAY, I HEARD MY SON WHIMPER IN THE BACK SEAT. TO MY HORROR, I SAW THAT HE HAD TANGLED THE SEATBELT AROUND HIS NECK AND WAS BEING LIFTED FROM HIS SEAT BY IT. MY HUSBAND PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND WE LUNGED BACK TO RELEASE THE BELT. WE THEN REALIZED THAT HE WAS NOT TRAPPED BY HIS OWN SEATBELT BUT BY THE SEATBELT DESIGNED FOR A CENTER PASSENGER IN THE SECOND ROW. THIS BELT COMES DOWN FROM THE CEILING AND CONNECTS AT THE SEAT TO A LATCH DESIGNED WITHOUT A QUICK RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCHED BELT HAD BEEN RESTING AGAINST THE SEAT BEHIND MY SON'S RIGHT SHOULDER. PLAYING WITH THAT BELT, HE HAD PULLED IT FAR ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE RETRACTION FEATURE. THEN HE WRAPPED IT AROUND HIS HEAD. WHEN IT BEGAN TO TIGHTEN, HE PANICKED, AND IT SLIPPED DOWN AROUND HIS NECK AND TIGHTENED MORE. MY HUSBAND AND I GRABBED THE BELT WHERE IT CAME OUT OF THE CEILING TO STOP IT FROM RETRACTING, BUT IT WAS ALREADY TOO TIGHT TO GET OVER HIS HEAD. WE WERE STRUGGLING TO THINK STRAIGHT. NEITHER OF US KNEW HOW TO DETACH THE BELT AND WE WERE TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING TO CUT IT. REALIZING THE DANGER HE WAS IN, MY SON STARTED SQUIRMING MORE. IN CALMING HIM, WE CALMED OURSELVES A LITTLE. THANKFULLY, I REMEMBERED A FRIEND MENTIONING HE HAD FOUND IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL HOW TO DETACH THE BELT FROM THE LATCH BY STICKING A KEY IN A NOTCH ON THE LATCH. I GRABBED THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION AND POPPED THE LATCH. MY SON WAS SAFE. HAD ONLY ONE PARENT BEEN IN THE CAR, HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HOLD THE BELT TO KEEP IT FROM RETRACTING AND REACH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION - LET ALONE FIND THE VERY BRIEF MENTION OF THIS BELT'S OPERATION IN THE USER'S MANUAL. A DRIVER COULD BE UNAWARE OF THIS HAPPENING RIGHT BEHIND HIM. MY SON NEARLY DIED WITH US HELPLESSLY STANDING BY. ANOTHER CHILD SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DIE FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW TO BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED (WWW.KSL.COM/INDEX.PHP?NID=148&SID=2169050). PLEASE RECALL THIS DANGEROUS SEATBELT CONFIGURATION. THANK YOU. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 30, 2007, crash, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. IT WAS A MINOR CRASH. SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF HER VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY FLAMES. SHE IMMEDIATELY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE REPAIR SHOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,000.
Equipment, Jun 19, 2007
THE RADIO IS CONSTANTLY LOSING RECEPTION WHEN VEHICLE HITS A BUMP. SOMETIME IT WILL RECONNECT WHEN ANOTHER BUMP OR HOLE IS HIT. THE RADIO WAS REPLACED, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING IN THE ANTENNA THAT IS DEFECTIVE. *AK
Structure, May 8, 2007
THE NEW '2006 HONDA PILOT HAD LESS THAN 8000 MILES ON IT, AND WATER WAS SOMEHOW GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROOF AND UNDERNEATH THE CAR , AND WAS SOAKING THE FRONT CARPETS. I WOULD HAVE NEVER NOTICED IT IF I HAD NOT DECIDED TO VACUUM THE CARPETS. DURING THE WINTER MONTHS I NOTICED A DARK SUBSTANCE UNDERNEATH THE SEATS, AND NOW I REALIZED IT WAS WATER TURNED TO ICE. I REALIZED WHENEVER IT RAINED WATER GOT INTO THE VEHICLE, AND REMAINED FOR A FEW WEEKS UNLESS ONE TOOK OUT THE MATS. HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F11733A I VISITED THE I ABOVE INTERNET SITE AND NOTICED I AM NOT ALONE. I HAVE SEARCHED FAR AND WIDE AND COULD NOT FIND THIS PILOT WET CARPET ISSUE TO BE EITHER A RECALL OR A SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH DID NOT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME. WAS HONDA TRYING TO KEEP THIS A SECRET? AS OF 05/08/2007 THE PILOT WAS STILL AT A HONDA DEALERSHIP BEING FIXED. THEY REPORTED TO ME THAT THEY WERE HAVING TROUBLE PATCHING UP ALL THE LEAKS. A COPY OF MY FIRST OF MANY INVOICES TO COME WAS ENCLOSED. WE PERFORMED BULLETIN 07-010. RECHECKED FOR LEAKS. WATER STILL COMING IN VEHICLE. WATER COMING IN BY FIREWALL WE REMOVED BLOWER MOTOR ASSEMBLY, REMOVED BOTH FRONT INNER FENDER WALLS, AND FOUND WATER COMING IN FROM PILLARS ON ROOF NEAR WINDSHIELD. WE SEALED THE BODY SEAM. WATER TESTED AGAIN. AND IT WAS NOT LEAKING ANYMORE. *AK I GUESS IT'S STILL LEAKING BECAUSE I AM STILL DRIVING A LOANER CAR.
Tires, Jan 15, 2007
OUR 2006 HONDA PILOT (13,535 MILES) HAD A BLOWOUT OF THE PASSENGER REAR TINE ON JANUARY 10,2007. THIS OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE ROUTE 84 IN DANBURY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE INSIDE SIDEWALL WAS OPENED NOT THE TIRE TREAD. THE AAA DRIVER TOLD MY WIFE IT WAS A BLOWOUT NOT CAUSED BY RUNNING OVER SOMETHING IN THE ROAD. MY WIFE ALSO STATED THAT SHE DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING. ARE THERE ANY ISSES WITH THE REMAINING TIRES? BRIDGESTONE 235/70R16 B/STONE DUELLER. *JB
Exterior lighting, Nov 20, 2006
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON 2006 HONDA PILOT DO NOT SHINE VERY FAR WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL. THERE IS A DIVIDER BAR BETWEEN LOWER (LOW BEAM) AND UPPER (HIGH BEAM) LIGHTS THAT LIMITS THE DISTANCE THE LOW BEAM SHINES WHEN AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL AND PROCEEDING UP ANOTHER HILL. *JB