2008 Honda Pilot
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 133 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 23 Pilot model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 11 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 15 people were injured and 1 person 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
Representative owner complaints
133 reports, newest first.
Steering, Feb 24, 2009
DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED IN PARKING LOT, WHILE MAKING A TURN TO THE RIGHT WITH STEERING WHEEL CLOSE TO FULL RIGHT TURN LOCK. KEYS ON KEY RING CAUGHT WITHIN RECESS IN THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL (RECESS IS EXPOSED TO KEYS BECAUSE OF RIGHT TURN), AND LODGED AGAINST CASING THAT CONTAINS THE KEY ASSEMBLY, WITH THE RESULT OF THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKING IN THE RIGHT TURNED POSITION WHILE MOVING, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT ACCIDENT SINCE NO CAR WAS IN THE PARKING SPACES AT THAT TIME. WAS ONLY ABLE TO REMOVE JAMMED KEY/STEERING WHEEL CONDITION (AFTER STOPPING) WHEN HONDA KEY BROKE, RELEASING THE ELECTRONIC PORTION OF KEY FROM THE METAL PORTION, ALLOW THE WEDGING OF THE OTHER KEY TO RELEASE. COMBINATION OF KEYS ON KEY RING AND LOW SPEED FULL RIGHT TURN CAUSE THE DANGEROUS CONDITION. DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR OTHER MOTORIST WITH MANY KEYS (8) ON RELATIVELY SMALL KEY RING, ALLOWING SOME KEYS ON RING TO POINT TOWARDS STEERING WHEEL RATHER THAN DOWNWARDS. HONDA SHOULD EITHER PLUG THE RECESS IN STEERING WHEEL, OR PROVIDE SHIELDING TO PREVENT KEYS FROM CONTACTING BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL. NOTE THAT THE IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE HAVING THIS VEHICLE FOR 1.5 YEARS. *TR
Air bags, Aug 18, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE AND WAS REAR ENDED BY THE VEHICLE IN HIS REAR. THE VEHICLE BEHIND HIM WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH AS WELL. FOUR OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. NONE OF THE EIGHT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,300.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 6, 2008
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY SEVERAL OTHER WARNING LIGHTS. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND I BARELY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. DEALER ANALYZED A BROKEN TIMING BELT AND REPLACED BELT AND HEADS. TAKING CAR BACK TO DEALER FOR ENGINE NOISE WHICH STARTED AFTER REPAIR. *TR
Seats, Aug 5, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADREST WILL GRADUALLY RISE ON ITS OWN AND CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL IT REACHES ITS HIGHEST POINT ON THE SEAT. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER ONCE FOR THE DEFECT AND THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT. AFTER TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR OFFER A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Fuel system, Other, Jun 30, 2008
WE HAVE BOUGHT TWO HONDA PILOTS AND ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OUR NEW ONE. FUEL EVAP. SYSTEM, KEEPS HAVING PROBLEMS SENDING CODES TO THE COMPUTERS. COULD LEAD TO A DANGEROUS INCIDENT. PROBLEM RECURS ALOT, ESP AFTER YOU FUEL UP YOUR TANK OR IS 2/3 FULL. HONDA COULD NOT FIND ANY THING WRONG THE FIRST TIME, NOW WE'LL SEE WHAT THEY SAY THIS SECOND TIME ON OUR BRAND NEW ONE. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Jun 2, 2008
2008 HONDA PILOT WITH DESIGN QUIRKS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MISSING TWO VALVE CAPS, REAR MUD FLAPS WERE INSTALLED AFTER PURCHASE AT HER EXPENSE, RADIO/CD/DVD NOT MP3 CAPABLE, ROOF RAILS ARE INCOMPLETE. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE SUNROOF WAS TILTED OPEN, THERE WAS AN ANNOYING SOUND.
Exterior lighting, Feb 11, 2008
A SAFETY CONCERN: HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE ROAD PROPERLY. ON RURAL ROADS THE HEADLIGHT DIP TOO LOW TO BE EFFECTIVE. ROADS WITH ELEVATIONS AND DEPRESSIONS NEGATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THEY PLUNGE THE ROAD INTO TOTAL DARKNESS. A PERSON DRIVING FASTER ON A RURAL THAN 35 MPH WOULD BE "OVER DRIVING" THE HEADLIGHTS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Visibility, Jan 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PROJECTOR STYLE HEADLAMPS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY IN RURAL AREAS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS MET FMVSS AND WERE DESIGNED IN THAT FASHION. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND HAS COPIES OF ALL WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE THAT WAS SENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000. UPDATED 03/10/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS AN ARTIFICIAL LINE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT CONSTANTLY MOVED WITH THE VEHICLE.