2009 Honda Pilot
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 134 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 23 Pilot model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 9 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot 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 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 F5F and Q5E.
Campaign 19V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 16, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
Campaign 19V378000 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 9, 2018
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of 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, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher 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 air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.
Campaign 18V042000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleAug 31, 2017
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.
Campaign 17V545000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 10, 2017
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV 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 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V 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 B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V 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 side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
Campaign 17V030000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 24, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and 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, unless already included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic GX, and 2007-2008 CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the 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." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. 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 inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.
Campaign 16V346000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJan 18, 2013
Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.
The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the driver's airbag module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 13V016000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, webbingSep 9, 2011
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 PILOT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 13, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE STITCHING THAT SECURES THE END OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER LAP SECTION OF THE SEATBELT MAY BE INCOMPLETE OR MISSING.
IF THE STITCHING IS INCOMPLETE OR MISSING, THE SEATBELT MAY DETACH FROM THE ANCHOR WEBBING, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN A CRASH.
HONDA DEALERS WILL CONDUCT A SPECIALIZED INSPECTION OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELTS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SEATBELTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AUTOMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 11V468000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
38 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Apr 11, 2016
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. 170K MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. NOTICED APPROXIMATELY 30K MILES AGO THAT I NEEDED TO ADD OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, WHICH I ALWAYS GET EVERY 3500-4000 MILES. USUALLY TAKES LESS THAN 1 QUART. MOST RECENTLY, TOOK 2+ QUARTS. HONDA ADVISES THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL AND NO REPAIR IS NECESSARY - JUST CONTINUE TO ADD OIL AS NEEDED. SEEMS ABSURD.
Engine, Oct 8, 2015
V6 ENGINE INTERNAL DAMAGED (TWO CAMS FAILED), DUE TO MULTIPLE ASSOCIATED IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS AND RECALLS (E.G. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTIONS, SPARKPLUGS FAILURE (REF: PO301,PO302, PO303, PO304), IGNITION COILS FAILURE, TIMING BELTS/TENSIONER, FAILURE OF SOFTWARE EARLY WARNING CODE IDENTIFIER. EARLY SYMPTOMS: ENGINE NOISE (LIGHT HUMMING, TO LIGHT KNOCKING), SERVICED WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE A, B, C, D. WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR STOPPED, TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY INDICATED THE ENGINE IS DAMAGED, NON-OPERATIONAL., INCLUDES ALL OTHER ELECTRIC POWER, RECOMMENDED NEW ENGINE AT $12,500.00.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 19, 2015
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I ADJUSTED THE FUEL CAP BUT IT KEPT COMING ON...SO I TOOK IT IN TO LEARN THAT I HAD LITTLE, IF ANY OIL. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT THE HONDA DEALER LESS THAN 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING! NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON TO SAY THAT THE OIL WAS LOW. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND NOTED THAT SIMILAR HONDA OWNERS WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THE OIL IS LEAKING AT AN EXCESSIVE RATE. SO I GOT THE OIL REPLACED. NOW, 2 MONTHS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON DUE TO LOW OIL LEVELS, WHICH WERE JUST REPLACED. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE OIL STAYING IN THE VEHICLE, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ISSUE! *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 8, 2014
THE CHANGE OIL INDICATOR NEVER CAME ON AND MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO AN AUTOZONE TO HAVE THE CODE CHECKED. IT WAS A CODE P3497. THAT WAS A SATURDAY, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY. THEY WERE ABOUT TO LET ME DRIVE AWAY WITH NO OIL BECAUSE THE CODE WAS CLEARED. I INSISTED THEY CHECK INTO IT DUE TO ALL THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH SAME PROBLEM AND IT BEING THE COMPUTER LETTING TO CAR USE ALL THE OIL QUICKLY. IT TURNS OUT I HAD NO OIL, AND I HAD JUST CHANGED THE OIL PROFESSIONALLY AND USED THE BEST SYNTHETIC IN MY CAR. WHICH SHOULD LAST LONGER. VERY DANGEROUS. ENGINE COULD OF LOCKED UP ON A HIGH SPEED ROAD WITH MY THREE KIDS AND WE COULD BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. PLEASE RECALL THE COMPUTER PROBLEM AND PARTS. *TR
Engine, Oct 16, 2014
MY ENGINE HAS STARTED KNOCKING AT LOW ACCELERATION AND DISAPPEARS AFTER SPEED IS ATTAINED. THE KNOCK APPEARS TO BE FROM THE VALVES AND MAY INCLUDE THE TIMING BELT. THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE IT IS AN ADJUSTMENT AND NOT A FAILURE WHICH MEANS THAT IT IS AN INCURRED COST WHICH HONDA DID NOT SHARE WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Engine, May 6, 2014, fire
DRIVING HOME AT A SPEED APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH. BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE THOUGHT IT WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE UNTIL, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND OPENED THE HOOD AND FLAMES SHOT OUT AND IT THROUGH ME BACK AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE, THE HOOD SLAMMED SHUT. CALLED 911 IMMEDIATELY FOR POLICE AND FIRE THE CAR CONTINUED TO INTENSIFY AND EXPLODED. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES. BUT THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Engine, Dec 13, 2013
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, ENGINE HESITATION, MISFIRE, MULTIPLE ENGINE LIGHTS. WHEN I CHANGED THE OIL MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE DID NOT HAVE A DROP OF OIL AND HE IS NOT SURE IF THAT DAMAGED THE ENGINE. HE ASKED ME TO DRIVE THE CAR AND REPORT ANY PROBLEM. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I NOTICED THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS. *TR
Engine, Oct 19, 2013, fire
WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITHIN THE CITY AT 15-20 MPH. SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING THEN SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW THE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CAR BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CALLED POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. CAR WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH AROUND 31,000 MILES. *TR
Power train, Engine, May 18, 2013, crash
PULLED 2009 PILOT INTO MY SLOPPING DRIVEWAY I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND ENGINE RUNNING. NOTING REAR CAMERA WAS DISENGAGED. MY HUSBAD AND INFANT IN HIS ARMS WERE 5 FEET AWAY FROM THE REAR SUV. ONCE THE REVERSE LIGHT CAME OFF HE WENT WALKED BEHIND THE TO FRONT OF PASSENGER DOOR. I OPENED THE DOOR OF THE CAR AND SPOKE TO MY HUSBAND WHO WAS STANDING INFRONT OF DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I OPENED DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND WE SPOKE BRIEFLY WHILE DOOR WAS OPEN AND CAR INPAR ENGINE ON. I LEANED INTO THE CENTER CONSOLE TO GRAB COFFE AND I FELT THE CAR ROLLING BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO THE ROAD CAUSING ME TO BE TRAPPED BETWEEN DOOR AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRAME. IT DRAGGED ME INTO THE STREET. I HELD ON TO THE STEERING FEARING I WAS GOING TO BE RUN OVER. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR GOT CAUGHT ON THE A METAL FENCE SLOWING THE CAR DOWN WHERE I COULD FINALLY STAND UP AND RIP KEYS OUT WHILE ENGINE STILL ENGAGED RUNNING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN SEVERAL MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AS WELL AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 20, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA PILOT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT EXHIBITED A NO-START CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. TWO DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER. SHE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, IN WHICH THE CONVERTERS AND INJECTORS WERE REPLACED AT HER EXPENSE. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE ENGINE HAD TO BE INTERNALLY INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND SHE WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,461.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 25, 2009
I BOUGHT A NEW 2009 HONDA PILOT TWO MONTH AGO. I HAVE DRIVEN 1350 MILES ON IT. I COULD NOT START MY VEHICLE AFTER A WEEK SITTING IN MY GARAGE. I HAVE TO JUMP OR CHARGE THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO GET IT STARTED . THIS HAD HAPPENED FOUR TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT. *TR