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ProblemsByVin File / 2005-HONDA-PILOT
2005 · honda

honda Pilot problems

3 safety recalls. 678 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.2 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
146 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
airbags
109 reports · avg $1,100
severe
brakes
73 reports · avg $450
severe
engine
51 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
50 reports · avg $850
severe
steering
36 reports · avg $700
severe
suspension
33 reports · avg $900
severe
cruise control
28 reports · avg $600
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2005 Pilot · powertrain
WHEN I AM GOING IN A SPEED RANGE ABOUT 35 MPH I GET LIKE SHUDDER/GRINDING SOUND COMING OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE PILOT. I AM GETTING VERY CONCERN BECAUSE I'VE DRIVEN OTHER PILOTS AND THEY ALL DO THE SAME AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS NOISE. *JS
12/31/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10669409.0
2005 Pilot · powertrain
HEARD A WEIRD NOISE WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT IT WAS, TRANNY FLUID WAS BUBBLING OUT OF THE RADIATOR OVERFLOW. HAD THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED BY AUL, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY CO. THEY SENT A USED TRANNY AND WITHIN A WEEK IT WAS SHAKING…
12/31/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10669415.0
2005 Pilot · steering Crash
MY WIFE LOST CONTROL , 2 LANE PAVED ROAD 45 MPH (CAR DAMAGE FROM BUMPER TILL REAR END) COMING TO STOP IN A DITCH TO HER LEFT. NO OTHER VEHICLE/INVOLVED, REPORT WAS FILED WITH INSURANCE, CAR REPAIRED ( OVER $10,000 ) I ARRIVED AS POLICE OFFICER WAS INTERVIEWING MY WIFE @ OUR…
12/30/2012 · NHTSA ODI #10490502.0
2005 Pilot · visibility
I AM THE OWNER ON A 2005 HONDA PILOT EX. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE GLASS IN MY SUNROOF SHATTERED. IT MADE A LARGE POP AND THEN WE WERE SHOWERED WITH SHARDS OF GLASS. THERE ARE NO SIGNS THAT AN OBJECT IMPACTED THE GLASS. *TR
12/30/2009 · NHTSA ODI #10297480.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 12V136000 30/03/2012

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CR-V; MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2005 PILOT; AND MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 CIVIC VEHICLES

IF THE TERMINAL ENDS MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL HARNESS OR REPLACE THE LIGHTING SWITCH AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE ORIGINAL RECALL BEGAN IN APRIL 2012. OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE SEPTEMBER 2012 EXPANSION WILL BE NOTIFIED IN SEPTEMBER 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
severe NHTSA 04V541000 18/11/2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME FUEL TANKS WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED

IN A CRASH, THE FUEL TANK COULD BE DAMAGED AND LEAK FUEL. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Fix: DEALERS REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. ALL OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON NOVEMBER 10, 2004.
severe NHTSA 05V039000 03/02/2005

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE STEERING COLUMN MAY BE INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

Fix: OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON JANUARY 25, 2005, AND ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THEIR DEALERS AND HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2005.

Common questions

Is the 2005 Honda Pilot reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 678 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Honda Pilot has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2005 Honda Pilot?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 146 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Honda Pilot has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Honda Pilot?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 678 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 6 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with honda. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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