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The 2009 Honda Pilot has 4 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 134 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2009 Honda Pilot has 134 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 29 complaints, typically surfacing around 112,620 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 Pilot | 266 | 10 |
| 2007 Pilot | 211 | 9 |
| 2008 Pilot | 132 | 9 |
| 2009 Pilot (this page) | 134 | 9 |
| 2010 Pilot | 111 | 10 |
| 2011 Pilot | 292 | 11 |
| 2012 Pilot | 170 | 9 |
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 112,620 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 9 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 4.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
The steering wheel on my 2009 Honda pilot vibrates excessively at any speed over 50mph. I have completely replaced the brake rotor and pads with brand new parts. It improved somewhat, but didn't eliminate the vibration problem. My online research shows they are many others…
Discovered massive weeping of transmission fluid from the case after 3700 miles. Automobile was purchased new with 9 miles on the odometer. *tr
We have learned from other Honda pilot owners as well from the dealer that the transmission is a very, very, very, very common issue. It will cost over $6,000 to fix. That is correct, over $ 6,000 !!!!!!!! We hope the us government will take action. We do not have the…
Variable cylinder management (vcm) excess oil consumption, which has prompt to an engine light "p3497 cylinder deactivation system bank 2" I have taken the car to the dealer, and I am waiting for a resolution/s. The car is a the dealership as I am writing this... I will keep you…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 4.2 out of 10 based on 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 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.
The 2009 Honda Pilot is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Engine: 29 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 80,000–128,248 mi; Reliability score 4.2/10 — below the segment average; 9 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 29 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 112,620 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 4.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 134 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 112,620 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 29 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 112,620 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 112,620 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
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.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 134 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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 are not always better value.