Honda Pilot problems
134 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Engine: 29 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 80,000–128,248 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
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.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Honda Pilot reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Honda Pilot is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Honda Pilot?
The 2009 Honda Pilot is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Engine: 29 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 80,000–128,248 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Honda Pilot?
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.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
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.
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 2009 Honda Pilot?
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.