HONDA: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, PISTON RINGS FOR CERTAIN CYLINDERS ROTATE AND ALIGN AND CAN LEAD TO FOULING SPARK PLUG AND A POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EXTENSION HAS BEEN ISSUED. MODEL 2009-2013 PILOT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Honda Pilot powertrain problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 10 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Honda Pilot, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 17 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Honda Pilot has a track record of powertrain trouble. Most common is excessive oil consumption—owners report burning through 1 to 2+ quarts every few weeks, forcing frequent top-ups between 3500–4000 mile service intervals. The problem started as early as August 2016 in one case and hit others with higher mileage (170k+). Dealers give mixed responses: some say it's unknown, others claim it's normal. One owner discovered a class-action settlement exists for this exact issue on the same year and model but was denied coverage.
Transmission problems run deep. One owner's cooler fractured internally at 103,000 miles, dumping transmission fluid into the radiator and stalling the vehicle. Repairs there cost dealer intervention but no total is stated. Other owners cite transmission failure as rampant and costly—estimates exceed $6,000 for repair. A newer vehicle (3,700 miles) showed a weeping transmission case right out of the gate. At highway speeds under 60 mph, some drivers experience high idle, transmission slip sensations, and intermittent check engine lights that vanish after restart. Torque converter shudder at 35–40 mph also appears in reports.
One critical safety complaint: a parked Pilot with the engine running rolled backward down a driveway and into traffic, trapping an owner between the door frame. This suggests the park mechanism did not hold on an incline.
Same Honda Pilot powertrain reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption
Engine burns oil between service intervals, requiring frequent top-ups. Owners report adding 1–2+ quarts every 2–3 weeks, or between standard 3500–4000 mile service intervals. Dealer acknowledgment varies; some dismiss it as normal, others have no diagnosis. One owner references a class-action settlement for the same model year but reports being denied coverage despite identical symptoms and vehicle specs.
When: August 2016 onward in one case; another at 170k miles (started ~30k miles prior)
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops between scheduled oil changes; Requires frequent oil top-ups (1–2+ quarts every few weeks); Check engine light may appear with VCM diagnostic codes
Codes mentioned: P3497 (Cylinder Deactivation System Bank 2)
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repair cited. Dealer responses range from 'unknown cause' to 'not unusual, continue adding oil as needed.' One owner mentions a class-action settlement exists for 2009 Pilots but was reportedly denied coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class-action settlement mentioned for excessive oil consumption on 2009 Pilots; owner reports being denied despite matching year, make, model, and engine.
Transmission cooler fracture with internal leakage
Transmission cooler fractured internally, allowing transmission fluid to leak into the radiator. Led to vehicle stall. Dealer diagnosed and repaired by replacing radiator and repairing transmission cooler.
When: Approximately 103,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalled without warning; Transmission fluid leaked into radiator
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced radiator and repaired transmission cooler.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of the failure.
Transmission failure—general
Owners report transmission problems described as 'very, very, very, very common issue' among 2009 Pilot owners, with repair costs exceeding $6,000. No specific failure mode is detailed, but owners express frustration that Honda is 'well aware' of the problem for years.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission issues (specific symptoms not detailed)
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost exceeds $6,000.
Torque converter shudder
Torque converter shudders or vibrates at specific speed range. Symptom occurs during normal driving.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Shudder or vibration between 35–40 mph
Transmission fluid weeping from case
Transmission case develops a leak, weeping fluid externally. Occurred very early in vehicle ownership with minimal mileage.
When: 3,700 miles (vehicle purchased new with 9 miles on odometer)
Symptoms owners cite: Massive weeping of transmission fluid from case
High idle and transmission slip with intermittent check engine light
Vehicle idles high and feels like it's in neutral while driving despite being in gear. D light blinks and check engine light illuminates. Symptoms resolve temporarily when engine is shut down and restarted but recur within minutes. Does not occur above 60 mph on highway.
When: Within 3 days of purchase (new to owner)
Symptoms owners cite: High idle; Sensation of transmission in neutral while driving; D light blinking; Check engine light illumination; Symptoms resolve after restart then recur; Does not occur above 60 mph
Park brake or transmission park engagement failure
Vehicle rolled backward down driveway and into road while parked with engine running, despite rear camera being disengaged. Owner was trapped and dragged by the vehicle until a fence slowed it down. This represents a critical safety defect in the parking mechanism.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolled backward from parked position with engine running; Park mode did not hold vehicle on incline
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 money to fix this problem that Honda is well aware of for years now. Please help us common folk thank you
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 updated as I know more. Thanks.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 Honda Pilot?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Honda Pilot?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 61,230 and 170,000 miles, with the median around 140,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 61,230; a quarter make it past 170,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Honda/Pilot.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.