Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2009 Honda Pilot — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2019 to Dec 2015
The most reported issue is air bags problems (27 complaints). 9 complaints involved crashes. 4 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (9)
NHTSA Campaign: 18V268000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 19V502000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 19V378000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 17V545000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 18V042000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 17V030000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V346000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 11V468000
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
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.
Risk: IF THE STITCHING IS INCOMPLETE OR MISSING, THE SEATBELT MAY DETACH FROM THE ANCHOR WEBBING, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 13V016000
Component: AIR BAGS
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 134)
Engine →6 issues
While driving your car, an engine valve fell into the engine, causing the car to become inoperable. You were able to safely coast to a stop by shifting into neutral. This type of failure suggests internal engine damage that will require professional repair or engine replacement.
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Your serpentine belt tensioner bolt keeps breaking and has needed replacement three times. This appears to be a widespread defect that has affected vehicles for at least 10 years. The repair will involve replacing the tensioner bolt and possibly inspecting the tensioner assembly for damage.
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Your 2009 Honda Pilot's engine may need new piston rings, which seal the pistons in the cylinders. This is reportedly a common issue with this model year, even on vehicles that aren't driven frequently. Replacing piston rings typically requires removing the engine or significant internal work to access and install new rings.
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Your 2009 Pilot is consuming oil faster than normal and getting poor fuel economy, creating a risk of running out of oil during long desert drives. Your mechanic noticed low oil levels even though you maintain the vehicle regularly. Honda customer service and the dealership have declined to help because your VIN doesn't match their recall list. The fix will likely involve having a mechanic diagnose the source of the excessive oil consumption and determine if engine repairs or replacement is needed.
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Your check engine light is staying on, and you're noticing a burning oil smell inside the cabin. You've also noticed your car is using more oil than normal, but you don't see any oil leaks underneath the vehicle. The cause hasn't been identified yet, and Honda hasn't offered assistance.
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Your engine's piston rings have failed, which are small metal rings that seal the pistons inside the engine cylinders. This can lead to oil leaking into the combustion chamber, causing excessive oil consumption, blue smoke from the exhaust, and reduced engine performance. The fix will require removing the engine head and replacing the damaged piston rings.
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Air Bags →2 issues
Your passenger side airbag warning light is on, and a diagnostic trouble code (12-51) has been stored in your vehicle's computer system. This warning has been active for several years without being addressed. You should have a dealership diagnose why the airbag system is flagging this code, as it may indicate a sensor, wiring, or airbag component issue that needs repair.
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Your airbag warning light came on while driving after you purchased the vehicle from the dealership. The dealership is now asking you to pay for repairs, but you believe this safety system should have been checked before the sale. This will likely require diagnostic scanning to identify the airbag system fault and replacement of any faulty sensors or control modules.
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Seat Belts →2 issues
Your driver's side seat belt keeps coming undone while you're driving instead of staying fastened. This is a safety concern because the belt won't protect you in a crash if it's not properly secured. The seat belt latch mechanism likely needs to be inspected or replaced to ensure it holds securely.
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Your driver's side seat belt has been unlatching on its own while you're driving, even at low speeds around 10 mph. This problem has been happening for the past six months. The seat belt latch mechanism may need to be inspected or replaced to ensure it stays securely fastened while driving.
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Seats →2 issues
Your driver's seat recline mechanism failed and wouldn't return to the upright position. You had to manually force the seat forward by operating the knob from outside the vehicle, and it took multiple attempts to get it fully upright again. The dealer identified that the seat motor/drive system was breaking apart and would need complete seat replacement, which costs over $1,800 plus additional upholstery work for your leather seat. This leaves you concerned about using the recline function again due to the risk of the seat getting stuck.
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Your driver's power seat track became jammed, restricting the seat to move only about 2 inches forward or backward. This trapped you in a position too close to the steering wheel, making it difficult to reach the controls and seat belt safely. The dealer had to replace the entire lower seat track assembly to fix the problem.
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Service Brakes, Air,service Brakes →1 issue
Your brake pedal failed to stop your vehicle while driving at 45 mph, resulting in a crash with another car at a traffic light. Your wife sustained neck and back injuries and was hospitalized, while the other driver was also taken to the hospital by ambulance. The airbags deployed during impact. A police report was filed, and your vehicle has not yet been inspected by Honda or a dealer to determine why the brakes failed.
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Suspension,service Brakes,engine →1 issue
Shortly after purchasing this vehicle, you discovered multiple serious safety issues that weren't disclosed during the dealer's inspection: the brakes were installed incorrectly, both front control arms and struts were severely worn, the engine was misfiring, and one strut wasn't working at all. A independent mechanic found evidence the car had been in a significant accident with underside repairs, contradicting the dealer's claims. The dealer's service department twice claimed everything was fine despite these obvious problems. These suspension and brake issues make the vehicle unsafe to drive and will likely require replacing brake components, control arms, and struts.
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Unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your transmission shudders or vibrates during operation. You've connected with other 2009 Pilot owners who report the same issue, and you believe Honda is aware of the problem but no recall has been issued. The dealership has quoted you repair options, all requiring out-of-pocket costs. A transmission repair or fluid service may be needed to address the shuddering.
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Power Train,engine →1 issue
Your transmission may develop problems, which is reportedly common in 2009 Honda Pilots. According to the owner, repairs can cost over $6,000. The owner reports that Honda and dealers are aware of this ongoing issue.
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Power Train,electronic Stability Control (esc) →1 issue
Shortly after purchasing your vehicle, you experienced high idling and a sensation that the car was slipping out of gear while driving, even though it wasn't. The D gear indicator light began blinking and the check engine light came on. The problem occurs intermittently at speeds under 60 mph and temporarily stops when you turn the car off and back on, but doesn't occur at highway speeds above 60 mph. The issue likely involves diagnosing the transmission control module, electronic stability control sensors, or engine control computer to identify the fault causing these symptoms.
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Electrical System,unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your check engine light is staying on. The manufacturer needs to diagnose what's triggering the light through their diagnostic computer system.
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Suspension →1 issue
Your dealer informed you that your compliance bushings are leaking and need repair. Honda issued a bulletin about this issue but never contacted you about it. Since your vehicle is out of warranty, Honda says you must pay for the replacement parts and labor yourself.
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Engine And Engine Cooling,engine →1 issue
The owner filed a complaint about the engine or engine cooling system but did not provide specific details in the complaint text. Please refer to the attached document for information about what problem they experienced with their 2009 Honda Pilot's engine.
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